Page 72 of One Night With The Nanny

“One day, my family will learn to communicate in normal ways. In the meantime, we have our own intelligence apparatuses to keep us informed.”

“In the old days, I would have hired an artist to spy on you and paint your portrait,” Leo told Reid. “But these days, our investigators carry smart phones.”

His German accent was thicker than Max’s and he appeared more bemused and curious than interested in the spectacle in the ballroom. Reid wondered if Leo was used to being around so many Americans at once and what he thought of the Plaza and New York City.

“Are you enjoying yourself this evening?” Reid asked him and Leo seemed surprised when his gaze swung back to Reid’s.

“I am, thank you!” he said but Reid sensed that his enjoyment had very little to do with the elegantly attired people, chatting and dancing around them. “This is a lovely place,” Leo said and gestured vaguely. “It was only built in the 1900’s, I believe, and yet it nearly rivals the grandeur of Versailles and Fontainebleau.”

“I believe that was the intent,” Max concurred as he inspected the ceiling and the room’s towering marble pillars.

Reid gave his head a shake, not appreciating the backhanded slander. Even if it was subtle and unintentional on Leo’s part. “I forget how old Europe is and…how traditional some of its countries still are,” he added with a polite smile. “We’re a very young country and we don’t have a lot of old palaces. But it didn’t take us as long to figure out the important things, like democracy and voting.”

“This is true,” Leo said, nodding slowly. A smile spread across his lips as his eyes touched Max’s. “We can be rather fanatical when it comes to tradition overseas and we allow old wars and old rivalries to shape present attitudes.”

Max laughed softly, resting his hand on Reid’s. It was still wrapped around Max’s forearm, for some reason. “You and I are doing our parts to change old attitudes and traditions,” he said to Leo, and the other man laughed and opened his mouth to reply but his attention was caught on something at the bar.

“I know him,” Leo whispered.

“Who?” Max and Reid said at the same time. There were many men and women standing around the bar but the only person Reid knew even vaguely was Jonathon, Muriel’s nephew.

“Him. In the tan suit,” Leo replied distantly.

“Oh.” Reid exchanged a loaded look with Max. “That’s Muriel Hormsby’s nephew, Jonathon Hawthorne, I think…” he said, but he wasn’t sure if Leo heard or was even listening.

“I have to go, but it was nice meeting you, Mr. Marshall.”

“That was…interesting,” Reid decided, but he and Max were both watching as Leo made his way through the crowd. He reached the bar and tapped Jonathon on the shoulder to get the younger man’s attention. Max and Reid hissed and winced when Jonathon turned and tossed a drink in Leo’s face. The ballroom erupted in gasps and hushed whispers and a woman screamed.

“Jonathon!” Muriel’s bellow carried across the room. “What are you thinking, boy?” she demanded of him but Jonathon turned and fled.

“I did not see that coming,” Reid whispered while Leo hurried after Jonathon.

Max’s neck craned and stretched and he was on his toes. “Neither did I.” He lowered, shaking his head. “I’ll have Banks look into it on Monday,” he said as he took Reid's hand and bowed. “Will you do me the honor?”

“Of…?” Reid noticed that several people were no longer watching the bar and were looking on with raised brows.

“Dance with me, Reid.”

“Oh. Right.” He pushed out a relieved breath but still laughed nervously. “They’re not even playing anything,” he whispered to Max. The music had stopped when Muriel screamed.

“A waltz, please,” Max requested loudly, causing more gasps and whispers. The opening strains began a moment later and Max’s smile as he kissed Reid’s hand was loaded with adoration and pride. There was a good dose of lust as his lips lingered on Reid’s knuckle, making his knees wobble.

“Okay,” he breathed with a faint nod.

He was pulled into Max’s arms and Reid was afraid to look at anything but him. Somehow, his feet managed to avoid Max’s and Reid followed him effortlessly through a turn.

“You’re an excellent dancer,” Max observed and Reid let out a surprised laugh.

“Am I dancing?” He felt like he was dreaming.

He wished that he was dreaming. Then, so many people wouldn’t be watching and whispering about them and Reid could stop and kiss Max right there, good and hard, before dragging him back up to their suite.

“You’re dancing,” Max confirmed, his eyes glittering as he smiled down at Reid. “And once again, I am having the most magical night, because of you.”

“So am I,” Reid said, settling into Max’s arms. He was going to enjoy his magical night with the most charming man in Manhattan. People would probably talk and the news would be all over town by Monday, but Reid would worry about it then.

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