Page 68 of Wed to You

“Yes. I think so.” He lifted and kissed Chelsea’s hand.

“Are you enjoying New York?”

“Yes, ma’am. It’s like visiting a different world.”

One silver brow arched and Marlena looked from Chelsea to Jagger. Did I say something wrong? Chelsea glanced at Jagger.

“Ma’am?” Marlena turned her attention back to Chelsea.

Jagger laughed. “They still have manners down in Virginia.”

“Really. Do you call everyone ma’am?”

Chelsea wasn’t sure why Marlena sounded offended. “Uh...not everyone. I use sir for men.”

“Colin will love that.”

Jagger stiffened next to Chelsea, making her wonder who Colin was.

“You don’t have to call me ma’am. It makes me feel old.”

“Yes ma— Ah, okay.”

“Your father’s over there, if you want to avoid him, although, I doubt you’ll be able to.” Marlena nodded to one side of the room.

“We’ll start over here.” Jagger guided her away from where Marlena had motioned. “Want a drink?”

“Yes. A strong one.”

“You and me both.”

On the way to the bar, several people stopped and, like Marlena, were surprised by his marriage and thought Chelsea’s accent was darling. Chelsea tried not to be self-conscious even though everyone was looking at Jagger, wondering about the woman he married. She smiled, until she laid eyes on Lani Kane, a supermodel who had once been photographed with Jagger at a of celebrity event. Looking at the beautiful waif who was giving Jagger a sensuous smile, Chelsea once again felt like a Southern frump. Lani probably had never eaten three pieces of pizza in her life, much less at one meal. Chelsea glanced at Jagger, but his eyes were focused on the bar.

“Scotch and...” He turned to Chelsea.

Deciding she needed to keep her wits about her to avoid losing control of her tongue, she opted not to have hard liquor. “Wine.”

Chelsea bit her lip and tried not to roll her eyes when the woman near the bar asked the bartender if he had moonshine for the “genuine Southern belle.”

When they had their drinks, Jagger steered her towards a corner, away from his father and Lani Kane. She scanned the rest of the party, noticing a celebutante and another model she’d once seen in the tabloids with Jagger.

He leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, “Don’t be self-conscious.”

“That’s easier said than done.”

He took her chin in his thumb and forefinger. “You’re as beautiful as any woman here.”

She would have snorted, except she was at a posh party. She reminded herself that she had a role to play; loving wife to Jagger. So she plastered on a smile and he rewarded her with a quick kiss.

“I know you’re not avoiding me.” A deep voice sounded behind Chelsea.

She looked up to Jagger, his eyes wary.

“Of course not.” Jagger pulled her next to him. His arm was tight around her, and she wondered if it was for her sake or his. “Chelsea, this is my father, Colin Talbot, and his wife, Gabrielle. This is my wife, Chelsea.”

Chelsea’s first impression of Jagger’s father was that he ate too much beta-carotene. She had never seen anyone so orange. He had jet-black hair that sat on his head like a helmet. Did he ever worry about it blowing away? His wife was elegant, as Chelsea had expected, except Chelsea couldn’t read her bland, yet smooth facial expression. Then she remembered Lexie explaining how Botox made it impossible to show expression.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Talbot.”

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