Page 88 of Devil's Riches

“It’s okay. We only just got here,” I said, letting him shake my hand. “Happy birthday.”

He smiled warmly. “Thank you, Alexis, and happy birthday to you for tomorrow. There’s a nice big cake waiting for the two of us in the ballroom,” he said with a wink. He turned his attention to Sascha. “Sascha, did you see the Monet in the foyer? I had a feeling you’d like it.”

“Yes. It’s beautiful.”

“You’ll probably like this one, too,” he said, leading her over to a painting that hung over an accent table. “I’m glad to have someone else around who appreciates art. Deborah doesn’t care for it.”

I glanced over at the dining table and noticed it was only set for three. “Where is she?” I asked.

Edward turned his head over his shoulder to look at me. “Sorry, I should’ve told you earlier,” he said. “She still isn’t feeling better yet, so she won’t be joining us for dinner. Her cold is really lingering.”

Sascha’s face fell. “Oh. That sucks.”

“Yes, it won’t be easy entertaining all the party guests later without her around,” he said with a sigh. “She’s the social butterfly of the two of us. But it should be easier with you two here, if you choose to stay.”

“I think we will. I love parties,” Sascha said, smiling again.

Edward returned her smile. “I’m glad to hear it. By the way, we can go up and say hello to your grandmother after dinner, if you want. Just don’t get too close. I’d hate for you to catch her cold.”

“That sounds good. Saying hi, I mean. Not the cold,” I replied.

Edward dipped his head in acknowledgement. Then he gestured to the dining table. “Let’s sit down,” he said. “I hope you’re both hungry.”

We nodded enthusiastically and followed him. He sat at the head of the table, and I sat on his left. Sascha sat on his right, directly across from me.

Two maids appeared in the room a moment later, carrying silver trays laden with heavenly-smelling food. They dished it up for us, working quickly and quietly.

“I had the cook use dairy-free products for that sauce, Sascha. I hope it tastes all right,” Edward said, pointing to a china sauce boat that one of the maids had deposited near her plate. Then he pointed to another sauce boat on the other side of the table. “That one is for us, Alexis. A proper bearnaise.”

“Wow. Thank you,” Sascha said. “It all smells amazing.”

“I hope it tastes amazing, too,” he replied, lifting a brow. “The cook is new, so this is actually the first time I’m trying his food.”

“I’m sure it’ll be great.”

“With the amount I’m paying him, it better be,” Edward said with a wry smile. He reached for a green and gold bottle that was sitting near him on the table. “Anyway, a friend sent this champagne to me earlier. Should we have a glass to celebrate us being together this evening?”

“Sure,” I said with a polite smile.

“Sorry we didn’t bring you anything,” Sascha said, suddenly looking stricken. “It’s your birthday. We should’ve—”

“Nonsense.” Edward lifted a hand to cut her off. “I told you on the phone—there’s no need to bring anything but yourselves. I get more than enough gifts from my acquaintances. Like this champagne, for instance.”

He winked at her before popping the cork off and pouring three glasses for us. I watched him take a sip of his own first, just in case, and then I took a slow sip myself. It was delicious.

I heard my phone vibrate in my purse a moment later. I surreptitiously checked it while Sascha and Edward discussed an eighteenth-century painter they both liked.

It was Nate. Everything going okay?

I sent back a brief response. It’s all fine. He doesn’t suspect anything.

“What do you think of his work, Alexis?” Edward said, looking over at me.

I hurriedly slipped my phone back into my purse and dropped it on the carpeted floor. “Um…”

“Lexie isn’t really into art,” Sascha said, coming to my rescue with a teasing grin. “She prefers books.”

Edward’s brows rose. “Oh, I see. Do you like Umberto Eco? I have some first editions of his in the library upstairs. I could show you later, if you like.”

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