Page 29 of Forbidden Lord
The motion of his head was worldly and indicated, without a sound or a word, that he didn’t believe her. “That could have been a test rather than the truth.”
She stopped and searched his face. He had to believe her. Her hands pressed against his heart. “Matteo, you and I might have run in different circles, but I only say what I mean.”
He looked into her eyes, seeing the truth. “I apologize.” He kissed her cheek. “I know you’re a good woman, Sheena.”
“You’re great too.” Warmth rushed through her—this was all she’d ever need, from now on. She kissed him and he moved his hard lips against hers, making her feel wanted. The pressure of his body so close made her tingle and long for him.
Maybe she’d never have enough but for now, she sighed and said, “I need to check with the staff and ensure dinner is about to be served. Meet me at the banquet doors?”
He bowed like he’d been taught in school. “Of course. Five minutes.”
Cherry trees lined the halls, as they had in her wedding, and now led to the gilded doors of the ballroom where an orchestra played.
Sheena slipped through another door of the huge banquet room that was designed for noble parties with royal guests, and about to serve its purpose.
The king would be seated at the head, in the place of honor, since he’d come to her party, soon.
Luckily Fiona had walked her through the house a few times, showing her the tapestry and multiple entrances. She stayed behind the fabric art and headed toward one of the hidden staff entries on the far end of where the king might sit and went to find Fiona and ensure all was well.
Fiona stood with the main chef and signaled all was good.
Perfect. She turned around and headed back inside.
The staff would direct the guests in five minutes to their seats at the long table that held two hundred, with the rest of the four hundred at surrounding tables.
Sheena trekked halfway down the dining hall that held one massive mahogany table with cushioned blue and yellow chairs all pushed in.
To her, everything seemed perfect.
The staff would direct people to correct chairs.
The door in front of her opened and she saw Charles. He was a foot taller than her and her heart raced with apprehension.
She couldn’t avoid him in the empty dining room with only servants preparing for their jobs. It was either face him, circle around him, or jump over the table, as no one else was in the room.
Charles loomed closer and she crossed her arms to ensure she didn’t react in any way as he stood in front of her, blocking her escape. “Sheena.”
Adrenaline rushed through her. “Charles.” She spoke coldly. “What are you doing here?”
He traced her arm until she backed up. “Why did you marry this count? He is so far beneath you.”
Her hair stood on end. This wasn’t good. She pursed her lips and said, “That’s not nice. My husband is good to me.”
He sneered. “He’s never worked a day in his life.”
Wait. What? Her nose lifted in the air and she set her jaw. How dareCharlesof all people say anything about Matteo? “He does more than you. He runs an estate and ensures his people are taken care of.”
He rolled his eyes at her. “This isn’t the fourteenth century anymore. People work for a living and earn money to live their own lives.”
Maybe a year ago she’d have talked like that, but then she hadn’t understood until Matteo the responsibilities involved with having a title and investing in people’s dreams. Matteo took an active interest in his tenants and he was so easygoing about it that he absolutely didn’t deserve ridicule. She took a step toward the exit. “Don’t judge Matteo, especially when I never could figure out what you did for work or money. You always had cash, but never did anything for anyone but yourself.”
Charles reached for her hands and tried to take them, but she clenched them into fists to avoid his touch. “I wanted to marry you, Sheena.”
She froze. Unbelievable. Charles’s closeness set off an explosion inside her that wanted to punch and fight, though she’d never done anything of the sort. “You have a funny way of showing affection.”
She stomped her feet a little more than a lady should as she darted around him toward the door. He stepped in front of her, blocking her again as he said, “I had business to finish with Cindy.”
Cindy. What about Alexa? Or Anna? Unreal. She gritted her teeth until she remembered that wasn’t good for a lady and circled around him. “And Anna? You came as her date.”
