Page 33 of Reveal Me
One that has already provided me with more pleasure than I’ve ever experienced. That’s all it can ever be.
Would he care if he knew I was out with another man?
Probably not.
The contract clearly states that whom I see outside of Reveal is none of his business. I doubt Lord Ashworth is a dom. I’d never be that lucky. Despite my mother’s glowing description of him, he’s probably another ancient bore.
‘You’re not on house arrest. I cancelled all of your royal engagements and sent you to the countryside in order to give you time to contemplate your future. And if you can form an allegiance with either Lord Ashworth or Lord Montgomery, you may just have one.’
‘Tonight isn’t convenient, Mother.’
‘Why ever not? It’s not like you could have any other plans, is it?’ Her tone dares me to challenge her.
I scramble around for an excuse in my head. Kat waves her hand at me and flutters her fingers. Bingo.
‘I’ve been out of civilisation for two weeks. Kat arranged for a beautician to call at Ardmore. And goodness, if I’m going to been seen at the Shelbourne soon, I could do with a little TLC.’
‘Can’t you rearrange?’
‘Do you want Lord Montgomery to see me in this state? If he and Lord Ashworth are as suitable as you claim they are, I think it’s essential that I’m better… groomed.’ The only grooming I want is from a six-foot-four, dark-haired dom, but I’m not about to admit that to my mother.
I can practically hear the cogs whizzing in her brain. ‘Very well,’ she concedes. ‘I’ll ask Lord Montgomery to call next Friday instead.’
‘Could you push it out for a few weeks, please? I don’t wish to appear too available either, even if that is the case.’
Unless it’s available to spend every Friday night getting fucked senseless—and not by some boring Lord who’d need a map, a torch, and six full months to find what Sean found in less than three seconds the other night.
‘And arrange for Lord Montgomery to visit during the afternoon.’ I insist. ‘Isn’t it more appropriate to have tea first?’
‘True,’ she says thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps that Irish air is doing you some good after all.’
I exhale the breath I’d been holding. ‘It’s actually rather refreshing,’ I admit. Though no way will I elaborate how or why.
‘Good. But don’t become too accustomed to it.’ She pauses to add weight to the punchline she’s undoubtably about to deliver. ‘Because if things don’t look promising with either of the Lords in the next few weeks, Iwillbring you home. You’re not getting any younger. It’s essential you’re engaged before your next birthday. And you must have a respectable date for Sabrina’s wedding.’
Shit.
It’s like she has this innate ability to sense me having fun wherever I am in the world.
‘Let’s not rush things, Mother.’ I adopt an air of calmness I don’t necessarily feel. ‘I’ll attend the ball with Ashworth and entertain Lord Montgomery in the following weeks, and we’ll take it from there.’
I’ll date all the suitable bores in the world in public if it means I can have Sean Beckett in private for the next three months.
‘I expect a full update.’ Her warning rings clearly in my ears.
‘Absolutely.’ I’m eager to change the subject. ‘How is Father?’
‘He’s currently out shooting pheasants with Sir Patrick Donnelly. Or trying to, at least. We both know his aim is as accurate as a blindfolded three-year-old.’
I chuckle. ‘He does try, Mother.’
‘Yes, he’s very trying.’ Her dig at my father isn’t lost on me. My parents’ marriage, like my sister’s, was not one born of love. Another reason why I don’t relish the idea of being fobbed off to someone with an appropriate title. Life is too short to be miserable. ‘Call me next week. If I have to resort to getting my lady-in-waiting to call yours again, I’ll visit in person to acquire an update.’
I shudder at the thought. There would be no sneaking out the back door with Queen Hawk Eyes in the castle.
‘I will do. The ball will give me something to look forward to.’ Liar. Any second now my pants will catch fire. But if I don’t convince my mother I’m serious, she could well send the family plane for me. She’s done it before. I don’t doubt she’d do it again.
‘Good.’ For once, it’s approval echoing through the phone. ‘We’ll talk again soon.’ She hangs up without further ado. Long, drawn-out emotional goodbyes aren’t the Queen’s style.
