Page 10 of The Pirate Queen of Ruin
“Now, I know it is symbolic for the bride-to-be to wear white, but why are you dressed like a used condom?”
I choke. My cheeks heat and I fan myself to keep from crying through my fresh makeup. She’s right. I look like a fucking used condom because of that dickwad. I laugh so hard I snort, and that causes Lottie to choke on her champagne. A genuine smile, one that makes the corners of my eye crinkle and my heart warm, settles on my lips. A few guests look at us, like they are ready to sneer, but then they see who is being louder than the rest of the crowd and turn away.
“Miles, or I suppose more specifically Evelyn, chose this dress,” I say.
“Well, hopefully, your good fashion sense will rub off on them sooner rather than later.”
As she says the words, my drink is placed in front of me and the bartender is gone before I can even say thanks. I raise my glass to Lottie before taking a large sip. Amongst all the grey-haired and red-faced people, only a few stand out. It takes a few sweeps, but finally, my eyes settle on one woman. She’s tall, reed-thin, and has cheekbones that could cut diamonds.
I’m going to convince her to fuck Miles on this boat.
Honestly this part of my plan is pathetically simple. Martini in hand, I leave Lottie at the bar and walk over to her. As I approach, I make eye contact with the photographer tilting my head to the side to get them to come along with me. The smile plastered on her face is obviously fake, but I don’t care. I am filled with the righteous sort of indignation for my own vendetta. I am determined to see my fiancé fuck someone who isn’t me tonight so I don’t have to deal with him for the rest of my life.
“Audrey, Miles is looking for you. He has something for you in the primary cabin,” I say, ghosting a hand over her bare arm. The camera flashes and now we’ve been pictured together. Me dressed in this condom, and her in a slinky, near sheer floor length slip dress that future tabloids will say is overly suggestive for a rehearsal dinner. I try not to think about what the papers will say about my dress come the morning. She waits for the photographer to leave before she speaks to me.
“Well,” she says heavily, as if speaking with me is the most immense burden she’s ever carried in her life. “I shouldn’t keep him waiting, should I?”
Like a greyhound preparing to chase the rabbit, Audrey Paine is on point. She cranes her elegant neck and looks over the crowd before setting off in the opposite direction towards the owner’s deck.
Now for step two. I do another once-over of the crowd, looking for the man I need to speak to next. With a name that only old money could support, Teddy Bushwhipper is the be-all and end-all for Gwenmore gossip. I have given him more skincare than I care to admit, but he is the man to go to when a girl needs information.
I take the final sip of my martini and place the glass on a passing waiter’s tray then grab two glasses of champagne. If I have learned anything in my short time of being acquainted with Teddy, it is to never arrive empty-handed. When he sees me approach, he smiles big enough to show all his teeth. Teddy pushes his glasses up his nose and tucks his phone into his jacket pocket with urgency. My eyes catch on the silver chain around his neck that clips to his tie with a decorative pendant. I’ve never seen a piece of jewellery like that, but the oddity of it suits him.
“Phi-phi, doll, this is going to be the party of the year,” he greets with a faux kiss on each cheek. “And where did you scurry off to with the fiancé half an hour ago?”
I hold in my eye-roll and hand over the glass of champagne. While I’m not surprised Teddy noticed this disappearance of mine, I am annoyed he’s brought it up.
“A lady never kisses and tells, Teddy.” I smirk.
Something akin to disgust rolls through me as if a large wave struck the side of the yacht. My throat clogs, and my chest tightens as I think about even the possibility that Miles would force me to do that. I don’t want that man anywhere near me, in body or spirit. But this is an act, and I am the lead, so I keep my perfectly plastered smirk on my lips as I take a sip from my glass. It settles like mud in my stomach.
“Take all the fun out of my evening, why don’t you, Delphini Fields?”
“Teddy, I do believe I’m about to make your decade.” This immediately grabs his attention, and he looks around cautiously. He takes a step closer to me. “I heard someone in catering whispering about Miles and Audrey in the primary cabin. While I don’t want to believe the rumours, we’ve all seen the way she hangs on to Miles. My heart couldn’t bear it if I were the one to walk in on them, but I need someone I can trust to tell me the truth if they were to find out about an affair.”
His gaze turns scrutinising as he looks at me again with renewed interest. The hand not holding his glass goes to his tie and he fiddles with the pendant there for a moment while he thinks. I stare back at him with matching intensity. I will not show weakness. Suddenly, his brow softens.
“You know, if something,” he rolls the word around on his tongue before he says, “unsavoury happened downstairs, I can keep a secret.”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“Alright, alright,” he placates, raising his arms slightly in defeat. It’s on the tip of his tongue to comment on my dress. I can see it in his eyes, but I fold my arms across my chest and give him a look that dares him to say it. “I’m always happy to help with a scheme if it means getting to nose around someone else’s yacht.”
“And we love you for it, Teddy.”
We part ways, and I make a point of chatting with each and every single guest at the party, making sure the photographer catches me with all of them in this hideous dress. With each lap I take around the deck, I make sure to grab a glass of water from the bar. I’m not a lightweight by any means with the Fields’ European approach to alcohol, but all the champagne is making me woozy. When I am standing still the world continues to sway. At first, I excuse it as the water being a bit choppy and the boat rocking, but it is smooth when I peer out across the ocean. There isn’t even a breeze.
The moon is half full. The decorative lights around the yacht are glowing so bright I see stars. The wine is strong, but I am stronger. Every time I end a conversation, I look for Teddy but can’t find him. I push through more conversations, doing my best to focus. Words keep rolling together in their mouths though, accents twisting syllables until I have to ask them repeatedly what they have said.
“Phi, are you okay?” Lottie pulls me away from an older man whose name I can’t even remember now. “Have you eaten anything?”
“I-” I’m fine. The words nearly come out of my mouth, but for a brief moment, all the murkiness clears from my head, and I see the evident concern written on her face. “I’m feeling a bit seasick.”
It must be that. I have never been good on boats of any size. I knew this would happen, going so far as to take something for motion sickness before I stepped onThe Platinum Signalhours ago. It must have worn off, or the alcohol cancelled it.
“Do you need help getting below deck?”
My ankles are wobbly in my heels, but I am still standing. It would be an embarrassment to have to be escorted below deck like some kind of lush. I look around me, not really seeing the faces of guests any more, just pools of colour floating on top of evening wear. My throat struggles to swallow the rising bile.
