Page 9 of Royal Player
“You’re welcome,” Anna says smugly to Alice.
I turn to Anna. “Are you in charge of the view too?”
She grins. “I’m the one who got her and Lucas together.”
Alice makes a formal bow, her blond hair falling in her face. “I bow down to the queen of matchmaking.”
Anna grins. “As you should.” She turns to me. “I suggested a fake engagement to inspire her story and to give Lucas credibility with the bankers. Genius ulterior-motive move, right?”
Lucas appears at Alice’s side and hands her a glass of white wine. “My charm had a lot to do with it. Alice was besotted with me from the very first time we met in the gardens.”
Alice kisses him. “And he’s hopelessly besotted with me.”
They go off together, speaking in low tones.
“So cute, right?” Anna asks.
“Disgustingly so,” I say, making a face. “Do people in love know how foolish they look?”
“Fools for love,” Anna says on a sigh.
Gabriel’s voice booms out across the roof. “Anna, I don’t like you so close to the edge. You’re off-balance with the extra weight. Come here.”
She slowly turns. “Extra weight?” There’s an edge to her voice.
He strides toward us. “I meant with the baby.” He takes her hand. “Come away and…dance with me.” Smooth.
She places her hand on his jaw and smiles up at him. “There’s no music, handsome.”
He gazes back at her, a smile tugging at his lips.
The love between them is palpable. And it’s not foolish in the least. I turn away and stare at the sea, feeling like I’m intruding on an intimate moment.
“Easily taken care of, darling,” he murmurs.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him guiding her away from the nonexistent threat of danger. The wall here is waist high. You’d have to climb on top of it and throw yourself down. A strange sense of longing comes over me. He loves her so much he looks out for her even over nonexistent threats.
Jazz music plays, and I turn to find Gabriel leading Anna in a slow waltz. He leans down and whispers in her ear, pulling her close. My throat tightens at the intimate moment. I’m turning into a voyeur.
I look away and catch Oscar’s eye. He lifts a drink at me in salute.
I give him a thumbs-up and then drop my hand, feeling awkward and out of sorts. What is wrong with me? It must be because he caught me intruding on Anna and Gabriel’s private moment. You can’t blame me for taking an interest. Anna is the only one I know here. I just met everyone else today and, while I’m not exactly shy, I’m used to Marge’s presence at all times. It means I never feel alone or out of place.
I head for the liquor cart, deciding a drink is an excellent idea. “Martini, please,” I say to the servant there.
I wait, considering chatting up Alice next if she’s not too wrapped up in Lucas. I don’t want to intrude on another lovesick couple. Maybe I’ll try talking to Adrian. Anna said he’s really smart. If I could get him talking, maybe something interesting would come out.
A few moments later, I take the offered martini. “Thank you.”
“No chaperone tonight?” a deep voice asks from behind me.
I whirl and the martini sloshes onto my hand. “Excuse me?” Only Anna knows Marge is my chaperone. To everyone else, she’s my maid.
Oscar tilts his head, studying me. Up close, his aquamarine eyes are sharp, assessing.
I square my shoulders and straighten my spine, but I still feel out of sorts with the weird magnetic pull, like I need to plaster myself against him. Wildly inappropriate. I busy myself, grabbing a napkin to clean my hand, tossing it, and then casually taking a sip of martini.
He steps closer, studying me intently. His lashes are thick, framing the intense blue-green of his eyes. “If you don’t have a chaperone, who will keep you a…safe?”
