Page 27 of The Devil's Deceit
“I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I ask. Right, let’s get going. You may have a rich guy showering you with fancy clothes and jewels, but this missy here still needs a dress for the ball.”
Chapter Ten
CHRISTIAN
Dances bore me. I’ve been to hundreds of events during my lifetime, and they hold no allure anymore. Not sure they ever did. But this one is different. All day long, I’ve been on pins, unable to settle to anything. I’d worked the punchbag in the gym, taken the newest addition at our stables out for a gallop across the fields, played a round of golf. Not a single activity could distract me from my excitement at seeing Grace again tonight.
Two kisses, and I’m fucked. Well, I was fucked after one kiss. The second one sealed the deal. I cannot remember a time where I obsessed over a woman to the extent I am with Lady Grace Ambrose. She’s the last thing I think of at night and the first person my mind turns to the moment I open my eyes.
Bewitched.
That’s the only way to describe how I’m feeling. I’ve been distracted in meetings, had to ask for constant repetition, and generally disinterested in a business that, until now, I’ve lived for. Yesterday, even Tobias commented on howpreoccupied I was, and considering he’s self-absorbed ninety-nine percent of the time, it goes to show how far Grace has burrowed under my skin.
Duchess.I don’t even know where the nickname came from, but it suits her. I’ve never,everused a nickname with a female companion before. I’m not sure what to think about the fact that I already have with Grace.
I cannot wait to see her in that lilac dress. As much as I’ve tried to keep my obsession a secret, I confess I asked Saskia for her opinion, and she didn’t let me down. My sister has amazing style, as well as an innate ability to guess a woman’s size from a couple of pictures and a brief sighting from the last ball Grace attended. Saskia also picked a gown that had some flex in the fabric, so if we were a little off, the dress would still fit.
I’m ready and downstairs a good fifteen minutes before the first guests are due to arrive, and Tobias arches a brow when I enter the ballroom.
“You know it’s fashionably late, not fashionably early, right?”
I roll my eyes. “You’re such a dick.”
Shooting a glance at my watch, I shuffle from one foot to the other. The driver should be on his way here with her now. The temptation to text her is enough that I slide my phone out of my pocket only to shove it back in again. I need to get this obsession under control, or I might combust.
“It’s the blonde, isn’t it?”
I blink, squinting at my brother. “Huh?”
“The one who’s stolen your attention all week. The one with the model good looks and a body that looked poured into that gold dress she wore to the last ball. The one youtook to the Royal Albert Hall to listen to Destiny Winslow play.”
My mouth drops open. “How the fuck do you know about that?”
He taps the side of his nose. “I know everything.”
I groan, the answer presenting itself. “Loris.”
“He said your tongue was on the floor. I hope you’ve swilled with mouthwash.”
“Fuck off.”
A grin pulls at his lips. “Been a while since I’ve seen you torn up over a girl. Enjoy it. After the last few months of hell, you deserve to have some fun.”
If you only knew the half of it.
Guilt, my new friend, presses down on my chest. I cover up my discomfort with a cough and another glance at my watch. Still ten minutes to go. Jesus, is each minute an hour now? How can only five minutes have passed?
I thumb over my shoulder. “Might get some air.”
“Mm-hmm.” Tobias nods sagely. “And be there when she arrives. Good call.”
“Y’know, smug is an ugly look.”
As I walk away, the sound of his laughter follows me. I show him my middle finger behind my back, causing him to laugh even louder.
I’m smiling as I make my way down the long hallway, past the public areas of our house, where we do most of our entertaining. Staff bustle past me, preparing for the busy evening ahead, holding aloft trays of canapes and champagne flutes ready to be filled to greet the arriving guests.
