Page 46 of Kyle
"Oh, I will." Breathing in the sharp air, she took a moment to look around. "One cannot help but like Eloise, but God, this is a lot."
Grinning, he tucked her hand through his arm and led them up the steps. "Classic Eloise."
"I just bet she's wearing enough jewelry to outfit a store and a dress much too young for her aging body."
"Behave." He whispered against her ear.
They were ushered through the grand foyer, their coats magically taken from them. Lights spilled out from every room and the sounds of laughter, music and conversation reached them.
Following the sounds, they entered the grand drawing room, with its glittering chandeliers, antique furnishings and a raised dais where a live band was seated. The hostess herself, predictably draped in diamonds and sapphires dripping from her lobes, throat, and wrists and wearing an emerald green gown that was way too tight. Her brassy red hair was piled on top of her head, with tendrils escaping over a face that had seen too many face lifts.
"Darlings!" She gushed, arms wide open, light green eyes glowing. "Look at you. I've decided to forgive you for not inviting me to the ceremony." She embraced them both, brushing her lips on their cheeks before stepping back to admire Ingrid's dress and her necklace. "Darling, you look stunning." She sent Kyle a sweeping look beneath thick lashes.
"I hope you don't mind, I had to invite a certain actress. She told me she's moved on." Eloise flicked a hand in the air. "An actor on her latest series. Too young and much too eager to please." She gave Ingrid a catty smile.
"I have a feeling she's trying to get over this handsome husband of yours. Come. Come, have a drink or two. Your family are all here and this promises to be an interesting evening." With her big braying laugh, she took their hands and led them through the throng of people.
They circled and mingled the vast room and were looked over with curiosity as if they wanted to confirm whether or not thecouple had come together because of an arrangement. What they saw was a stunning couple who were devoted to each other. They also noticed that Kyle McCreary, a man previously dubbed a playboy, could not take his eyes off his wife. A wife who was not even his type.
But they all came to the same conclusion, that Ingrid Ryder-McCreary had changed. The woman was positively stunning.
They were also avidly watching if his former lover, the exquisitely beautiful actress, Carly, was doing her best to avoid her ex-lover.
"Don't you look a sight." William Ryder, looking dapper in his tux, snagged his granddaughter's hand. "Let me have a moment with my granddaughter and go dig your sister out of the corner she's stuck herself into. Get her on the dance floor." Without waiting for Kyle to agree, he tucked her hand through his arm and approached the wide space dedicated for dancing.
"Granddad, you look handsome enough for all the unattached females of every age to come sniffing."
He laughed as she expected him to and swung her easily into his arms. "I feel young and my dear, you're a true sight for these bleary eyes." He lifted a crafty brow. "And the marriage, it seems to be working out."
She gave him a gimlet stare as she smoothed out the lapel of his jacket. A touch of concern colored her emotions when she noticed that he had lost some weight. "I hate very much to give you the satisfaction of being right, but yes, we're working things out."
"Excellent." He brushed his lips on her cheek and lifted his head to find Kyle. A frown touched his brow. "Why is he with that actress?"
Forcing herself not to react or even to look in their direction, she shrugged. "That's history. But I don't expect him to simply cut her off."
Dark brown eyes studied her face. "You have real feelings for him."
"So?"
His grin split his face. "It's something Jack and I hoped for."
"You and Jack McCreary are scheming, manipulative bastards." She told him mildly.
His eyes glowered as he dipped her. "Is that any way to talk to your elder?"
"If that elder insists on trying to control the lives around him, yes, I'm entitled."
He glowered at her for a second and then smiled. "I love the fact that you've never been afraid of me."
"Why should I be?" Lifting a hand, she brushed it against his cheek fondly. "You're an irascible pain in the ass, but I put up with you because I tolerate you."
"You love me." His eyes flickered up, his frown coming again when he noticed the couple in a heated discussion. "I think it's time to go and rescue that husband of yours from that man stealing hussy."
She looked over and agreed.
"You're making a scene." Kyle's voice was cold and sharp as a whip. She had cornered him while he was bringing his sister back from taking her out on the dance floor. Jessica had tolerated the gesture and had had little or nothing to say to him. He had finally given up on trying to have a conversation with her.
"How do you expect me to deal with you walking in here with her?"
