Page 77 of Ruthless Legacy

Chapter Nineteen

Two hours later and I’m still in a foul mood thanks to that psychotic fucker. With a critical frown on my face, I take in my reflection in the floor-length mirror. Who is this girl before me? Clothed in expensive dresses and her hair professionally styled. Why do I feel like I am playing a part in a movie, and I don’t even know the plot? I must admit, the dress is beautiful — I look elegant. My burgundy hair is curled in loose effortless waves and my make up really brings out the amber in my brown eyes. The dress is satin and a beautiful burgundy colour. It has spaghetti straps and a deep V-neck, but it’s the back that makes this dress the showstopper that it is. The dress is backless and stops in a ruched point just at the base of my spine. Its floor-length, hugging my waist and hips and ending in a fishtail style at the bottom. Underneath the dress is a pair of killer black heels that add to my small height, making me stand taller. I pick up the small black clutch from my bed and throw my phone and the burgundy lipstick inside. I wonder if I should arm myself. Chances are, my stalker might be there tonight. I hate not knowing who they are. They could be someone I dance with tonight and that chills me to my bones.

There’s a knock on my door and I can’t help but break into a smile when I see my brother. He’s wearing a tux, and it makes him look older and more mature. I know I’m biased, but he’s a handsome boy.

“Wow, sis. That dress is a knock-out.” He whistles as he strolls into my room, hands in his trouser pockets.

I wink at him as I put on a pair of diamond pear-drop earrings. A gift from Wilbur. “The tux suits you, little brother.”

He comes up beside me and grins. “I’m catching up on you, sis. I’ll soon be taller than you.” He’s not wrong, he’s about my height now, although in the heels I have a bit of height on him. When did my brother go from a kid to a young man?

“Want to bail and go to the arcades instead?” I ask him, and he chuckles and shakes his head.

“No way am I missing out on this posh bash. Besides, I can’t disappoint the ladies and let them miss out on this,” he jokes, gesturing at himself and spinning in a circle.

I give him a playful clip around the ear. “Arrogance doesn’t suit you.” I take out my phone. “Come on, let’s have a selfie.”

Kit steps in closer and with an arm around my waist, we lean in and smile. Another one for the memory book.

We head downstairs and find Wilbur, Alexis and Chester all in the formal lounge. Wilbur and Chester are both in tuxes and Alexis is wearing the gown she picked when I was with her.

“Ah, here they are. I thought I was going to have to send Chester up to get you.” He looks us both over and something like pride glistens in his eyes. “You both look perfect.”

I shiver inside at his choice of word. Is that what he expects from us? To be perfect, because if it is, he is going to be sorely disappointed with me.

Edith arrives in the room at that moment and her eyes tear up as she looks at both me and Kit. “My word, look at the two of you. Eliza, you look stunning my dear, and Kit, wow where has that teenager gone?”

Kit laughs and his cheek stain red. “I’m still here, I promise. My sweaty socks are still all over my bedroom floor.”

Edith beams at him. “Now, why doesn’t that surprise me?” She holds up a camera. “Let’s get a lovely family photo of you all.”

We all gather in front of the fireplace. Wilbur and Alexis front and centre. Kit stands on Wilbur’s side, and I stand next to Alexis. Chester takes up position beside me and his arm wraps around my waist, his fingers gently squeezing my skin. There is something about Chester that I find nauseating, and I can’t put my finger on it. The camera clicks and Edith takes a quick look at the photo. Smiling she nods her head. “Beautiful. I’ll get this one printed out and put in a frame for the fireplace.”

Wilbur clears his throat and adjusts his bow tie. “Okay, we need to get going. It is time to introduce you to the good people of Hawk Bay.”

Edith passes me my black shawl and, wrapping it around my shoulders, I follow everyone out to the waiting limo. Yes, that’s right. Wilbur has a limo for special occasions. Obtuse or what?

When we arrive, Calvin offers me a hand as I step out of the car and I take it, not wanting to stumble in these heels. He smiles tightly at me, but it doesn’t meet his eyes, and I hesitate before letting go of his hand. “Have a lovely evening, Miss.”

Wilbur ushers me to catch up, and we head inside. We move through the house and into what I can only describe as a ballroom. The ceiling is decorated with beautiful painted scenes, and large floor-to-ceiling Georgian style window’s frame either side of the room in perfect symmetrical order. The circular domed ceiling in the centre of the room holds one of the most beautiful chandeliers I have ever laid eyes on. I laugh at my own thoughts. Let’s be honest, I’d never seen a chandelier until I moved here. The room is full of people, all dressed in their finery, conversing, with glasses of champagne in their hands. Servers dot the room with trays of drinks, and I can’t help but feel like I’d be more at home with them than I am with this crowd.

I spot Kit taking a glass of champers and I eye-ball him. “What?” he asks, feigning innocence. My grandfather chuckles and tells him to take it.

“Only one,” I insist to Kit, and I find Wilbur watching me with those shrewd eyes of his. “You don’t need to parent your brother anymore, Eliza. That’s my job now.”

I bristle inside at his comment. Just because he’s rocked up in our lives, he seems to think I’m going to step back and not look after my brother. I hold in my anger and plaster a smile on my face. “Of course. I am just used to it only being the two of us.”

He nods, placing his hand on my back, ushering me forward. “Well, I’m here now. Now, let’s introduce you to some important people.” I watch him scan the room and his eyes settle on a group of people over to the left of the room. “The man I’m going to introduce you to is the head of Hamilton Construction. He also owns the security company, who installed all the extra cameras at the house. He’s a member of the society, of course, and someone we regularly do business with.”

“Georgie’s father,” I state rather than ask.

The group of people cease talking as we arrive. I can tell straight away that the lady to my right is Georgie’s mother. They have the same Bambi eyes and the little ski-jump nose.

“Ah, Wilbur, it’s great to see you.” The dark-haired man bellows and he shakes my grandfather’s hand firmly. “Alexis,” he says with a warm smile, and then his eyes fall on me. I feel his gaze work over me, and I do my best not to fidget under his stare, keeping my shoulders back and my head high. “And this must be your granddaughter? Why Wilbur, she’s a beauty. The names Callum.” He steps forward and into my space and drops two warm and wet kisses on my cheeks. I can smell the whisky on him and the powerful stench of tobacco smoke.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I reply, all smiles and grace. I step to the side and let my brother step up. “This is my brother, Kit.”

“Well, now. Aren’t you the image of your father?” He shakes his head, doing a double take. “It’s like seeing him all over again.”

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