Page 424 of Hell Hath No Fury
“You might be twenty-one, Col, but sometimes I swear you act older than Vera over there,” she accuses, throwing a glance at Richard’s grandmother.
I bite down her insult and flash her a toothy smile instead.
“Speaking of which,” I mumble to her before turning over to the Price matriarch. “You look absolutelystunning, Vera. Sierra was just telling me how much she loves your shawl.” I grin, using my sister’s new favorite word against her and pulling the attention of the table over to her.
To her merit, Sierra throws Vera the sweetest of smiles, and nods.
“Yes, it really is…lovely,” she adds, kicking me under the table, when Vera takes this as her cue to engage Sierra in a long-winded conversation.
I hide my grin by picking up my champagne flute and taking a sip, while watching the two women go on and on about what they are wearing. When I place my glass back on the table, I feel the weight of Owen’s stare on me. The mischievous glint in his green eyes unnerves me so much that I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
“Can I help you with something?” I ask when I can’t take his stare on me a second longer.
“There is plenty you could help me with, Colleen. But saying exactly what in mixed company wouldn’t look too good on me.”
“Since when have you ever cared about your reputation?” I rebuke.
“You’re right. I don’t. But still…my parents are sitting across from us. If they heard all the thoughts that are currently rummaging in my head, they wouldn’t be too pleased.”
“I doubt anything you’d say would surprise them much. I know nothing you’d say would surprise me, considering who it’s coming from.”
I swallow dryly when he leans into my ear, his breath alone making my spine tingle.
“Do you really want to know what I’m thinking, Colleen? Be careful with your answer. Once this can of worms is open, you won’t be able to put them back.”
“Spare me, then. I rather hear Vera talk for hours about a shawl than waste a minute hearing about whatever you have to say.”
“Hmm,” he hums, making my skin break out in goosebumps with his breath on it. “I’m way more interesting than Vera.”
I turn my face to meet his square on, but immediately regret it, since his eyes fall from mine straight to my lips.
“The jury is out on that one,” I retort coldly, rushing to get up from my seat. “Excuse me. I’m just going to powder my nose. Sierra, do you want to come with me?”
“Nope,” she pops thePat the end. “I’m good right here.”
I try hard not to grind my teeth at her and give our table a parting smile instead. It takes me a bit before I’m able to get out of the large ballroom in search of the nearest bathroom. Thankfully, I find an empty one upstairs on the second floor and lock it behind me to give me a few minutes of peace.
So far, this whole night has backfired on me.
Tonight, I was supposed to be and do something reckless and fun, but how am I ever going to be able to pull that off when I have to babysit Sierra while also making sure to keep Owen at arm’s length? I swear those two must have cahooted behind my back to make this night unbearable for me. Now instead of wanting to do something out of character, all I want is to go home and be done with it.
I glance at the mirror in front of me, a frown on my face.
I should have worn this dress to Charlotte with Dorethea as I planned. It’s tainted now. Might as well burn it. Not only did it displease my mother, but it garnished the attention of the last man I wanted it to.
God, he’s insufferable.
Liar. You like that he can’t keep his eyes off you.
“No, I don’t,” I reprimand myself, turning away from my reflection, fearing it will show me something I don’t want to see—like excitement.
Not wanting to stay locked here another minute trapped with such thoughts, I hurry back downstairs and rush toward the table, only to find it empty, save for the bane of my existence.
“Where is everyone?” I ask, gripping the top of a chair.
Owen tilts his head back in the direction to the dance floor.
“Dancing, I would assume,” he explains.
