Page 6 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

The women laughed and went off in different directions. Approaching her car, Piper first heard and then saw Olivera’s Porsche drive out of the parking lot. She imagined he was in great spirits and looking forward to being guest of honor at the evening’s festivities. Felix had insisted she was flirting with Olivera but Piper hoped Olivera didn’t see it that way.

Piper opened the champagne bottle when she got to her hotel room, delighted to know Felix paid for it, and grabbed a flute glass from the wet bar.

“Hmm, the hotel must be used to occasions calling for champagne,” she mused aloud. She poured and sipped the champagne as she pulled her cocktail dress from the closet and laid out the stiletto heels and jewelry she would be wearing.

Piper poured a second glass before she showered to wash the smell of horse off her body and out of her hair. With her hair wrapped in a towel, the luxurious hotel bathrobe a cocoon around her, she sipped champagne as she checked her itinerary for the flight to the United States in two days. The season’s last race was an international event held in November in Kentucky, and Sir Valor was scheduled to run. Bankes Farms leased a training facility in Kentucky, and it was Piper’s job to ensure all was ready for Sir Valor’s arrival by the beginning of the following week.Provided I still have a job by then, she thought as she closed her laptop and began to get dressed.

The black pencil sheath dress fit her slim body perfectly. Piper smiled in the mirror at the elegant dress she had chosen for its see-through ruffle bell sleeves. A simple gold chain and gold vertical bar drop earrings were the only jewelry, and she styled her shoulder-length hair into a wavy side ponytail. The black heels with a satin bow added height to her five feet four inches to complete her classic look.

“Not bad for someone whose wardrobe consists of jeans, shirts, and boots,” she said to her reflection.

Lydia was also staying at the hotel, and they decided to meet in the lobby and go the dinner together in a hired car. The event at the estate of the racetrack owner was expected to be an extravagant display of the wealthy thoroughbred breeders and owners. The vehicle drove through the gates and down a long tree-lined drive to stop in front of a brightly lit three-story manor house. Piper and Lydia were welcomed by liveried footmen and directed to the dining hall. There were ten tables with seating for eight set with miniature chandeliers and plain white china on gold charger plates. The side doors in the room opened to a ballroom where an orchestra would set up for after-dinner dancing.

“I should have worn my sunglasses with all the gold and crystal sparkling on the tables,” whispered Lydia as they made their way to the table reserved for Bankes Farms.

Piper giggled and greeted the others already at the table, minus Felix. She took the chair between the jockey, Ben, and her assistant trainer, John, and Lydia sat across the table next to a couple who were good friends of Felix and surprised he wasn’t going to be joining them.

“I’m happy you can be with us tonight, Ben,” said Piper. “You ran a good race today, and it’s worth celebrating.”

“It’s too bad Mr. Bankes doesn’t feel that way,” he pointed out.

Piper shook her head. “Don’t put too much into Felix not being here. His disappointment has more to do with personal expectations than it does with your performance in getting Sir Valor to the finish line. Second place when racing against worthy opponents isn’t a failure.”

“Thank you, Piper. You’re right, and Sir Valor did finish with one of his best times this year.”

“What are your impressions of Mr. Olivera’s horse?”

Ben took a drink of his whiskey. “Strong, beautiful, and fast. Señor Alberto is a winner. Marco, his jockey today, is a friend of mine, and he said he’s never felt such power in a horse before. I think they will be the team to beat over the next year. Marco speaks highly of Mr. Olivera and how he cares for his horses, and I must say the man is classy. He sought me out to compliment our showing and to get my thoughts on how to win a race.”

Piper’s eyebrows raised. “Really? That was considerate of him.” She understood Ben’s silent words—Andrés Olivera would not sulk or speak harsh words because his horse came in second.

“You don’t have a drink, Piper,” noted Ben. “I apologize for my thoughtlessness. What can I get for you?”

“No need to apologize. I had several glasses of champagne in my room, so I think I’ll stick with that, please.”

Ben walked to the bar just as Olivera entered the dining room, and a round of applause immediately greeted him. He stopped to speak with some of the guests, accepted outstretched hands, and was embraced and handed a glass of champagne by a good-looking man when he reached his table. Piper could see a toast was being made, and Olivera’s beaming smile made him even more handsome than she had thought that morning.

“It must be the tuxedo,” she thought aloud.

“No, I think he’s just the best-looking man I’ve ever seen. And, apparently, you do too,” declared Lydia with a smile.

“What? Don’t sneak up on me like that,” said Piper, blushing.

“Piper, I’m sitting at the same table as you. And I absolutely just caught you mooning over the guest of honor.”

“I wasnotmooning over him.” Piper was flustered and embarrassed. “Oh, go back to your seat. Ben is coming with my champagne and will want his chair back.”

Piper took the champagne from Ben and engaged in conversation with the assistant trainer to her right. John would be on the flight to Kentucky in a few days with Sir Valor, and they discussed the arrival details as the meal was served. Piper was surprised that the food wasn’t the expected roast beef and vegetables and considered the chef must have been given free rein on designing the menu. The menu card listed a starter course of crab and apple salad with herb mayonnaise, followed by the main course of turbot, smoked bacon, and artichokes cooked in parchment and a chocolate tart with hazelnut praline. The appropriate wine accompanied each course.

“That meal was delicious,” said Lydia as they finished their dessert.

“And paired brilliantly with the wines,” added John.

Everyone at the table agreed, and suddenly two bottles of champagne appeared on the table, and Lydia started pouring. Piper had to admit it was a jolly table, probably made more so by Felix’s absence. She excused herself to find the powder room, and for the second time that day, she met Andrés Olivera’s eyes as she stood to leave. It took a minute, but he raised his glass to her and smiled. Felix’s words about flirting with Olivera rushed into her thoughts, and Piper did not want to put any such idea in Olivera’s mind, so she lifted her chin, gave a quick bob of her head, and continued out of the room. She didn’t look back but felt his eyes following her.

When she returned to the dining room, the St Leger trophy was being presented to Andrés Olivera, owner of the champion, Señor Alberto Luis. She waited at the door so as not to interrupt. Olivera graciously thanked his stable team and the dinner hosts, then returned to his table. Piper was stopped on her way back to her group by a man she recognized as one of Felix’s friends, Benedict Montague.

“Ms. Marshall, I haven’t seen our dear Felix yet this evening, and we’re supposed to discuss a business matter. Do you know when he is expected?”

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