Page 33 of Pride

“Where is James tonight, Cathal?” I ask, ignoring my family.

He shakes his head. “Believe it or not, he doesn’t go everywhere with me.”

My dad interjects. “I don’t like him. And I don’t like how much interest you have in him, Bella.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “So now I’m not even allowed to have friends?”

“We both know that man isn’t interested in you for friendship.”

Cathal straightens. “Are you suggesting my man is dishonorable?”

Dad looks taken aback by the question. “Of course not, it’s just a matter of fact. A man like him and my daughter are unlikely to be friends.”

“I agree,” Cathal says. “They’d be unlikely friends, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be.”

I give Cathal a small smile. I like him. I have done since we first met him at the party. He’s not like the other suitors, although I don’t like him romantically like my sister does. I’m sure he would make a wonderful husband.

“James and I get on well, so I have every intention of remaining friends with him.” I hold my chin up high.

Dad looks like he wants to object, but he eyes Cathal warily. Obviously, he doesn’t want to fuck up his possible match with Nina.

Nina thought perhaps Dad didn’t like him, but I think he would do anything to get Nina out of this house and off his hands, whether it’s the right thing for her or not.

“So, Cathal, are you going to the senate’s charity event at the end of the month?” I ask.

Cathal purses his lips. “I don’t usually waste my time at those obnoxious events.” He places a hand on Nina’s and she blushes. “But if you’re going, I may make an exception.”

Nina turns even more shy at his attention. “I’ll be there.”

“That’s settled then.” He claps his hands. “So will I.”

The two kitchen staff that my parents hired enter with trays of food. The smell is mouth-watering, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hungry.

Kala puts a large roast beef joint in the center of the table surrounded on the platter by mounds of roasted potatoes.

Leo sets down a platter of steamed vegetables and a boat of gravy.

“This seems like a lot of food for the number of people eating dinner,” I say.

Dad straightens. “That’s because the staff expected more people.”

It’s not just tonight, though. Our family is wasteful, and it’s something I’ve always hated. Especially when there are so many people on this planet literally starving.

“Dig in, everyone,” Dad announces.

I don’t wait, because I’m hungry, piling my plate high with food. After all, I’ve got something to celebrate tonight. It’s a night free from that stuck up British asshole who has been harassing me for weeks. Dad can’t leave the guy alone, practically having him live here. I’m surprised he hasn’t already suggested it and that Isiah is still staying at the Waldorf.

Nina clears her throat. “Are you okay?” she asks, only loud enough for me to hear.

I shake my head. “Not exactly. I can’t marry that man.”

She gives me an odd look.

“What?”

“It’s just you could have had it much worse than him. At least he’s not old and creepy.”

I frown. “You did just hear what I said about him, right?”

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