Page 35 of Carbon

I sagged back onto the sofa, and Angie took a seat next to me as the story of Midnight came tumbling out, minus the graphic details. I also left out my suspicions as to his true identity. At the end, Angie shook her head.

“I can’t believe you did that. Have you secretly turned into me?”

“You’ve met a stranger for sex in the dark?”

“No, but if a hot guy offered, I’d seriously consider it. And you’re sure you’ve got no idea who he is?”

“I’m ninety percent sure I’d never spoken to him until that first night. Just from our encounters, I get the impression he doesn’t fit in our social group.”

The smile fell from Angie’s face, and she gripped my hand. “Then you’re playing with fire.”

“You think I haven’t already worked that out?”

“No, I mean it. Mother will be furious if she finds out.”

“She’s always disappointed in me. What’s new?”

“She’ll be worse than disappointed.” A sadness that I’d never seen before came into Angie’s eyes, and she wiped away a tear. “Do you remember Mark Anderson?”

“Didn’t you date him in our first year of uni?” That was her longest relationship ever—six months, while the rest could usually be measured in hours. It was after Mark that Angie had taken up her wild lifestyle. “And dump him because you didn’t want to be tied down?”

“That’s what I told everyone, but it wasn’t true. Mother found out about us—I never did find out how—and told me that if I kept seeing the son of a welder, I could kiss my inheritance goodbye.”

A chill ran down my spine. “She really said that?”

Angie nodded and wiped at her face with a sleeve. “We’re not having a commoner marrying into this family, Angelica,” she mimicked, and another tear rolled down her cheek. “Your books aren’t like real life,Sapphire. We can’t all be Lady Anne and marry the chimney sweep’s son, then live happily ever after.”

I didn’t want to believe my mother could say such a thing, but at the same time, I knew Angie spoke the truth. “I’m so sorry.”

“Why do you think I party so much now? As long as I only fuck men with money, she can hardly tell me to stop, can she? I think she’s secretly hoping one of them will stick.”

I pulled my sister into a hug, shedding my own tears, both for her ending with Mark and my relationship with Midnight. Because if Mother had hated Angie’s economics student, she’d surely hate me cavorting with the caretaker. Damn her and her outdated ideas about breeding and class.

“What am I supposed to do?” I whispered.

“I don’t know, but you also need to think about Gregory. The man really likes you.”

“At first he treated me like an inconvenience, but the last few times I’ve seen him...” I suspected Angie may be right.

“Look, from what you’ve said, your stranger won’t ask to meet up again until Mother’s next party. Why don’t you get to know Gregory a bit better in that time? You might find he can offer you more, plus he gets Mother’s seal of approval.”

“Are you happy with your life now? Did you make the right decision about Mark, or do you look back and wonder ‘what if?’”

Angie gave a not-so-ladylike sniffle. “Of course I do. But it might not have turned out a fairy tale. I could have ended up sitting in a council flat living on baked beans and jacket potatoes, praying for my lottery numbers to come up.”

“Or you could have ended up falling asleep next to the man you loved every night, working as an economist like you once wanted to.”

“Well, it’s too late now.” She grasped both my hands in hers. “Promise me you won’t make any hasty decisions, Gus. Don’t sacrifice your birthright for a stupid fling.”

“I won’t; I promise.” My decision would be one I gave a great deal of consideration, but I didn’t rule out the idea altogether.

“And if you stay out late again, make sure you call me. I’ve been worried sick.”

That I could agree to. “Deal.”

* * *

The next morning found me yawning as I climbed the stairs to the third floor of the main house, clutching a pair of opera glasses. Would Beau be raking the drive this morning? Or had he decided to do something a little less strenuous? I was so tired after last night that even putting one foot in front of the other felt like a chore.

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