Page 45 of Cross My Heart

Saint sighs. “Come on, Rob, I told you—”

“I know, I know!” Robert holds his hands up. “Be warned, this one is about as stubborn as they come,” he warns me, friendly.

“Noted,” I reply, watching Saint’s body language. He seems friendly enough with his brother, but I can feel a tense vibe, just beneath the surface.

“You will be coming to the Lancaster party though, won’t you?” Robert asks him. “Dad said I need to drag you there myself. Full family showing, and all.”

“I’m not sure,” Saint gives a casual shrug. “I’ll have to check my schedule.”

“I know a stuffy garden party isn’t your scene, but can you please do this one thing for the family?” Robert asks. “Dad’s already stressed enough from work, and this is a big deal. Everyone will be there, and the last thing they need is—”

“I get it,” Saint cuts him off with a sigh. “You don’t have to give me the lecture, believe me, I’ve got it memorized by now. Duty, honor, the future of the Ashford line…”

“Well, as long as we’re on the same page.” Robert grins, slaps Saint’s back, and gives me another smile. “Lovely meeting you, Tessa. See you soon, I hope.”

He strides off to rejoin his friends, and I sneak a look at Saint. He drains his pint of beer, looking tense from the interruption.

“Lancaster… That’s Max’s family, right?” I ask innocently. If they’re throwing a big party, then that could be a chance for me to get closer and find out more.

Saint nods, looking resigned. “They’re hosting a couple hundred of their closest friends at the family pile. Teacups and croquet, a real wild time,” he says.

“Like in Bridgerton, with the little hoops and mallets?” I ask. “That looks like so much fun!”

“It’s not,” Saint replies dryly.

“You just haven’t played with the right person,” I say, acting flirty again. I feel a small stab of unease, manipulating him like this, but it’s for the greater good. Anything that gets me closer to the truth is worth it. “Every game can be fun, if the stakes are high enough…” I give him a sultry look.

“You want to join me then, to keep things interesting?” Saint asks, and I feel a rush of victory.

“Sure, why not?” I reply, still casual, but inside, I’m celebrating.

If Max has any answers, I’m going to find them.

Chapter14

Tessa

Aquick google for pictures from past Lancaster shindigs tells me that my normal student wardrobe isn’t going to cut it for the big party. This isn’t just some backyard cookout, but one of the social events of the season. I don’t want to draw any attention, or look out of place in the aristocratic crowd, but my budget doesn’t stretch to designer, so I spend the day trawling through the vintage thrift stores of Oxford instead, looking for an outfit that screams, ‘Of course I have a trust fund, darling.’

“What do you think about this one?” I ask, emerging from the tiny dressing from for Jia to see. She had a spare hour between lectures and offered to help me shop. I spin around in the vintage silk floral sundress, assessing my reflection in the chipping, gilt-edged mirror. “Cute, right? Or would wearing it in the fall be breaking some ‘Don’t wear white after Labor Day’-type rule?”

“It’s kind of old-fashioned, isn’t it?” she asks, examining the high-cut neckline and knee-length skirt.

“I know, but I’d prefer to be too buttoned up, instead of causing a scandal by flashing my shoulders. Isn’t that what all those TikToks about ‘old money’ vibes say? When in doubt, dress like a snooty grandma.” I duck back into the changing room and try another outfit from my pile of potentials. I’ve hit paydirt in my third stop of the day, a cute vintage store on a back street packed to the rafters with old designer goodies, like some eccentric society matron’s dressing room.

“I don’t know why you’re so stressed,” Jia comments through the curtain. “It’s just a party.”

“A super-fancy garden party, attended by every VIP in England,” I explain, wriggling into the next outfit, a cream 60s shift dress with bold sequin appliqué on the hem. “I was looking at the photos from last year’s event, and Princess Kate showed up. Makes sense, Cyrus Lancaster has a serious reputation… I feel like I should rewatch ‘Succession’just to prepare!” I joke, emerging from the dressing room again, but Jia just checks her phone, looking impassive.

“Is it really a good thing, trying to impress these people?”

I pause, surprised at her tone. “I thought you were all for me seeing Saint? You and Kris practically ordered me to go have hot sex with the man!”

“A sexy hookup, sure,” she replies. “Everyone wants to be Professor St. Clair’s new favorite plaything, but I didn’t expect him to, you know…”

She trails off, and I frown. “Date me?” I finish, feeling a sting. “Why not?”

Jia looks away. “I mean, he’s a total man-whore, you know that. So is Max Lancaster, according to all the tabloids. Just another trust fund kid running around, spending Daddy’s money. And now you’re trying to get all dolled up to impress them.” She gives a shrug. “I’m just saying, seems like a lot of effort. I mean, you don’t want to be friends with them, do you? Those assholes waltz around town like they own the place.”

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