Page 95 of Cross My Heart

“He’s already drunk,” Annabelle whispers loudly. “Buckthorn gin fizz, gets him every time.”

“Au contraire, mesa mi,” Max says theatrically, “Merely getting started for the long night ahead.In vino, veritas, and all that jazz.”

“When he starts quoting Latin, you know he’s trouble,” Hugh says, with a conspiratorial grin. He greets me warmly and makes room on the chaise beside him. “Although, I might ply you with booze myself tonight, see if I can’t talk you into accepting that job at the Foundation. What’s the holdup?” he adds, teasing. “Playing hard to get? Saint, I thought you were going to talk her round?”

Saint holds his hands up. “Hey, it’s nothing to do with me. Tessa’s got a mind of her own. A stubborn one,” he adds with a smirk.

“Is it the package?” Hugh asks me, and Max snorts.

“We have heard complaints about Hugh’s package!”

“So mature,” Annabelle rolls her eyes.

I smile carefully. “It’s a generous offer, and I’m not playing hard to get,” I assure him. “I just have a lot going on right now. I’m not sure I can give it the focus it deserves.”

After my attack, and warnings from the college about my studies, and everything to do with Wren, that job has been the furthest thing from my mind. No matter how much I enjoyed it, it seems like a different life to me. A life where I’m not set on discovering Wren’s attacker as the only priority on my list.

Hugh sighs. “Well, let me know when you make a decision. Or if there’s anything I can do to sweeten the deal. Priya is raving about your influencer fundraising proposals,” he adds, “And that’s not a woman who raves.”

I smile, pleased. “I’m glad I could help.”

“So what’s all this buzz I’m hearing about a big Ashford announcement?” Max changes the subject, giving Saint a sloppy kick. “Do I need to call my stockbroker, and get in on the deal?”

Saint gives him a look. “Are you looking for insider trading information?”

“Always,” Max says cheerfully, as Annabelle bounces up.

“Bathroom,” she trills. “Come on, Tessa. Let’s leave these men to their gossip.”

“If it’s about money, it’s not gossip,” Max protests. “This is serious business talk here.”

“Gossip,” Annabelle repeats with a smirk.

She leads me through the crowd, into the house. “Whoops, watch for the blackthorn,” she says, steering me around a floral centerpiece with sprigs of white flowers. The same ones that were sent with the note, at the Midnights party, I realize. “I get that there’s all sorts of symbolism,” Annabelle continues, rolling her eyes. “Poisonous fruit and all that, but honestly, the dresses I’ve torn on those damn thorns. Not that the guys ever care. It’s so nice having another girl as part of the group for these things,” she adds, looping her arm through mine.

“What about Imogen?” I ask, realizing I haven’t seen her here this evening. “Isn’t she a member?”

Annabelle shakes her head. “Her mother is from an excellent family, of course, but Blackthorn isveryselective. The people at this event represent the upper echelons of British society. The guest list is strictly monitored. Plus-ones are absolutely forbidden,” she continues, giving me an assessing look. “Even wives or fiancées have to be granted a special dispensation to come. Saint would have had to beveryconvincing that you two were on the marriage track for the society bigwigs to let you in.”

“Marriage?” I repeat. No wonder Lillian was so appalled to see me. “What? I mean, that’s crazy, we’ve barely known each other a month.”

“But he brought you here, didn’t he? And everyone can see that he adores you,” she continues breezily. “Just say the word, I’ll refer you to all my wedding people. The florists are just incredible. You know, they’re managing to fly in tulips from a special hothouse in Antwerp, just for the big day?”

Annabelle chatters on, but her words linger, whispering in the back of my mind. Not marriage, that part is crazy—that I would be one of those women up in the oil paintings, smiling demurely. Duchess of this estate. It’s insane.

But a future with Saint…

That part is more tempting. I can’t deny the way my body responds to him, and the wild heights of pleasure we share, but there’s more than that, too. A bond that’s forming, a connection that’s been there right from the start.

I’m drawn to him, despite everything. And even with so much in a state of confusion over Wren and the answers I’m searching for, that bond feels stronger than ever. A lifeline, to hold on tight.

A North Star, guiding me to the truth.

But can I trust it?

Chapter25

Tessa

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