Page 16 of Owned By a Billionaire

“She’s very rich, and only inherits if she toes the line. Her father, a devout Catholic, is still alive. I suppose when he shuffles off this mortal coil, she’ll then embrace her sapphic leanings for all to see.”

“The wealthier, the more eccentric in this well-heeled cohort.”

“Yes. It can be rather entertaining. Wouldn’t want it any other way. Leave the boring football natter for the commoners. While they have their little dalliances by keeping streetwalkers in food, our lot prefer to express our peccadillos in five-star luxury. And you must admit, there’s never a dull moment.” He clicked for the waiter, who happened to be passing. “A single malt and G&T.” He gazed at me, and I nodded.

After the day I’d had, a drink was called for. I also took a cucumber sandwich.

“That’s better.” Rey nodded. “Keep up your strength. There’s shopping to do. We have a party to attend tomorrow night. Gregory will be there.”

I rolled my eyes, despite warm, fuzzy anticipation flushing through me all of a sudden. “I hear that Harry Lovechilde might be batting for both sides.”

“Oh, I know that.”

My brow creased. “It’s common knowledge?”

He shook his head. “Goodness, no. And it stays here. I suppose Helmut told you?”

“He did.” I waited for our drinks to be placed in front of us before asking, “So, do I tell Alice?”

He sipped on his whisky while reflecting on my question. “I’d stay out of it. You don’t want to stir the pot where Harry’s concerned. Remember, you want him on your side.”

Sighing pensively, I had to agree. “Shopping, then?” My mood brightened at the thought of a new gown.

Possessing a good eye for clothes was one of Rey’s many talents. He even extracted some joy from shopping, which made me wonder if he, too, had a thing for his own sex. But that theory was quickly quashed after I noticed how he ogled girls barely out of puberty. Another uncomfortable component to this mysterious powerbroker.

Rey nodded. “I must drop into Sackville’s for a jacket I’ve had cut.”

We finished our drinks, then he rose and gestured for me to follow.

We walked a few blocks and entered a shop that, with its scrolled signage and green wooden facade, could have existed in Dickens’s time.

An older man with a heavy Italian accent laid down his scissors and greeted Reynard as though they were good friends. He then brought out a midnight-blue jacket and had to stand on his tiptoes to measure it against Rey’s back. “It will fit perfectly, I’m sure.” The man looked pleased.

“That’s a lovely jacket,” I said, sliding my hand over the smooth velvet.

Rey nodded. “Velvet silk. The fabric of kings.”

“My, such high aspirations.”

He didn’t contradict me, flashing one of his self-satisfied grins instead.

Chapter 4

Abutlerwelcomedusinto the decorative Mayfair dwelling and directed us to a large, noisy salon filled with guests laughing and chatting over each other.

Noticing us there, Harry met my gaze, and his sunny, welcoming smile instantly put me at ease as he strolled over and kissed me on both cheeks before patting Rey on the arm. “Love the jacket.”

“Thank you,” Rey said. “This is quite a turnout. I was expecting something a little more low-key.”

“Well, it’s my twenty-first. Got to celebrate somehow.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize,” I said. “I would have brought you a gift.”

“No need. Your presence is more than enough.”

I met his friendly blue gaze, knowing he meant it. Then I looked around. “Where’s Alice?”

“She’s here somewhere. I think she’s instructing the staff on punch mixing.” He laughed. “It was a little too weak.”

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