Page 10 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Aren’t you pleased with me?” Matt asked in a voice still warm with anger. “There was no argument.”

“Ah, yes, but I hope you have your own money because my earnings can’t keep you in the lifestyle you’re accustomed to and you are going to be disowned for sure.”

Matt chuckled as we went down the stairs. “They’ll come around. They just need a firm hand.”

I snorted in disbelief then tugged on his arm. Matt stopped a step below me. I bent over to slant my lips across his as a reward forhaving my back with his parents.

“Thank you.” I murmured when I pulled back.

“You won’t be thanking me tomorrow when a picture of us snogging is in the morning papers.”

“What?” I cried out sharply.

Matt took my hand in his. “Poppet, I need to teach you how to spot the incognito media vultures that circle us. There are two, if not three actually, reporters here tonight. If it’s any consolation, you look absolutely delicious in your dress.”

“It’s not a consolation.” My eyes wandered around restlessly as we came down the remaining steps. Where were they? Damned paps. Everyone milling around looked normal to me. “Are you sure, Matt? You could be mistaken.”

“I’m not and don’t worry about it. I’ll be speaking to Nathan’s father about using his influence to protect our private lives. Now, are we heading to my place or yours? And you still haven’t given me an answer on when you’re moving in with me. I’m thinking before I fly away on business.”

I ignored Matt and awkwardly tried to keep my head down while scanning for any flashes of light. If they printed one more picture of me with my ass at an unfavourable angle I was going to sue someone.

Portia Bradley was silently fuming. She hadn’t spoken one word on the trip from the restaurant to the hotel they were staying at tonight. Right now she wanted nothing more than to curl up in her own bed and lick her wounds. Matthew’s continued defence of his supposed girlfriend was mind boggling.Fiancée, she reminded herself in a spurt of seething anger. He hadn’t even notified them of his proposal. She, his own mother, had to find out from her friend who had seen it on the early morning news. It was embarrassing, but Portia had quickly saved face by assuring her friend she was fully aware of her son’s antics.

“Darling, would you like a drink before bed?” William asked as he sauntered into the bedroom.

“No, thank you.” Portia replied while vigorously brushing herhair.

For a woman in her sixties she knew she still looked good. Shame her husband didn’t seem to appreciate her worth. The bastard. She eyed him from lowered lashes as he started undressing. The scratches over his back weren’t as fresh today and she wondered who his new bed partner was. Probably someone as young as Matt’s girlfriend, if not younger. He still looked good for his age too.

Fiancée, the silent reminder echoed through her fitful thoughts. She focused on the brush strokes, one after the other. William was a dutiful husband in all other areas, except their sex life. She snorted in disgust, at least he was discreet.

“Did you say something, my darling?” he murmured, coming over to stand behind her.

“No.” Portia said as she moved away. William tried to wrap his arms around her waist but she was having none of it. “Really William, I’m not in the mood tonight.” she reprimanded harshly.

William sighed and stepped away. He observed her for a moment before saying, “Darling we need to stop pushing Matthew on this issue. You know how stubborn our boy is-”

“Have you lost the faculties of your mind in your old age?” She fumed, dropping the brush and placing her hands on her hips. The silk nightgown was light blue, William’s favourite colour on her. It gave her perverse pleasure to taunt him with her body, a body he could no longer have at will. This was her way of punishing him, this and spending as much of his money as she chose.

“No, I haven’t,” he replied dryly. “I know our youngest son, Portia, and if we continue to treat his lady in the manner we have been doing, we’ll only alienate him further. Is that what you want? To push him away as you did with Adam? It wasn’t that long ago we were at odds with him, and I’m telling you now, I will not allow another estrangement between me and one of my sons.”

Portia looked away. William knew exactly how to hurt her. Why was he bringing up that old problem? Adam was back in their good graces now. It was Matthew who was the problem. Oh why couldn’t her sons be like their elder sister? A quick smile curled up her lips. Hannah was her pride, had married well and given them their beautiful granddaughters. She, like her brothers, had a brilliantmind. But like her mother, she had focused on her husband, her children; instead of furthering her career. That woman Matt was currently involved with didn’t seem the type to sacrifice her own needs for his.

“I’m serious, Portia.” William’s hard voice broke her from her silent thoughts.

“So you expect me to accept her?” she asked incredulously. “To welcome her into our lives with open arms? You have lost your mind. Our son proposed to her. Do you want me to plan the wedding? Her family can ill-afford the cost of it. Do you want me to invite her-”

“Calm down,” William bit out. “There’s no need for dramatics. What I’m trying to get you to understand is that continuing to ignore Madison will get us nowhere. Of course, I don’t agree with him marrying her! She’s - she’s not like us,” He ran a frustrated hand over his face. “But the more we make our opinions of Matthew’s relationship with her known, the more we push him away. Darling,” William came over to her, sweeping a hand through her still thick blonde tresses. “We must act as if we’re willing to at least attempt to accept her, to do anything else will force Matthew to make a choice - and we both know who he will choose at this point. His actions have been quite clear so far.”

Portia exhaled in anger. What spell had that woman woven around her son? What was it about her that drew Matthew, a man so much like his philandering father, to her side? Why was he infatuated with Madison DuMont?

“I just don’t understand, William.” she said, the agitation thick and heavy in her voice. “He can have anyone. Why her?”

William swept her hair over one shoulder and a bitter smile graced his face as he asked quietly, “Have you seen the way she looks at him, Portia? Have you truly paid attention to the way she watches our Matthew?”

“With greed, of course.” Portia exploded, pushing William aside as she begun to pace. “She sees her ticket to an easy life at the expense of our son.”

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