Page 128 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Aye, he’s right.” Dougie mused. “And he should know, I’ve heard tales about Bradley and that friend of his.”

I arched an eyebrow at Dougie, about to ask what he meant when I spotted Bella approaching us.

“Where is Bradley?” Dougie drawled. “He must be stark raving mad to leave ye alone when ye look like Hogmanay in heaven, if there ever was such a thing.”

“Somewhere about,” I replied, searching the crowds for his tall frame. He was in my sights a moment ago.

Bella arrived at my side. She assessed Dougie and recognition dawned on her face. “Dougal, yes?” she asked politely.

Dougie nodded, immediately taking her offered hand and bringing it to his lips. He winked at me as he kissed the air above her hand. “I’ll be the envy of every man here tonight,” he teased. “Standing next to both of ye. I expect at least one dance from each of ye.”

Bella shook her head, an amused smile tickled the edges of her mouth as she asked, “How old are you, young man?”

I snickered at Dougie’s flushed face.

He squinted at me and released Bella’s hand. “A couple of years older than Madi and she will speak on my behalf I’m sure.”

Bella’s gaze jumped between us. “Oh, I didn’t think you knew each other that well.”

Dougie flicked imaginary lint off the sleeve of his dinner jacket. “Quite well, aye Madi?”

I rolled my eyes at Dougie and turned to Bella. “He’s been a pest in my side since the night of that crazy auction when I outbid him.”

Bella nodded, a small clap of delight came from her hands. “Yes! That’s right. We had such a lovely time that night.” She slipped her arm through mine and started moving us forward. “Matt arranged that boat ride on the Thames and the four of us had such fun. Good night, Dougal.” Tossed carelessly over her shoulder as she marched me away. I glanced back to a perplexed Dougie, shrugging my own shoulders in the process. Bella had shut the conversation down. Hard, fast, but so polite.

“What’s up, Bella?” I asked under my breath.

“Nothing,” she said matter-of-factly. “I just noticed Matt’s face when he saw you and Dougal chatting. He’s coming over here right now actually.”

What? Where? My head jerked around looking for my husband. Ah. Yes, he was heading in our direction.

“And how close are you to Dougal?” she pressed. “He doesn’t really run in our inner circle. I keep forgetting you’re younger than us by a few years. Why was he watching you like a buffet? You’re not too close to him, I hope.”

Before a response could be made Matt was upon us.

“Having fun?” I dropped Bella’s arm, stepping into his personal space to kiss him lightly on the lips.

“Yes, why don’t you two ladies join us?” He took my hand in his and offered an arm to Bella. “Was that McGregor I spotted chatting to you a moment ago?”

“Mhmm,” I confirmed breezily. Matt didn’t seem annoyed. Bella must have read his expression incorrectly.

“I’d forgotten he usually attends these parties,” Matt tilted his head, grey eyes scrutinizing me. “And how is he?”

“Fine, I guess,” I mumbled. “We didn’t chat for long. Are they serving anything other than those yucky hors d’oeuvres? I still can’t get how you scoffed that caviar down. Eww. Fish eggs, you ate fish eggs.”

Bella burst into musical laughter, throwing her head back and all.

Matt waggled his eyebrows at me. “Not just any caviar, poppet, it was Almas.”

I snorted and squeezed his hand. “That name means nothing to me. Fish egg is fish egg, Matt.”

“You should take her to the Caviar House & Prunier,” Bella teased lightly. “She needs to learn the delights of these delicacies and that’s the best place in the world to take her. I’m so upset I couldn’t have any.”

“Why not?” Was it stupid of me to ask?

Matt threaded his fingers through mine. “The roe tonight was fresh. Bella can’t eat it unless it’s pasteurized. Pasteurized caviar never tastes as nice, Karen won’t allow anything other than fresh to be served at her party.”

I acted as if I knew what he was talking about, nodding slowly. Matt knew I was faking it.

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