Page 6 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

I nodded soundlessly. Matt was peering at his mother in disbelief.

“Such a tragedy.” she murmured sympathetically. “And your father’s sister took you in, yes?”

I nodded again. Had they done a background check on me too? Of course they would have!

“It must have been hard growing up without your parents,” she mused.

I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. Oh God. This was going to be a showdown at noon sort of night. Exactly as it had been with Grumps. I was going to be riddled with Bradley bullets. The tumbleweeds would be rolling through my spilt blood soon.

Matt’s hand landed on my knee and he squeezed lightly. Oh good, tonight I had a Kevlar suit and his name was Matt. If anyone could protect me from a Bradley verbal whup ass, it would be Matt. He was spawned from these people, he would know how to deal with them.

“How have you found living in England, Madison?” William Jnr asked. “It must be quite a change to New York.”

“It did take some adjustment,” I replied politely while flashing him a tiny smile. “Driving on a roundabout took some getting used to.”

Matt chuckled under his breath and patted my knee.

“And you’ve been here almost four years now?” William Jnr queried.

“Yes, it’s coming up to that time frame.” I confirmed with a nod.

“And how is your dance company?” Portia asked coolly. “My daughter mentioned something about an upcoming production.”

“Yes,” Matt answered before I could. “Opening night is on the 15th of this month and tickets are sold out but I’m sure Madi can arrange some seats for you both if you’d like to attend.”

His parents murmured something about prior engagements and I checked the urge to roll my eyes. This was such bullshit, but I could play the game too. I could be unfailingly polite and act as if they hadn’t, not a mere twenty minutes ago, said I was nothing more than a pawn in their son’s defiance of their wishes. An unintelligent pawn according to Portia Bradley.

“Poppet?” Matt called quietly and I forced a smile on my face and looked over at him. He didn’t return my smile, gaze continuously sliding between my face and my hands on my lap. What was it with my hands he found so fascinating? I stopped scratching my pinkie and arched my eyebrow in query.

“The 15th?” William Jnr asked abruptly. “Aren’t you and your brother due to travel on that date, Matthew? I’m sure, if I recall correctly, that’s when you fly to Russia.”

Matt grimaced at his father. “It’s the 14th, Dad.” Then he shot me a remorseful half smile as my mouth parted in disappointment.

“You won’t be here for opening night?” I asked the obvious.

Matt shook his head. “Unfortunately not.”

I swallowed my disappointment and tried to affect a relaxed facial expression. So what if he couldn’t make it for opening night? I licked my lips as I asked another question. “How long will you and Adam be away for, Matt?”

“We’re not certain at this point,” he advised, still with that apologetic shine to his eyes. “Perhaps a week, maybe more.”

“But you will both be back for Christmas.” Portia stated firmly.

Matt glanced at his mother as his father reproached her gently. “Portia, darling, business comes first. Ah, look, here comes the food.”

Our starters were indeed being brought over. I tried my best not to dwell on the upsetting news of Matt’s upcoming business trip. Why hadn’t he mentioned it to me before? As my lobster starter got placed in front me another worrying thought flitted through my mind. What about Christmas? How was that going to be addressed? If he returned in time for the festive holiday, would he want to spend it with me? Or would he have to spend it with his family, like he did on his birthday? I doubted I would get an invitation, going off his parents’ behaviour with me, but I was his fiancée now. KnowingMatt, he would most likely force the issue and cause some family drama. I didn’t want that. Oh, why was he going away on opening night? This was important to me and I wanted him to be there.

“Is the lobster not to your liking?” Matt asked, drawing me from my silent musings.

“It’s lovely.” I murmured.

Looking over at him revealed the concern on his handsome face and I felt churlish for my previous thought. Matt had responsibilities and I figured my career didn’t factor very high in his mind. It hurt thinking that way but I had to be a realist. Never mind I always made myself available whenever he needed me at his side for whatever function he was forced to attend. Never mind - I stopped that resentful train of thought at once.

“Let me try some then.” he teased, eyeing my plate.

“One bite.” I warned, scooping a morsel of the sweet lobster meat on my fork and carefully manoeuvring it into his waiting mouth.

“Matthew.” Portia said with distaste etched on her face. “Please remember your manners.”

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