Page 90 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Gloss,” I corrected when I noticed another smudge right above his collar and promptly attacked that one too with my thumb. “It’s lip gloss.”

“Car issues indeed.” Portia huffed with an uncomfortable expression on her icy features. Hmm, I could understand. Matt was her baby boy, it must freak her out thinking of him doing the nasty.

Matt arched an eyebrow at his frowning mother, a mischievous quirk to his lips as he drawled softly, “Mum, I’m a married man. No need for such disapproval. Madi and I were wedded before God, so spontaneous shagging is sanctified and completely allowed-”

“Matt, behave.” I hissed, wanting the ground to open up and swallow me whole. Portia reached up to smooth back a lock of Matt’s hair and he jerked away again. Ha. Score one for me. Matt didn’t mind me tidying up his appearance, spit-thumb and all.

“Mum, please.” He turned to his father and grinned. “Forty plus years of marriage.”

“Yes, marriage is hard work, my boy.” William advised with a rueful smirk as he observed his wife. “But worth it, isn’t that right,dear?”

Portia regarded him coldly for a nanosecond before her features morphed into a mask of such serene beauty, I could only stare at her. Damn. She had skills. Did no one just see that? Obviously not. Matt and his father joked a bit more before Portia mentioned the twins eagerly awaiting my arrival. That was my cue to escape from the weirdness of Matt’s parents, and it was weird. I got the impression they weren’t very fond of each other. Fuck. I hoped Matt and I didn’t end up like them.

The Ballroom was filled with hordes of people I didn’t know. Maybe I shouldn’t have left Matt chatting with his parents, but I wasn’t going to cling to his side like a limpet. I could do this. I was Madison DuMont-Bradley, and although my hair was a mass of wild curls instead of my sophisticated up-do, I could hold my own. Shit. Why was that lady staring at me? Why was that wholegroupstaring at me? I didn’t have come on my face…I checked before leaving the car. Nervously patting my hair, I moved through the guests, smiling politely as I searched for the twins. How much did this shindig cost? I mean Claridge’s was a pricey hotel and I dreaded to think of what the meal Matt and I missed by our impromptu sexing cost.

“Madi!” An excited voice came from my left. I spun around to see Natty, wait Nikki,oneof the girls pushing her way towards me.

“Hey,” I said right before I got swallowed into a warm hug. “You look great, Natty.”

She chuckled at the uncertainty of my voice. “Are you sure it’s me,AuntMadi?”

I narrowed my eyes at the ‘Aunt’ title and she laughed some more while linking her arm through mine.

“What took you so long? We’ve been bored to tears. There were speeches. I swear this family is insane. You have to see the pictures from our ski trip. Did Uncle Matt get you that necklace? I want it. Oh, Mum’s planning a weekend in the Cotswolds, you must come although it’ll be cold. Honestly, I think she’s trying to drive me mad. Last night she kept going on and on about Uni and my grades. I had a right mind to tell her sod off.”

I winced at the non-stop chatter in my ear, it was definitely Natty. She waved and smiled at people as we walked. Then I stiffened, we both stiffened when a sharp, “I’m certain you’re not planning on walking past me without saying hello, Madison.” Came from behindus.

Natty and I turned in unison. The transformation of Natty was immediate. Gone was the chattering girl, replaced by a demure sweet smiling vision who dropped my arm and went over to the seated man’s side.

“Hi Grumps.” I greeted, going over to do the required air kiss. This time it was allowed.

“You’re late,” he grumbled while his grey eyes pinned me where I stood. “Where’s Matthew? You missed the meal. Why were you late?”

‘Because we had to bump pelvises’, I wondered what would happen if I actually said that out loud. “Car issues.” I murmured even as he dismissed my answer with a quick wave of hand.

“I want you to meet a close friend of mine,” Grumps gestured to the elderly bespectacled lady sat next to him. “This is Lady Viola Eastmund.”

Oooh. A Lady. Should I curtsy? I stuck my hand out which she gripped tightly. Damn. These old Brits had a helluva strong grip.

“You’re not as black as I expected,” she said bluntly before turning her face back towards Grumps. “Your description of her was inaccurate, William. Shame on you. I thought she looked like those Africans.”

Natty had a hand up over her mouth. Grumps was frowning at Lady Viola. And me? Well, let’s just say my brain was still trying to process her words.

“Where are you originally from?” she queried.

I yanked my hand away. “England.”

Daintily she folded her aged hands atop the table. “I meant your family, dear.”

“My father was American but my mother and I were both born here, I’m English.” The sharpness of my tone didn’t faze this crazy broad. “But if you want a brief family history, my maternal grandparents were from the Caribbean while my paternal grandparents were American. Would you like me to go further?” I felt the heat on my skin, slowly rising off me. A quick glance confirmed there was no steam, huh, I thought there would be.

“That explains it.” she mused while nodding at Grumps.

“Explains what?” My voice was low and hard. Natty looked on with astonishment, but also guilty eagerness. Huh, I knew she was expecting me to do something unusual.

“Well, your features, of course.” Lady Viola stated blandly. “There has obviously been some mixing of genes in your family’s past, something I’m sure you’re thankful for.”

She didn’t. Oh hell no, she didn’t just say that.

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