Page 21 of Tis The Season for Secrets
Even with the festive decorations, the museum, empty save for the music drifting from the event’s room at the end of the corridor, gave Juliet the creeps. Margot seemed right at home, admiring each dimly lit exhibition. Then again, when else would you get a private tour of one of the busiest museums in the world?
“The main course will be served momentarily; I suggest you take your seats. The speeches have already begun.” The greeter checked his watch, his nostrils flaring. They’d clearly ruined his timing.
“This is so embarrassing.” Margot blushed as he directed them to the centre table, where Juliet’s father sat with some men Juliet had never seen before. It was by an overwhelmingly white Christmas tree so tall that she wondered how they’d even got it inside.
“It’s fine, don’t worry,” she whispered, steering them to the two empty seats to her father’s left. As usual, Gillian would be sitting at the head table with the other event-planners.
In fact, she was midway through her speech about the importance of this charity gala. Juliet winced as she caught her stepmother’s eye. If looks could kill, Gillian’s could slaughter.
“They weren’t kidding when they said the theme was Winter Wonderland,” Margot whispered, distracting her. It was true – the Roman-style statues were made of ice, and the large, ornate snowflakes hanging from the snow-speckled glass ceiling looked like they were straight from the filmFrozen, ifElsa had been given a bigger budget. With the glow of fairy lights amongstthem, it almost appeared to be snowing within the function room.
“So glad you both could make it.” Mr Frost winked at Juliet and rose to kiss her cheek. He clearly wasn’t surprised to see Margot in the slightest, so he’d either anticipated her plan, or Victor had messaged ahead to spare Juliet from getting into trouble.
What is going on with him? He should be quietly seething, but he seems downright cheery. Maybe he’s dying, she thought, unkind as it was.
He sat Juliet next to him, and Margot sat beside her as waiters in white uniforms and perfect silver bow-ties cleared the starters. Juliet noticed the table was missing a guest. She wondered who else was late.
“Sorry we were late,” she said quietly to the table, “the icy roads really slowed down traffic.” A few of the guests acknowledged her with waves that said ‘no need to apologise’ and ‘at least you made it safely’, and Margot introduced herself.
There was a round of applause for Gillian, and Juliet joined in.
“Thank God that’s over with,” her father said, giving them his full attention. “You both look beautiful. It’s lovely to see you again, Margot. I’m delighted we’ve a member of the Roth family joining us; Gillian was so disappointed to hear that your father had to pull out last-minute.”
“I’m delighted to be here, and I’m sure my family would want me to send their regards.” Margot made bullshitting look easy, not even looking slightly fazed at the news of her family’s absence.
Mr Frost tucked into his steak without responding, but his eyes lingered on Margot.Gross.Juliet downed the flute of champagne and squeezed Margot’s leg under the table, trying toreassure her that he was only looking for a reaction. This was not how she’d wanted the evening to go.
“I took the liberty of ordering you vegan mousse, Juliet; Gillian mentioned you were on a diet,” Mr Frost said, while the white-gloved waiter laid a bowl of cold green goo before her.
Margot stifled a chuckle with her napkin as Juliet poked it with a fork. “I wouldn’t feed that to the stray cat outside our building,” she whispered.
“Looks great– thanks, Dad,” Juliet said, not wanting to fall into a trap. Gillian was the master of subtle digs. Juliet had been curvy ever since puberty had hit her like a freight train. Once she’d despised the tiger stripes on her hips or that her thighs dared to touch, but once she’d left the Frost estate, she’d learned to love her body, to eat what she wanted, and to exercise because she wanted to and not because she had to.
Margot ate her steak with great enthusiasm while Juliet filled up on the bread and champagne.The only thing that should come in mousse form is chocolate.At least her dad had stopped staring at her friend.
“That steak! There are no words—” Margot put down her knife and fork as the waiter began to clear their plates.
“The slurping noises were a bit of a giveaway.” Juliet smirked.
“How was your delicious vegan mousse?” Margot asked, once the table was clear.
“I think I’ve pulled stuff out of the garbage disposable that looked more edible.”
“Probably would taste better, too.”
They cracked up laughing. Thank God for dessert– Juliet’s favourite, two scoops of peppermint ice-cream in a beautiful crystal bowl. Having a good time was easy with Margot to chat to.
“Tonight isn’t so bad, is it?” Margot reasoned, looking to all the people engaged in polite conversation at their table. Thankfully, Mr Frost had been too engrossed in a private conversation with the man on his other side to pay them any more mind. Juliet wondered what had happened to the mysterious guy he’d wanted to set her up with. Hopefully it was his seat that remained empty.He probably backed out when he learned about the set-up and wanted to spare us both an evening of awkward small-talk.
Once dinner finished, the dance floor, made to look like a frozen lake, filled up with guests, and the bandstand commenced with classic Christmas songs sans lyrics. Margot got up to mingle with the other guests with an ease that Juliet had never been able to achieve. She was satisfied to enjoy the music and observe the party, ignoring the occasional disapproving looks she received, possibly due to last year’s scandal.
“Holy crap, do you know who’s here?” Margot squealed, meeting Juliet at the bar –the perfect hiding spot, as it was in the corner. If only her tiny clutch bag could’ve fitted a book.
“Considering you were dancing with a future king when I last looked, it must be someone good.”
That was when Juliet saw him. Will. His black suit matched his dark gaze as he found her across the room. He winked at her and raised his glass. One look, and she felt utterly exposed.
“Will Duncan, the CEO of Duncan Recruiting! He finds people to doany jobanywhere in the world. My dad’s been trying to get him as a client for two years. I tried to get an interview a while back to handle his company’s tech security, but they’re strictly in-house only.” Margot sighed, staring across the room at the business opportunity that could change her life.
