Page 20 of Stick to the Deal
My mind is still clouded as I walk aimlessly around my flat. Am I making a mistake? Would it be simpler to find another bride? It would certainly be easier if my mother approved of my wife.
I immediately shake the thought away as I pour a scotch and stare out over the city lights. A deal is a deal. I gave Nic my word, and I’m not going back on that now. It wouldn’t be right.
Besides, the only person Mother would approve of is Serena, and that isn’t happening. She doesn’t meet Father’s only requirement.
The Wentworths are a respectable family, to be sure—titled, connected, but no liquid capital to be spoken of. Serena was always looking for me to bankroll the lifestyle she felt entitled to, and I, the naïve idiot, was only too happy to comply.
A vibration in my pocket breaks my unhappy reminiscence. My pulse leaps at the name on the screen, but when I read the message, my entire focus shifts.
Nic
Can I come over? Looks like I need a rescue after all.
Where is she? Who is she with? I can’t imagine a situation Nic would need rescuing. Well, besides our marriage deal.
Me
Are you ok? Do you want me to get you?
My heart pounds as those three dots appear and disappear. Moments feel like hours and the scotch turns to lead in my stomach. My knuckles whiten around the phone.
Nic
I can’t stay here tonight. Already in a cab. Be there in 30 min.
She’s safe. My pulse slows, but gives a strange blip when her words sink in. She’s staying over. I wouldn’t call my flat messy, but it’s not exactly company ready. The exhaustion of a minute ago dissolves, and I use the sudden spurt of adrenaline to speed clean while I wait for her arrival.
Chapter 12
The Devil Doesn't Bargain
I’m lightly humming the ballet with a smile as I let myself into my grandmother’s house and start up the sweeping staircase. It was a nice surprise sitting with Reginald. His family, not so much, but the view from their box more than made up for any chilliness. It’ll be fine. None of us were prepared for the meet-the-family type situation. The undercurrent was certainly strange, though. What was with his mother interrupting our goodbye?
There’s some tea there I’d love to hear.
Reginald will have to tell me before the wedding. The last thing we need is for me to step in some drama with his mother if we want this to be successful. I’m surprised they were all together. Nothing he’s said ever gave the impression they were close. I’d actually gotten the feeling he was a bit of a black sheep. Like me.
“Nicolette.”
I start, then spot the lone figure standing on the landing dressed in a satin bathrobe, a silk wrap over her thick hair, looking every inch the queen of this house.
“Grandmama, are you feeling better? Gloria mentioned you were ill.”
“What were you thinking?”
“Pardon?”
“At the ballet tonight.”
My mind blanks. What did I do? What could I possibly have done this time? My heel glitters in the low light as I ascend the stairs. Is that it? Did my outfit offend her? My stomach dips. Was I not supposed to go to the ballet alone? “I thought you wanted me to go without you? Did you want me to stay? I’m sorry.”
“What were you thinking sitting with that man?”
What man? I was only with… “Bancroft?”
“Don’t say his name.” All color drains from her already pale cheeks, and I climb the steps faster.
“What?” I can’t have heard her correctly.
