Page 8 of Where She Is
“I’m sure.” He’s getting at something, but I don’t know what.
“Well… good.”
I step away, then slap a hand to my forehead and spin back towards him on my heels, “Oh, and he’s asked me to join him at his table for dinner tonight.”
“Hannah.”
“What now!” I can’t deny his exasperated tone bothers me.
“You must have heard.”
“Heard what?” I don’t mean to get huffy, but sometimes he’s so British. I wish he’d get to the point.
“He has… a reputation. The gossip columns are full of it. Don’t tell me you haven’t read about him?”
“I’ve only been in the country five minutes. What do you think?” I snap, then instantly regret it. “I’m sorry Richard, but this is daft. He’s spent a lot of time with me this afternoon. I imagine he feels sorry for me and wants to do the right thing.”
“I bet he does.” I don’t miss the Austin Powers sarcasm under his breath, although he doesn’t realise it. I throw my hands in the air. “I give up. It’s just dinner,” I say more to myself than him.
“There’s that word.”
“What word?”
“Just.”
My teeth grit together, but I keep my cool. I want this conversation to end quickly.
“So, did you want me for anything or—”
“No, just checking you were all right.”
I bite my tongue, breathe in and smile. “As you can see, I’m great.” I head for the stairs, but I’m stopped in my tracks. “Hannah?” I keep my focus straight ahead as dread fills my insides, “Be careful, okay?”
“Always.”
I run up to my room in a much crappier mood than I was in earlier. Richard’s words swirl through my mind and I wonder what exactly Daniel has a reputation for. Could it be for hisamazing horsemanship or his business brain? Who am I kidding? I know exactly what Richard means, but I’ll make my own judgements about Daniel. I won’t research his ‘reputation’ and I won’t stop thinking about him in an entirely unprofessional way.
I chose my very simple black shift dress and elegant, black patent Jimmy Choo shoes. They were a treat that I would usually think twice about, but I made an exception for my twenty-first. After today’s conversation with Richard, I need a boost, and these shoes give me two. They add another three inches to my five-foot-four-inch frame and transform my ordinary, nondescript feet into objects of beauty. I’ve curled my hair up into a loose bun, smoked my blue eyes and applied a little mascara and lip gloss. I’m ready, but my stomach has other ideas as it knots into a ball of nervous energy when I leave my room.
I don’t rush to join the party. Instead, I lean over the bannister at the top of the stairs and scan the reception below. There’s already a hum of voices as men and women of all ages and nationalities cluster together. They might discuss the business of the day or be meeting a colleague for the first time. I breathe in through my nose and close my eyes.Heregoes. My heels enhance my confidence as I begin my descent downthe stairs, and then I spot him. Catching hold of the stair rail, I steady my legs while I take him in. His dark hair is parted to one side, and it suits his now cleanly shaven face and black tie. Daniel doesn’t spot me immediately, but I watch as his eyes circle the room. Then I note the moment he finds me. His smile sparks a light to his face which catches and spreads to his eyes. It’s a look that sends heat to my centre and throughout my entire body.
He heads across the room towards me, but everyone wants to say hello. He’s delayed several times because of shaking handsor kissing cheeks. Women eye him from head to toe as he passes by and the men in the room straighten slightly in respect. I reach the bottom of the stairway as he ends a conversation with a middle-aged woman who holds onto him for as long as possible. She reluctantly releases his arm when his eyes connect to mine, and he holds out his hand. Then he is at my side, and his warm breath caresses my neck and ignites my skin.
“You look beautiful.”
A cold, excited shiver runs the length of my body as I smile and gaze into those incredible eyes which never leave mine. He offers the crook of his arm and I slide my hand around his firm bicep.
“Thank you.”
My body is alive with excitement while we walk through the hordes of people.
“We don’t want you to damage those beautiful shoes so you’d better hang on to me tight.”
He noticed my shoes. He gets a limitless supply of brownie points for his observation and because I’ve been a victim of Rob’s neglect for so long; I want to soak in every second of the attention Daniel gives me.
We walk out to the patio and along the pathway to an enormous barn. When we arrive at the doors of the reception room, waiters greet us with champagne cocktails. Daniel takes two from the tray and hands one to me.
“What should we drink to?” He asks with a raised eyebrow, but before I can answer, he says, “How about crazy foreign girls?” His suggestion is firmly tongue-in-cheek and I take it in the spirit it’s intended.
