Page 93 of Thick as Thieves
She looks really annoyed that I obviously ignored her, and in front of her group of friends who are scowling more aggressively than her.
“Is Marcus here?” she asks.
I shake my head. “LA,” I say, taking the shawl from the girl and thanking her.
Rowena surprises me with, “Do you think you could come for lunch tomorrow? I’d like to see the boys, and you, of course.” She says it with the most ingenuine smile I’ve seen in a long time. She’s not even a good actress. But that might be on purpose, in case I was in any doubt that she disliked me.
“Orla’s here with the baby and the boys,” she continues. She knows that may draw me in.
I think about going to see her and placating her, but then I think why should I. She threw James and me out of her house. Twice. Didn’t bother to tell her only son he had a son. Has tried to get Kellen married off to any number of women, as long as they didn’t have the surname Greystone. Too bad she’s failed spectacularly.
“I’m sorry, Rowena, you'll have to wait for Kellen to come home. I’m completely flat out trying to get work things sorted whilst I’m here. I’m back down to Devon shortly, so I won’t have time to come. I’m sure Kellen, when he gets back, will sort out visiting.” I match her ingenuine smile. And raise it.
She practically sneers at me. “So you’re telling me no.”
The woman is obviously a genius. My face shows my thoughts. “Well, for now, but obviously not forever. Kell will sort it when he comes back.” I continue to smile as fake as her.
“When is that exactly? And can you make sure James comes, please. As his grandmother, I’m getting lots of requests for appearances.”
I’m not sure if she means they’re asking for James, or if she thinks people want to seeherbecause of James. I’m sure it will be the latter with Rowena. She thinks she’s the crowd puller. I decide to deliberately misunderstand her. She’s looking down her nose at me. The Dowager Countess Rowena Russell in full flow.
“I’m sure you’ll do fine with the appearances. I’ll be sure to mention it to him when I speak to him next. But he’s not due home for another month.”
She looks more put out at James’s timescales than she did at Kellen’s. Obviously James is pulling in the punters. I nod, and walk past the hostile posse.
“You ought to be grateful she’s speaking to you, after what you’ve done,” Chrissy, the ever faithful lieutenant, snarls into my face as I pass.
I look at her in bewilderment. “What exactly have I done?” I ask, mildly politely, looking seriously confused.
“Huh, you know. And so will everyone else soon enough,” she threatens.
I roll my eyes at her. “Whatever.” I really can’t be bothered with these women.
As I stomp past her, she grabs my arm. “Mark my words, you won’t get away with it.”
I roll my eyes at her again, this time with an exaggerated sigh so she doesn’t miss it. “Chrissy, I’m not sure what on earth I’m supposed to be getting away with, but if you grab me again…” I stand my ground and stare at them.
She pushes by me and follows after Rowena and I shake my head and walk out to the car.
“I just had the weirdest conversation with Rowena and Chrissy. I’ve done something to upset them, but damned if I can think what it is, other than breathing of course.” I grin at Tommy, unconcerned as I clamber into the car. “Asked me for lunch then insulted me. Well I’m desperate to go now. Sign me up for a quarterly event.” I’m shaking my head in bewilderment.
“You do know she’ll be straight on the phone, winding Marcus up,” he says confidently.
“Honestly, yes, she will. I don’t mind her hassling him. In fact it’s quite the entertainment to watch how many shades of red he can go before he turns purple. He can handle her though. It’s if she wants to see the babies, James and Bucky, I don’t want the extra mileage. You know what, give me a sec.” I jump back out of the car and head back into the restaurant before I can come to my senses and not bother.
Vinny grins at me. “Back so soon, Bella? What have you forgotten now?”
I smile at my friend. “Nothing, I just need a quick word with that party,” I tell him, pointing to the table from hell, all air kissing and talking over each other.
He waves me in and I walk up to Rowena, pushing the most ridiculous smile ever onto my face. “Rowena, a slot just opened up in my diary for the day after tomorrow. Is lunch still okay?”
She eyes Chrissy and then purrs out, “Perfect. See you at 12:30,” turning away immediately to talk to another friend.
Clearly dismissed, I smile, swaying my way out of the restaurant. What a pain she is. But if I get her over and done with, I can go back to Devon and not have to consider her ‘til after the new year. If I’m lucky.
46
Evie
