Page 43 of My Highland Fling
Adrik’s scowl deepened.“I see.Wait there.Our guests should arrive shortly.Please have the guards check their identities before allowing them entrance.”
“I will.”Gabrielle fervently prayed this task didn’t fall to her.She’d prefer Adrik to greet his guests since they were doing business with him, not her.Or was it a test?She frowned, tension sliding through her muscles.Aware she must relax if she was to make it through this evening, she sucked in deep breaths.A Tilly hint.
Immediately, sadness stole into prominence.She couldn’t cry—another item on her forbidden list.
Luckily, Adrik reappeared in the dining room before anyone arrived.“Come here, my dear.”
Once again, tension slid through her, along with frissons of terror.She forced her legs to propel her forward, to hold her upright.With a racing pulse, she stepped nearer, kept her expression passive.At least, that was her hope.
“Turn around.”
Silently, she did as commanded.Adrik came up behind her and pressed cool lips to her nape before slipping the chilly stones around her neck and fastening it deftly.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“You’re welcome, my dear.A beautiful necklace for my stunning and lovely wife.”
“May I look in the mirror?”she asked because he expected this request.
“You may.”
On still shaky limbs, she crossed to the antique mirror hanging on the far wall.Again, she lifted her hand to stroke the dazzling diamonds and sapphires because Adrik expected it of her.“Thank you, Adrik.It’s exquisite.”
“You deserve the necklace,” he said warmly, although the cordiality never reached his eyes.Also unsaid but implied was the idea if Gabrielle behaved, she’d earn more rewards.
Gabrielle forced a smile.“Will your guests arrive soon?We can serve dinner once you’re ready.You mentioned you’d like to have drinks first?”
“Yes, I’ll greet my guests and take them to the formal lounge.I’d like you to wait there and serve us drinks.Can you do that?”
“Yes,” Gabrielle said.Her mother had trained her well, insisting she be capable of hosting a dinner party.Now Gabrielle understood why the instruction had been necessary.
The doorbell chimed—one short peal.
“My first guest has arrived,” Adrik said.
“I’ll wait for you in the lounge.”Gabrielle smiled and glided away, walking not too fast and acting not too reluctant.Let the bastard think he’d cowed her with a few blows and forced sex.Let him grow complacent.
She entered the lounge to find four of Adrik’s guards.They stood against the far wall, close to the open terrace doors.A light breeze wafted through the thin curtains and dissipated the late summer heat.Gabrielle ignored the men and checked the contents of the drink cabinet.
Voices sounded in the entrance hall, along with low masculine laughter.All men and her.Such joy.Adrik was taking this opportunity to show her off.She understood that and hated the idea of his friends ogling her.
“Ah, Gabrielle, this is Timur and Constantine.Gentlemen, my wife.”
Four men stepped into the room and placed their backs to the wall.They wore identical black suits and white shirts, their apparel from top designers.They glanced briefly at the guards, but their expressions didn’t shift.
“You won’t mind if one of my men conducts a weapon’s search?”Adrik asked in a mild voice.
“We expected it,” Timur, a blond with deep brown eyes said with a casual wave.“Go ahead.We have abided by the rules provided in your invitation.”
Adrik signaled one of his guards before glancing at Gabrielle.He gave her a curt nod.
She glided forward.“Welcome, gentlemen.Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’ll take a Scottish whisky on the rocks,” Timur said.
“Same for me,” Constantine said.He was an older man, but unlike Adrik, he had a distinct gut.
The bell chimed again.
