JACK
“She hates me,” I growl under my breath as I stand with Alex Stanley and his wife, Olivia, watching Cecelia Ravenshaw work the room like a pro.
“Youcouldcut the woman some slack; she’s just lost her husband and son.” Alex, the one person I thought I could rely on, tries being diplomatic. I don’t recall Alex ever being a peacemaker.
“More likely the old crow’s concerned about her assets.” Alex’s sister joins us, scowling towards the woman who despises me and showing her no sympathy.
“Bea, that’s an awful thing to say.” Olivia looks horrified by her sister-in-law's comment, and I shake my head and laugh to myself while Alex rolls his eyes.
“Oh, come on, Liv, don’t be naïve. Have you seen any real tears spill from her at any point today?” Beatrice makes an impressive argument. “Perhaps all that Botox has clogged her tear ducts.”
The snort I make echoes from the high ceiling, and it earns me an unimpressed glare from Lady Billington. The seductive look I hit her back with, whilst her husband stuffs his face with canapés, seems to turn the woman's distaste into confidence,and holding her head just that little bit higher, she smiles to herself as she rejoins the conversation she was having.
“Will you keep your voice down?” Alex snaps at his sister before faking a smile to Annabella Linchford as she passes. My brother's fiancée heads straight towards Cecelia, and the pair of them join in a show-stopping embrace.
“Now, there’s someone who trulywillbe devastated.” Bea knocks back the tiny glass of port that's in her hand. “All that work she put into being Fairfax’s next duchess, all gone to waste.” She ignores the filthy look that Annabella gives her over Cecelia’s shoulder and smiles sarcastically back at her.
“Bea, I won’t warn you again,” Alex tells his sister sternly.
“What will you do, Alex, have me sit in the car with Paul?” She searches around for another waiter, placing her empty glass on the tray when one appears and helping herself to a full one.
“Oh, I think I can do better than that.” Alex is the one with a smirk on his face as he leaves us and strolls towards the Winfields and Lord Eggleton.
“Elizabeth,” he interrupts their conversation politely. “My sister, Beatrice, was just asking what charity events you have upcoming this summer. I think she’s keen to get involved.” He looks over to his sister with a grin, forcing her to fake a smile back at them.
“I swear I’m going to fucking kill him.” Bea manages to speak without moving her lips.
“Oh, Alex, that would be wonderful.” Elizabeth immediately abandons the two old men and starts heading our way, taking Beatrice by the arm and whisking her towards the sofa in the corner of the room. Alex is clearly pleased with himself when he rejoins us, dusting off his hands, and it earns him a sharp elbow to the ribs from his wife.
“That was cruel,” she scolds him, trying her best to look mad and hold off her own amusement.
“I warned her. Besides, I figured getting her involved would get you off the hook. You need to start doing less.” He proudly rolls his palm over her swollen stomach.
“I like being kept busy.” She places her hand over his and smiles contentedly.
“You have our son for that,” Alex reminds her.
“Well, I still think you're cruel. You know how relentless Lady Winfield can be.” Olivia bites her lip awkwardly as she watches Bea slowly losing the will to live.
“How’s this for an idea? You head over to rescue her, while I take a few minutes alone with the new duke. As soon as we’re done, I’ll come and save you both.” He doesn’t seem to care that we’re in a room full of people when he leans in closer, slides his hand behind his wife's ear, and kisses her like he’s been starved.
“Okay.” Olivia stares up at him adoringly as he pulls away. Then the light in her eyes dims when she shifts them towards mine. “I’m really sorry, Jack.” She offers me the same look of pity she gave me when I was standing over my father and brother's graves before kissing my cheek and heading off to save her sister-in-law. Alex tilts his head, watching her walk away, and I shake my head at what I’ve been witnessing from the man.
“What the fuck happened to you, Stanley?” I ask. It may have been a long time since I last saw him, but this man is nothing like the one I remember.
“I’m just admiring the way my wife waddles.” He shrugs.
“I never thought I’d see the day that Alex Stanley turned into a family man.” I laugh to myself.
“Yeah, well, I’ll bet you never saw yourself as the Duke of Fairfax either. Life throws a curveball now and then. Now, do we have somewhere we can talk?” His eyes move cautiously around the room, reminding me that I can trust no one.
“Dad’s office, I guess?” I start leading the way, and Cecelia watches me intently as we pass, her ice-cold glare making mefeel as if I’m trespassing. I stare right back at her, showing that I won’t be intimidated. What she and I both seem to be forgetting is thatIam the man of this house now.
Alex closes the door behind us, and when he takes a seat, I suddenly realise that the spot my father used to sit in belongs to me. I’m hesitant to take it; it feels as if when I do, I’ll be accepting that all this has happened, and it still feels so surreal. I avoid it and head towards the liquor cabinet instead, pouring us both something strong.
“All this is going to take some getting used to,” I admit, handing Alex a crystal tumbler.
“And if there’s anyone in this world who knows how you feel right now, it’s me.”
