My dad opens his mouth and I want to jam my hand over it—stop whatever horror show it is that he’s about to announce.
The excited chatter in the room dies away as he twists towards me and takes my fingers, raising me from my chair. He kisses the back of my hand, smoothing the skin there for a second before turning back to face the room.
“I’m pleased to announce the engagement of my daughter Crimson and Micah Webb.”
CHAPTERTHREE
CRIMSON
The roar in my ears grows so loud that for a long minute, I think my father’s words are a strange aural hallucination. I wait for him to take it back and make the real announcement. The one I thought he was happy to make.
Gabriel’s jaw tightens. He stands and throws his napkin on the table before his long legs quickly use up the distance to the door. As he disappears, I feel a punch in my gut that this is all I’m worth to him.
I know he’s shocked—so am I—but something bad happens, something unplanned, and he’s left at the first opportunity. Left me to deal with it alone.
If I weren’t on public display, I’d weep.
Marigold stares wide-eyed in shock and I return her gaze with a helpless expression. I’d love to explain to her what is happening, but it’ll have to wait until someone explains it to me.
Micah stands and takes my hand in his, squeezing tightly. Not as tightly as I grip it back, taking some faint satisfaction when his eyes squint in pain.
“What’s going on?” I ask beneath my breath. “This isn’t—”
He reaches for my shoulders, twists me towards him, and plants a kiss on my lips. I sputter, trying to retreat a step but a hand snakes around my waist and places itself firmly in my lower back, holding me steady.
My first proper kiss. There should be fireworks. There should be angels singing.
Gabriel should be standing in front of me with adoration in his eyes, not this man I met for the first time today. I shove my hands against his chest, squirming free.
“This is a mistake,” I gasp, then a rough hand cups the side of my face, shielding my mouth from the assembled crowd.
“We can talk about it later,” Micah whispers urgently into my ear. “For now, plaster on a smile and accept everyone’s congratulations.”
He turns to stand beside me, one hand gripping high on my upper arm, the fingers holding me as firmly as a vice. My ingrained sense of duty kicks into gear and I obey his instructions, smiling and nodding to the room as they toast the disastrous announcement.
“How’s your headache doing?”
My fake smile falters for a second, then I snap it back into place. “About a hundred times worse right now, thanks for asking.”
“Oh, good. It’s nice to hear you feel something for me already.”
“What’s going on?” A real emotion flutters behind my eyes, trying to break free. “I’m meant to be with your brother. He’s my destiny.”
“Gabriel wouldn’t know the first thing about what to do with you,” Micah answers smoothly, tipping his glass towards a beaming couple on our right side. “Give it a few weeks and I’m sure you’ll be thankful for the escape.”
I bite the inside of my cheek as the room continues to buzz with the news. Everywhere I look is another raised glass or beatific smile.
Marigold reaches across the table to squeeze my hand, and I return the pressure in gratitude before releasing it. One glance down at her concerned eyes nearly undoes me and I force myself to stare at the table setting instead. A beautiful arrangement of dark camellias in my namesake colour, set against glossy leaves such a dark green they appear black in the fake candlelight.
Then there’s a collective gasp. Micah is down on one knee, reaching for my hand.
“What are you doing?” I whisper at him with as much fury as the low voice allows. “Unless you’re giving me more and better drugs, then stand up right now.”
But he doesn’t.
Being brought up with these customs, I understand a woman’s place follows a defined path, one that doesn’t allow much room for individualisation or ambition.
I’ve never minded as much as I do right now.
