It’s small, fitting my slim finger to perfection.
The diamond isn’t a large carat, but it’s cut nicely and refracts the light into joyful sparkles. The gold band weaves into a setting that curves around the small stone, holding it in place with vinelike tendrils.
“It’s my mother’s,” Micah says, following my line of sight. “Not that she’s ever married, but she called this her head ring and wore it as a reminder not to follow her heart.”
I try to talk but my voice fails. After humming under my breath, I try again. “How unromantic.”
He shrugs and reaches for a glass of water. “Depends on how you look at things. She could’ve married my dad and endured years of his vices stealing every good thing away or do what she chose to do, stay single and let the state gouge him for child support.”
I frown and glance over my shoulder at the table where his father Thaddius sits. “What happened to her?”
“Nothing happened to her. She’s alive and well and living in Auckland.”
“And does she know her son is trying to force a girl to marry him using her ring?”
“Point one, she doesn’t know I have it, since I only borrowed it to upgrade the stone for her birthday. And point two, considering the plan only occurred to me, oh”—he makes a show of checking his watch—“an hour ago, I’d guess the answer to that is no.”
“What d’you mean?” My voice is breathless as my eyes fix to his, waiting for him to explain. My mind is full of static.
“I told you. My brother didn’t tell me anything about getting hitched.” Micah surveys me from under lowered lashes. “Seems the family decided not to include me in their plans to gain control of your father’s wealth. Rather an unfortunate oversight since I’m the oldest son.”
His finger traces a figure eight on the back of my hand until I snatch it away. When he resumes speaking, his voice is louder, mocking. “Then a lovely girl spelled out how easily your father could be swayed by money. Almost like she wanted me to intervene.”
“I did not!” My eyes close, thoughts overwhelming me as the blame settles on my shoulders. “I don’t want any of this.”
My throat burns with acid. My cheeks burn with shame. I bumped into a stranger in the hall and told him too much. Much too much. What possessed me to even think of talking to this man?
I send a thought to the heavens, praying for the day to rewind to the start of the party.I promise I’ll do it right this time. Do it better.
When my eyes open, nothing has changed. Heaven must have run out of mulligans.
I don’t know what to do. The thought pulses in my head and I gulp back the words to stop them flooding out of my mouth. Instead, I replay Micah’s speech, and pick out a loose thread.
“You’re illegitimate. Being the oldest doesn’t count.”
If Micah’s thrown by my abrupt change of topic, he doesn’t show it. “So’s Gabriel. At least I’m really Thaddius’s son.”
My mouth gapes open. “That’s not true!”
“Which bit?” Micah stares at me with a slight frown. “Do you mean to tell me your beloved Gabriel never told you about his real Dad?” His laugh is loud and a hundred percent genuine. “Remind me to give you a rundown on the Webb family history at some point. I’m sure you’ll find it just as entertaining as any soap opera.”
“I don’t watch soaps.”
“Then you’re missing a trick.” Micah lays an arm across the back of my chair, filling me with claustrophobia. “Now smile. Otherwise, people will start laying bets on how long we’ll last.”
“No time at all considering this marriage is never taking place.”
“Now, now.” The amused tilt to his lips fills me with rage. “Thought your dad raised you to know your place? He assured me as much when I suggested the change of plans. Even to the point of insisting that you’re still a virgin.”
My cheeks blush so red anyone in the room can see how I came by my name. “That’s private.”
“Sure. It’s just between you, me, Gabriel, your dad, and the elder he said could certify it, as though that’s even a thing. Maybe another half dozen folks, who knows? Has anyone else been sniffing around you? They must have. Rich girl like you. Toss those names onto the list as well. I bet he shared yourstatuswith all of them.”
“Stop it.” My voice is thick with shame. I can’t believe I thought this man was kind. “I don’t want you talking about my private business.”
“Then you should’ve been born into a different family. One that wasn’t always going to sell you off to the highest bidder.”
I bark out a laugh. “If that’s what you used to sway my dad, don’t count your chickens. Believe me, I know the state of your family’s finances intimately and they’re not winning any auctions.”
