I slowly cut another bite, as I consider my host. It’s none of my business, but I can’t help wondering how a bride fits into this life of dinners at midnight and jetting off to America on a private jet.
Then again, dukes likely do as they please. “Do you have any ladies you hope to pay special attention to tomorrow night?”
He takes another bite of his lamb, glaring at me over his fork. “Why?”
“I am curious,” I reply honestly.
“Why?”
We’re playing that game again. “You don’t seem like the marrying type.”
“That is none of your business.” He gives me that cold stare he’s perfected. “Though I will add, my type has almost nothing to do with it. Dukes marry.”
“Fair enough,” I murmur.
“I’d ask what type you consider yourself, but we both know how this day started.” He gives me a pointed stare.
Which I ignore. “There is a difference between not wishing to marry one particular person and not wishing to marry," I say, my chin notching.
"True. But you don’t strike me as the marrying kind either.”
“I’ve never considered it one way or the other,” I shrug. “It was expected that I marry, but…” I stop myself. I am here for one purpose, what happens after that is as dark as the sky at midnight during a storm. I don’t even think about it.
“You’re not sure you wish to do so?”
“I’m not sure I’ll have time,” I say by way of explanation. It’s the truth, in so much as I understand. “But let’s speak of more pleasant things. Tomorrow night. Is the event here?”
“Yes,” Win answers.
“What are you serving?”
He sighs, like I’m boring him to tears. “It doesn’t matter. You will attend and then I want the promised information. While you are there, I expect you to be on your best behavior.”
“Have I been anything but?”
“You stowed away in my plane. You openly insulted me in front of my employee. You’re churlish and frequently disrespectful.”
“I thought we were just having fun.” I gave him an impish smile, enjoying his admission.
He scowls back. His favorite expression. “I need to find the right bride and I can’t have you frightening the ladies off.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Besides, you’ll do that all on your own.”
He scoffs, jabbing his fork into his lamb. “You make me sound like a beast.”
“Ogre. And I will be an angel. I’m only attending because I would not wish to miss the show.” And because I want to learn a bit more about my host. I need to know if he’s a man with the grit to take out my father. And this is the perfect opportunity to see him in a crowd.
Does he own it? Do men look up to him?
I’ve got some decisions to make, and I need more information to make them.
Tomorrow night, I’m going to learn everything I can about Lord Winston Smith.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Katarina
I lookinto the mirror as the evening sun sets, and I have to give Ken some props on one account. He’s a total tool, but this dress fits like a glove.
