I stand up, unable to tolerate the idea of having to entertain her. I have no idea if Lennox has invited her or not, or if she’s mentioned to him that I’ve told her I’ll be lonely or something out here. Elise is a master manipulator.
“Michael Voigt is coming over with his wife and her sister.” Lennox glances at me. “I’m sorry to spring it on you, Blair, and if you can’t make it that that’s fine.”
I know the man who’ll be our dinner guest. He’s older than us by about fifteen years and advises the US president. He’s a staunch campaigner for the reunification of Scotland with England and I’ve no doubt that he’ll be discussing funding with Lennox.
This is why my brother has arrived here early.
“That’s fine. I’ll do cocktails and dinner. I assume you’ll be out golfing with him tomorrow?” I look at Elise as I ask the question.
She pouts without thinking. This isn’t for effect, this is because she’s genuinely thinking that she can spend time with him out here, that while she’s here he’ll want to be with her.
My brother isn’t interested in Elise as a partner. I know the sort of woman he sees as being his future queen and it isn’t her. There’s a woman who would’ve been part of the British royal family; polite, quiet, born for the role. They’ve met three times and she was enchanted by him, as most people are. He’s just not ready yet.
“More than likely. And the day after I think I’m joining them on their boat.”
He’s not going to invite me because he knows I wouldn’t want to go.
“Will you want me to attend that?” Elise looks at him with come fuck me eyes.
Lennox shakes his head. “It’ll be boring. You’ll be better staying here where you can do what you want.” He stands up. “I’ll get changed for dinner.”
There’s a fragile silence as he walks away, not that Lennox will pay any heed. Elise looks at me, her aura red and blaring.
“Did Lennox invite you?” I turn to her as she gets out of the pool.
“I mentioned that you were probably missing having someone to talk to…” Her body is toned and most men’s dream, the result of daddy’s bank account and an expensive personal trainer, because her job isn’t overly taxing.
“You mean you got him to suggest that you should come out here.”
She shrugs. “Not really. I said I had a few days’ holiday to take and that you might want some company. He was really enthusiastic.”
“He’s been sleeping with Genevieve since he’s been here.” The words sound bitchy as they come out, poisonous. I could’ve used fucking instead of sleeping with, which would’ve been worse, I suppose.
Elise tries to hide her hurt. “We’re not exclusive. I know that he’s not ready for that.”
“Good. Because I know he’s not.”
She stands up, looks over at Ben, then me. “At least we can have a chance to be together. Chat. Be friends like we used to.”
I instantly feel bad, because she isn’t putting on an act. This is the Elise I was friends with. Am friends with.
“We can. As long as you don’t mind lying around here all day, because I’m not intending on doing much. Or having any parties.” Or telling you about Ben.
She smiles and leaves to go to whichever room she’s taken over, leaving me with my security.
“Smooth.” His smile is there now and not for the first time today. Whatever happened during the storm has cleared more than the air, some of it, at least.
“She’s going to end up heartbroken and pissed off.” Because I knew her. I’ve always known her. “And then she’ll be dangerous.”
“I know.” His words are simple and brief. “Try to put her off him.”
“Then she accuses me of being jealous that I’ll never be queen and she could be.” Since we’d been children this has been her go to. What irritated her most is that I never reacted, because being queen had never been my wish.
“Speak with Lennox. Or I will.”
“He might take it better from you.”
“He won’t if he sees me with my hands on you. Like they were today.” He’s standing now, hands in his pockets.
