Blair snorts and stands up. “Let’s head over there and leave Lady Eunice to recover.” She offers her hand.
I check around the room before I take it and realise no one here is going to notice. Or care if they did.
The price of the tables guarantees discretion.
I let her guide me through the crowd, watching her turn to check I’m there and not scowling, her hair moving and making me want to touch it. That morning in my bed, after Lennox’s funeral, changed something. Pieces were rearranged and they weren’t fucking comfortable yet.
When my eyes leave her arse I see where she’s leading us. Isaac stands at the bar, holding his ever present glass of whisky, his beard thick and dark and neat, his eyes flashing. Next to him is a red head, almost as tall as Isaac, her skin peppered with freckles and her dress cut dangerously low between her breasts to her navel.
I’ve never seen Isaac with any one else before. He’s dressed in a dark grey suit, no tie, and his shirt is unbuttoned at the top. He seems taller than usual, more imposing.
I wonder why he’s here and who his companion is.
“Blair.” His first word is for her. He bends his head to kiss her cheek and she puts a hand on his shoulder.
It’s far more intimate than it should be and I should be watching the red head to see her reaction but I can’t take my eyes away from how Blair’s hand lingers and Isaac whispers something in her ear.
I don’t know if I’m jealous or not. I feel something, but fuck knows what it is.
“I’m Ivy.” The red head introduces herself. “Isaac’s half-sister.”
This is new. We should know this. There are too manyshouldsabout tonight.
Isaac takes my hand and we shake like we’re nothing more that acquaintances. I feel the weight of his palm in mine, the clasp of his fingers and the grip I remember holding other parts of me.
When I look at him, I know he’s remembering the same. His eyes are dark and dangerous; telling me more than I asked.
“I didn’t know you had a sister.”
“Ivy likes to stay out of the limelight.” He looks at her, glares.
She shakes her head. “Isaac likes to keep me out of the way.” There’s a glimmer of a smile. “But all things considered, I need to spend some time away from home.”
“Cornwall?” Blair’s voice is curious. “That’s where you’re from?”
Ivy smiles, her face lighting up. She’s beautiful in a wild, untameable way. Dark freckles cross her cheeks and her red hair couldn’t be hidden anywhere.
“Yes. A tiny village where our mother grew up. There are a few issues there at the moment so my beloved brother is sheltering me from the storm.” She grins at Isaac who doesn’t even smile back.
“Might need a favour.” He looks from me to Blair.
“What is it?” Blair steps closer to him, coming between the two of us, Ivy outside our strange circle.
“How are you feeling about visitors to the castle? Just for a couple of weeks.”
Ivy rolls her eyes and shakes her head, the mass of red hair shaking. “I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself…”
Isaac ignores her.
“We have the space.” Blair looks at me. “How would it affect security?”
“I’d send a couple of extras. Or compensate your men for overtime.”
“I need more than that, ‘Zac.” I shove my hands into my pockets. “Such as why we need to hide your sister.”
He laughs.
“Now you find it funny.”
