I turn to find Nicholas standing close, towering over me. My eyes trail up him slowly, taking in the black suit that fits him perfectly. When I make it to his face, his forest-green eyes seem even more striking than usual, perfectly framed by his simple, elegant mask. He looks dangerously handsome in a way that steals my breath.
“Rosie,” he greets softly. I can feel the twins’ eyes burning into the side of my head, but I keep my attention on Nicholas. Asmile blooms on my lips when he stretches his hand out to me. “May I have this dance?”
“I’d love that.” I place my hand in his, and we turn toward the dance floor. As we move farther away from the others, I glance up at him. “That took balls.”
Nicholas chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound that makes my stomach flutter. “You have no idea who and what I would face for you.”
His words sink into me, wrapping around my heart, and a shiver runs through me. Not from fear but something else. Something that scares me more than danger ever could.
I push the feeling away and try to lighten the mood. “My knight in shining Armani, huh?”
Nicholas’s lips curve into an amused smile. “If you say so.”
We’re almost to the dance floor when Veronica steps into our path. She smiles, all polished grace and poise, her mask adding an air of elegance to her otherwise sharp features. “Enjoying the evening, son?” she asks while her eyes scan us both with interest. “Have you already spoken with the Blythe family?”
“I will.” Nicholas’s grip on my hand tightens slightly, but he offers her a polite smile. “Mother, may I introduce you to Rosie Lane.”
Veronica’s gaze shifts to me, her expression caught between intrigue and surprise. “Lane?” she echoes, a trace of something else flickering in her eyes.
“It’s Evans, actually,” I clarify. I’m not sure if it’s smart to give her my real last name, but pretending to be another Lane in name, too, could easily unravel if she looked into it. This feels like the safest lie. “But the Lane brothers are my cousins.”
Veronica’s eyes narrow, her smile faltering for a moment before she recovers, offering me a gracious nod. “I haven’t heard of you,” she notes, her tone carefully polite, though I catch the underlying skepticism.
I hold her gaze, offering her a polite smile. “Well, it’s all new for me too.”
Veronica’s lips twitch upward, and she gives me a more genuine smile this time, though there’s still something calculated in her eyes. “You’re beautiful,” she comments almost approvingly as if she’s inspecting a piece of fine jewelry.
“Thank you. I can only return the compliment, Ms. Harrington.”
And she truly is beautiful. Her eyes are the same forest green color as Nicholas’s and framed by thick lashes and her dark brown hair, which falls in waves.
“Please, call me Veronica.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Veronica.” Her first name feels strange on my tongue, almost too familiar. Veronica’s eyes sweep over me again, and I resist the urge to fidget.
Finally, she turns to Nicholas, her gaze softening a touch. “Make sure this beautiful young lady enjoys our gala, Nicholas.”
Nicholas inclines his head, his hand tightening around mine once more. “I’ll do my best, Mother.”
Veronica gives him a brief nod, turning away, her figure disappearing into the crowd with the kind of grace that only comes from a lifetime of this charade.
I exhale, the tension in my chest easing as she moves away.
“You handled her perfectly,” he murmurs, low and full of admiration.
“I would face a lot for you, too, you know,” I answer quietly and without thought, glancing up at him. His eyes meet mine, and his answering smile is small but full of warmth.
Nicholas’s hand slips to the small of my back as we step onto the dance floor, his fingers warm through the fabric of my dress. As he takes my hand and holds it up beside us, his touch is gentle, guiding me with a confidence that soothes my nerves enough to allow me to fall right into place with him. Every stepflows as if I’ve known this rhythm my entire life, as if he and I were designed to fit together in this exact way. The violins’ notes twirl around us, filling the space between each breath.
“I’ve danced with countless women at these things.” His voice is a velvet murmur just above my ear, so rich that goose bumps erupt on my neck. “But it’s never felt this… effortless.”
I glance up at him, smiling. “Countless women, huh?” My tone is light, teasing, though part of me can’t deny the curiosity swirling inside or the urge to push him and see if his feelings match mine.
He cringes. “That’s not what I meant.” His fingers shift on my back as he searches for words. “It’s… well, my mother insists I dance with certain people. Usually, I just go through the motions.”
I smile a genuine one that he returns with a look that’s almost shy. “I enjoy dancing,” I admit, letting my gaze wander over the grandeur of the ballroom. “And this… it’s the most beautiful setting I’ve ever danced in. And you’re definitely the best partner I’ve ever had.” I hold back the fact that he’s the only person I’ve ever danced with like this.
His gaze softens, and he pulls me a touch closer as if he doesn’t want to let go. “Sounds like you’re the perfect plus-one for every gala coming.”
