“A pleasure,” Sterling says in a low tone.
Asher and Declan both nod, but don’t speak.
“And Catherine, it’s so lovely to have you back in the Hamptons. You missed the festivities last year.”
“A family engagement back in London,” Catherine says.
“Yes, the aristocratic duties call from time to time. What fun.” She motions to the three younger women beside her who look to be in their mid to late twenties. “You all remember my daughters, Sophie, Kate, and Rose.” They’re striking women,dressed to the nines, and they all smile and simper toward the Langford men. None of the men respond, and again, just nod their heads in the women’s general direction, looking bored.
“I was just speaking to my husband about his excitement in your potential investment in his newest endeavor, Asher, and my girls are also over the moon about the prospect of an alliance between our families. They’re such good girls,” her gaze flickers over me for a second before dismissing me, “with high morals and good breeding. It would be such a great thing if our families spent more time together.”
Asher’s jaw clenches and his eyes narrow. He pulls me tighter into his side and presses a kiss to my temple, then he gives the woman a hard glare.
“That’s the thing, our family has so many alliances it’s hard to know which ones to prioritize. As of now, I’m not sure we could even manage another. Perhaps there are other families you could network with tonight who might meet your needs.”
The woman flinches and pales. “M-meet our needs?”
“Yes. Whatever this investment is, I’m no longer interested. And as for the daughters you are so clearly trying to marry off, I for one am taken, and I’m certain my brothers are not interested.”
“Asher,” Catherine hisses in exasperation.
“No, Asher is right, Mother,” Declan says through a roguish smile. “Someone has to uphold the illusive forever bachelor persona now that Asher’s off the market, and I’ll happily take up that mantle. Sorry ladies.”
Sterling says nothing, but his standoffish demeanor turns arctic, and the three daughters now shrink in on themselves just like their mother.
“It was lovely speaking to you, Anna,” Catherine says, trying to both salvage the moment and let the woman know that the conversation is over and to retreat before it gets worse.
The woman lets out a shaky and contemptuous huff beforeturning and stomping away, her three daughters scurrying behind her.
“Have I taught you two no manners?” Catherine grumbles to Asher and Declan under her breath. “At least Sterling had the good sense to stay silent if he had nothing nice to say.”
“The woman insulted Ella in front of me,” Asher growls. “I don’t care how she tries to spin or veil it, the insult was clear enough to me, and I won’t put up with it.”
“I wasn’t about to spend the night having those three trailing me,” Declan says. “Better to let them know it’s not an option out of the gate.”
“Subtlety, Declan,” Catherine sighs.
“I’ve never been subtle a day in my life. You should have given up on that a long time ago.”
Catherine turns to me. “Thank god for you or I’d fear that none of my boys would ever find happiness. I can only hope both my raging bull, she nods at Declan, and my ice-hearted boy, she nods at Sterling, will be so lucky. I’ve spent a decade trying to find them matches, and it’s clearly going abysmally.” She rolls her eyes and clucks her tongue. “And their manners are only getting worse with age.”
“Thank you,” I say it like a question, taken aback at the unexpected compliment. “I’m not sure what to say to that.”
Catherine pulls me into a hug. “You don’t have to say anything. I see the way my son looks at you, and I see how happy you make him. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for my boys, and now at least one of them has found it.”
“You’re not upset about the article today?” I can’t help but ask. “Everyone here seems to be reacting quite negatively toward me.”
“Oh darling, they’d be reacting negatively toward you with or without that article. All of them want Asher for themselves. The fact that he’s off the market is a huge blow to many of these families, and they’re not happy about it. The article only gavethem an excuse to be outwardly terrible instead of somewhat masking their contempt.”
“That’s both scary and comforting.”
She releases me from the hug and looks me in the eye.
“Don’t let these people get to you. You’re well aware by now that the tide of public opinion can sway at the drop of a hat, so it’s best to learn to ignore it. Your relationship with Asher is all that matters, and we Langfords do not let the opinions of others affect us.”
“But I-I’m not a Langford.”
“Not yet.”
