"I love you too, so much, James. Thank you!" He steps back and looks at his son. Duncan hasn't moved. He seems like he hasn't even breathed.
"Duncan, honey, are you okay? Do I look that bad?" He groans and walks to me with a wrapped box in his hand.
"Oh, baby, you don't look bad. You, by far, are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I'm going to be beating the men off. I was utterly speechless when you walked out of that hall." He pauses, takes a breath and tries again. "I have a gift for you." I smile as he hands me the box.
"I have one for you too. First, let me put your pocket kerchief in so all the women know you're with me." I gently put the folded scrap of material in his pocket and reach up to touch his cheek. "Here you go." I hand him my gift and put my cape on the chair so I can open the one from him.
I open the wrapping to a velvet jewelry box. My hands shakeas I open it. Nestled in it is a beautiful silver and diamond bracelet with matching earrings. I'm speechless. I pull out the silver loops bracelet and admire it. It looks delicate, but after a closer inspection, I see that it's actually quite heavy duty. I'm instantly in love with it. He takes it from my hands and puts it on my wrist. I remove my mother's earrings and put on the matching diamond loop ones.
"Thank you, honey, they're so beautiful." I lean up to kiss him. He pulls me close and kisses me hard. "Open yours."
"Okay." He opens his to a velvet jewelry box and laughs. "If this is a bracelet and earrings, we can match, baby." I smile at his joke. He opens it to the silver, initialed cufflinks and button slips. "I love them, baby, I'll wear them."
"Okay, enough of the mushy stuff, I'm hungry," Joshua says from by the entry. I smile at him and he nods back to me.
We take the elevator to the lobby and out to the limo to head to dinner. We eat at another Gordon Ramsay restaurant, as Duncan promised. I'm excited and thrilled with our dinner, and the start of what feels like an enjoyable evening. All three gentlemen keep me included in their conversations. Joshua asks me if I can translate for him at the consulate gala, as there will be dignitaries from all over the world. I offer my services and smile at Duncan.
We arrive at the gala and immediately I feel Duncan tense. Other men are checking me out and he's making sure not to leave my side, even to get me a drink. Finally, Joshua takes my arm and leads me away to help him network. We've only talked to a few people when I feel an arm wrap around my waist. I turn smiling, thinking it’s Duncan, but see Greg.
"Hello, my darling. You look exquisite," he says with asmile, knowing he startled me. "Come, let's dance." He takes my arm and leads me away from Joshua. We've circled the floor a couple of times when I see Duncan over Greg's shoulder.
"Excuse me, sir, but you're dancing with my girlfriend," Duncan snarls. I can't help myself, I start laughing at the situation.
"Duncan, look who found me," I say through giggles as Greg turns around and Duncan realizes who he's jealous over.
"Duncan, how is your evening? I hope you don't mind. I saw my daughter and thought I'd dance with her. Generally, whenever she's dressed up, we're working, so I don't get to dance with her."
"Excuse me. May I cut in?" Duncan tries to say without sounding too gruff.
"Actually, I do mind. Give me a few more minutes and I'll bring her right back to you. No one else will dance with this beauty." Greg pulls me close and I watch the indecision on Duncan's face as he turns to head for the group.
"Okay, Greg, what's going on?" I ask, feeling a little put off. Why would he push Duncan like that?
"Sweetheart, we have a problem. All the evidence in your break-in has disappeared from the DC Metro evidence locker."
"I know, Joshua told me today."
"There's more...your security company was hacked."
"Damn it. What can I do?"
"I'll start looking at getting you another. I wish you'd come to the hotel where I can keep an eye on you."
"I can take care of myself."
"I know." Greg turns his head and looks at Duncan. "Howmuch have you told him? James said you told him about your attempt. How are you doing?"
"I'm good. I've told him a lot." The song ends and he leads me to Duncan.
"Duncan, thank you for letting me dance with her longer. Joshua, I'll be in touch, we need to talk. Darling, I love you. Can we have dinner tomorrow?" He looks at Duncan as he says the last part.
"Come to my house and we'll have a ham dinner tomorrow evening with all the kids," James says to cover the awkward silence.
"See you tomorrow," Greg says as he leans down to kiss my cheek.
Duncan immediately pulls me to his side and continues to growl at any man who comes near me. Joshua brings people to me to talk to him.
I forgot how much fun it was to speak all these languages. Duncan has only let me go dancing with Joshua or James since Greg has been busy talking with the American dignitaries who are present. He didn't ask what Greg and I spoke about, but I know he wonders.
