I raised my eyebrows at her suggestive tone, nodding along with the expected agreement.
“Well, I won’t keep you two. Have fun.” I squeezed Olivia’s arm and gave Edward one last smile as I retreated to the far wall.
Once alone, I downed the champagne in one giant gulp, wincing at the assault of bubbles stinging my throat.
“Preparing for another encounter with your lively suitor?”
I turned slowly towards his silken voice. My mouth slightly parted at his words. He was standing right beside me. I had no idea where he even came from. I had to look up to meet his gaze, which almost seemed disapproving. What the hell did he care?
“Excuse me?” I turned to face him head on. He did the same.
“I don’t like him,” Sebastian said bluntly.
My face twisted up in confusion before I could manage to get the words out. “And what would it matter what you think?”
“It’s my job to protect you, and you don’t like him.” His expression was so blank, I almost wanted to shake him to get some sort of reaction.
“How do you know that?”
“It’s clear to everyone but him,” he deadpanned.
“You’re very ... aggressive.”
“Yes.”
Thomas suddenly appeared, breaking our staring match.
“Another dance, Miss Charlotte?”
Just as I was about to take his hand, Sebastian’s words had me snapping my head back to him. “She needs a break.”
Thomas glanced up to him as if he just noticed him. If it were possible, Sebastian’s eyes grew even colder. Thomas’ brow furrowedin confusion. He gave me one last look before he stepped back and turned away.
I shot Sebastian an icy glare. “You scared him away.”
“Good.”
“He was my last chance at a suitor, at a n—” I stopped the words from tumbling out. “You just scared away the last suitor that was willing to give me a chance.”
“You should be the one giving them the chance to be with you.”
My head drew back at his words.
I caught James’ look of concern from across the room. I shook my head, lifting my hand slightly in reassurance. By the look on his face, he seemed to be calculating whether or not he could take down Sebastian. James was a talented fighter, but Sebastian seemed like he might be on a level all of his own. I glanced back at Sebastian, who was now glaring at James with that same look of calculation.
“Who is that?” He asked without taking his eyes off James.
“That’s James. You’ll probably work with him soon.”
I sighed at the silent competition they seemed to be having. “Are you to be some troll who decides what suitors get through too? He’s like a brother to me.”
His dark gaze was directed back at me, though he didn’t say anything else.
I sighed. “Well, this has been weird. I’m going to bed.” I turned to leave.
“I’ll escort you to your room.”
I paused, turning back to him. “I’ve never had a guard before. I do not need one now.” As far as my parents knew, the last exorcism worked. Why was my father suddenly having one of his members monitor me now? Unless, my mother had told him I had slept in today, probably noting how tired I had looked. They were growing suspicious.
