“Of course,” I lied.
It was what I wanted, sure. But that had been when I thought Knox was the same brooding teenager who had left here all those years ago. Or even the man who swept through here on random holidays, stirring things up and making me smile simply because he irritated his mother. Butthisman … I didn’t recognize Knox anymore.
“He’s different.”
Hannah met my gaze. “He’s older now.”
Yes, he was. But that wasn’t what I was referring to.
“Why is he here? Surely he has a reason.”
“That’s something you’ll need to ask Mr. Montgomery.”
“Like that’ll ever happen.”
Hannah didn’t comment. She was the only person in the house I could vent to, the only one who actually listened even if Hannah led Kitty to believe she was merely my personal servant who tended to my needs. I was pretty sure if it weren’t for Hannah, I would’ve gone insane a long time ago.
“And what were you thinking for an outfit?” Hannah asked.
“What do you mean?” I asked, meeting her gaze in the mirror.
“Did you have something in mind?”
I was staring at her as though she’d losthermind. Never had Hannah asked my opinion on what I would wear.
“You mean I have options?”
Hannah nodded. “I think a dress would be appropriate. Strapless, maybe? I saw they were setting up the outdoor fireplace. It’ll be warm enough. I have a sapphire-blue one that’ll accentuate your skin tone.”
“Okay.” I watched my reflection in the mirror as Hannah shifted behind me, lifting my hair up then letting it back down. Up once more.
“I think we’ll put it up, too,” she mused, her gaze remaining on my hair as she twisted and turned it.
Because it didn’t matter what she did—Kitty would disapprove no matter what—I didn’t bother to contribute.
Instead, I sat there, wondering how I was going to get through dinner with Knox.
5
Emily
The next knock on my bedroom doorcame roughly twenty minutes after Hannah left.
Perhaps it was my nervousness that had me forgetting where I was or who might be on the other side of the door, because I opened it without thinking, only to come face-to-face with Kitty.
Instantly, my stepmother’s gaze scanned me from head to toe then back up until those cold, hard eyes met mine.
I could only speculate Kitty’s thoughts on the silky dress I wore. It was a shimmery sapphire blue, something Hannah said looked striking on me and showed off my shoulders and arms. The bodice was formfitting, a stretchy material that hugged my breasts and my waist, while the flowy skirt covered my legs and rested at my ankles. She had paired it with a cropped cashmere sweater to ward off any chill, but even that didn’t do much to tone down the sexiness of the dress.
Knowing Kitty, she was already logging this one in thenot appropriate for anythingcolumn.
“You should be getting ready for bed, young lady.”
“Knox invited me to dinner,” I told her, keeping my voice low, respectful.
“He has no such right.” Her eyes narrowed. “You should be getting your beauty rest. He of all people should see you need it.”
Yep, good ol’ Kitty, always with the compliments.
