Page 74

The kitchen door rattles suddenly as a gust of wind hits it. A second later, it swings open, a flurry of snow blowing in.

“That fucking prick stole my parking space.” A man in his late thirties storms in, his face ruddy from the icy cold air. “He knows I like that spot.”

Barbara shoots me an uncertain smile. “We have a guest, Alex,” she murmurs.

I look over at him. So this is Theo’s brother, the Baron-to-be. The resemblance is immediate. The same dark hair, the same height, the same blue eyes. Yet there’s nothing of Theo’s cool containment in Alex’s angry face.

Alex’s eyes flick to me, assessing in a way that feels less curious and more calculating. Then he lifts a brow.

“Hello,” he says to me. “And who are you?”

“This is Georgia,” Barbara tells him before I can. “Theo’s guest.”

His eyes narrow almost imperceptibly at the mention of Theo. But everything else remains affable. He walks forward, hand held out. I shake it.

“A pleasure to meet you,” I say.

He holds my hand for a moment too long. “You’re American?” he asks.

“Last time I checked my passport.”

A smirk pulls at his lips, like I’ve said a joke I’m not aware of. “My mother is going to love you.”

“Actually, we’ve already met,” I say. “We had lunch.”

“You have? When?” He looks at Barbara. “Did you know this?”

She shrugs.

“I met her the other day. Theo and I bumped into her at Harrods.” I keep the smile on my face, even though there’s a scowl on his.

Barbara clears her throat. “Theo’s upstairs. He’s taking Georgia’s cases up.”

“Is he?” Alex brushes snow from his coat, eyes flicking toward the ceiling. “How very gallant of him.”

Before I can reply, footsteps sound in the hallway. Theo walks through the door, shrugging off his jacket.

“You stole my spot,” Alex says, inspecting his cuff as if the conversation bores him. “Right outside the stables. You know I always park there.”

Theo’s voice is even. “There’s space for about a hundred cars out there. I’m sure you’ll survive.”

“But it’s mine.” Alex lifts a brow. “Why did you bring the Porsche anyway? Bit poncey for around here isn’t it? You’d be better off with a Land Rover like any normal person.”

Theo doesn’t rise to it. He steps further into the kitchen, his gaze finding mine. “I can handle a little bit of snow. It’s all about how you drive in it.”

Alex lets out a short laugh that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Bollocks. You’re just trying to impress your American.”

Theo inclines his head at me, and it feels like a shot of electricity to the heart.

“Are you impressed?” he murmurs to me, his eyelashes sweeping as his gaze catches mine.

I bite down a smile. “So very, very impressed,” I tell him, even though we both know I complained about his driving most of the way.

His lips curl up. “I’m glad it worked.” He walks over, stopping by my chair, and puts his hand on my upper back. “I take it you two have met formally then?” he says.

“Oh, yes,” Alex nods. “It’s amazing what you can pick up at Harrods nowadays.”

“Actually, I threw myself in front of his car in Covent Garden,” I say, because this guy is such a dick. “Just to get his attention.”