The Beach Hut on Plum Island

5. CHAPTER 5

Harriet’s mind was in turmoil as she stood with her hand cradled in Finn’s strong, warm embrace.

Am I crazy?Harriet thought. What the heck am I doing?

“I must say, I was quite upset when you blurted your engagement out over the phone,” Julie said to Harriet.

Her shrewd eyes moved from Harriet to Finn, making Harriet take a step closer to Finn, who must’ve felt the tension inside her. He dropped her hand and wrapped an arm around Harriet’s shoulders.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Joyce,” Finn said apologetically. He kissed the top of Harriet’s head, making her mind even mushier than it already was. “I asked Harriet to wait to announce our engagement.” He smiled down at Harriet, making her heart do crazy things in her chest. “With everything that happened between Daniella and Alex, we didn’t want to overshadow their moment.”

“That’s very noble of you, young man,” Pat said.

“Thank you, sir,” Finn addressed Harriet’s father. “We didn’t want to make a formal announcement until Harriet and I had spoken to you. The only person who knew before Harriet spoke to you today was Dawn.”

Way to go, Finn!Harriet hid a smile. Wow. He is an excellent actor.

“See, Harriet, this is how you know you have a decent man,” Julie told her, making Harriet’s heart drop with the heaviness of their charade. “Welcome to the family, Finn.”

“Yes.” Pat joined his wife in welcoming Finn. “I’m sorry we spoiled your plans.” He sighed. “As soon as Julie told me Harriet’s news, I knew we had to get to Plum Island before my brother arrived.” He shook his head. “I hope he doesn’t scare you off, Finn. I’m glad my daughter has found someone as noble and steadfast as you seem to be.”

A wave of guilt hit Harriet like a tidal wave, and she just stopped herself from gasping aloud at the impact. She looked up at Finn. He had a genuine smile on his face and had stepped into his part in Harriet’s deception like a true hero. More guilt hit her as she felt the weight of his, too, and what this was costing him.

What have I done?Harriet felt the panic rise in her chest and had to swallow it down while trying to keep a smile plastered on her face. She hoped the guilt wasn’t shining in her eyes like big pink flashing neon signs—Person with pants on fire over here!

“No, sir,” Finn looked at Harriet, pulling her closer. “I can assure you I’ve faced a lot in my life, so it takes a lot to scare me off.”

“It’s good to hear that,” Pat told him. “Trust me. You’re going to need to be a Marine to withstand what’s coming, especially when that brother of mine hears Harriet’s engaged.” A smile tugged at her father’s lips, and she saw a look of triumph flash in his eyes. “And please, call me Pat.”

“And you can call me Julie,” Julie said. “How about we have dinner together tomorrow night before the entire Blackwell wedding party, including Pat’s brother, arrives the following day?” She smiled at Finn. “That way, we can get to know you better, and you can invite my new grandchildren Dawn told me all about earlier today.”

Harriet nearly choked when her mother said that. Her throat felt dry, and the pressure in her chest felt like someone was squeezing her lungs as she felt the web of lies weaving around them.

“I love your suite, Harriet,” Julie said. “We had to get a mini-suite as the Blackwells booked out the other four suites.” She looked around and moved towards Harriet’s bedroom. “Harriet, why are your clothes all over the floor?”

Harriet’s eyes widened as she realized that not only were her clothes all over the floor but also all her suitcases spread over her bed.

“Oh shoot!” Harriet muttered, pulling herself out of Finn’s arms. “I forgot I was packing for Cape Town,” she whispered to him.

Harriet walked toward her room with Finn close behind her. She found her mother picking up the clothes Harriet and Alex had fought over earlier. Julie neatly folded each item and packed them into the closet.

“I thought you hadn’t salvaged anything from the fire at Alex’s house,” Julie said, straightening the clothes in the closet.

“What?” Harriet looked at her mother stupidly for a second before her words sunk in. “Oh… uh…” Her mind spun as no excuse formed.

“Harriet is packing because she’s moving into my holiday house,” Finn said, jumping in to save her once again. They looked at each other, and Harriet gave him a grateful smile. “We were going to offer the suite to you and Pat, but then when you told Harriet you weren’t coming, she decided to stay at the hotel.”

“Uh…” Harriet’s heart pounded as she turned back to her mother. “Yes. That’s right.” She nodded like an idiot as she bumbled her way through the lies that were mounting up. Should I be recording this?

“Harry, the house is still vacant,” Finn addressed Harriet. “And now that your parents are here …”

Harriet’s brows shot up as she looked at Finn and swallowed. His eyes softened, and she saw encouragement flash in their blue depth. “Well… uh…” She cleared her throat. Stop bumbling, you dolt! She admonished herself before turning to her mother. “Um… yes.” She nodded. “Of course. You and Father should have my suite.”

“Oh, that would be marvelous.” Julie smiled gratefully at Harriet, kissing her cheek. “You know how your father and I need the space of a suite.” She looked at Finn curiously. “Where is this house my daughter is going to be staying in?”

“Just a little way down the beach from the hotel,” Finn answered. “I have, or had, three houses I built on the land I own. I live in one. My friend, Liam, the hotel owner, bought one from me, and the third one is a holiday rental.”

“How big is this house?” Pat’s voice caught their attention, and they walked back into the living room.

“It’s a decent size,” Finn told Pat. “It has six bedrooms, two living rooms, and a splash pool on the deck overlooking the sea.”

“It sounds delightful,” Julie said and glanced at Pat. “What are you thinking, sweetheart?”

“Is it serviced, and do you have an onsite chef?” Pat asked Finn.

“It’s serviced, but I don’t have an onsite chef,” Finn said and glanced curiously at Harriet.

“What are you up to, Father?” Harriet’s eyes narrowed in on him.

“If the house was fully serviced,” Pat began. “Then your mother and I could move into Finn’s holiday home and invite Titus and his party to stay with us.” He looked at Finn. “Do all the bedrooms have bathrooms?”

“Yes, and there’s a guest bathroom off the entertainment room,” Finn told him, staring at Pat in surprise. “I may be able to help with a full-time chef, kitchen staff, and cleaning service.”

“Don’t encourage him,” Harriet whispered. “Where was Uncle Titus supposed to stay?”

“At some hotel in Newbury Port,” Julie answered and looked at Pat. “Honey, leave the plan as is. I think it’s best if your brother doesn’t stay on Plum Island.”

“Uncle Titus was going to stay in Newbury Port?” Harriet looked at her mother.

“Yes.” Julie nodded. “There was no way he was going to stay on Plum Island if he didn’t get at least three hotel suites.”

“One for him and his two guests?” Finn asked.

“No, those were just for him and his entourage of bodyguards and assistants,” Pat told Finn, whose eyes widened. “I believe his two guests are booked into another hotel in Newbury Port.”

“Well, they can stay there,” Julie drawled. “We are not inviting the Gladstones to stay with us.”

“Agreed,” Pat nodded. “When can we see this house, Finn?”

“Uh…” Finn was at a loss for words for the first time since the charade began. He glanced at Harriet before looking at Pat again. “Whenever you want to see it.”

“Before we get unpacked, Julie,” Pat looked at his wife, “why don’t we go and have a look at Finn’s house?”

“Pat, we’ve had quite a harrowing day,” Julie reasoned. “You’re not well with your stomach upset. So why don’t we stay in our mini-suite for the night.“ She smiled at Finn. “We can take a look at Finn’s house in the morning.”

“But I’d like to get this resolved tonight,” Pat argued.

“Pat!” Julie stood her ground. “As you pointed out, we’ve barged in on Harriet and Finn’s evening.” She glanced at the open glass sliding door and bottle of wine. “I think we’ve taken up enough of their evening.”

“Oh!” Pat’s eyes widened in realization. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” He patted Harriet’s shoulder. “Your mother’s right. We can see the house in the morning.” He shook his head. “I guess I’m just a bit on edge about my brother and his sudden obsession with the Gladstone family again.” He frowned worriedly. “Then there’s his odd behavior.” He rubbed his chin. “I worry that Titus is…” His words trailed off, and he smiled, glancing from Harriet to Finn. “Sorry. Prattling on.”

“No, Dad, what do you mean?” Harriet’s brow creased as she looked at her father.

“Pat, I thought we agreed not to worry the children about this.” Julie rolled her eyes and shook her head before turning toward Harriet. “Titus has been acting strangely lately,” she filled Harriet in.

“How so?” Harriet asked, her brow creasing some more.

“He’s been spending a lot of time in America, for one,” Pat told her.

“I don’t see how that’s so strange,” Harriet pointed out. “Uncle Titus has a lot of business in America, and he loves it over here.”

“Yes, but he’s been coming over at least once a month,” Pat informed her. “He’s been here at least eight times in the past two months, so his visits are getting more frequent.” He rubbed his chin again. “And he’s been disappearing. I fear he’s been having secret meetings, perhaps with a doctor.”

“Pat, we don’t know he’s meeting anyone,” Julie commented and turned to Harriet and Finn. “Titus’s bodyguards have called your father on numerous occasions in panic mode because Titus slipped away for a couple of hours while he was in New York. He did a few times when he came to visit us in the Hamptons lately as well.”

“You mean he slipped his protective detail and disappeared?” Harriet’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Has anyone asked him why or where he went?”

“Of course, sweetheart,” Pat said. “But Titus just says he never went anywhere and was right there under everyone’s noses having a quiet moment on his own in the gardens.”

“And his bodyguards are sure Uncle Titus wasn’t where he said he was?” Harriet looked from her mother to her father, who nodded.

“So Harriet, you see why, while I know he’s not our favorite person at the moment, I have to worry about Titus,” Pat told her. “I fear that he’s…” His voice trailed off, and Harriet saw her father struggling with the words, and the realization hit her.

“Oh!” Harriet said in shock. “You think Uncle Titus has dementia?”

“You know we don’t like mentioning that,” Pat said delicately. “It happened to our father and our grandfather.”

“That was my first thought.” Julie, like her daughter, had no trouble mentioning the dark Joyce family secret. “We’re worried that if your uncle is going crazy, Gray will have to step in too soon and go down the same path.”

“Julie!” Pat admonished. “We don’t call people crazy.”

“Okay.” Julie rolled her eyes. “Titus has been showing signs of mental decline and doing things that could be considered erratic and…” She grinned. “Crazy!”

Pat sighed and shook his head resignedly at his wife before addressing Harriet and Finn once again. “So I’d like to keep an eye on Titus while he’s here, and sharing a holiday house may be just the setting for doing so without him knowing.”

“How about we meet for breakfast at the Beach Hut?” Finn suggested. “My cafe is on the beachfront. You can meet my children then, as they’re better behaved in the morning.” He smiled. “After that, I can show you the house.”

“That sounds like a wonderful plan, Finn,” Pat accepted the invite and turned to Julie. “I think we should leave Harriet and Finn to their date. I think it’s time for my medication.”

“Oh, how are you feeling, Father?” Harriet suddenly found her voice again. “Mother told me you had the Titus flu.”

“Oh!” Pat laughed, and Harriet and Finn walked them to the door. “It was a bit of Titus flu, but my stomach seemed to have developed an annoyance with spicy foods.”

“Your stomach has had the annoyance for years, sweetheart,” Julie assured him. “You’ve only just started to acknowledge it now that it’s causing a lot more discomfort.”

“Drink lots of fluids,” Harriet advised her father. “We’ll see you for breakfast tomorrow at …” She looked at Finn.

“Well, you usually finish your morning run at six thirty,” Finn surprised her by saying. “So how about seven?” He looked at her parents. “If that’s not too early for you,” he said.

“Oh, no!’ Pat shook his head. “We’re archeologists, son.” He smiled. “Julie and I are usually up long before dawn.”

They waved Harriet’s parents off and stood staring at the closed door as an awkward silence descended over the room. Thank goodness I had a few glasses of wine to get through that. She gave herself a mental shake, trying to keep the guilt and self-disgust at bay. It wasn’t like she’d never lied to or been dishonest with her parents before. Harriet had just never done it on this scale.

“I felt that went well,” Finn said, breaking the ice as he turned to Harriet. “Are you okay?”

Her eyes widened, and even though she thought it wasn’t possible, her heart dropped a little lower. Harriet had just dragged Finn into her family drama, made him lie through his teeth and act as if he was in a real-life soap opera, and he was asking her how she was. The media were right when they had dubbed Finn the humble hero a few years ago.

The man hardly knew her, and the encounters Harriet and Finn had had on Plum Island couldn’t be considered good ones. Yet he’d just stepped right up and jumped feet-first into her pool of lies and deceit to help her. Harriet had always admired Finn and, yes, had a massive crush on him. Even when he was an international surfing superstar, the man had remained humble. Harriet didn’t have the words to thank him.

“Finn…” Harriet began, knowing she had to thank him. “I…” She cleared her throat. “I don’t know what to say,” she admitted. “Thank you.”

“It’s okay.” Finn’s smile broadened. “I’m glad I can help. Your parents are great. I have to admit to being a little worried about meeting the man who was supposed to be the king of Joyce Isles.”

“My father has never been king material,” Harriet said with a nervous laugh. “He’s always been an academic who preferred digging in the dirt to find out more about his family’s roots.”

“And archeologist,” Finn said.

“Yes, he and my mother,” Harriet told him. “That’s how they met.”

“Oh!” Finn nodded, pursing his lips and glancing at his wristwatch. “We have to be up early. I should go.”

Harriet gave him a tight smile and nodded. “It looks like we have quite the day ahead.” She walked him to the door. “Thank you for offering the house to my parents. You know my uncle will pay you double its worth. And if they all stay there, please ensure the staff are compensated at a top rate.”

“I wouldn’t do that,” Finn told her. “Well, not the charging your uncle double part.” He laughed. “But I’ll make sure the staff are well compensated.”

“Please, charge my uncle double.” Harriet opened the door. Anger spurted through her at the mention of her uncle. She knew he might be ill, but that wasn’t a reason to trade her for an olive farm. “Trust me, he deserves it after trying to trade me for an Olive farm.”

“What?” Finn’s brows drew together.

“My uncle wants the Gladstones olive business and groves,” Harriet explained. “My family has been after those properties for years.”

“Your uncle would do that to you?” Finn was amazed.

“He tried it before he was going crazy,” Harriet said bluntly.

“I don’t even know if the house is up to the standards a king would expect,” Finn confessed, stopping as he stepped through the door. “Would you want to come look at the house quickly?”

“Now?” Harriet’s eyes widened, and her heart jolted as if to say yes! “Sure, why not.”

“Okay.” Finn nodded.

“I’ll just grab a sweater and my purse,” Harriet said.

She dashed to her bedroom, where her suitcases were still open on her bed, and stared at them for a few seconds. A couple of hours earlier, Harriet had been planning her escape to Cape Town for a couple of months, but now she had a fake fiancé. She looked at her ring finger, and her heart fluttered. Harriet hadn’t had a chance to look at the ring.

It was gorgeous—a square-cut diamond in an elegant antique gold setting that belonged to Finn’s mother. Her breath caught in her throat at how seriously Finn was taking his hero duties. Again, the tidal wave of guilt nearly knocked her off her feet. Harriet closed her eyes for a few seconds, letting the shock waves settle as she absorbed the impact.

“Everything’s going to be okay, Harriet,” Harriet told her image in the mirror. “Just roll with it.”

“Harriet?” Finn called. “Is everything okay?”

“Oh!” Harriet grabbed the first sweater she could find, not caring that it didn’t match her outfit, and rushed out of her room. “Sorry. My closet is in a jumble.”

“I don’t know about that,” Finn teased. “It looked pretty neat to me, and it was all color-coded, too.”

“That’s the hotel staff,” Harriet told them. “It drives me crazy that they are so neat. I can’t find a thing.”

She led Finn out of the suite and closed the door behind her as they made their way to the elevator.

“Ah!” Finn nodded, hitting the down button. “You operate better in chaos.”

“Something like that,” Harriet laughed as they stepped into the elevator.

Harriet was amazed at how quickly she’d gotten over her inability to talk to Finn without becoming a bumbling idiot. In the past couple of hours, she’d found he was so easy to talk to, especially after the incredibly awkward situation their friends and family had put them in.

Ten minutes later, the remote-controlled gate slid open, allowing them to pull into the driveway of Finn’s holiday rental home. The sensor lights lit up the neatly trimmed lawn and surroundings as they drove in. Harriet was amazed to see the ultramodern design woven into a house that blended in with its surroundings. They stopped in front of the double garage and climbed out to the gentle whisper of the ocean beyond, topped with a sparkling night sky and welcomed by the soft evening breeze.

“This is beautiful.” Harriet followed Finn to the oak front door, which was lined by two frosted windows on either side. “It’s like a mini beach cottage mansion.”

“That’s exactly what I was going for,” Finn teased with a laugh, unlocking the front door, pushing it open, and stepping back so Harriet could enter first. “Lights.”

As Harriet stepped into the entrance hall, she couldn’t help but admire the sleek and modern design of Finn’s holiday rental home. The tiled floor shimmered under the soft glow of the spotlights above, creating an inviting ambiance. A long mirror hung elegantly on one wall, reflecting the warm hues of the lighting and adding depth to the space. Beside it, a silver and glass-topped table displayed a bowl filled with colorful glass stones, adding a pop of color to the neutral tones of the room. Nearby, a small hook tree stood, offering a convenient spot to hang keys and other belongings.

Opposite the entrance, a low-slung modern fireplace commanded attention, its sleek lines complementing the room’s contemporary aesthetic. A discreet door at the far end of the fireplace led to a coat room, providing convenient storage space for outerwear and accessories.

As Finn led Harriet further into the house, she couldn’t help but marvel at its spaciousness and thoughtful design. Each room flowed seamlessly into the next, creating an open and welcoming atmosphere.

Entering one of the living rooms, Harriet found herself surrounded by plush furnishings and tasteful decor. Large windows stretched from floor to ceiling, offering breathtaking views of Cobble Beach and allowing natural light to flood the space. A comfortable sofa and armchairs invited relaxation, while a sleek coffee table and modern artwork added a touch of sophistication to the room.

Moving through the house, Harriet discovered not one but two living rooms, each offering its unique charm and ambiance. In one, she found a cozy reading nook tucked away in a corner, complete with a selection of books and a plush armchair. In the other, a state-of-the-art entertainment area awaited, featuring a large flat-screen television, surround sound system, and comfortable seating for movie nights or game days.

Venturing further, Harriet explored the entertainment area and bar, marveling at the sleek design and high-tech amenities. A fully stocked bar offered a tempting array of beverages, while a spacious seating area provided the perfect spot to unwind with friends or family.

Stepping out onto the deck, Harriet was greeted by a sparkling splash pool, its waters shimmering in the moonlight. Beyond, the beach stretched out before her, its soft sands beckoning her to come and explore.

With a contented sigh, she turned to Finn. “Yup. I think I’ll take it.” She grinned. “My uncle and parents can stay at the hotel. This house wants younger people to stay in it.” her grin widened. “Like me.”

“Just you in a six-bedroomed house?” Finn nodded, looking amused. “I guess it was my first idea.”

“Yup,” Harriet agreed. “I think we should go with your first idea.” She turned, looking around the deck and into the house. “Finn, this is amazing. It’s like a mini version of Alex’s glass house.”

“I did sort of steal a bit of the glass house’s design,” Finn admitted.

“Are all three of your houses built the same?” Harriet asked him, suddenly eager to explore the other two.

“No, they have the same sort of structure,” Finn told her. “But they have their differences.”

“I noticed it’s also a SMART house,” Harriet noted.

“Semi-SMART house,” Finn corrected her. “The house controls things like the lighting, sound system, TV, the heating, and a few other small things.”

“You don’t trust that technology either?” Harriet asked.

“I don’t want to give a house too much control over my living space,” Finn answered.

“I get that.” Harriet suppressed a shudder.

The idea of a house being in total control of everything inside it did creep her out. She was old school and liked to be in charge of her own lighting, heating, and music.

“Do you think your parents and uncle would be happy staying here?” Finn enquired.

“Absolutely.” Harriet nodded. “My father was willing to stay here, thinking it’s just a house.” She smiled. “You failed to mention it was a mini-mansion.”

“Great,” Finn said. “I’ll make a list of potential staff and a few phone calls later in case they take it.”

“Does it get rented out often?” Harriet wondered why it was empty.

“It’s usually full most days of the year,” Finn told her. “A family who were going to take it for the summer backed out at the last minute. I was going to offer it to Alex when his house burned down, but Carly got in first.” He looked out toward the sea. “When I heard Alex and Daniella were having their wedding celebration, I decided not to advertise it again until after that.” He smiled at her. “Just in case Liam needed it in case the hotel got overbooked, as I know it currently is with Alex’s wedding guests.”

“Whose house is that?” While Harriet was facing the sea, she pointed to her left.

“That’s Liam’s house,” Finn said. “Mine is the next one along, closer to my businesses.”

“Why didn’t Liam take this one that has no one on the one side?” Harriet was curious to know.

“His house is smaller,” Finn explained. “It’s just Liam and his daughter Lila.” He glanced in the direction of Liam’s house. “And this one wasn’t finished being built when he bought that one.”

“Ah!” Harriet nodded in understanding. “How big is your house?”

“About the same as this one,” Finn shrugged. “I was thinking of hosting dinner at my place tomorrow night.” He looked at her questioningly. “I thought it would be more family-oriented and give your parents a chance to see who I am.”

“Finn, you don’t have to go to all that trouble,” Harriet’s heart kicked into overdrive as it hammered against her ribs at how thoughtful the man was.

Surely, there must be a flaw in him somewhere!At least then, Harriet wouldn’t feel as awful as she did at the lengths Finn was going to be playing the part of her fake fiancé.

“It’s no trouble,” Finn assured her, his eyes sparkling with a teasing light. “Besides, I’m quite enjoying it. I forgot how good it felt to have parents buzzing around.”

“Well, I’m glad someone’s enjoying it!” Harriet breathed and admitted, “I feel so guilty, like I have a big pink neon sign hanging over my head blinking at what a liar I am.”

“Just think of the bigger picture and why we’re doing this,” Finn suggested. “Then there’s also the fact that your parents are worried about your uncle’s mental health.”

“How is us being engaged going to help with that?” Harriet was curious at his reasoning. “It’s going to enrage Uncle Titus as it will thwart his plans once again to get the land he wants.”

Finn stood staring at her contemplatively for a few seconds. “Maybe there’s another reason why your uncle wants you to marry into the Gladstone family.” He frowned. “What if he’s being coerced into making you marry?” He looked at her to fill in the name.

“Leon,” Harriet added.

“Leon, because the family is putting pressure on him and blackmailing him with something,” Finn suggested.

“Like what?” Harriet’s frown was deep. “He takes way too many baths and wastes water?”

“Funny!” Finn rolled his eyes. “Your father mentioned that your uncle has been disappearing and secretive. Maybe the Gladstones know why, and they’re holding it over his head.”

Harriet’s eyes widened at Finn’s reasoning. “I wouldn’t put it past Leon and his conniving cousin Estelle.”

Finn shuddered. “Agh. I knew an Estelle once. The woman was a stalker and manipulative troublemaker who almost ruined my life.” His frown deepened. “Come to think of it, I met her on Joyce Isle when my late ex-wife and I were judging a surfing competition there.”

“I’m sure there are a few Estelles on Joyce Isles,” Harriet told him.

“Let’s hope it’s not the same woman.” Finn shuddered again. “Because she was bad news.”

“But it does sound just like Leon’s cousin. In fact, except for his mother, the entire Gladstone family are creeps.” She shook her head. “Well, since Leon’s father married into that family, they’ve become creeps.” She explained how Leon’s father took on the Gladstone name to get the title of Duke. “Estelle is from his father’s side of the family, so she gave herself a title. The woman is nothing but trouble.”

“Awesome.” Finn blew out a breath and shook his head. “This is why I’m so glad I’m out of the limelight. I didn’t even have the spotlight at the level of you, Alex, Dawn, Brad, and Ethan. But my five minutes of fame was enough for me.” His eyes widened. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s cool dealing with your fans, but there are some that get a bit out of hand.”

“Trust me,” Harriet told him, “I don’t want the fame either, and that’s why I fly beneath that radar and keep out of the press’s way.”

“I’m impressed by how well you managed to keep your identity a secret,” Finn told her.

“I never wanted to be a princess,” Harriet admitted. “I always wanted to be a mermaid.”

They laughed.

“My daughter wanted to be a princess mermaid,” Finn told her.

Harriet didn’t want the night to end as they slipped into an easy conversation flow. She was enjoying Finn’s company, but she knew it was time to call it a night.

“I’d best be getting back to the hotel,” Harriet told him.

“Sure.” Finn nodded.

They left the house with Finn locking up behind them. Like the gentleman he was, he insisted on walking her to her suite when they arrived back at the hotel. As they rode in the elevator, Harriet realized she still had his mother’s ring on.

“Oh, your mother’s ring,” Harriet said, and she was about to slide it off her finger, but Finn stopped her.

“Keep it while your parents are here,” Finn advised. “It adds authenticity to our engagement.”

As they stepped out of the elevator, a couple were about to step into it, and they nearly collided.

“Oh, I’m sor…” The words died on Harriet’s lips as her eyes met Duke Leon Gladstone’s smug ones.

“Harriet, there you are,” Leon said. “We were—“

His words were cut off when the woman beside him squealed in delight. “Finn?”

Harriet turned to see Finn stop dead in his tracks, and his eyes narrowed to angry slits as they pinned Estelle with an icy glare.

“It seems we were talking about the same Estelle,” Finn said through gritted teeth, intended for Harriet’s ears only. “And I know that creep with her, too. Only she calls him her brother Leo.”