Chapter 23 #3
“He was working on the barn expansion this morning when I left,” Tobin said as if he knew exactly what was going through her head in that moment.
“I don’t know if he’s going to be coming down, but I doubt there’s going to be much that keeps him away.
He’s been speaking about you for the last few days. ”
Cressida’s cheeks warmed. “He’s a busy man. If he’s not here today, I’ll come over tomorrow with some muffins for you both. Perhaps there’s something I can do to help out since you’ve both been so kind to us.”
“I’m not going to let you lift a finger,” Tobin said with a warm grin, his gaze cutting to Etta, who nodded her approval, “but muffins are always appreciated.”
“Fine, we’ll agree to disagree on what I’ll be doing when I come over, but I’ll make the muffins either way.” She motioned between the two of them. “Now, the pair of you need to get to that floor and dance. That dress is simply too pretty not to show off.”
“There you are!” a deep voice called. “Cressida!”
For a moment, her heart leaped in her chest, lodging itself in her throat, blood rushing in her ears. She knew Ronan was going to be there.
But when she turned, Conrad was standing there with a tall man behind him.
Etta glanced between them, like she didn't know what was going on, her arm looping through Tobin’s. “Well, I suppose we should be off to dance. You should join us later, Cressy, or you could come with us right now.”
Conrad cleared his throat. “Actually, I was hoping I might get a word with you, Cressida, before you go off to enjoy the rest of the festivities, of course.”
“Yes,” Cressida replied. The hair on the back of her neck was standing up as she looked at the tall man.
His eyes narrowed on her for a second, but then a slow smile spread across his face. Still, there was something about the glint of his eyes that she didn't like.
Cressida turned to Etta, forcing a large smile. “Go dance, enjoy yourself. And if I don't see you before you leave, make sure you get home safely.”
No matter how attentive Tobin was with Etta, no matter how much he seemed to be falling in love with her, Cressida was always going to worry about her.
“Don’t worry,” Tobin said, as if he could read Cressida’s mind. He looked down at Etta with warm affection in his eyes. “I would never let anything happen to her. I’ll make sure she gets home safely.”
“I would never dream of doing anything else,” Etta said with a laugh before taking off, her arm still linked with Tobin’s, into the crowd.
Cressida watched them go, her heart a little lighter at the sight of her sister finally having fun.
Etta turned and waved back to her for a moment, laughing as Tobin spun her beneath his arm and pulled her back to him.
They took off in a lively two-step around the floor, bouncing to the beat of the music.
Cressida turned her attention back to Conrad and the man behind him. “I should probably go. I promised that I was going to help with…” She trailed off, looking around, trying to find an appropriate excuse.
Chuckling, Conrad turned to the man beside him. “See. I told you about her. She's always busy trying to help others and never takes enough time for herself. She really is a marvel of the town, and I don't know what we would do without her.”
The man nodded with interest shining in his eyes. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you after hearing all that I have. Conrad has told me so much about you.”
“Allow me to make the proper introductions,” Conrad said with his signature smarmy smile. “Cressida Lockridge, this is Ambrose Flint.”
It was as if all it took was saying his name to have a cold wind sweeping through the town, sending a shiver down her spine.
It was ridiculous to think that way. She knew it was.
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong.
There is something that didn't quite line up about the way this Ambrose Flint looked at her.
It was as if he was trying to pull away each layer of who she was, looking to find a truth she hid deep within her soul.
But it wasn’t as if he wanted to know that to get to know her.
No, there was something about the way he studied her that made her think his job was to exploit people and their emotions.
After all, he seemed to be close to Conrad, and there was nobody Conrad wouldn’t charm or manipulate to get what he wanted.
Still, she had been raised to be a woman with proper manners, so she smiled and inclined her head politely. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Flint.”
“You as well, Miss Lockridge,” he said, his tone deep and low.
Cressida smiled again before she glanced around her, looking for Ronan. She hoped he would be there, and yet he still hadn't shown up. She couldn't help biting her lip in worry as she stood on her toes, glancing above the heads of people surrounding her.
“Is something the matter?” Conrad asked, his tone taking on a sharp edge. “You look like you're looking for someone…Perhaps I could help you find them.”
“No, I don't think they're here, but thank you,” Cressida said, her heart sinking in her chest and that cold shiver running down her spine again as she looked back at Mr. Flint.