24. Zeth #3
The door swung open to a butler in livery who looked at us with a shadow of disdain in his wrinkled face.
He thankfully gave Millie a kind nod and waved us both into a massive entrance with two staircases lining the sides.
They curved up to join at the top, and piano music floated down as I marveled.
I didn’t even know Everdeen had houses like this downtown.
The facade was stately with columns around the doorway, but the inside extravagance was unexpected.
Now, I fully expected a ballroom. Similar houses in the City had them when I entered as an appraiser.
Entering this one as a guest made my stomach go queasy.
The butler shut the door behind us and took our hats and gloves with a sniff before handing them off to a second servant who waited behind him.
I didn’t understand why the Washingtons needed two men to take hats, except to show off.
When a third man descended the stairs to lead us up them, I did my best to hide my contempt at their display of wealth. Millie’s eyeroll didn’t help.
After ascending the right side stairs, the third man walked us to a set of giant double doors and pushed them open for us to enter. As we walked through, a warm, smoky haze surrounded me while chinking piano music and spirited chatter filled my ears.
Millie appeared as overwhelmed as I was. I should have anticipated this. She spent her time in the City fairly secluded, so I took her hand and pulled her to the closest inner wall right away to ask, “You okay?”
“Of course, it’s fantastic.” Her brown eyes weren’t sparkling with tears, she was excited.
I followed them as she admired the fifty or so people in lavish attire all lingering in small groups around the room.
Women filled the left side where velvet chairs and settees lined up in rows for the reading.
On the right side, men claimed armchairs in small social circles.
They puffed cigars while holding short liquor glasses as they talked.
A long table separated the room, packed with fancy hors d’oeuvres, tall gelatin molds, fat cakes, and a huge punch bowl.
It didn’t take long for our entrance to cause a stir.
The pianist to our right eyed us suspiciously, and the music paused briefly as several guests giggled behind their hands or snubbed their noses at our grand entrance.
We were definitely being noticed, and the reception wasn’t well met.
I felt like an outsider with all their eyes upon me, no doubt calculating why the Washer siblings were here.
I looked around for Amby, or even Anna, but when a familiar man approached from the left, my stomach dropped.
Of course Damien was here, and he was strolling over as if he couldn’t wait to make a fool of the washer boy .
I needed a plan to stay composed. Instead, my eyes flew to Damien’s clothes.
He was actually wearing that flower-embroidered atrocity—the very jacket I thought Amby would pick out for me in the tailor shop as the worst item there.
I snorted as he reached me. “Nice suit.”
Damien’s haughty green eyes narrowed on me. “We have similar tastes, but not in attire, I see. So…” He raked an unpleasant glance over Millie. “Who invited you two? We didn’t order a laundry pickup.”
God damn fucker —
If he didn’t leave me and mine alone, I was going to punch the flamboyant asshole right in his smart mouth. This party could use a few of Damien’s teeth rolling around the polished floor.
“Zeth, Millie, you made it,” came a familiar voice as Amby’s comforting hand slipped into mine to still my fist. I couldn’t be happier to see his beautiful head of curls and reassuring smile. “Don’t mind Cooligan. His sense of fashion matches his inflated ego.”
I laughed at Amby’s dig at Damien. So did Damien, in that polite way one does to avoid making a scene.
When his eyes dropped to where Amby and I held hands, his gaze narrowed, and I savored his annoyance.
He shot me one last look that said I wouldn’t be seeing the last of him before wandering off to the drinks.
That’s when Anna strolled over in an ivory evening dress with layered skirts that dripped wealth in her wake. There was a whole entourage behind her too.
She stepped up to Millie to give her a big hug. “I’m so pleased you could attend. You’re absolutely ravishing, Millie, dear.”
“And you look beautiful.” Millie beamed at Anna, and their eyes met with a warm glow before Anna took her hand with a blush.
They both stared at each other for a long moment, seemingly unaware of everyone else around them watching, and also whispering.
But the wealthiest woman here didn’t seem to care one bit about the growing interest happening around her.
When Amby’s face contorted in confusion, I cleared my throat, and Anna broke her gaze to us.
Smiling, she pulled on Millie’s hand and said, “Shall we seek refreshments before the reading starts?”
“Actually,” Millie started, “I was hoping for a moment like this. Annabelle Winters… Will you give me the honor of a courting kiss?”
The gasp that rose from Anna’s entourage was louder than the piano music.
When Amby’s hand squeezed mine, I looked over to see his eyes widen.
I understood how surprised he felt, and he clearly wasn’t the only one.
Anna was blushing as the growing crowd surrounded us with a fair share of whispered gossip.
Several eyes darted my way as well. After all, they thought I was practically engaged to Anna just last week in the Chapel. Thankfully, a handful of people applauded Anna and Millie, encouraging them to kiss.
I released Amby’s hand to touch the small of his back and leaned into his shoulder. “The girls grew close while we were distracted. I just learned that myself today, when I told Anna the truth. All of it. Well, not all of it. Enough.”
“The truth?” Amby whispered. “You mean about… not wanting to court her?”
“Yes, and about us. She promised to keep our secret.”
“Oh!” He looked at me excitedly. “Now it’s feeling official for us, Zeth. It means a lot to me that you went to her about it. That must have been a nerve-wracking thing to do. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, my darling.” I’d been so scared of ruining things for us, so it was nice to have at least one thing work out.
The girl’s courting kiss was sweet, just a peck on the lips, until Anna wrapped a hand around the back of Millie’s neck to pull them together for an additional kiss.
The whole thing was impromptu, but that was exactly how Millie would want it.
Plus, her black ensemble and Anna’s ivory dress made them quite the dapper couple.
So much for Anna’s surprise dance with Millie.
At least they glowed with happiness as they bowed to the cheering crowd.
Then the piano started back up into an uppity tune that eased any leftover tension.
Anna Winters had just declared herself taken by someone of much lower status than herself, but the way she looked at my sister showed me status meant nothing to her.
“It’s been ages since I saw her so animated.” A woman dressed in a sky blue dress regarded Amby with a friendly smile. Her silver hair shone amid the dim light.
“Miss Winters,” Amby greeted her with a polite nod, then he turned to me and held out his hand. “I’d like you to meet Zeth Washer. Zeth, this is Anna’s aunt, Sloane Winters.”
I took her hand and bowed over it politely. “It’s a pleasure.”
“Anna told me about you and your adorable sister, but she didn’t tell me how charming you are. Will you be reading tonight?”
I patted my jacket pocket to rattle the paper. “Yes, I prepare—”
“Ah, this must be Zeth Washer.”
We all turned at the loud interruption of a woman in a burgundy gown that paired well with her glass of dark wine. She raked me up and down with prurient eyes that made me stand up straighter while she grinned into her glass. “I must say, you clean up well.”
I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or insulted, so humor split the difference, “Thank you. I had a proper bath last night.”
Sloane and the wine drinker laughed.
Amby gestured at her. “Zeth, this is Estella Washington, our host tonight.”
“Excuse my brazenness,” Estella said. “I’ve heard you’ve come into a prized inheritance. You must tell me more.”
“Oh, I, um…”
“My apologies, Mrs. Washington,” Amby cut in, rescuing me. “But I believe I see my sister waving us over at the food table. Perhaps we can talk more about it later?”
“Of course, darlings. Do indulge in some of our wonderful refreshments.” Estella patted my arm before leaving with Sloane to mingle with others.
I blew out a breath and turned to Amby as we stepped toward the wall near the food table. “Thanks for that.”
“Most of these folks are only interested in money talk. They can be intimidating.”
Nodding, I entangled my fingers back between Amby’s as we sandwiched our hands between our sides like we used to do when we stood together in school. The old thrill of keeping my relationship secret with the best boy in town surged through me.
He was so handsome tonight, but his suit was an odd mix of pale blue colors that didn’t flatter his auburn hair. I was about to ask about it when I remembered he told me the other day that he let his little sister dress him. Just when he seemed too cute, he got cuter.
I wanted to kiss his upturned nose, but I resisted the temptation. I even released his hand. Like it or not, it was time to face the opposition head-on. “Well, shall we join your dad?”
“Yes,” Amby started. “He’s having cigars over there. So, you’re going to try and sell the laundry to him?”
“Well, it’s still the best option I see. The tax on it is hefty, and I shouldn’t rely on Millie marrying Anna. Selling the laundry will give us what we need for a fresh start. I want you and me to have a secure future. A nice place to rest our heads together at the end of a hard day.”