Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
GRACE
Like he promised, Christian organized another ball for two weeks’ time, and as per the last ball, another dress arrived at Juliet’s place—a gorgeous, backless, deep-sea-blue gown—along with yet more jewels.
If I were a gold digger, I’d be bouncing off the walls right about now having hit the proverbial jackpot.
But I want nothing more from Christian than the truth he’s hiding.
Going through this charade is simply the route I have to take.
Uncle Daniel was ecstatic when I told him Christian had taken the bait. Arron, less so. He’s always worried about me far too much. I guess big brother, little sister vibes are something he can’t escape.
This time, there’s no invite for Juliet, but to keep up appearances, I get ready at her place.
She gives me an extra tight squeeze before I head outside, where Christian’s driver is waiting for me.
Like Arron, Juliet is worried, even if the marriage thing was her idea.
She hasn’t said, but I think she’s suffering from buyer’s remorse.
I’m determined to see this through, though. Although I’m not big into woo-woo, I’ve decided that manifesting is the way to go. The last few days, after I’ve brushed my teeth, I’ve stared into the mirror and repeated two things:
Charles De Vil will choose me to marry his third son.
I will find evidence of Christian’s cover-up and culpability in the building collapse and make him pay for his lies.
And as soon as I have, I’m out of there.
Everything he knows about me is a lie, and even though he knows where Juliet lives, she’s primed to deal with the fallout.
Plausible deniability. Sorry, sir, I don’t know where she is.
I’m as shocked as you are with what’s transpired. Just when you think you know someone…
I haven’t shared this with Juliet, or Arron or my uncle, but once this is over, I plan to leave England, lie low for a while, and let the commotion die down.
I’ll pawn the jewels Christian has given me and use that nest egg to disappear for a good few months at least. South America, maybe, or a small island in the middle of the ocean where they don’t have internet access.
I hate the idea of using his gifts in this way.
It feels like stealing, but considering who Christian is, and the power and reach his family have, what choice do I have?
He hasn’t asked for them back since our last discussion, so he must mean for me to keep them.
Besides, it’s not like he’ll miss the money. Okay, sure, that doesn’t make it right, but I’ve made my peace with it. He deserves what’s coming his way.
But… but… this chemical attraction is getting out of hand.
I’m glad I haven’t seen him since I almost bounced on his dick in the car.
I know that, sooner or later, we will fuck, and maybe it’s a good thing I’m physically attracted to him.
It’ll make sleeping in his bed easier until he tires of me and I get my own room.
From what little he’s shared about his previous relationships, I can’t see his attraction to me lasting all that long.
A month, maybe six weeks. And who knows, during that time I may have found the evidence I need and be out of there anyway.
One can hope.
The line of cars waiting for their occupants to exit isn’t as long as they were at the last ball.
I take that to mean this is a more intimate affair with “suitable” ladies lined up for third-in-line-to-the-empire to choose from.
The thought of it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, but it’s time to put my feelings to one side, switch off my morals, and do what needs to be done.
Step one of ‘win over Charles De Vil’ starts tonight, and I will not fail.
Eventually, Christian’s car reaches the head of the line, and when my door opens, he’s standing there wearing a dirty smile and a tux that looks so good on him, it borders on criminal.
Focus.
He leans inside the car and takes my hand to help me out. Capturing my other hand, he holds me at arm’s length and rakes his gaze over me. “Duchess, you are a sight for sore eyes.”
“And you have decidedly too much charm.”
He grins. “Is it working?”
“Too well.” That’s not a lie.
“Come on. They’re waiting.”
I stall, my arm pulling taut as he walks away and I don’t. “Who’s waiting?” This feels like the worst job interview ever, where you thought it was just you and one other person until you discover there’s an entire panel waiting to grill you.
“Tobias and Victoria. It’s important you meet her first. She’s going to lead the introductions to my father. And Tobias is there because he’s curious about you.”
Nerves swarm my stomach. Women are so much more astute than men. If Victoria sees through my cover to the lies buried beneath my skin, it’s all over.
Relax. What will she see other than what you choose to show her?
Besides, I have to meet the family at some point, right?
“Don’t worry,” Christian murmurs in my ear. “She will adore you.”
He leads me into Oakleigh Hall, but instead of turning left toward the ballroom, he veers right. Pushing on a solid walnut door, he enters, and I follow.
My eyes lock onto the woman first. I remember her at my parents’ funeral.
She said nice things to me. Please don’t recognize me.
The veil I wore that day hid my face well, and I’ve had the surgeries, but even so, there’s a risk, even though our previous meeting was brief.
Women see things that men don’t. They pay attention.
“Grace, this is my brother Tobias. And this is my sister-in-law Victoria.”
Her open expression and welcoming smile settle my nerves. She moves forward, hand outstretched. “Call me Vicky.”
After we shake, my gaze shifts to the brother. He’s got a twinkle in his eye, and I get the impression he’s enjoying being in on the plan.
“Great to meet you, Grace.” He grips both my shoulders and plants a kiss on my cheek. “I do have to ask, though, are you sure about this?” He cocks his head in Christian’s direction. “He can be a right prat at times.”
“I will stick your head down the toilet and flush it until you drown.”
A wide smile stretches across Tobias’s face. “I rest my case.”
“Good Lord.” Vicky makes this shooing motion with her hands. “It’s like being in playschool. Off you go, kiddywinks The adults need to get to know one another before I introduce her to Charles.”
I fire a nervous glance at Christian.
He winks. “Don’t worry. Her bite is survivable. Just ask Nicholas.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Vicky says. “I am a pussycat.”
“With sharp claws.”
Vicky glares at Christian. “And you, mister, will find out just how sharp if you don’t get out of here in five seconds.”
Tobias snickers.
Christian’s hands fly in the air. “Okay, okay. We’re going.” He kisses me on the cheek, and the two men leave, closing the door behind them.
“Take a seat.” Vicky motions to a high-backed leather armchair beside an unlit fireplace.
Once I’m seated, she sits in the other one.
“Grace, relax. I’m not here to make you uncomfortable or to shine a light in your eye.
I just think that, before you meet Charles, I should get to know you a little. ”
“I just… well I don’t like lying.” Yep, I’m going to burn in hell for sure.
“Don’t think of it as lying. Think of it as…
helping Charles make the right decision for his son.
” She folds her hands and lays them in her lap.
“If Christian thinks you are the right woman for him to marry, then I’ll do everything I can to support that.
As for what you get out of this marriage…
women have married for far less. My parents aren’t De Vil rich, but we had a comfortable life.
I can empathize and try to understand how it must be for you, but I can’t.
Not really. You should know, though, that being a wife in this family comes with challenges. ”
“What kinds of challenges?”
“Well, you’re not just joining a family, but a huge empire with riches that make your eyes water. It can take some getting used to, as can being followed wherever you go.”
My eyes flare wide. “Followed?”
“Yes. This family has enemies—many of them. As soon as you marry Christian, you will be assigned a bodyguard. They stick to you like glue, believe me.”
How I keep the shock I’m feeling inside from spilling out, I’ll never know.
A bodyguard? Followed everywhere? I mean, I knew Christian had a bodyguard, but I hadn’t considered that I’d have to have one.
How the hell am I supposed to communicate with Arron and Uncle Daniel if I have a permanent shadow who will probably report my movements back to Christian?
“I see.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” Vicky continues, unaware she’s dropped a hand grenade that has me reeling. “It’s not like they follow you to the loo or anything.” She laughs. “But safety and security is taken seriously in this family, and it takes a little getting used to.”
Fuckity, fuck, fuck, fuck.
“I see. Well, at least I’m going into this with my eyes open.”
“So.” She leans back and crosses her legs. “Tell me about yourself.”
“Hasn’t Christian told you about me?”
“Oh, yes, but we know what men are like, only half listening most of the time. I’d rather get the details from you. That way, when I introduce you to Charles, I can sound like you’re more than a mere acquaintance.”
Makes sense, and it’s not like regurgitating my fake life is difficult. I’ve practiced for hours and hours exactly for this reason.
“Before I do, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why are you going along with this? Christian has his reasons for wanting a bride of his choosing, and I have mine for marrying someone who is little more than a stranger, but I would have thought you would’ve been on the side of your father-in-law.
I’m curious why you’re supporting Christian in what amounts to lying to his dad. ”