29. Abysmal Drinks & A Breathtaking Woman
Abysmal Drinks & A Breathtaking Woman
Liam
Iadjusted the lapels of my midnight black perfectly tailored three-piece suit, tucking the deep-green cravat beneath the matching colored vest. I finger combed my hair, trying to tame it, but it didn’t listen as per usual.
A knock at the door. “Liam, are you ready?” Coen called from the hallway of the inn where we were staying.
I put on my glasses, strode toward the door, and opened it. “I’m ready.”
“On time for once, I see,” he said, dressed in a charcoal suit and a maroon cravat that brought out the olive tones of his complexion.
I threw an arm around his shoulders as we made our way down the hall, bronze sconces lighting the way. “Right? What’s gotten into me?”
“A certain brunette.”
I laughed. Indeed. And I was going to see her tonight. I could hardly contain my excitement…and my nerves.
We exited into the night, the ebony carriage waiting to take us to the venue. This year’s gala was being held inside the stunning ballroom of the Elderwood Estate. We had about a ten minute ride to get there.
The driver opened the carriage door and I climbed in after Coen, settling myself into the plush crimson cushions across from him. With the click of the door and the sound of the driver urging the horses forward, we were moving.
“How are you feeling?” Coen asked.
“Absolutely ecstatic.”
“Utterly terrified, aren’t you?”
“The anguish is almost unbearable.”
He gave a small chuckle. “You never come to these things. Are you up for all the schmoozing and brown-nosing that comes along with it?”
Coen didn’t typically come to these things either, citing them as a waste of time. But he was also receiving an award for some fancy plant hybrid he had been working on.
“You know I’m an expert at mingling with the stuck-ups. Have you met my family?” I answered.
“Good point. So what’s your plan?”
“Me? A plan? No clue. I’m just going to wing it. See where the night takes me.”
“Sounds about right.” He gave me a pointed look. “Don’t do anything stupid, Liam.”
I tilted my head at him. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Need I remind you what happened at the last event you attended?”
I waved a hand. “I was young then.”
“That was only two years ago.”
“If you’re asking if I plan on getting drunk and making a scene, the answer is no.”
“It better be. The last thing Cerise needs when her controlling mother is the main guest of honor is you doing something to embarrass her.”
“I’m aware. I won’t,” I assured him.
As much as I was loath to admit it, he was right.
I’d attended a mixer a couple of years ago with the intention of connecting with more colleagues professionally.
But I had been in my head all day after a horrible fight with my father the evening before.
I’d had way too much to drink, made a drunken speech about how much I hated rich people, and passed out in the bathroom.
Coen had to practically carry me home and I almost lost my job. I would not make that mistake tonight.
I stared out the window as the carriage pulled up to the large estate. We stopped in a circular drive, waiting in line to exit behind the other carriages bringing more guests. I could barely sit still to save my life, my leg bouncing in anticipation.
“Would you stop that?” Coen hissed. “You’re jostling the entire carriage.”
I rolled my eyes.
At last we stopped and our door was opened by the driver. I handed him a tip, thanked him, and turned to the behemoth before us.
“How ostentatious,” Coen said, staring at the estate.
“Indeed. Beautiful, though,” I said.
It truly was. The black building loomed over us with meticulously carved statues of lions framing wide gray marble stairs. Bright blue glass windows adorned the face of the estate and the sounds of music and visiting flowed out of the space.
I straightened my cravat and took a breath. “Let’s go.”
Gray marble floors led us through the dark halls into an exquisite ballroom. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high glass ceiling, revealing a view of the clear starry night sky.
A string quartet played on a small stage, a crowd of people already mingling in their tailored suits and elegant dresses as waiters carrying trays of cocktails moved through the room.
Tables were set up for the dinner—happening after the cocktail hour—with deep navy tablecloths and low floral centerpieces.
A waiter passed and we snagged a couple of drinks. I studied the dark blue concoction in the martini glass, an exotic flower floating on top. I took a sip and almost choked, the taste bitter and entirely too sweet at the same time.
“What the fuck is this drink?” I whispered.
“Didn’t you read the pamphlet?” Coen paused, brow raised. “Of course you didn’t. Forget I asked.”
“What does the pamphlet have to do with a drink?”
Coen leaned close, ensuring no one else overheard. “It’s a drink made especially in honor of Anya Thornheart. Supposedly it’s her favorite.”
“It’s revolting.”
“Utterly abhorrent.”
Another waiter passed and I set my almost full drink on his tray.
“Liam,” Coen chastised.
I shrugged. “I’m not drinking that.”
I scanned the room, hoping for a bar where I could find something better. There.
“I’ll be back.”
“Don’t do anything impulsive,” Coen urged.
I gave him a sly grin. “Untwist your panties and worry about yourself. I hope everyone in attendance is dying to speak with you and follows you around the entire night just to hear about this new plant or whatever you’ve created this time.”
“Fuck off,” he murmured before walking away.
Laughing to myself, I made my way through the crowd. I hadn’t seen Cerise yet, though I knew she had to be here already. Knowing her, she was probably one of the first to arrive.
Stopping before the dark wood counter, I leaned in to the bartender, an older man with gray hair and bright blue eyes. “Do you have any beer?”
He smirked. “Not a fan of that blue thing?”
“It’s an abomination. Have you tried it?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I do have a limited supply of beer. Here you go.”
Popping the top, he handed me an amber glass bottle. With a salute of thanks, I turned around. Only to come face to face with Cerise’s mother.
“Ah. Doctor Thornheart.” I tipped my head. “Congratulations on being honored tonight. I look forward to your presentation.”
She was a severe-looking woman. Her gray hair was slicked back and she wore a high-necked conservative black ballgown with matching gloves. Shorter than Cerise, she had to look up at me to meet my gaze. But though I was taller than her, she had the knack to make anyone feel small.
Glancing at my hand, she asked, “Have you tried my drink?”
“I have. But it was just a tad strong for my taste.”
“Clearly.” She scrutinized me, painstakingly slowly, as if trying to figure me out. “It’s too bad you and my daughter weren’t there when the discovery was made. You could be on that stage being honored tonight too.”
The nerve of this woman. “We were a little busy getting kidnapped by poachers, I’m afraid.”
She frowned at me. “Not surprising you would make light of such a perilous situation. No wonder the two of you were lost for so long. I’m surprised my daughter even made it out alive.”
For the first time in my life, I was speechless. No wonder Cerise was the way she was. Honestly, I was astounded she had any semblance of kindness or confidence after seeing how her mother treated her at our rescue and how she was behaving now.
A much older woman approached, calling Anya’s name. With one last cold look at me, she turned and greeted her, diving into a conversation.
Thank fuck for that.
I weaved my way back through the dark ballroom, scanning each guest and looking for a tall brunette. It was quite crowded now, the cocktail hour in full swing as colleagues mingled and one-upped each other with their most recent accomplishments. Gross.
With a sigh, I made the decision to find Coen again and stay by his side. Despite my teasing, he would probably appreciate having a buffer so he didn’t have to talk to so many people.
Moments later, my feet froze, as if they stopped working the second my eyes caught on the most stunning sight I had ever beheld.
Time stood still, the entire world narrowing to the space Cerise occupied. I saw no one else but her, the other attendees melting into the background. Sounds faded into a dull hum, leaving only the rhythm of my heart pounding against my ribs.
She stood on the other side of the ballroom, in the middle of a conversation with a short, voluptuous blonde woman I didn’t recognize.
My eyes studied her, taking in every detail.
A strapless deep blue gown hugged her tall, willowy figure, revealing those perfect collarbones I suddenly wanted to lick again.
The tight bodice led to a looser skirt, a slit beginning mid thigh.
She had just a touch of makeup on, enough to give her cheeks a rosy glow and accentuate her eyes and lips.
And her hair. It was unbound, curled, and swished along her back as she let out a small laugh.
Enticing me. Tempting me. Breaking me.
Now all I wanted to do was corner her in a dark hallway and make her come until she could barely walk. Kiss her until she was breathless. Make her laugh so hard her eyes filled with tears. Steal her away from this ridiculous charade of a gala and go on an adventure.
I took a swig of beer.
It was going to be a long night.