Chapter 35 NANCY #3
“Let me introduce you.” William led me over to an elegant woman in her fifties whose rouged cheeks, ivory skin, and bright pearls contrasted with a conservative black gown.
She was classically beautiful, and I could instantly see the resemblance with her sons, not least from her chestnut hair styled into a tight coiffure.
“Mother, this is Alex’s girlfriend, Nancy.
Nancy, my mother, Her Grace, Lady Hyacinth Toverton, the Duchess of Worcestershire. ”
“William, there’s no need to give my full title to the girl,” Hyacinth replied in nasal enunciation, observing me with a detached gaze. “Have you had an enjoyable evening so far…Natty, was it?”
“Nancy…” Seriously? “It’s been…eye-opening so far, Your Grace.” Come on now, this is Alex’s mother, make an effort. “I love what you’re wearing, the detailing is exquisite.”
Hyacinth looked pleased. “Why, thank you, dear. It’s haute couture, made by a very talented dressmaker for the royals.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yes, I was introduced to her personally by Her Majesty.” Hyacinth took in my outfit, and her eyes focused for the first time. “Gosh, and don’t you look feisty all in red, and that hair…” She reached out for my coils as if honing in on a mirage.
“Mother!” William grabbed her hand before she could touch me. “That’s very disrespectful.”
Hyacinth blinked in confusion at her son’s expression, so removed I could’ve sworn she was high as a kite. “I didn’t mean anything by it. It was a compliment, I assure you.”
“Don’t trouble yourself,” I muttered, desperately hiding a scowl.
“There you are!” a testy tone interjected. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
I turned to see Alex glowering, his gaze fixed on my arm, tightly locked with William’s like a life buoy in choppy waters. There was an awkward pause as his eyes squared on his brother, then he signed sharply.
William stepped back, looking like thunder.
“You’re meant to be here with me, remember?”
“Likewise,” I hissed. “I’m just glad your brother was here to look out for me.”
“What does that mean?”
“Alexander, how lovely to see you,” Hyacinth said, only just noticing him.
Alex drew his eyes away to greet her with a reserved smile. “Good to see you too, Mother.”
“I can’t think why you’re being so aloof these days, dahling.” Her hazy stare travelled to me with evident meaning. “I haven’t seen you in weeks.”
I spent the next hour trying to drown out my growing dread.
The Tovertons were the most waspish family I’d ever encountered.
Every seemingly innocent exchange was laced with bad feeling.
Thin cuts were dealt back and forth between mother and son, so petty that I went on autopilot to save my sanity.
God only knew how bad it would’ve been if Alex’s father were here.
When dinner was called, Alex led me into a vast hall filled with immaculately presented round tables and more cutlery than I knew what to do with. I smiled politely and answered his questions well enough, but I couldn’t escape the hollow feeling building inside.
Is this what Alex’s social circle is like? Is this what he is really like?
We sat at a table with Hyacinth, William, Catherine, and two couples. An ominous space remained, which I supposed was Mimi’s seat. At least that was some relief. The thought of dealing with Alex’s evil ex was more than I could handle in one evening.
Once drinks were served, the head of Child Protection UK took to the stage for a short speech thanking the attendees for their generous donations.
There was a round of applause before he clinked his glass, requesting quiet so he could introduce their main speaker.
To my surprise, he called Alex up to the podium as the charity’s patron and celebrity spokesman.
Alex gave my hand a squeeze and rose for the stage.
I watched in awe for the next ten minutes as he gave a speech without any notes or an ounce of nerves.
He was an exceptional public speaker, not just in his natural timing and authoritative tone, which instantly won over the crowd, but also in the passion that burned behind his words.
Though Alex had never brought up the source of his scars, and I’d never asked, what he didn’t say said enough, and the way he spoke tonight said more.
Despite my frustration at his behaviour through the evening, I was captivated.
It was more than could be said for Hyacinth, who spent the entire speech giggling like a schoolgirl with Catherine while ignoring her eldest’s heartfelt words. It pissed me off. Whatever happened to Alex happened with her knowledge…even with her hand. I tried to breathe through my building rage.
When Alex sat down, I framed his face, delivering a long, heartfelt kiss. “I’m so proud of you,” I whispered, moving back to catch Alex’s surprised smile and Catherine’s hard stare.
Servers proceeded out with laden silver trays, commencing the first course, and Catherine used the distraction to draw Alex into a discussion with Hyacinth, excluding me. I held my tongue and instead turned to chat with my neighbours.
Daniel and Sian were good friends of Alex and David from Cam-bridge. As both also worked in the City, I spent the next half hour chatting with them. The reassuring territory helped me feel a little more settled as course after course of grandiose dishes I didn’t know the name for were brought out.
Eventually, the friendly couple got drawn into another conversation, leaving me to finish my main course in silence.
I looked over at Alex, who was still hushedly talking to Catherine.
Whatever they were discussing seemed serious, and I wondered if the deal they were banking on fell through.
A prick of guilt travelled through me for not staying by Alex’s side.
I was his girlfriend and that meant being willing to compromise, even when the company were from another planet.
A tap on my foot broke through my thoughts.
I looked up to see William’s concerned face. He made a subtle sign and lip pattern I read as “Are you okay?”
I returned a tired look and glanced at my distracted boyfriend. He gestured for me to come with him, but I shook my head and mouthed, “I better not.”
With a stern expression that told me it wasn’t a request, William rose and came around the table. For the second time that evening, I left Alex’s side without him noticing.
The croupier laid a Jack of Hearts next to the Five of Clubs, and I attempted to work out the odds of landing a successful hit that wouldn’t take me past twenty-one. William looked on smugly, having already achieved blackjack with an Ace and Queen.
“You know what’s coming, don’t you?” I mouthed. William shrugged innocently. “Fine, hit me,” I told the croupier. Sadly, it was an Eight of Spades. The croupier collected my meagre chips with an inscrutable look.
“Would you like to play again? I can buy you more chips,” William said.
“Best not,” I laughed. “At this point, it’s just a sad woman losing money.” We rose from the card table and went to watch a roulette game. “Thanks for showing me how to play cards in a casino. It’s been fun.”
“My pleasure, but I wouldn’t make a career of it.
Stick to accountancy.” William’s lip angled, and I punched his arm in mock outrage.
“You’re pretty strong for a short-arse,” he laughed, putting his arm around me, then he took out his phone so we could pose for a pouty selfie with the swanky casino backdrop.
“I told you once!” came Alex’s voice from behind before he barged us apart. William gesticulated, straightening for a fight.
“Alex! Stop it!”
He turned to me. “What the hell are you playing at this evening? Why is it every time I turn around, I find you in the arms of my brother?”
“Are you kidding me! You’ve ignored me the entire night. I’m glad William was here. At least I had good company,” I scolded. “And we’re just being friendly!”
He circled back on William and started to sign rapidly. William threw up his hands in exasperation, then gave me an apologetic look before storming out of the casino.
I grabbed Alex’s arm. “What the hell has got into you?”
He turned back, his expression now pained. “You’ve got to me, Nancy.”
“What’s wrong? Is it the deal? Did it fall through? Is that why you’re angry with me?”
“The deal?” He ran his hand through his hair. “Oh, the finance…no, it’s not that. And I’m not angry with you; I’m just frustrated with, all this.” He motioned.
I squeezed his hand to focus on me. “Let’s get out of here, then.”
“But we’ve not spent any time together,” he said defeatedly. “This night was meant to be about us.”
“It still can be. Let’s go home and hang out.” I ran my hands along his lapels. “You’re the only one I wanted to spend time with this evening. All the rest of this pomp is just a distraction.”
His expression softened into a smile. “How do you always know the right thing to say?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m wiser than you,” I said sagely, and he laughed, loosening up a little.
“Very well, but before we leave, will you dance with me?”
“If you want to dance, boo, that’s what we’ll do.”
A strobe light flashed around the darkened ballroom, matching the DJ’s heavy beats. It created a carnival effect on the revellers dancing in various states of drunkenness to a pumping remix of ‘Dirty Cash’. Alex drew me into the first position for a ballroom dance.
“I don’t think this is a waltz,” I said apprehensively.
“Since when do we follow the crowd?” he countered, holding me close and leading us into the steps we’d practised the night before.