Chapter Twenty
Hours later, I’m having a brief fashion crisis.
We’ve agreed to the event, but I have nothing suitable for a formal dinner.
Our plans were to take it easy this weekend so my case is full of casual clothes.
I am flabbergasted and somewhat relieved when Diana saves my bacon.
She told me she had taken the liberty of ordering something for me to wear.
My heart skips a beat as I reveal the most incredible silver grey, strapless dress from the delicate swirls of tissue paper.
I tentatively wrap the sleeveless bodice around me.
Embroidery and glass beads embellish the sweetheart neckline while the soft taffeta glides over my legs and trails behind as I walk.
I feel like a princess; all the way down to my elegant strappy heels.
I have no idea how Diana found out my size, but who am I to question.
When I enter the lounge, Daniel reaffirms my confidence.
His eyes nearly pop when they run the length of my body.
“Jesus Hannah, you… my God,”
“Is that a good ‘my God’ or a bad one?”
“You look stunning.”
When his hands wrap around my waist, his touch ignites goosebumps over my skin. He takes a step back, eyeing me from head to toe once more, before caressing my cheek with the back of his index finger. “God, you’re beautiful.”
There’s a glow to my face, but not from the warmth in the air. “Come on,” I tug at his arm. “You need to get changed quickly or your mother will have our guts for garters.” For a minute, I think he might ignore my request and drag me to the bedroom again, but disappointingly, he does as he’s told.
My man really scrubs up well. His tux is very James Bond in a Daniel Craig kind of way and his delicious scent has my senses working overtime.
He takes my hand in his as we leave the cottage.
I sprint alongside him again as he walks with purpose.
In an attempt to make him more relaxed, I tease him a little.
“So tell me, sex talk. Is that a new thing for you?” As soon as I’ve said it, heat rises to my face and neck. He huffs out a laugh before he answers, “You know what, I’m sure that was a first for me. It was good, though, huh?”
I’m still not over my initial embarrassment, and the warm air doesn’t help my skin. I must look like a Ribena berry by now. I giggle as I cast my mind back and enjoy his words. I was completely and utterly in that zone with him and answer with a very bashful “Yes”.
He squeezes my hand. “Hey, don’t go all shy on me. I want a repeat performance later.” His eyebrows dance as his eyes catch fire.
“I’ll look forward to that, but just be careful with the outfit. It must have cost your mum a fortune!”
“Let me tell you something,” his fingers brush against my cheek, “I bet she loved shopping for you.”
“Well, I really appreciate it. I’ve never felt so special in a dress before. She has amazing taste. ”
“A special dress takes a special person to wear it. It was made for you, Han.”
“Thank you,” I whisper and without knowing it, my resigned sigh gives away my thoughts. “What is it?” His brow wrinkles slightly while his eyes search mine.
“I was just thinking how perfect tonight is and then… it’s nothing.”
“Don’t tell me. Freya?”
Somehow, he read my mind. He sighs and takes both my hands in his. “Listen, I understand how this whole situation is uncomfortable but we have to try to ignore her.”
I nod, “I get that, but it’s difficult.”
“Believe me, I’m the first in line to agree with you.
Jesus, after everything she’s done to my family, what I feel for Freya now is nothing short of hate.
The fact she is married to my brother makes this awkward situation worse.
I understand being here is hard for you and it’s not a bed of roses for me either, but I want to do this for my parents and I know you can do this for us. ”
It was a slight moment of weakness on my part and I promised I would be strong. “You’re right.”
His hands tighten around mine. “Love is stronger than you can ever imagine, Han. It can get you through almost anything—even the unexpected.”
Diana and Peter are already in the lounge as we enter.
Both are stunning in their formal dress and Diana’s beautiful, full-length turquoise ball gown matches her eyes.
Her hair is styled in a neat French pleat, finished with a diamond comb.
Sparks of light bounce from her diamond stud earrings that match her necklace and she is radiant next to Peter in his black tuxedo.
Not long after, we’re joined by Joe. He has a face like a smacked arse, which doesn’t bode well.
“Freya not with you darling?” Diana looks past Joe, then back to her son for an explanation. I silently pray she’s not coming.
“She sends her apologies, but she won’t make it. She has a headache.” Diana hugs her eldest son before pulling away to look at his face. His silent plea not to ask anything further is met with a sympathetic smile from his mother.
I try not to show my relief, although it’s hard not to notice Daniel’s posture when he visibly relaxes next to me. I’m not sure if this is a regular occurrence. Peter doesn’t seem surprised at all. “You two had another row?”
“It’s more than that, Dad.”
From what I’ve seen so far, Joe’s cool head can usually handle Freya with dignity.
Not today. Today he looks lost and ready to fall apart.
I have no idea how any man could deal so well with a wife that’s in love with someone else—let alone the other man being his brother.
It’s a twisted situation. Joe seems defeated, as if he is about to throw in the towel.
Daniel can obviously sense his brother's turmoil as he walks over and slaps his shoulder. They don’t talk.
Their eyes say everything. Their bond is incredible and pretty amazing under the circumstances.
Peter joins his sons, bringing them both in for a supportive hug.
“If you can’t face it tonight, Joe—”
He shakes his head, “No point in wasting a good suit and I could do with a drink.”
Peter nods and smiles, but it’s not a happy one. Diana walks over to Joe and straightens his bow tie. Her quiet tone fills the thick air around us. “Don’t let her get to you.”
I glance in another direction, not knowing where to focus. I feel I’m intruding on this very private family moment of support.
Daniel offers me his hand, which I don’t hesitate to accept. We walk out to the cars in a much more subdued mood than earlier. Freya has managed to put a dampener on our evening without even making an appearance.