CHAPTER NINETEEN

WILLOW

He leads me out onto the dance floor, and I feel like I’m floating as the fabric swooshes at my feet when I walk. Lights like stars hang above. There’s even a massive oak tree replica in the corner. It’s set up to look like a garden with boxwood hedges and floral topiaries lining the edge. “It’s exquisite!” I whisper.

“You’re exquisite,” he replies as he spins me around and pulls me back in to his arms in a proper hold.

I tuck my chin against his chest, fearful some hurt may still linger in my eyes and don’t want to seem childish and ruin this moment, ruin his important night.

Lifting my chin, he studies my face. “You. Are. Exquisite. And talented and creative. That’s why I told her.” So he does know I’m upset. “I’m so proud of you. So please, don’t be cross with me, Willow. I would have never told her if I knew it would hurt you.”

I gently nod to let him know I understand, and I smile because I don’t trust my voice. I’m rather emotional this evening it would seem.

“If it makes a difference, I told her before I knew what she did.” We stop moving and he caresses my face.

“It does. Thank you for saying.” I press myself tighter to him and he continues to lead me around the floor.

I hear the first strands of Hoppipolla, and I lay my head against his chest as the music washes over me. We break traditional form, and he just holds me in his arms, a tender embrace as he twirls me, round and round. Slowly. Like we’re in a tiny jewelry box, protected from the world for a few stolen moments.

People keep moving around us, but it feels like it’s just him and me. They all fade away, and the room becomes a swirl of light and color. In his arms, there is only the rise and fall of the sound pouring from the strings, the steady beat of his heart beneath my cheek, and the feel of his hand over mine. I’m lost in this moment, never wanting to be found.

We stay this way until business pulls him away. It is after all his event, and I know a huge part of its success is his presence and the ability to schmooze.

After he introduces me to countless people, I sneak away for a quick break from the smiling and nodding. The rest of the evening has gone off without any more un-pleasantries. Until, I enter the lion’s den, otherwise known as the ladies’ powder room.

As I’m about to leave the stall to wash my hands, I hear the door open, and a group of women walk in, talking loudly.

“Can you believe her dress?” one asks, sounding horrified.

“Seriously. It had to be off the rack. Who does that? At the event of the year.” Another chimes in.

“She should have requested the vegetarian plate; with hips like that, she should avoid beef.”

“Totally,” they agree.

People are so horrible. Why would they talk about their peers that way?

“And red lips with red hair? No class. Who does that?”

Wait, what? Surely that’s a coincidence?

“Someone desperate enough to hold the attention of the most eligible bachelor in London, that’s who.”

“Piers won’t stay with her. I know; I’ve been there done that. Literally. He never comes back for seconds.”

Oh. My. God. They are talking about me.

“Best I’ve ever had,” Another one purrs.

I think I’m going to be sick.

“Ladies, ladies. Play nice.” That voice. Scarlett.

“Oh, she’s just jealous because she hasn’t had him yet.”

Tears burn my eyes, threatening to fall.

“Shut up,” she replies.

“Whatever, I’m heading back out to see if I can snag a dance while she’s not hanging all over him. Pathetic.”

I can’t breathe. I need to go. I’ll take a cab. Tell him Drew needs me. I can’t face those people, those horrid people, who said vile things about me and don’t even know me.

Drying my eyes with a tissue, I take a deep breath and open the stall door.

When I step out, I lock eyes with Scarlett and my heart stops.

“Don’t take it personal.” She looks me over before turning her back to me to look at herself in the mirror again. “They only hate you because they want him.”

“You knew I was in here the whole time?”

My head is spinning, and I take a seat on the edge of the nearest chaise.

“Your mask.” She holds up my mask from the counter where I left it laying while I went to the bathroom. “You really should be more careful. Leaving your stuff unattended, someone might take it when you’re not looking.”

I get her meaning loud and clear.

“And, you really should be careful because those are Swarovski crystals, and that mask wasn’t easy to find at the last minute. I should know, I’m the one that had to rush out to get it.”

She looks right at me when she says this. Direct hit.

“But they’re not wrong. You know that right?” She just won’t stop.

“After seeing you tonight, in this world with his people, he will know I’m the only right choice for him. I’ve waited years for him to need me as much as I need him. And he finally does. I’ll be the one by his side every day, working with him, under him, for him. And you’ll be back in the states, painting fairies and baking cookies where you belong.”

My mind is yelling obscenities, ripping her hair out and saying all the witty, comebacks. My mouth, however, is frozen, the words clawing to be spoken, but nothing comes out. Nothing.

She takes my silence as an invitation to continue her verbal assault, and I struggle to hold it together. Standing, I walk towards her, refusing to let her see me cry.

“He’s only with you because of Drew.” Her words are like daggers in my heart. Every one cutting deep, slowly breaking me. “Playing house is a fun way to pass the time. But when he’s ready for someone to stand by his side, to run his empire, he knows where I’ll be.”

No, she did not just drag my son into this.

She blots her lips in the mirror and turns just as my palm connects with her cheek.

Her mouth hangs open in shock, and her hand flies to her face. “You—”

I run my stinging palm against my dress, anger boiling in my blood. “No, you listen to me. And listen good. Breeding and manners be damned, don’t you ever, EVER, talk about my son again. Don’t suggest he is the only reason Piers is sticking around. Don’t pretend to care about him. Not when you’re part of the reason he didn’t know his father.”

“What are you talking about?” she asks in disbelief.

“That night I called, I begged to talk to Piers. I was calling to tell him that I was pregnant.” I feel tears start to fall, so I breathe deep and blink them back. “But you told me how he forgot me, moved on. You even put him on the phone, pissed out of his mind, and he didn’t know who I was. You never told him I called. You made me believe he had moved on. With you.”

Now it’s her turn to be silent and take a seat while I pace.

“That’s right. It’s my fault for leaving, that’s not on you, but lying to me is. And Piers knows; it’s only a matter of time before he asks you about it.”

Her eyes find mine, and I see fear.

“I pity you. Really, I do. So desperate for love and affection that you’ll steal it...what was that you said? Oh yeah, when no one is looking. Well newsflash, Scarlett. I’m looking, I’m watching, and I’ll keep seeing you and every sneaky move you make. I may not be able to get rid of you, but you can bet your arse I won’t make the mistake of turning my head again.”

Picking up my mask, I put it back on, and now it’s my turn to look in the mirror. I see someone who’s been hurt but who isn’t going down without a fight.

Walking past her, I make my exit, my head held high. “Lovely party Scarlett, you’ve really outdone yourself.”

“If you don’t believe this is about Drew, then ask him about the loophole that frees you from staying to jointly inherit,” she whispers.

She stops me in my tracks. “Excuse me?”

“I take it he didn’t tell you after all? I warned him about keeping secrets.” She sighs, looking rather pleased with herself.

“Go to hell.” I brush past her.

“Just ask him,” she calls after me.

When the door closes behind me, the first tear falls, and I brush it away. I need to find Piers.

Ironically enough, he finds me first.

“Willow, are you okay?” He touches my arms. “Is Drew okay? I was worried. No one had seen you. Theo thought you came this way. Scarlett has disappeared. She’s behaving very strangely.”

“I’m fine.” I look past him, afraid he will be able to tell I’m lying. I’m anything but fine. My instinct is to question him, but I don’t. This isn’t the time or place. “I’m sure Drew is doing great. I’m ready to go. I’m just really exhausted.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, concern lacing his voice.

“Piers, I can call for a taxi; really it’s okay. You stay. I don’t want to rush you. I know how important this night is to you.”

“Willow.” He touches my face. “You’re more important. I’ll have the car brought around. Let me say a few quick goodbyes. Would you like to come with me?” He’s so attentive, it breaks my heart thinking about the things Scarlett said.

“I’ll meet you at the table and grab my things.” I force a smile.

When I get back to the table, there is no sign of Scarlett, thankfully. On the table, next to my clutch is a strip of photos. Picking it up, I see it’s the photo booth images. They must have passed out the prints.

Four images, one amazing night. After all that’s transpired, it feels like these were taken ages ago, not merely hours. In the first, we are both smiling at the camera, holding up a sign that says #masquerade; in the second one, we are making silly faces. The third shows us looking at each other, laughing, and the forth one is the one that makes my heartbeat pound in my ears.

I’m looking at the camera with a huge smile on my face, but Piers is looking at me, smiling. And what I see on his face tells me all I need to know.