by Louise Rose
“I know that feeling.”
“It all changed when I was eight,” Lucas went on. “That’s when Penelope Donatello walked into my life. She was looking for a boy to adopt and I was exactly what she wanted. I looked like I could have been related to her, so she was able to claim I was her nephew, living with her after the tragic death of her sister. She made it very clear to me that I had to support her lies or I’d be sent straight back to the foster system. I might have been young, but I wasn’t stupid, so I went along with her story. Whenever people asked me about my mother, I started crying so I wouldn’t have to give out any details that could give away the lie and it wasn’t long before they learned not to ask.
“They weren’t the only ones who learned not to ask questions. Penelope was rich. Very rich. We’re talking houses in Monaco, Bermuda, Nice. I had a private tutor as we travelled the world, staying in one exotic location after another.”
“That sounds idyllic,” I say.
“I know, right?” Lucas shakes his head. “Looks can be deceiving. As you’ve seen yourself, money doesn’t mean anything if the person who has it is evil, and that was Penelope. She was one of the nastiest people I’ve ever met. Maybe one day you’ll see the scars on my back from the beating she gave me because I got a merit in my piano exam. She told me that the Donatellos were known for excellence and if I didn’t get top marks in everything I did, she would leave a mark on my body for every grade I dropped. I’m sure you can imagine what my grades were like after that. It’s why I was able to breeze into the Academy and know that I’d be able to keep up with whatever classes you were in. I’m used to being the best at everything because I had no choice. Penelope had her standards and I wasn’t allowed to let them drop.”
“That’s awful!” I gasp.
“That was my life.” Lucas shrugs. “I was Penelope’s little fashion accessory, the one thing which demonstrated to the world that she was perfect. She couldn’t deal with the fact that she wasn’t capable of having children herself. She hated the idea that for all her ambition and money, she still couldn’t have everything, so she took her resentment out on me. It was like she desperately wanted me but she despised me because I reminded her that not even the great Penelope Donatello could conquer Nature.”
“So what happened?” I ask. “Where’s Penelope now?”
“Dead.” Lucas says it without feeling, but I was sure there was a world of conflicting emotions behind that reality. “She died a year ago after a long and painful battle with cancer, another fight she couldn’t win, although she threw everything she had into it. She paid for expensive consultants, alternative therapists, even bought a pharmaceutical cannabis company. If something was supposed to cure cancer, she knew about it, but nothing worked. I always thought that it was her passion for winning that made her live longer than the twelve months the doctors predicted. She spent three years trying to cure herself, but in the end, the cancer took her-–and it wasn’t pleasant. She left everything to me. I have more money than I know what to do with and it’s just as much yours as it is mine.”
“I don’t want your money.” I shake my head.
“I know,” says Lucas sadly. “I know you don’t want anything from me. But I hope that will change in time. What’s mine is yours.” He inhales deeply. “I know you might not believe me, but I wasn’t keen on this wedding either. I don’t need Archaic money.”
“So, why did you go ahead with it?”
“One of the conditions of Penelope’s will was that I marry someone who would help grow the family business,” Lucas says. “If I didn’t, I’d lose everything.”
“So?” I ask. “It’s just money. If it were me, I wouldn’t want anything from someone who’d treated me like that. I tell you something for nothing-–I have absolutely no intention of picking up from where my father leaves off when he dies. I’ll give it all to charity. I don’t care.”
“Don’t you think he knows that?” Lucas asks. “It’s one of the reasons why he approached me to marry you.”
“Why would you care what happens to my father’s fortune?”
“I don’t.” Lucas shrugs. “But I’m not like you. There’s no way I’m going back to the kind of life I had before Penelope adopted me. Money might not buy you happiness but it can certainly rent it for a while. Working with your father, I have the opportunity to build a business which can change the world. When your father asked me if I’d be willing to help him keep you safe from the other Houses and showed me your photo, I had no hesitation. With Penelope’s money and Solomon’s mentorship I can do something which will really make a difference in people’s lives and if that means I have to marry a beautiful woman to do it, I’m okay with that.”
“Even if she’s marrying you against her will?”
Lucas has nothing to say to that.
I don’t know what to make of my new husband. He is such a curious mix of caring and cold. I love the idea of his doing something to help people, but can I believe he really means what he is saying? He could be lying, telling me what he thinks I want to hear to get me to fall for him.
While Lucas is saying all the right things, there is no way I am going to trust him. Not now, and maybe not ever.
Chapter Five
“C an you do me up, please?”
Lucas comes over to help do up the ballgown Isabella had picked out for me. I wanted to go dress shopping myself, but my father wouldn’t let me. Yet another way he insisted on controlling every little aspect of my life.
Still, Isabella has beautiful taste even if I hate the bitch. The black dress she picked out for me is tight at the waist and flows out into a full skirt, enhancing my figure in an hourglass shape. The corset top pushes my breasts up, giving me impressive cleavage. A delicate lace overlaid on the black silk gives the dress an intriguing look from all sides. It is easily one of the most beautiful dresses I’d ever seen, let alone worn.
She also booked a professional makeup artist and a hairdresser to come and make me look my best for the ball. I prided myself on my makeup skills, but I had to admit that Nola really knew her stuff. Once she is done with me, I look like something out of Vogue. Once Becky finishes teasing my hair into an intricate updo, I can barely recognise myself.
Lucas wolf whistles as I do a little turn for him, showing off my complete look.
“You are stunning,” he tells me. “I’m going to be the envy of every man there. I’m so proud to call you my wife.”
“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
And he doesn’t. Lucas is wearing the traditional James Bond tuxedo, and it really suits him. Some men are uncomfortable in formalwear, but not Lucas. The suit had been tailored for him and it makes him look sharp. But he isn’t them.
“Are you ready, m’lady?” Lucas does a little bow, offering me his arm with a cheeky smile. I take it and let him lead me out of our suite and downstairs to my father’s study, where Isabella is helping him with his cufflinks.
He smiles when he sees us. “Lucas. Ivy. Don’t you look elegant? You are truly doing House Archaic justice.”
“You look pretty good yourself, Solomon,” Lucas answers.
“How many times do I have to tell you, Lucas? Call me Dad.”
“…Dad.” Lucas tightly replies and nods to hide his expression, but I see it.
Isabella finishes with my father’s cufflinks and steps away from him. “There you go, Solomon. I’ll see you at the ball.”
She smiles at us and leaves the study to go get ready for the ball. As my father’s aide, she is entitled to a ticket to one of the most exclusive events of the year and she’d be following us there. Tickets cost upwards of a thousand each, meaning only the wealthiest families in town could afford to go. It is an opportunity to show off your wealth and vie for dominance as you network. While on the surface it is meant to be a purely fun event, a chance to let off some steam and party as a united town, just like everything else that went on here, there was more going on beneath the su
rface than you’d think.
“Are you two ready?” My father beams, looking between us. The urge to smack him in the face is strong.
“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Lucas replies for me.
“Then let’s hit the road. I have a feeling tonight is going to be wild.”
He claps his hands and rubs them together before leading the way out to a massive stretch limo waiting outside for us. The driver opens the door and my father gestures for me to go in before him.
I step inside to be greeted by a bottle of champagne cooling in an ice bucket. There are seats lining three sides of the limo, across the back and down both sides. I sit down on the opposite side of the door. Lucas enters and sits next to me, while my father takes the rear seat, stretching out to take up as much space as possible. I knew he’d do it, which is why I left the space empty for him.
“Who’s for a drink?” My father doesn’t wait for our replies as he picks up the bottle of champagne. The cork pops and a little alcohol fizzes over the lip of the bottle before my father fills three flutes with champagne. He hands them out to us and holds his up in a toast.
“To House Archaic,” he says.
“House Archaic,” Lucas and I echo.
The limo driver starts the engine and pulls out smoothly as we all sip champagne, that smug smile of my father’s never leaving his face.
I sit in silence during the drive across town to the hall where the ball is being held. This is one of the rare occasions where an event is held on neutral territory, in this instance a large club which has been commandeered for the night. It is one of the few places which is large enough to hold everyone, with a big dance floor and private rooms for the more expensive ticket holders. Naturally, my father has paid for one of these and when we arrive, we head straight up to our room for the night.
A number of my father’s bodyguards are already there waiting for us. This night might be one of the most hotly anticipated of the year, but it’s also one of the most dangerous.
My father booked the best room available, which has a balcony overlooking the dance floor as well as a more private area which no one can access without going through a number of guards first. As well as the main entrance, which we’d come through, there is a small door at the back which Lucas tells me leads to an escape route out back in case of any trouble.
Lucas and I go out on the balcony. Music is pounding and there are already a number of people dancing. I think I can make out Archer in the crowd, but I can’t be sure from this distance.
“You okay?” Lucas squeezes my hand.
“Yeah.” I smile at him. “It’s just weird being out with my father, you know? I don’t feel like I can really relax until I know what he’s got planned.”
“Why would he have anything planned? Why can’t your father be here for some fun?”
“Because my father’s idea of fun means someone always gets hurt,” I say grimly.
“Don’t be so negative. You never know-–maybe he’s turned over a new leaf.”
“Ha! I wish.”
“Come on. Let’s go dance.” Lucas holds out his hand to me and we head back into our room. Isabella has arrived and her and my father are deep in discussion already. There is no doubt in my mind that they are plotting something. I just wish I knew what.
Lucas caught my father’s attention and made a gesture to let him know we were going downstairs to dance. My father nods and we leave the room to go down to the dance floor.
We walk into the hall, just as the DJ puts on a slow dance.
“Perfect timing.” Lucas grins as he pulls me onto the dance floor and into his arms.
I close my eyes and rest my head against Lucas’s shoulder as we sway together, knowing there is no way I can escape. This is the first time we’ve danced as a married couple, and it feels weird. We don’t have the same kind of connection I do with Archer, Romy, or Declan, and I don’t know if we ever would. There is no way I could even think of trying with him. I’m not a fool, I see how Lucas looks my way, but he doesn’t know me. He never could.
“Mind if I cut in?”
As if he is able to read my mind, Romy appears next to us, tapping Lucas on the shoulder and my eyes lock onto his.
“Not at all.” Lucas steps away with a tight jaw and Romy takes his place. Lucas walks off in the direction of the bar as Romy pulls me to him.
That’s better.
“Won’t your date mind you dancing with me?” I ask as we move in perfect synchronicity.
“Who says I have a date?”
I laugh. “Come on, Romeo. It’s you we’re talking about here. You’ve always got a woman on your arm.”
“Not tonight.” He shakes his head. “How could I be here with someone else when I’d be thinking about you.”
“For real?” I laugh again, nervously this time.
“For real.” Romy gazes at me intently. “Ivy, ever since I met you, you’ve changed me. I haven’t wanted to be with anyone else. I haven’t even kissed another girl, let alone anything more. If I can’t be with you, I don’t want to be with anyone.”
For a moment I think he is going to kiss me, but the DJ puts on a more up-tempo song, killing the mood.
“Is this a private party or can anyone join?”
“Archer!” I give him a huge hug as Romy steps back to make way for Archer Knight. “It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Ivy,” he replies. “I’ve been worried about you all week.”
We start dancing together, Archer surprising me with how well he moves. There is a natural grace to his dancing, and he has an innate sense of rhythm that makes me see him in a new light.
“Where’s your date?” I ask.
“Haven’t got one,” he replies. “There wasn’t anyone who I wanted to bring, and it seemed pointless dragging a girl along just to keep up appearances. The one person I wanted to ask was already taken.”
I blush, knowing exactly who he meant.
“I came with Milly instead,” Archer went on. “By the looks of it, we’ve swapped partners.” He nods over to one side of the dance floor and I look over to see Lucas and Milly dancing together. Milly looks pissed off, a rare sight on her, while Lucas seems amused.
“It’s nice to see Lucas finally settling in,” I say. “It’s not been easy for him coming to the Academy with everyone so hostile towards him.”
“Can you blame us?” Archer’s eyes flash with anger. “We thought we’d found a way to keep you safe from your father. If he hadn’t come along, you’d be with Romy right now. Tell me you wouldn’t be happier engaged to him than married to Lucas.”
I open my mouth to reply, but Archer talks over me.
“And if you were still engaged to Romy, I might have been able to find a way to get you out of that engagement. I was working on it, you know. I had plans. None of them matter now. Instead, I’m reduced to snatching what little time I can with you. It’s not enough. It’ll never be enough.”
“I know,” I whisper, knowing exactly how he feels. “But what can we do? I’m married and my father has me well and truly trapped.”
“We’ll just have to take each moment as it comes, I guess.” Archer shrugs as the song comes to an end and the DJ puts on another slow song. Archer moves to get close, but someone pulls him back.
“I think it’s my turn now, don’t you?” Declan asks. “Unless Ivy has any objections?”
“No.” I beam. “It’s good to see you, Declan.”
“See you later, Ivy.” Archer bows and kisses my hand before disappearing off into the crowd, leaving me with Declan.
I put my arms around his neck, and he put his around my waist. Taller than me, I have to look up to talk as we dance. He really is gorgeous.
“Who did you bring to the ball?” I ask. “Won’t she mind you slow dancing with me?”
“The only person who might mind is Lucas and I don’t care about his opinion,” Declan smoothly replies. “I decided not to bring a date
with me tonight. I had a few people dropping some heavy hints, including Ally and Taylor, but I wasn’t interested. Even though I knew you’d be here with Lucas, I wanted to be free to spend time with you if the opportunity came up and look at us now. Dancing like we haven’t got a care in the world.”
“I don’t know that I’d go that far…” I smile up at Declan, feeling all warm inside. My boys are all here on their own, and I didn’t have to cope with seeing them in someone else’s arms. It’s selfish of me when I am with Lucas, but I don’t care. I love all my boys and it will kill me when the time eventually came for them to move on and find someone else. Someone who didn’t come with my complications.
“Lucas seems to be having a good time.” Declan nods over to where Milly and Lucas were slow dancing together. “Him and Milly look good together.”
“They do, don’t they?” I rest my head on Declan’s shoulder as I watch my husband with Milly. He’s acting like the perfect gentleman he always is; one arm around Milly’s waist, their hands clasped, like they are ballroom dancing together. They seem deep in conversation. Knowing Lucas, he is likely pumping her for information about the Knights and sweet Milly is naïve enough to give it to him.
Declan runs his hand over my hair, kissing me gently on the top of my head. I close my eyes and lean into him more. I desperately want to leave with him, spend some quiet time together, but with my father here, not to mention all his guards, I have no choice but to stay at the dance until it’s time to go back to the Archaic mansion.
Before I even realise it, a tear is trickling down my cheek. I dash it away with the back of my hand, hoping it hasn’t ruined the beautiful makeup Nola had worked so hard on.
“Hey.” Declan put his hand under my chin, tilting my head to make me look at him. “It’s okay, Ivy. Everything’s going to be okay.”