Everyone except Leo laughed. Darcey had to force her own.
Future daughter-in law? I hope she meant Trisha.
“Trust me, Leo,” Elizabeth added, “if Sissi was your mother, she’d eat up Darcey alive.”
Silence. Everyone but Marcus chuckled. The rest were apparently stunned. A look of irritation grew on Leo’s face.
Leo’s father broke the silence. “Darling, now isn’t the time. Who wants another glass of Chateau Canon?”
Luis and Trisha were quick to help steer the conversation away from talks of Sissi, both raising their glasses in unison. Darcey slowly sipped her drink, her mind on what Elizabeth had just said. As awkward as the topic was, Elizabeth wasn’t exactly off the point. Sissi did make her life a living hell. Darcey knew she never received Sissi’s approval.
The wine had done some of its magic. With more courage than she possessed earlier, she turned her neck to quickly glance at Cromwells’ table. Sissi was chuckling at something Madeleine was saying. In an instant, Darcey understood why Sissi never warmed up to her. She had wanted Madeleine for Nathan all along. It didn’t matter how hard Darcey worked, how she truly loved Nathan, Sissi already had her own plans for her only son.
But instead of the realization calming her mind, she also knew Nathan no longer loved her. During the year she managed to stay away from his path, it was difficult to completely avoid seeing his image in the press. Images of Nathan and Madeleine were too easy to appear in England’s society pages, and Darcey’s job required she kept abreast of his world.
The hated yet much read blogger Edward Von even hinted an engagement was impeding. She couldn’t understand why or how Nathan would ever forgive Madeleine for her infidelity, while she was left with a bruised heart.
Before she could turn away, she saw Madeleine whisper something to Nathan. He shook his head and turned his neck towards Darcey’s table. Their eyes met. With utter embarrassment, she immediately averted her eyes, but not before seeing the familiar gentleness in his eyes. She missed him. She focused on the foie gras on her plate and pretended to listen to the conversation around her.
After desserts were served, the auction began. Being auctioned were works of art, jewellry, travel packages and vintage wine. All of a sudden, her neck felt hot. She could feel eyes sending heat on her skin. Without thinking, she turned and glanced at Nathan’s direction again. She couldn’t resist. There he was, studying her. Madeleine was still talking to him but his eyes didn’t budge.
Should I smile at him?
Before she could decide, Leo’s voice reached her ears. “Darcey, are you ok?”
She turned to him. “Of course.”
He smiled, a knowing look on his face. “I should have warned you he was coming, but I thought you wouldn’t go if I did. And I know you’re a strong woman. Plus, I really can’t stand another of mother’s meddling with my love life, or lack of.”
Despite herself, a quick laugh escape her lips. “It’s a small world, huh? I knew we would meet one day. It can’t be avoided. I am fine.“ She flashed him her very diplomatic I am happy (really, I am!) smile, but she wondered if her voice was convincing enough. If he doubted her, he didn’t show it.
Dinner came, starting with caviar canapes and followed by the most succulent steak she had ever tasted. She was only too happy she could focus on food.
“You look good, Leo,” Trisha said while cutting her steak.
“Why shouldn’t I be, when I’m sitting next to the most beautiful woman in the room. No offense, future sister-in-law. Mum hears that from dad all the time.” Darcey smiled, but didn’t know what to say. It took every nerve in her body to keep her from turning to stare at Nathan. Was he studying her still? Has the horrible Madeleine noticed? She quickly brushed her thoughts aside.
Leo. He should make her happy. His mother is much nicer, Trisha was his family and he had shown how he truly cared for her. Surely, it wouldn’t be hard to fall for him.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Concern was back on Leo’s face. She was about to assure him she was fine when a soft sound came from his pocket.
“I’ll be fine. Please, feel free to check your phone,” she assured him.
He took his phone out. “Excuse me. I need to take this. It’s the New York office.” He stood up.
“Where are you going?” His mother asked.
“I need to take this, it’s a very important call.”
“The auction has started. Call them back later. You are not the boss for nothing.”
Matt was quick to defend his brother. “Mum, that’s probably a very important call for Leo to leave Darcey, even for a minute. And, if this deal is a success, you can get a house in Capri.”
Elizabeth laughed like a young woman. “I already have a house in Capri, next to George Clooney.”
“Yes,” Matt teased back, “but having two would get George and his wife to join you for breakfast one day.”
“And I definitely want to be your new best friend, Lizm,” Luis added.
“Don’t worry mother,” Leo replied before stepping outside. “I’ll put a good bid to dance with you and Trisha, and dad can try to outbid me.” He kissed Elizabeth and walked away, his steps quick.
“Here we come to the most exciting part of the auction,” came the host’s voice all around the ballroom. “We invite you to bid on your date, your wife, the person you’ve desired for ages, your better or worse half.”
Laughter rose from the crowd and the bidding began, the energy was thick in the room. The patrons were more than happy to part with some of their fortunes in exchange for some fun and charity.
Matt won the bid to dance with Trisha without competition. He opened the bidding at £10,000. The Warwick patriarch won the bid to dance with his wife at £20,000.
“Five thousand for Miss Darcey Vaughn.” Dimitri raised his hand.
The host grinned. “Wonderful! Miss Vaughn, would you please stand up to acknowledge the bid?”
As soon as she stood up, her face heated from embarrassment, Nicholas raised a hand.
“£7000.”
“£10,000” Dimitri was up for a challenge.
“Will you accept £10,500?” Nicholas asked.
The host chuckled. “Come on. Surely you can do better than that, but since I am friends with your father, I’ll take that.”
“Splendid!” came Nick’s reply.
Darcey met her old friend’s gaze. Nick gave her a hug, lifting her mood a tad. Dimitri and Nick were seriously enjoying the little competition.
“I’m feeling generous. I want to raise it to 15,000,” Dimitri added, looking as pleased as a contented fat cat.
“Where is Leo?” Darcey heard Elizabeth say to Matt. “Can’t you bid for your brother?”
“I can’t, I’ve already bid for another woman. And, mother, please don’t embarrass Leo and Darcey.”
Darcey felt mortified. She hated being centre of attention. She could feel Nathan’s eyes were back on her but she couldn’t muster the courage to turn and see if it was true. Not when she was standing and every pair of eyes in the room were studying her, waiting for the bidding war to unfold.
“I never liked the Greeks,” Elizabeth added curtly.
Fortunately Dimitri was busy teasing Nick and hadn’t heard her.
“That’s because the Stenolakis are old rich, mother,” Marcus replied without flinching. “Next to them, we’re considered noveau riche. But we’re all rich, isn’t that all that matters.”
“Oh, hush! Stop saying that.” Red spots grew on Elizabeth’s skin.
“It’s true, Dimitri’s grandparents are friends with the rest of the bunch. Rockefellars, Astors. They’re related to nobility, so I’m sure you hate the lot who are in the VVIP list.” Marcus took a sip of red wine.
“Marcus, that’s enough.” His father joined the conversation.
Marcus nodded. “Mum should be proud of what you’ve built, father. You made an empire with your own hard work, made sure we would have
all the best things in life.”
Darcey kept her gaze away from the Warwicks, not sure whether she should step away or note. She turned her attention to Matt and Trisha, who were talking to Cristina, Marcus’s wife, about their recent trips.
Luis was quick to come to the rescue as he stood up and positioned himself next to her. “I couldn’t be more jealous of you right now.”
Dimitri had the room laughing. The host had asked him if he was willing to top Nick’s bid. “Wait, let me ask my mother,” he retorted. Mrs. Stenolakis nodded. Dimitri turned back to the auctioneer.
The host couldn’t contain himself. “At £20,000 now, we have the bid to dance with Miss Vaughn to Mr. Stenolakis, who just happened to ask his mother if he could borrow money. Anyone else wants to ask their mother?”
A roar of laughter filled the room.
A voice immediately silenced everyone.
“Fifty thousand.”
Darcey gasped. She knew that voice. Luis’s hands quickly went up to cover his open mouth. Anyone could have heard a pin drop.
Even the host lost his bearings. It took him several seconds before he could reply. “Fifty thousand from, Mr. Cromwell.”
Even Dimitri and Nick’s jaws dropped. The whole crowd, including Darcey, turned to stare at Nathan. He had stood up, his gaze fixed on her.
The expression on Madeleine’s face was beyond rage.
Darcey didn’t know whether she should laugh, or cry, or be enraged.
“This is the most exciting bidding war,” someone exclaimed from the next table.
“Call your brother,” Elizabeth ordered Matt.
“Mother, knowing Leo, he won’t bid that much, even for charity. He’s a businessman, not a romantic,” came Matt’s reply.
“That is cheating, Nathan.” Dimitri jokingly said. “You just raised it more than double.”
“At £50,000 to Mr. Nathan Cromwell,” the host triumphantly declared.
“Did I miss anything?” Leo had returned.
“Did you ever,” Elizabeth replied in frustration. “Do hurry. Bid for Darcey, didn’t you just make an expensive phone call?”
“At £50,000, any more bids?”the host asked.
“Sixty.” Leo said nonchalantly, as if he was saying sixty pounds, rather than sixty thousand pounds.
It was Luis’s turn to gasp. Darcey quickly glanced at Leo, who reached over to squeeze her hand comfortingly.
“Seventy.” Nathan was quick to add.
“Seventy-five.” Leo raised his hand.|
“Eighty.”
“Eighty-five.”
“Darcey, you’re like an artwork, dancing with you is a work of art.” Luis said and she put her head down.
“A hundred.”
Whispers came from all corners of the room. Even the music had stopped. Leo gave Nathan a smug grin. Nathan stared back with a venomous look filled with challenge.
Sissi stood up and began to speak to Nathan, her hands excitedly moving around. Irritation was clearly evident on her face.
“Cromwell sure does have a lot of blunt to donate,” Matt retorted. “He even partnered with that Japanese designer Satomi. Did you hear how he inherited his grandfather’s company? I wouldn’t even dare the man can buy us all and would still have money for charity.”
“You cannot let Sissi’s son win,” Elizabeth complained. “The Greek even gave up. Leo has to win. That’s an order.”
“Mother, Darcey came with Leo,” Marcus assured her in between gulps of fine reds. “He gets the last dance, and he gets to bring her home in his Rolls.”
Leo’s eyes were filled with concern. Darcey could only offer him a weak smile. She had no idea what to say or do, nor did she know what this was all coming to.
“Would you rather I send you to Cromwell?”
“I’d rather not be the centre of attention. I don’t know what Nick or Dimitri had in mind, but they’re my good friends. I don’t know what Nathan was thinking either. But, please, a hundred thousand is a lot of money. It is just one dance.”
“And you are a beautiful woman. I don’t blame them if they want to dance with you.”
“I would’ve danced with them for free.”
“Darling, nothing is free anymore. Besides, it’s for charity.”
The host interrupted, “Mr. Warwick?”
After a few moments, which felt like a lifetime, Leo replied, “Darcey, just one dance, all right? I will get an answer tonight, am I right?”
He was allowing Nathan to win.
All she could do was nod and agree. “Just one dance, it is for charity.”
He shook his head but didn’t look defeated
“For one hundred thousand, the highest we had in years since we conducted this auction. A world record, can we say? But, wait, before we proceed,” the auctioneer added, “Mr. Stenolakis, would you want to ask your father’s help this time?”
Laughter erupted while Dimitri grinned and shook his head.
“Congratulations, Mr. Cromwell, you may claim your dance with Miss Darcey Vaughn. What an exciting auction, and thank you all for your generosity.”
The music returned and couples immediately took to the dancefloor. A sound came from Leo’s phone and he immediately left to take another call.
Darcey’s heart beat faster than it had ever beat. Nathan was making his way to her. Every step he took chipped away at her confidence and whatever calmness she managed to retain.
In a quick moment he stood in front of her. Her hands were clammy. She smiled but forgot how to breath.
Is this real?
“May I have this dance?”
She reluctantly took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the middle of the ballroom.
As soon as they were surrounded by dancers, she found her voice. “Why are you doing this? Are you crazy?”
He drew her closer to him and she could instantly smell his cologne. His scent brought back waves of memories. She had to stop herself from hugging him and telling him how much she missed him.
He didn’t reply.
“A hundred to dance with me? Let’s hope I’m worth it to you.”
“I may be crazy and you’re always worth it. I did the same thing two years ago, don’t you remember?”
Her mind drifted to the memory of their first dance. Her face began to flush. She tried to avoid getting too close as he held her.
“Can’t you be a little less awkward?” Nathan asked.
“Me? You’re the one dancing at arm’s length.”
“Are you afraid of me, Darcey?” He lifted her chin gently. She squirmed. He placed his head by her temple, whispering into her ear , “I admit I’ve missed you. I longed to do this all night, at all cost.”
She felt her body shiver in excitement. But she knew she had to stop this.
He broke your heart, he’s with Madeleine, and you’re going to give Leo a chance. She shut her eyes tight. Give Leo a chance and forget about Nathan. Leo has been there for you. Just one dance and it will be over.
“Unforgettable, that’s what you are,” crooned the singer.
“That is indeed what you are to me, Darcey. No matter what I do, I can’t seem to forget you.” He breathe in her scent. “I miss your scent and your smile. I miss your laughter.” He paused. “I miss you in my life, give me a chance. Give us a chance.”
A chance. Leo wanted a chance, she thought.
Tears began to pool in her eyes. She quickly blinked them back. Damn Nathan. Just when she thought she was strong.
“Enough. We’ve been through this too many times. I begged, I held on to you. I said I love you a millions times, but it ended with your goodbye,” she whispered, aware that a few pairs of eyes were watching them closely.
“But your body and your heart betray you, Darcey. When it comes to you and I, it’s never over. Don’t you miss me? Don’t you love me anymore?”
She pulled away from him, afraid she could only keep herself together for a very short period of time. “I’
m sorry, Nathan, this may not be what you paid for, but I can’t finish this dance.”
And with that, she turned and hurried off, not caring what people would say. She ran towards the terrace leading to the garden. Hot tears freely fell on her cheeks. She found a spot behind a pillar facing the manicured lawn, sobbing freely as she hid behind its stark white body.
A few seconds later a pair of footsteps made her turn around.
“Darcey.” It was Nathan.
“Go away, please. I was doing fine trying to forget you. I was doing fine getting my life back on track. It’s over between us, remember? You broke up with me. And then, even when we met in Japan, it was over.” She shivered in the cold.
Nathan took off his coat, draping it over her shoulders.
“Darcey, Darcey! I tried so hard. Trust me, I tried. I know I’ve hurt you. I guess I deserve this, but hear me out. Please!”
“No, I don’t want to hear anything you have to say anymore. I’m done with this. With us! Please. Just leave me alone. There is no more us. You broke my heart. Damn you. You broke it and you won’t let me heal. ”
Firm hands gripped her shoulders. A pained expression grew on his intense eyes, like the ocean during a storm.
“Look, I know I’ve hurt you, and you don’t know how sorry I am. See here, I’m humbling myself before you. Darcey, listen! You know I’m not one to beg. And I would spend my whole lifetime making it up to you, and making you laugh and making you smile. Since the day we broke up, even to that time you quit working for C’est La Vie, I haven’t stopped--“
“Stop.”
It was too much. Without another word, she stood up and ran towards the ballroom.
An arm held her back.
“Let go of me!”
“Not until you hear me out, I just want you to know I--”
“Let her go.” Leo’s booming voice filled the chilly evening air.
“This is none of your business, Warwick.”
“You made her upset and that makes it my business. You had your dance, and now I claim for mine. She is my date after all. Go and dance with your own.”
She let out an exasperated sigh. “Leo, can you give us a moment?”
Nathan looked at her. “Darcey,” he began.
Be Mine Forever_Darcey's_Book 2 Page 21