She had a smile painted on her face as she drew closer to them, but he could see that it wasn’t reflected in her eyes. In fact, her gaze showed just how angry she was.
“I can’t believe the nerve of some people,” she fumed.
“Oh?”
“Outside of your immediate family everyone here is a stranger to me, and yet several people tonight have warned me not to trust y’all and to run for the hills. And they’re not kidding, either. If it had been said in jest I wouldn’t have minded, but these people, these leeches, are standing here eating and drinking what your family has provided and they still have the audacity to speak to me like that?”
All of a sudden, she realized that Miles wasn’t alone.
“Oh heavens, look I’m sorry. That was very rude of me, and here I am complaining about your guests. Hi, I’m Chloe, and you’re Zeke, right? Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Don’t apologize to me,” Zeke said smoothly. “I’m just as annoyed as you are. But I guess this is high society, right? The loyal and the not-so-loyal rubbing shoulders and all playing as if they’re friends in the same sandpit.”
“Well, I wouldn’t mind kicking a bit of sand in a few eyes tonight,” Chloe growled. “But, enough of that. How exciting to be engaged and how lovely to have something cheerful, like a wedding, to look forward to in amongst all the turmoil. Have you two set a date?”
Miles felt Zeke shift a little, betraying his discomfort with the question. Was Zeke having second thoughts? Last month, Zeke had shared the surprising news with his cousins that his and Reagan’s engagement and their forthcoming marriage were purely born of convenience to help Reagan access her grandmother’s inheritance. But Chloe wasn’t to know that and it wasn’t Miles’s secret to share.
“Reagan’s mother has stipulated a six-month engagement so it gives her sufficient time to organize the wedding on their property. We’re happy to go along with that although we had hoped to marry sooner.”
After a little more small talk, Zeke excused himself to go mingle further with the crowd, and Chloe sneaked in close by Miles’s side. Slipping an arm around her waist, he smiled down at her as she took a small sip of the champagne she held in her hand. But there was a brittle air to her, which he’d noticed since yesterday after she’d talked to her mother. Obviously, something was worrying her, and equally obviously she wasn’t prepared to share that with him just yet.
It frustrated him. He wanted there to be no secrets between them, but he could hardly complain when he hadn’t been fully forthcoming about what his family were dealing with. Chloe had been a breath of fresh air in his life right from the beginning, and he was starting to think that he’d like to keep her there, maybe even forever. He turned the idea around in his head. Yeah, forever had a nice ring to it. Clearly, they still had so much to learn about one another, but if the way he felt about her and the way he believed she felt about him were any indicator, it wasn’t impossible to think that they could have a future together.
He splayed his fingers across her hip and pulled her in even closer.
“You okay?” she asked. “I hope no one’s been rude to you, too.”
“Not to my face but I’ve heard a few things here and there. I guess all of us have. In a place as close-knit as Royal it’s only to be expected. Some have been jealous of the Wingate family’s success and sought to pull us down a peg or two, and something like this is bound to bring out both the best and the worst in people.”
She stiffened at his words. “Jealousy?”
“Sure, a lot of people say my dad built his success on the misery of other people’s failures. I’ll admit, he wasn’t perfect all the time, but he was a darn hard worker, and so is Mom. In fact, the entire family has a strong work ethic no matter what they’re doing.”
“No matter what?”
“Obviously I don’t mean at the expense of anybody else, but business is business. Sometimes you have to be ruthless to get ahead. Anyway, we’re not here to talk business. We’re supposed to be celebrating my cousin and his fiancée’s happy future.”
A small frown furrowed her brow. “Miles, do you think you’ll all have a happy future? I mean, with everything that’s going on and all? I don’t know exactly what’s going on, of course, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that something is really upsetting your family.”
“We’ll get through it,” Miles said firmly. “We Wingates always do.”
Twelve
Later that night, after they’d made love and Miles had drifted off to sleep still holding Chloe in his arms, she played his words over and over again. Yes, there was that air of entitlement she’d always expected from the Wingate family. But it hadn’t rankled with her as much as she’d anticipated. She’d seen for herself this past week how hard everyone worked and how strongly they pulled together when the chips were down.
Being an only child, she’d had to be the sole emotional support for her mom. Yes, her mom had the distant family members who’d provided a roof over their head after they’d relocated to Chicago, and provided the hand-me-down clothing that had been Chloe’s and her mom’s sole source of wardrobe for the first five years after the move. But there’d always been a sense of being beholden to them—that they were a charity case, not family. There hadn’t been the extensive network of siblings or cousins to share her troubles with.
Watching Miles and his family pull together toward a common goal, even though there was clearly some tension between them, was something she kind of envied. Although she certainly didn’t envy them the storm of negative interest that was about to deluge them soon.
She wondered if her mom had followed through on sending what Chloe had told her to the reporter. She truly hoped not. Of course, she might just be indulging in false hope. Loretta had sounded pretty darn mad on the phone. She wanted her pound of flesh. Even if she never saw any financial compensation, she wanted the Wingate’s name to be dragged through the mud and back again. She wanted them to know shame. After all, hadn’t that been what had happened with Chloe’s family?
She sighed and turned away from Miles, suddenly unable to bear the turmoil of the double life she’d been living since she’d met him. This wasn’t her. Not deep down. Yes, she’d had her plan for revenge, but that was before she began to know the family and understand them a little better. She now knew with certainty that she was falling in love with Miles. Deeply and truly.
He was everything she’d ever dreamed of in a man. But she honestly couldn’t hope for a future with him until everything was open and honest between them. She’d told herself she’d tell him the truth when they got back home—she had to wait until then. He was dealing with so much right now with his family. Laying out her own motivation for meeting him now would be another burden for him to bear and she simply couldn’t do that to him. Not yet, anyway. Eventually, listening to Miles’s steady breathing, she drifted off to sleep.
The next few days were quiet around the house. Everyone appeared to be waiting for the next ax to fall. She and Miles made the most of the quiet, heading out riding each morning and spending part of each afternoon lazing around the pool.
Chloe was relieved, the following Wednesday, when Beth invited her to lunch with Gracie, her personal assistant. Beth and Chloe drove to the Texas Cattleman’s Club and met Gracie in the foyer outside the restaurant. Beth and her assistant were obviously close, and the warmth in their greeting to one another was a balm to Chloe’s soul. No fear of veiled insults or snide remarks to be expected here, she realized. She felt herself physically relax as the tension in her body dissipated.
Gracie was gorgeous, but seemed to be totally unaware of the looks her glossy, long, brown hair and perfectly balanced features drew from passersby. And the way she held her slightly taller than average frame was incredibly elegant. Gracie was effusive in her greeting to Chloe, putting her instantly at ease and treating her as
if she’d always been a part of Beth’s extended family.
After they were shown to their table, Gracie and Beth briefly discussed Beth’s plans for the upcoming masquerade ball.
“I know it’s months away, yet,” Beth said. “But, with all the rumors flying around, I’m worried about the impact my family’s involvement may have on the success of the outcome.”
“Beth, don’t worry,” Gracie said, putting her hand on top of her friend’s. Chloe could see the genuine concern in her eyes. “People won’t boycott the ball. It’s for a great cause.”
“But we’re associated with the money trail and with the way things are going—”
“No. Stop that. The gala is going to be a great success. We’ll make sure of it. Okay?”
Chloe looked up as a tall and very handsome man walked over to their table. He had jet-black hair, closely cropped to his well-shaped head, and his muscular build sat comfortably beneath a distinguished suit that hugged his shoulders like a lover’s caress. Beth saw Chloe staring and followed her gaze.
“Ah, Grant,” she acknowledged as he drew closer to the table. “It’s good to see you. Chloe, I don’t believe you’ve met Doctor Grant Everett, yet? Grant, this is Chloe Fitzgerald. She’s visiting with Miles at present.”
“Ladies,” he said with a nod. “Look, I don’t want to take up your time but, Beth, I just wanted to say that your family has my full support, and I know there are many other club members who feel the same way. You guys do great work and you’re well respected for what you give back to the community.”
Chloe saw tears spring to Beth’s eyes.
“Thank you, Grant. That means a lot to me.”
He nodded again. “Please pass on my regards to the rest of your family.”
“I will.”
The three women watched as the doctor moved away from the table.
“It’s a sin,” Gracie said solemnly.
“A sin?” Chloe asked, confused.
“That a man should be that good-looking and single.”
The three women laughed at Gracie’s comment, but then Gracie got serious.
“Beth, see? That’s what I mean. You have the support of so many people. You seriously don’t need to worry about the fundraiser. And if every person in support of your family makes it clear they won’t listen to the lies or speculation, it’ll soon die down.”
Beth gave her assistant a weak smile. “Well, I certainly hope so. Cam has thrown his full support behind us, too but I still worry that we won’t be welcome in Royal society for much longer.”
“Anyone who turns their back on you, turns their back on me, too. We don’t need them in our lives.”
“Bless you, Gracie. You’re my rock.”
“And speaking of rocks. How’s Sebastian coping?”
Chloe noticed there was more than a little interest in the tone of Gracie’s question. Maybe there was some exasperation there, too? She wondered what that was about.
“You see him as a rock?” Beth said with a giggle.
“Yup,” Gracie said lightly. “He’s strong, reliable and generally immovable once he’s on a course of action. This business will be tearing him up inside.”
“He’s doing everything he can to get to the root of who’s responsible. Together with Sutton and Miles, they’re constantly having meetings. Not having access to the WinJet offices and computers anymore is frustrating them intensely.”
Chloe flitted a glance to Beth and then across to Gracie. Did Gracie know the full extent of what was happening? Chloe had the impression from Ava and from Miles’s reticence to discuss the matter with her in much detail, that the family had closed ranks on talking about what was going on with outsiders. But then again, as Beth’s assistant, maybe Gracie wasn’t considered to be an outsider. Not like Chloe was.
Beth must have noticed the concern on her face because she said, “It’s okay. Gracie is up to speed on everything. I trust her with my life.”
“And Mrs. Wingate, how’s she managing?” Gracie asked with obvious concern.
“Well, you know my mom. Always presents like a swan gliding along the surface without a care in the world, while all the time she’s pedaling flat out beneath the surface of the water. I have noticed, though, she’s leaning more and more on Uncle Keith. I can’t say I’m happy about it. Aunt Piper assures me that Mom just sees him as a friend. I can only hope she’s right, because as a partner, Uncle Keith is all wrong for her.”
Beth shook her head. “Look, we didn’t come here to talk about Wingate business. We came here to celebrate you. So let’s celebrate.”
“Good, I’m in a mood to celebrate. Shall we have champagne with our lunch?” Gracie suggested.
“Champagne for lunch. I’m in! What are we celebrating?” Chloe asked.
“Gracie recently had a healthy win in the lottery,” Beth disclosed quietly. “She’s just received her check and I’m expecting her resignation any day now.”
“Healthy win? It was an obscene amount of money,” Gracie confirmed with a broad grin. “And as to my resignation, I haven’t decided what to do yet, so you’re stuck with me for a while longer.”
“Wow, congratulations, Gracie! How does it feel to be a winner? I don’t know if I could even comprehend how to manage something like that, although I’d probably start with sending my mom on a fabulous vacation,” Chloe said with a happy smile.
Gracie grinned back. “Well, I’m doing something like that. I’m sending my mom and baby brother to Florida to live near my aunt. I’m buying them a beautiful house and sending my brother to an exclusive private boys’ school, where he’ll get the opportunity to really make something of himself.”
Chloe could feel the enthusiasm and joy pouring off the other woman as she shared her plans. “That sounds fantastic. They must be so excited. And will you go down there, too?”
“Right now I’m undecided. What with the ball and everything, I don’t feel like it’s a good time to abandon Beth.”
“For which I’m grateful, Gracie, but you can’t put your life on hold for me. You need to follow your own heart. Find a man to love and want to settle down with. Have a family.”
Gracie’s eyes grew misty, and Chloe couldn’t help but feel that she was very probably thinking of one particular person. Was it Sebastian?
“You know I’ve always wanted kids, but with all the guys suddenly turning up in my life since the lotto win, I’m not sure if I could trust anyone not to be with me just for my money. Sometimes I think it might just be easier to make an appointment with our friend Doctor Garrett at the fertility clinic and have a baby on my own.”
The ladies laughed together, but Chloe couldn’t miss the note of seriousness in what Gracie had said. It made her pause for thought. Ever since she and her mom had left Texas, they’d lived on the bare minimum. She’d dreamed of having enough money one day to be able to go shopping for groceries without having to count every penny. To live like a Wingate, basically. But it seemed money brought its own problems, too. It was a side of things she hadn’t really considered before.
* * *
It was late afternoon when she and Beth returned to the Wingate estate after what had turned into a truly lovely afternoon with Gracie. The longer she spent with the women, the more she realized, all differences in their upbringings aside, they could truly be friends.
Chloe had never had a large group of friends growing up. Her mom had been relying on her to make something of her life, so she had done whatever she could academically and on the track to ensure she’d be eligible for scholarships, which meant she hadn’t had the time to socialize like her peers. But an afternoon like this one? Well, it had served to remind her that her life hadn’t been as balanced as it probably should have been. As they started up the long driveway, Chloe turned to Beth, who was driving.
“Thank you so much for includ
ing me today. It was really lovely to meet Gracie and to spend time with you both.”
Beth gave her a big smile in return. “You’re welcome. I know your visit with us hasn’t been under the best circumstances, but I can see how much you mean to Miles. You’re important to him. I want you to feel included, and I look forward to getting to know you better. You can never have too many friends in this world, right?”
Chloe smiled in return and looked out the front window of the car feeling a whole lot lighter than she had since she’d arrived here. She was fitting in. She was being accepted as a part of Miles’s life, and it felt marvelous. There was one dark spot on the horizon, though. The way she’d engineered their meeting. She had to come clean with him and face the consequences of that. She owed it to him. He’d been nothing but up-front with her and he deserved her honesty.
As they neared the house, she spied a different car parked out front. The vehicle was dusty with road grime, as if it had done some miles before getting here.
“That looks like my aunt Piper’s car. We weren’t expecting her,” Beth mused aloud as she pulled up next to the other vehicle.
They got out of the car and Chloe immediately spied the infant car seat secured in the back. Just as she did so, the front door opened, and a young woman holding a small boy, who couldn’t have been more than about four, stood in the doorway.
“Oh my! Harley! Daniel! You’re home!” Beth cried.
Chloe watched as Beth ran up the stairs and enveloped her little sister and her nephew in a big welcoming hug. The two women greeted one another with genuine affection. Another, slightly older woman joined them, and Beth squealed with joy and hugged her warmly, too. Chloe spotted the newcomer’s resemblance to Ava almost immediately. She must be the aunt that Beth had mentioned lived in Dallas. When she’d spoken of her, it had been with much warmth and love. More so than when she spoke of her own mother. Beth turned back to Chloe and gestured for her to come on and meet everyone.
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