Set in Stone: A Contemporary Adventure Romance Novel (Legend Book 1)
Page 14
“You will go with me to the dinner tomorrow night. Orla will get your measurements and seek out a suitable dress. Sunday, we shall rewrite the contract, so you no longer have to come with me.” His eyes grew cold. The wall wedged between us was higher was than ever. “You should learn to read before you sign things, Ms. York. You’re lucky all I’m asking for is your company. I could have been a wiser man and asked for much more.”
With that, he left me quivering in the dining room. Orla rushed in and took me in her motherly arms. I sobbed, telling her between gasping breaths how horrible Avalon was and how I wanted to go home. She managed to soothe me enough to get me to stand and walked me back to my room.
“If there is one thing I know about the duke—when he takes an interest in someone, it is an honest one.” She patted my back. “He’d never harm you, child. He has a temper as hot as the sun, but you are slowly putting him back in his place. You are good for him.”
“But he’s horrible for me. I don’t want to see him. I can’t go with him.” I sat on the bed, defeated.
Orla sat down next to me.
“I know it seems that way now, love. Chin up. Sunday, he’ll rewrite the contract. He’s good for his word. Always.” She stroked my hair. “And I can assure you, he’s feeling worse than an arse right now for putting the fear of God in you.” She ran fingers through my hair. “Who knows what’s waiting for you at that dinner. Maybe you’ll find what you need. Whether it is strength or solace, only you will know.”
Nodding, I leaned my head on her shoulder. “Thank you for being so kind.”
“He’s a tough man.” She sighed. “But I think you are helping to smooth over his rough edges.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you.”
Everything was happening too fast. First, the gala with the Royals, and now, a dinner for a charity? I glared at my reflection in the full-length mirror. The red dress highlighted everything about me I liked, and right now, I hated that. The long gown was a sheath design with off-the-shoulder straps and a sweetheart neckline. The back buttoned all the way down to the base of my spine.
Orla was placing the finishing touches on my half up, half down hair. The set of diamonds and rubies that Avalon had gifted me went well with the shade of crimson. My makeup was on point, lips as red as a rose—I was pretty sure the container said the color was called Seduction.
“You look ready to go, love.” Orla stepped back and beamed.
“I couldn’t do it without you. You must meet Elaine, my roommate. You would get along famously with her.”
I tried to stay positive. I took my silver clutch, another new gift, and I followed Orla, who held my red shawl. Pridwen sat tucked deep in the clutch. I would hate to become an infamous dragon slayer so quickly.
As I stared down to the first floor, I saw Avalon waiting for me. His vest matched the red of my dress. It made me ill at how he seemed to enjoy this game of house. Intense eyes once again received me in approval. He offered his hand at the base of the steps, but I walked right by him.
“We don’t want to be late,” I snapped.
Orla rested the shawl over my shoulders before I stepped into the cool night air.
“Very well, then.” The duke fell into step next to me, taking it upon himself to open my door as we reached the car.
Rolling my eyes, I ducked down and sat demurely against the leather seat. Avalon got in on the other side and nodded at M.
The painful drive into London was as exciting as watching paint dry.
“You do look very beautiful.”
Avalon leaned over during the ride, and I glanced over at him. I had to shove the fluttering in my stomach down quickly.
“Thank you . . . that’s what you said last time. I believe that was the same night you told me you couldn’t wait to not see me ever again.” I turned my head with a proud air to stare out the window.
Avalon sucked his breath through his teeth, and I heard a thud when his elbow rested on the car door.
We didn’t speak again until we pulled up to the high-class restaurant.
Avalon exited first, buttoning his jacket and coming around to my side. I watched him smile and nod to the few photographers waiting. Opening my door, he offered me his hand again. This time, I knew I couldn’t refuse, so I obeyed. I stepped out of the Aston once more and posed alongside my keeper, plastering a radiant smile on my face. I was all too happy to enter the building and leave the outside behind.
“I must use the washroom.” I excused myself from Avalon’s side.
He reached out and grabbed my wrist, pulling me back with such a force our bodies collided.
“Do me a bloody favor. Do not speak to anyone like last time, hmm?”
I made a face and rolled my eyes at him. “As you wish, my lord.” I mock bowed to him before walking away with a sway to my hips. Obviously, I was getting under his skin.
I relieved my bladder and touched up my makeup. This was just a dinner, maybe some slow, boring dancing, and then boom—I could go home.
“Orla, you’ve outdone yourself.” I turned back and forth in the mirror, loving every angle the dress showed off. “You can slay the dragon,” I told my reflection. Nodding to myself, I walked with growing confidence.
I would play the part of perfect consort. I would dazzle and make him wonder why he’d ever said and done such deplorable things. I would make him want me more, just so I could get the final jab in when I left. The Duke of Nothingness.
I entered a large banquet hall and searched the crowd. I didn’t have M to lean on, nor did I recognize anyone here from the gala. I found Avalon talking to a man who had his back turned to me. The Dragon saw me and nodded, feigning a smile and tapping the gentleman on his shoulder.
The universe slowed to a halt. In a matter of seconds, all sound ceased. My smile dropped to shock as the tall stranger faced me. Nothing else mattered at that moment. A strange, electric heat flooded me from head to toe as memories rushed to the forefront of my mind.
That permanent five o’clock shadow, the Roman nose, full mouth, and green eyes made my knees buckle. I knew every inch of his tall, broad form. I never thought I’d see him again. He had left.
I watched his face go through as many emotions as I was feeling, and he took a step toward me.
Yes. Come back to me. Save me from that horrible beast.
My feet moved without me telling them to. My body reacted to his. I could already feel our energies playing that familiar tug-of-war.
I was so enraptured by this moment of complete wonder.
I saw no one but him.
I didn’t even see Avalon.
The man I did see was the man I gave myself to completely years ago.
His name escaped my lips like a prayer. “Lancer.”
Fourteen
Avalon
If I had known this would happened, I would have kept her locked in her room and never asked anything of her. Had I known what I know now, I would have retracted my invitation. My gut lurched when I saw her face as the man next to me turned. Something inside my mind broke or cracked—something. An ache in my soul echoed centuries of loss and desperation. The weaker man inside fell to his knees as her face gave him everything I had prayed for her to give me.
Love.
Pure, raw, passionate love.
So this was the “Allie” Lancer had told me about. The young, beautiful girl from Norfolk who had stolen his heart and made him fall in love. The girl who had him by such a noose he bought her a ring. The girl he had left due to his career because of my urging there would be more women. Without knowing it—the woman I wanted, had to possess, was already under his spell.
Words wanted to form, but the air rushed from my lungs as another blow landed over my chest. This wasn’t real. Lancer couldn’t be the man Alexandria couldn’t get over. I didn’t know what to feel. I watched her walk to him with devotion, such trust. As if time wasn’t an issue between them. As if she still waited for him.
You lost her. I thought I knew what devastation was. But this, this hurt so badly I thought if I wanted to, I could cry.
Damn her.
Damn him.
Damn him for having her.
Dammit!
That familiar embrace of darkness slipped around me, protecting me.
No, I would win. I would not lose. I had her right where I wanted her. Our past mistakes bound her to me and only me. Only I knew that truth, and that was what would keep her mine forever.
“Lancer?”
Even the way she spoke his name made me want to kill the very youth I raised on the spot. I had raised Lancer well—too well.
He smiled warmly at her, reaching for her. “Well, the angels are singing tonight. Allie, how are you?”
His deep, Northern border accent irritated me.
Don’t touch her.
He didn’t just touch her; he embraced her. I watched the entire thing, trying to control my rage. The beast within tore at his chains, pulled at the bars, begging to be unleashed.
Her face. The complete serenity that washed over her beautiful face as he held her close was the only thing that kept me from falling over the edge. She was completely safe with him. With Lancer, her lover.
I lowered my eyes, giving them the space needed for a re-acquaintance. If I watched any more, I wasn’t sure how intact my soul would remain.
“What are you doing here?” Alexandria broke the embrace and looked up into Lancer’s eyes.
I watched him carefully—how he looked at her, how he touched her. My gut sank further—he still looked at her with adoration.
“I work with a few charities of my own.” He gave her a wink. “I was even knighted last May.”
“Sir Lancer Rivers? You’ve certainly done well for yourself.” Her smile was tight.
That made me curious. The initial wave of delight at seeing him might be wearing off as she remembered he had left her.
“You two know each other, I take it?” I broke the silence with a half-smile. Rocking onto my toes, I shrugged. “Small world, eh?”
“Oh, excuse my manners. Alexandria York, this is—”
Lancer turned to introduce me, but Alexandria interrupted.
“The Duke of Avalon, the Black Duke, the Dragon, just to name a few.”
She crossed her arms and glowered at me while I chuckled into my rocks glass.
“I do enjoy it when you get testy, Ms. York.”
Lancer looked back and forth between us and then put two and two together.
“Avalon, this isn’t the artist who’s working for you, is it?”
The concern in his wide, green eyes made me chuckle.
I shrugged again. “Indeed. Ms. York is here with me. We attended His Royal Highness’s Charity Gala just this past week.” Knowing I was pushing my luck with Alexandria, I moved to stand next to her. “It’s a bit strange how your little Allie is now my Ms. York.”
“I am no one’s anything,” she hissed.
She was rigid against me. I felt the tension rolling off her like a tidal wave.
Lancer’s mouth twitched into a downward frown, obviously picking up on Alexandria’s unease.
His eyes narrowed and brows furrowed. “It certainly is.”
Alexandria looked back and forth between Lancer and me. The poor woman was going to get whiplash.
“How do you two know each other?”
Her eyes fell on Lancer, who shamefully lowered his head. I decided this was the perfect time to make her head truly spin. The anguish that rocked me earlier had turned to cold, visceral revenge.
“You never did tell her about me, did you, Lancer? Well, I never knew that you and Allie were the same girl.” I stuffed my hand into my trouser pocket and gave a wolfish grin. “I raised Lancer. He grew up under my roof and in my care. Though, when he went to college, I can understand why he never spoke of me.” I pointed my rocks glass at her. “It’s a hard thing, being brought up in a dragon’s lair. You know rumors abound.”
Alexandria gave me the reaction I wanted. Her lips parted, and she quickly looked back at Lancer.
“You said you were a foster child.” She reached out to rest a hand on his arm. “You didn’t tell me. Why?”
Perfect. Pit the lies and the truth against each other.
The look Lancer shot me made me feel a bit bad. He’d always run to me as a child when he was hurt; he’d confided his deepest feelings and fears in me. Now, here he was, a grown man. A grown man who had let the woman he loved long ago, and now, she was within my gilded cage. He knew who I was. He’d been in awe and admired my history. He said he’d always wanted to be just like me.
I met his glare with softer eyes. He had become me when he walked away from an amazing thing like Alexandria and had pursued his career. A part of me had been proud; a part had been disappointed.
“Perhaps you two should take a moment to catch up.” I was cautious in my words. “And clear the air?”
Alexandria pursed her lips at me. Red was her color. It was the color of passion, love, and intimacy. Red was also the color of rage, blood, and loss—my color. She surprised me by nodding once.
“I believe that should happen.” Alexandria agreed. “Lancer?”
Lancer looked at her like a kicked puppy. “Of course, Alexandria. I’ve missed you.”
My eyes blinked slowly, taking that as the metaphorical punch he wanted to throw my way. He and I had our arguments over the years. We were both complete alphas. I sneered inwardly. He had yet to realize I would reign supreme.
“Excuse us, Your Grace.” She dipped herself before me. A loose curl had bounced its way out of the pin and fell into her eyes.
I stepped forward to meticulously move it back into place, allowing my eyes to search hers.
“Ms. York.” The backs of my fingers brushed her cheek. My lips offered a slight smile.
She was so transfixed under me that she didn’t flinch from me.
“Alexandria.” Lancer broke up the small victory for me.
She moved toward him, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. He shot me a warning look that clearly stated: Do not touch her.
I gave a devilish smile in return.
She’s already mine.
Fifteen
Alexandria
Lancer’s strong arm around my shoulders reminded me that this was real. This wasn’t a dream. He was really here. He led us from the noisy banquet hall and sought out a quieter space in the lounge. Sitting across from him in a comfortable chair, I took him in. From his tousled brown hair, thick brows, and forest green eyes, all the way down his muscled body. My eyes drank him in as if I were dehydrated.
“Allie, I didn’t think I’d see you in a place like this.” He reached over and took my hand in his larger, calloused one, warming my entire body with his touch.
“It could be worse; at least, it’s a high-society dinner and not a trashy pub.” I tried to make a joke of the situation.
Lancer’s eyes swept over my body. When he met my gaze again, I saw hints of the man who gave me the best sleepless night of my life.
“How did you come in contact with Avalon?” His low baritone was so different from Avalon’s tenor. He had been brought up on the northern border of England as a child, close to Scotland. At least, I thought he had been. Now, I wasn’t so sure.
He still lived there, from what the newspaper articles had said about him. His accent was thicker, with more of a rolling highland than my English. It was one thing I loved about him. He was rugged, every ounce a man.
“Elaine and I were out riding one day, and we wandered off the trail.” With a sigh, I gave a wan smile. “We ran smack into the man.”
“That doesn’t explain why you are working for him?” Lancer’s eyes were critical.
I licked my dry lips. “He came to my art show for the CAC. I met him a
gain then.”
Lancer played with his hands. “I heard he purchased a piece from you that night.”
“Yes, that is correct.” Had Lancer been keeping up with me? I wasn’t by any means famous, but I was known as a rising artist and a giver to charities. It was in my blood. My family had been giving for generations.
“Now, he has commissioned a piece from you?” he asked.
“Yes. I should be done in about three months. Maybe a bit longer.” I shrugged. “It all depends.”
Lancer stopped asking so many questions and just studied me. I had so many questions for him.
Why did you leave me after you told me you loved me?
Have you missed me?
Do you ever think about me and us?
“How did Avalon come to raise you?” I asked that one instead. Avalon didn’t look any older than early thirties. In the moments when he closed the space between us, I could see flecks of gray in his jet-black hair.
Lancer sat back in his seat, running a hand through brown locks. “He took me in as a foster kid when I was eight. He raised me as a brother.” He looked guilty. “I never told people because I wanted to make my own way once I was in college. He never adopted me, so I always saw him as an older brother.”
“He’s so much older, though? I mean . . . he has to be. If you were eight, Lancer, it doesn’t make sense.” I shook my head, waving my hands. “He has to be pushing fifty, yet he looks no older than you are. And you’re thirty.”
He gave a slight smile at that. “You remember how old I am?”
“Three years older than I am.” I nodded. “I haven’t forgotten anything, Lancer.”
Nodding in agreement, he asked, “How have you been?”
“I’ve been better. My life is taking off without me, it seems.” I gave a soft laugh. “It seems your career has taken off with you.”