“Good morning, Marek,” she said as she rose from her chair, forcing some warmth into her voice and the smile she plastered across her face. “William is in his office, please go through.”
With a last lingering stare and smirk, Berishka stalked across the room and into William’s office, followed by his shadow Novak, who firmly closed the door behind them.
Amory shook her head. Berishka and his henchman clearly wanted her to know her place. Well, she would show them. Reaching for a Crunchie from the restocked stash in her desk, she acknowledged bravado was much easier to come by when they weren’t in the room with her, and even better if it was reinforced with chocolate.
Having planted the recording devices in William’s office that morning, she relaxed, knowing that her job was done for the time being. She had long since learned to focus on the present, although that didn’t mean getting through the next couple of days wouldn’t be a challenge. It also didn’t stop her thoughts from heading to Jackson or the dreaded ball at every opportunity.
The ball was a huge deal with around a hundred guests arriving that very evening. William had long since broken the tradition of many of them staying at the house, so at least it was only the evening itself. However, that still left huge amounts of work. She might not actually be William’s assistant but that didn’t change the fact that someone had to do some serious last minute-organizing if the ball was going to happen. Fortunately she had a secret weapon. She wasn’t actually doing any of it, she’d shared the list with the DCI’s assistant Sarah who’d worked her magic. The woman was a miracle worker and had coordinated a list of seemingly endless tasks including flowers, music, waitstaff, entertainers, party decorations, and table plans on such short notice.
Deciding to take the opportunity to get caught up on the details while her quarry were busy, she called Sarah for an update.
“Open the attachment and I’ll talk you through the details,” Sarah said.
Cradling the phone between her shoulder and head, Amory opened the file and made notes as Sarah talked her through the arrangements and the schedule for the day.
“I can’t believe how much you’ve pulled off in just a few days.”
“I think I’ve even impressed myself. Let’s just be glad William hadn’t actually told everyone it was off after James told him he wasn’t approving the expenditure. Getting all of these people to attend on a few days’ notice would have been impossible.”
“I don’t know, I think you could have managed it. You’re amazing. Thank you so much,” Amory said as she ended the call.
Looking at the long list of tasks, she gave herself a pep talk. Sarah might have made all the arrangements but she needed to make sure they all happened as planned. Maggie had taken responsibility for selecting the catering company and menu choice, which according to Sarah, was the part of the proceedings that would need the most effort now that the day was here. While Maggie was busy with that, checking the suppliers off on her list was turning out to be helpful for keeping Amory’s mind occupied, and keeping her away from Berishka and Novak. The less interest she showed in them, the more likely they were to relax their guard and say something incriminating.
Despite the fact she hadn’t had to do any of the real hard work preparing for the ball, she still felt exhausted. When the last task was done, she had finally shown Roberts through to her desk so he could use the area, which would be out of bounds for guests, to organize his equipment for the evening. He was here ostensibly to take photos of the event and the guests for the society pages, but was a very handy cover to get some shots of Berishka and Novak.
While she was busy, someone had delivered her gown for the evening. Hanging from a hook on the wall was the most amazing dress Amory had ever seen, made of an iridescent green fabric that hung in beautiful folds. Amory couldn’t resist crossing the room to touch it. Holly had been true to her word and bought her a dress fit for a modern day princess. Amory looked down at the creased skirt and laddered tights she was wearing before looking back up at the dress. She only hoped she could pull it off.
Hours, and what felt like three tons of makeup, later. Amory made her way down the staircase. Holding onto the mahogany beveled banister that glowed with the warmth of centuries of use, she tried to remind herself that the extra layer of glamour was just to help her play the part, but she couldn’t help wondering how Jackson would respond to her new look. It was probably delusional to think he’d still be interested after her meltdown that morning but she couldn’t quite quell the flicker of anticipation.
As she walked across the wide hallway to the drawing room, the deep timbre of male voices drifted toward her, William’s and Jackson’s clearly distinguishable from the Slavic tones of the other two men. Jackson’s warm tone, normally so soothing, sent nerves dancing around in her stomach as delicately as a herd of baby elephants. Pausing, she plastered a smile across her face in time to enter the room.
Conversation stalled at her entrance, and the men looked at her in unison. At their expressions her smile faltered and disappeared completely.
“Um, sorry for keeping you waiting,” she said awkwardly, unable to take her eyes from Jackson’s face. He’d shaved and it was like being thrown back in time. Fine lines framed his eyes and his face had broadened along with his body, but seeing him with his hair neatly combed back from his face and his exposed jaw was like standing in front of Jack. His dark blond hair curled around the collar of a simple black tuxedo with a white shirt that accentuated his tanned skin. The deep chocolate color of his eyes deepened as the light of the fire flickered across his strong jaw, and the effect was breathtaking.
“Olivia, would you like a drink?” he asked, his gaze fixed on hers.
Hearing him address her as Olivia worked as a trigger to break the spell he seemed to have her under. Blinking hard and curling her fingers into fists to resist the urge to reach out and stroke his now smooth skin, she cleared her throat.
“Thank you, Lord Halland, a bourbon would be lovely.”
As he turned his back she took a deep breath, trying to get her equilibrium back. Her chest fluttered from the intensity of his attention. From knowing he still wanted her, despite knowing they’d both be better off if he didn’t.
His hand was steady as he walked across the threadbare carpet, arm outstretched to pass her the tumbler he held. The expression of determination and curiosity as he gazed at her was familiar and the flickers of pleasure at his reaction died. This was an expression she recognized from all those years ago. He had something in his sights and she knew he wouldn’t stop until he had what he wanted. As he handed her the glass he held on for a split second longer than necessary, brushing his thumb lightly over her fingers. She flinched away from the contact but not before heat began to spread up her arm.
“Calling me Lord Halland won’t keep me away, so stop it,” he whispered, giving her a half-smile so quickly she wondered if she’d imagined it.
Pulling her shoulders back she turned her thoughts from Jackson. She was sitting in a room with one of the worst criminals alive, and thanks to her raging hormones she had barely registered his presence. Losing focus was dangerous. Losing focus could get them all killed.
Chapter Nineteen
Despite his bored expression, Amory could feel the tension rolling off Jackson as she allowed Novak to raise her hand to his lips. His mouth lingered longer than was polite and relief flooded her as Maggie came in to announce that the first guests were arriving. Even the look of disgust she shot Amory didn’t reduce her joy at the interruption.
She stood to assist William by ensuring that his guests received a pre-dinner drink as they arrived. The guests were a mix of ages but everyone was dressed in the finest clothes she had ever seen. The gowns alone would have been able to support the economy of a reasonably sized country without any problem, and that was before taking into account the dazzling jewels. It was just as well she knew there was no future for her with Jackson. If she hadn’t already be
en sure, it would have been obvious now that she would never fit into this world.
Just as the room around them seemed to be too full for anyone else to join them, Maggie came through to announce dinner.
As usual, the older woman fussed around William and Jackson as they took their seats in the grand dining room. The Georgian table was set up to comfortably seat the hundred people in attendance and Amory didn’t think she had ever seen anything so perfect. If she hadn’t spotted Maggie overseeing the setup with a ruler, she would have been completely bemused as to how they had lain the table so precisely. Maggie ruffled Jackson’s too-long hair with affection while simultaneously shooting looks of poison across the table at Amory, as William held the seat out for her to take her place to his right.
At least the food was great, she thought, as a plate of locally reared pork cooked under Maggie’s watchful eye was placed in front of her. For the hundredth time she wished she could be one of those girls you hear about who find nerves cripple their appetite. It would be great to lose weight in a crisis. She’d always found the opposite.
Work didn’t generally stress her out. She was experienced and confident in her hard-earned abilities, but Berishka was more unsettling in the flesh than she’d been prepared for. That was what was causing the onset of gluttony. It wasn’t anything to do with the rush of adrenaline she had experienced watching Jackson’s perfect rear end as he walked ahead of her to the dining room.
With William to her left and Novak to her right, Amory sat opposite Jackson who had an older lady to his right and an absolutely stunning young woman on his left, sandwiched between him and Berishka. She instantly washed away all of the confidence Amory had felt earlier. Her long blonde hair was swept up into an immaculate style that sparkled as the crystals woven into it caught the light. Her perfectly manicured nails curled around the glass in front of her as she took a sip of wine and briefly looked Amory up and down, dismissing her quickly. Amory looked down at her own short, unpainted nails and resisted the urge to hide her hands.
William introduced the beauty as Lady Charlotte Asquith. Of course she would be titled as well as being a vision of perfection. The other lady close enough for her to speak with was called Celia Jacobs. Interestingly, it seemed she worked with Jackson.
Feeling rather than seeing Jackson’s eyes on her, she continued to contemplate the likelihood of chocolate torte as she tried to ignore his attention. Finally giving in, she looked up to see his deep brown eyes studying her with that same look of speculative determination on his face.
He was going to keep pushing until he got what he wanted. He’d never been someone to let things go and it looked like he had hung on to that trait. She could only hope she would be long gone before her willpower crumbled, or before he put it all together and figured out who she really was.
Dinner passed uneventfully if uncomfortably. The conversation had stuck to neutral subjects and despite Amory’s concerns, she enjoyed listening to the discussion about Jackson’s job. It wasn’t clear enough for her to figure it out completely, but as he and Celia bantered about their work it sounded like he did something to do with countryside management. It certainly explained the tan and the solid muscles.
“We’ll be fine,” Celia insisted when Jackson apologized yet again for being away.
Amory stifled a grin at the dismissive way Celia waved her hand at his words.
“Honestly, men, they all think the world will fall apart without them,” Celia added good-naturedly, rolling her eyes at Amory as she spoke. Amory found she couldn’t suppress her laugh.
The caring smile Jackson bestowed upon the older woman gave her a warm feeling at the realization he had turned things around so positively after everything that had happened.
The obvious enjoyment he found in his work sent Amory’s thoughts to her own career. She had made the decision to leave the force after this case but didn’t have any clue what she was going to do next. As much as she knew she couldn’t keep living the life she’d had for the last ten years, she was equally certain she needed to keep helping people. Quietly sighing, she decided that it was a problem for another day.
Taking a scoop of the dessert that had been placed in front of her, she licked the lemon concoction from her spoon. It was delicious but she couldn’t help a little twinge of disappointment at the fact there wasn’t a hint of chocolate in sight.
“What happened to the chocolate torte?” Jackson asked.
“You weren’t going to be here, cheeky,” Maggie replied.
“But it’s my favorite,” he said.
“I’ll make it for you before you go off again,” Maggie promised.
God, Amory sighed to herself, why couldn’t the man have some flaws? Not liking chocolate would have been a good start. William stood as they finished the coffee.
“Shall we go to the ballroom?” he asked, although it was clear it wasn’t really a question.
The assembled guests rose and Amory’s eyes narrowed as Lady Asquith curled her hand around Jackson’s arm, laying claim to him before anyone else had a chance to. Her immaculate nails looked like nothing less than the claws they clearly were. Shaking off her ridiculous reaction, Amory crossed the hallway and entered the ballroom.
Although she’d been coordinating the suppliers, she hadn’t seen the finished room and gasped as she took in the transformation. It had been done up to resemble a magical night sky. The walls were covered with swathes of deep navy chiffon embedded with crystals that twinkled as the candles all around the room reflected against them. The band members were dressed in black suits and dresses and were set up in what appeared to be an enormous ivy-covered archway. Tall tables of a pearlescent white that glowed like a multitude of moons sat around the edges of the room to hold drinks and purses as people danced. It was amazing what money could achieve.
The band shifted tempo from the gentle tune they had been playing as everyone entered the room to a louder, faster rhythm. A number of the beautifully dressed couples took to the floor, looking wonderful as they moved in unison.
Berishka and Novak, in matching tuxedos that strained across their muscles, moved to stand on each side of her. She smiled up at them, encouraging them to speak.
“How long have you worked for the Duke?” Berishka asked.
“Only a few weeks,” she replied, feeling herself relax as she did what she did best.
“Where did you work before?”
“Nowhere special, I just did temp jobs in lots of different places, that’s why I was so excited to work here.”
After a nod from Novak he asked, “And you are in a relationship with Lord Halland?”
It was odd how Berishka often waited for the go-ahead from Novak, but that wasn’t what made her hesitate, it was the question.
“You mean the Duke?” she replied.
****
Jackson was trying to hear what Amory was saying to William’s new business colleagues, trying to decide whether to do something about the way the two men crowded over her. She seemed to be handling them fine and if anything looked more relaxed than he’d seen her since the moment he’d recognized her. As he shifted, trying to get a little closer without being obvious, Lady Asquith tugged on his arm and pulled him to the dance floor. He was going to kill William. They had both known Charlotte since she was a little girl. She hadn’t been officially out in society for long, but Jackson had bumped into her in nightclubs enough over the last couple of years to know she enjoyed a party.
He was also only too aware that she had decided marrying him would be a great way to solidify her status. Even when he’d still been with Crystal she’d been less than subtle. She was a nice enough young girl but that’s all she was to Jackson—a girl. William knew as much and it had clearly amused him to sit them together at dinner. Now she was pulling him away when he really needed to keep an eye on Amory.
Smiling ruefully at Celia who was happily conversing with Charlotte’s parents, he reluctantly followed Charlotte to the
dance floor. Placing his hands on her shoulder and waist, he began to lead her around the room, all the while trying to keep an eye on Amory who now seemed to be stuck with Pavol as Marek and William chatted together.
As he spun Charlotte around again he could see Amory shake her head, but a moment later Pavol pulled her onto the dance floor and began to maneuver her around. It was quite clear she didn’t know the steps and Pavol kept pulling her closer every time she tried to create a little space between them. He fought the urge to go and drag the man off of her. Instead he waited for the song to end. As soon as it did, he took the opportunity to escort Charlotte to the side where her parents were standing. Grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, he passed it to her.
“Duke and Duchess Northshire, lovely to see you both. Could you please excuse me for a moment?”
He walked away without waiting for a reply and stalked across to where Amory and Pavol continued to make their uneasy progress around the floor.
“May I cut in?” he asked, tapping Pavol on the shoulder.
The look Pavol shot him would have made most men withdraw their request on the spot. Undeterred, he waited patiently until Pavol ungraciously handed Amory over. As he took her in his own arms he felt his tension ease. This was where she belonged. If only he could keep her here permanently, she wouldn’t ever have to deal with people like Pavol again.
“Are you enjoying your evening?”
“Um, yes, the room is beautiful.”
“As are you.”
Amory flushed but didn’t comment. He let the silence grow between them. He was careful to let her set her distance, not wanting to crowd her as Pavol had done. Instead he simply enjoyed the feel of her hands on his waist and shoulder. The sensation of touching her was enough for now.
Shadows of Our Past Page 10