“You better hop out then. Wolves get hungry this time of night.” I popped up an eyebrow in challenge.
His gaze went over me, letting out a laugh.
“There is a lot more spunk to you than your appearance lets on.” He licked his lips as he patted his damp forehead with a handkerchief and stuffed it back in his jacket pocket. The room was warm with tons of bodies but didn’t feel stuffy to me. “Which I like. Need to syphon that energy.”
“You are vile.”
“You’ve said that before.” He curled his fingers at a server carrying champagne around the room. Setting his empty glass down, he took two more, handing one to me. “Doesn’t take away the fact you need me.”
“I don’t need anything from you.”
“You’re ready to let your family live in squalor? Lose everything? Reputation? Your family will never be able to work in this country again. They’ll be shamed and tossed out of any respectable circle. You’d do that to your baby sister just to spite me?”
My hand clamped down on the glass.
“I’m willing to be slightly lenient about you missing our meeting.” He took a drink, looking around, acting like the words being spoken between us were casual and polite. “But only if you show me how willing you are to protect your family.”
“You are disgusting,” I spat.
“Don’t push me, Spencer.” His eyes flamed. “I think I’m being very generous and patient. I have the means to destroy you. Your spirit is amusing for only so long. If you aren’t in my office the day after tomorrow…” The threat was in everything he said and didn’t say. He drew out the cloth again, dabbing at his head. “Why do they insist on having it so bloody hot in here,” he muttered, his gaze coming back to me. “It’s on you, my girl…if you want to keep your family from ruin. And speaking of…”
“Spencer!” My sister’s voice was like a fish hook, twisting in my chest and twirling me to the tiny girl running for me. Seeing her, emotion instantly burst out my throat in a quiet cry. Her arms wrapped around me. I squeezed her tight, not caring about the pain.
“Olivia.” I didn’t care who was watching or seeing a tear slide down my cheek. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you more.” She pulled back, her huge eyes looking at me. “When are you coming home?”
Knife to the gut.
Sooner than you think, I thought, if we still have a home left.
“Spencer.” My parents rushed to me. For once, neither of them kept in the lines, showing affection in their hugs, their expressions full of love and anguish.
“We were beside ourselves.” Dad’s voice wobbled. “We called and called; no one would let us speak with you.”
“We knew you’d be properly looked after. Theo was so kind. He loves you so much.” Mom hugged me again before she stepped back, brushing at her dress, her face going into her reserved mask.
Aunt Lauren and Uncle Fredrick were right behind. Lauren took me into a hug, but my uncle’s attention went past me, glaring.
Jerking my head around, I saw Lord William leaning against a table. He lifted his drink, smirking at both Fredrick and me.
“Freddy!” Aunt Lauren smacked his chest, flicking her head in my direction.
“Yes.” He cleared his throat. “We are so glad you are all right. You gave us a fright, my dear girl.” In his awkwardness, I could hear genuineness there, which shocked me.
“Where’s Landen?” I peered around, my heart pleading to see my cousin. I ached, missing him more than I could let myself think about.
“I’m sorry, he’s still in military camp.” Aunt Lauren patted my hand. “He’s hoping to be home for Christmas Eve.”
I swallowed back the sadness. Life at the palace had weeks passing in a blink, but seeing my family, Olivia’s hand holding my mine, the depths to which I missed them, especially Landen and Mina, swallowed me whole.
“How’s he doing?”
“We only speak to him every few weeks, but he’s doing great.” Lauren tried to smile, but it wobbled with falseness. “He really likes it.”
Landen was in hell. We all knew that…and I wasn’t there for him.
“We’re just so proud of both of you.” Aunt Lauren pushed on. “My boy becoming a soldier and you…a future queen. I know there have been some ups and downs, but that’s all changing.” She pressed her hands into her fancy new dress at her breastbone. “The Sutton name is the buzz of our town. Of the world! I couldn’t be prouder of this family.”
“Me, either.” My father squeezed my arm, his touch injecting my system with a flood of guilt and grief, all their hopes and dreams pinning me down.
“Me too!” Olivia squealed as my mother dabbed secretly at her eyes.
My uncle’s gaze burrowed into me.
Brick after brick stacked on my shoulders, my lungs fluttering with weight.
If I walked away from Theo or ignored Lord William, every brick would come tumbling down. My family would lose everything.
Suddenly I couldn’t breathe, my throat closing in on itself. The room spun, heating to the point my skin was sticky with perspiration.
“Excuse me,” I croaked, letting my sister’s hand go.
“Spencer?” My mom called after me, but I didn’t stop, rushing out of the room like it was crumbling down on me.
Stealing all the air and my freedom.
Chapter 6
“Spencer.” A hand caught my arm near the exit, his rough voice lurching more anxiety through me. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
He was the last thing I could deal with right now.
“Let go.” Whirling back to Lennox, I tugged at his hold, his nearness inflicting need, my heart speeding up.
“I saw you with Lord William. What did he say to you?” He loomed over me, his gaze tracking mine for an answer. Protective. Concerned.
“Nothing,” I gritted.
“Did he threaten you again?”
“I can take care of myself.”
“What did he say to you?” He growled.
My gaze shot back to the man in question, his glossy blue eyes were on us, a slow grin growing as he watched us. His delight at what he was witnessing was obvious. And what was worse? He was the closest to the truth out of everyone.
“Let me go. Please. Don’t give him more fuel.” Panic shook my muscles. I needed to get out of this room, away from two men who could take my home and the one who could take my heart.
Lennox looked down at his hand, holding me with authority. A claim to do so. Familiarity a guard should not have.
He dropped his hand, stepping back.
“Stay away from me,” I croaked out, rushing out of the ballroom, curving around corners, finding an unoccupied bathroom in the far east wing away from most of the activity.
Gripping the counter, I slipped out of my aching heels and leaned into the vanity, sucking in air. The cage around me was closing in. I couldn’t give into Lord William. The thought gurgled bile and disgust in my stomach. But if I went to Theo, he’d want to help. How could I ask him that when I just broke up with him? It wasn’t fair, and I would feel obligated to him.