Lovers and Reprisals (Lovers Series) by Lori Turner Page B

about Marisela’s brother and that no one had heard from him since yesterday--and he supposed, this explained her overindulgence in wine and alcohol.  Lucien had not seen Tollin in months, and last he’d heard, due to his hair-trigger temper, most of his friends had written him off.  But not everyone had thrown in the towel and he wasn’t sure how long their devotion would last.  This morning when his guest arrived at his penthouse, according to the rumors, the doorman had rang his bell, and when there’d been no answer, the doorman had told them that Tollin Pettier more than likely wasn’t at home.  Since then, speculations of every sort churned the gossip wheels.  He’d heard a few hushed comments in passing but the careless remarks weren’t worth sharing with Marisela.  By her current state, he imagined that she’d heard an earful and by the look of her the whispers and scandalous hearsay had been discouraging.  Since arriving at the Delors’ New Year’s Day White Ball, his sister’s friend had been liberally drinking.
    They were at the top of the stairs, entering the main kitchen.  The servants were moving around stoves and granite countertops; filling trays with finger foods and busy making certain this party would be talked about for weeks to come.  Weaving through this cast of characters, Lucien used this opportunity to comfort Marisela.
    “Maris...” he said,
    “Have you contacted your parents?  By now--they may have heard something.”
    Marisela shook her head, causing the room to spin.  She said...
    “Shouldn’t have done that.”
    At first, Lucien didn’t understand what she’d meant--that is, he didn’t understand until she began leaning like a snapped branch on a tree.  He steadied her, leveling her until she stood upright. He placed one hand on either side of her shoulders, guiding her to a chair.  When he helped her down, he looked into her eyes.  The sclera was bloodshot and he imagined that tomorrow, the events of this day would be a blur.  If he was right, not remembering would be a blessing in disguise. 
    Lucien lowered his mouth near her ear, then he said...
    “Relax--I’ll get someone to take care of you.”
    The Delors celebration was a wildly popular party and attendance required that the guest wear white.  The house was packed with the who’s who of societies rich and powerful people, and they were all dressed in white on white.  The room looked like a sea of clouds, dripping jewels like raindrops, and that made spotting his sister all the more difficult.  When he thought he might have to search the entire house, across the room, Lucien spotted his sister and her husband Clive.  He gestured, causing Chantel to crane her head.  After a few seconds, she noticed that her brother was pointing at Marisela. 
    The Delors Uptown home, was one of the families larger inner city brownstones.  The place was so large that it took up half of a city block; with a helipad on the roof. Shortly after midnight, the doors had opened, and their New Year’s Day White Ball celebration had begun.  As one of the wealthier families in the city, the Delors family were somewhat like royalty.  Lucien watched as his sister tried her best to cross the room all the while being respectful whenever she was stopped to talk to a group of people.  She would smile, then say a pleasant remark, while wishing them well, and telling them to enjoy the Ball.  One after the other, Chantel chitchatted, then excu sed herself until finally she was standing alongside Lucien.
    Her brother wasted no time, saying...
    “Chantel--could you please see to your friend.  I have an errand to run.”
    Chantel looked at her brother after considering her friend.
    Mildly shocked, Chantel said...
    “Oh my lord--she looks a mess.  What happened to her?”
    “What always happens on a day like this--the story never changes.  Overindulgence.  Liqueur can be a powerful remedy for weak-minded people”
    “Lucien!