Roses are Red by Jasmine Hill

surprised,” he said bitterly. “Do you like my father, is that it? Is he who you want?”
    Lucy gave him an appraising look. She wanted Rhett. But she couldn’t get past the Camille bombshell and she didn’t want him to know how hurt she was. She wanted to protect herself, needing a shield, and the best shield at that moment was Robert.
    “Yes, I happen to like Robert and I am looking forward to attending the ball with him. Now, if you will excuse me. I need to leave.” She brushed past him without meeting his eyes. She was worried that what she would see in their depths would have her rethinking her sudden resolve. And she needed all her resolve to avoid falling back into Rhett’s arms.
     
    Rhett was furious. He couldn’t believe that his father had invited Lucy to the ball. He had only found out about it by coincidence, when one of the organisers had contacted him regarding seating arrangements. And why had Lucy accepted? Obviously she was angry with him, and hurt, but he refused to believe that she had any romantic feelings for his father.
    He’d been stalking towards Robert Hunter’s office and he took a moment to take a deep breath and relax his clenched fists. He loved his father, but the thought of him with Lucy made his blood boil. The circumstances, however, required him to keep a clear head. Starting a fight was not an option. The whole situation was irritating and he couldn’t help blaming Camille for the current state of affairs. He also had to accept part of the responsibility, he supposed. If he had been more vehement with Camille then perhaps she wouldn’t have turned up at his office like she had.
    He was certain that Lucy still felt something for him—he could sense it. And if she would let him explain, he was sure that she could find it within herself to forgive him. He just needed a chance to get her alone. To do that, he determined, he needed to sort out the present ball attendance arrangement.
    He squared his shoulders and straightened his tie then continued in the direction of Robert Hunter’s office. He was prepared to discuss matters with his father.

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
    Finally, it was February fourteenth and the evening of the Valentine’s Ball. It had been an emotional and hectic week, and Lucy had been left feeling rather frazzled by events.
    She gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She had chosen a floor-length, dark silver gown of lustrous satin. It had capped sleeves and a sweetheart neckline that showed a hint of cleavage. It was fitted to just below the waist where it flared to a gentle fishtail design. It had a low back, plunging in a V shape to the sway of her spine. It was elegant yet understated, and she felt that it suited her figure well.
    She rummaged in her fairly sparse jewellery box for something appropriate to wear. She’d never purchased much jewellery for herself, always preferring to spend any additional funds on the children or household needs, and her ex-husband had definitely never been a giver of jewellery, or anything remotely romantic. She finally unearthed a delicate silver chain with a teardrop sapphire pendant and matching earrings that had belonged to her mother. It was subtle and simple and matched her dress perfectly.
    She was nervous about the evening ahead and had thought numerous times that day about claiming a sudden illness that would preclude her attendance, but she didn’t want to leave Robert in the lurch. Another part of her wanted to see Rhett again, to show him that she was fine, that his indiscretion meant nothing to her and that she was getting on with her life.
    She grabbed a grey silk wrap from her closet and had just picked up her silver clutch purse when the doorbell chimed.
    When she opened the door, Robert greeted her cordially. He looked the epitome of the suave, sophisticated gentleman dressed in his tailored tux, crisp white shirt and black bow tie.
    He swept his gaze over her appreciatively. “You look lovely, Lucy.”