The Tycoon's Socialite Bride (Entangled Indulgence) by Tracey Livesay Page A

going wide. He followed her gaze, watching as each small group learned the news. “Not like this. He can’t hear this from strangers.”
    She stumbled away from him, heading for her father, who was holding court across the room with the secretary of commerce and the CEO of a major computing company. Damn. Marcus couldn’t let her approach her father now. What would she say? He stepped in front of her and placed his hands on her forearms, his broad shoulders blocking her view.
    “Marcus, not now. I have to go. I have to get to the Senator before—”
    “Calm down. We can do this. And this might help.”
    Closing his eyes briefly and sighing, he pulled the small black velvet box from his pocket. He’d bought it the day before, after their visit to the courthouse. He wasn’t sure when he would give it to her, but something made him bring it tonight and now it appeared his decision would come in handy. He flipped open the lid to reveal a square-cut diamond with a simple platinum band.
    Pamela gasped, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. She reached out a finger and caressed the downy cushion. “I wasn’t expecting this,” she murmured, still staring at the ring.
    Nerves tightened his stomach. He slid the ring on her finger and kept his voice low. “Consider it part of the costume.”
    She held out her hand and the lights of the ballroom sparkled on the ring’s surface. She looked up and smiled…then froze. “It’s Alice.”
    “The woman you mentioned the other night? The one who’s been a mother figure to you?”
    “Yes. She’s on her way over here. She knows me better than anyone. If we can convince her, we might be able to pull this off.”
    “You never said a word,” Alice exclaimed, removing her glasses from her face and letting them hang on the platinum and diamond chain that hung around her neck.
    “I didn’t have a chance. Everything happened so quickly.”
    A bell chimed. “I have questions, but they’ll have to wait,” Alice said quietly, then raised her voice to be heard over the guests. “The first course will now be served in the Lilac Room.”
    People filed past and offered their congratulations on their way to dinner. In the commotion, Marcus lost track of the Holcombes and Pamela’s father.
    When the three of them were alone, Alice pulled Pamela into a tight hug.
    “I’m thrilled for you.” She stepped back and trailed a finger down Pamela’s cheek. “Hold on to this feeling for as long as you can.”
    Pamela laughed, the sound bubbling out of her bordering on hysteria. “Why?”
    “Senator Harrington wants to see you.”
    …
    Marcus took Pamela’s hand. “Let’s go.”
    Alice shook her head. “He doesn’t want to see the both of you, just Pamela.”
    “I’ll be fine,” Pamela said. She squeezed his hand, released it, and hurried away.
    “To say we were surprised would be an understatement,” Alice murmured.
    With reluctance, he pulled his gaze from Pamela’s retreating figure. Alice’s voice was gentle, but her eyes were shrewd as they locked on his.
    “Forgive me for being rude, but Pamela was worried about her father’s reaction to the news, and I don’t want her to deal with that on her own. Can you tell me where she’s going?”
    Her expression didn’t change. She studied him, like a puzzle she was trying to solve. Finally, her features softened and she smiled. “Good for you.” She slid her arm around his, and he instinctively crooked his elbow. They started walking, as if on a lazy afternoon stroll.
    “Pamela’s mother, Cissy, was a wonderful woman,” Alice continued. “Kind, generous, compassionate. Pamela is a lot like her, so you can forgive us for thinking she could assume the duties of first lady of the Harrington family.”
    Exiting the ballroom, Alice steered them left. Marcus concentrated on her words, aware that what she was telling him was important.
    “She’s also like Senator Harrington: determined, intelligent, driven. Which is why