buried.
Damn the man twice to the nine levels of hell.
Squaring her shoulders she let Arthur lead her to her chair. Arthur took his seat at the head of the table with Colin, Neil and Simon on the right and Andrea, Darius with her on the left. With a twinge of irritation she noticed she ended up directly across from Colin.
Just great.
She would just have to ignore him as well. After all, two could play that game. Concentrating on the food before her she filled her plate with a helping of lamb in a rosemary sauce, red potatoes with garlic and butter, succulent artichoke hearts seasoned in rosemary and olive oil and fresh baked buns still warm from the oven. She ate with relish, nearly moaning in pleasure as the flavors burst in her mouth. Never had food tasted so good.
“So, how did you get mixed up with Vance Hollister?” Arthur’s tone held a casual note as if he simply asked about the weather. Only his intense gaze told her nothing about this man was simple.
“Vance was a business acquaintance of my father. I really don’t run in the same circles as he does, but sometimes we are at the same charity functions.”
“Yet, you two seemed pretty close at Dragonwick Enterprises just a few days ago,” he pointed out.
Her appetite dwindled to a mere memory as she set her fork down by her plate. She became painfully aware that everyone stopped eating, all eyes on her and wanting her answer. Irritation rose quickly to her rescue and squaring her shoulders she met Arthur’s cool gaze. She could feel Colin’s gaze boring into her, but refused to look in his direction. She couldn’t stomach seeing the suspicion she knew would be there, if she dared to look.
“Like I have already told Mr. Hennessy, looks can be deceiving. Vance Hollister is not now nor ever been anything but a family acquaintance.”
“Well, from where I stood it sure the hell looked pretty cozy,” Simon chimed in suspicion and accusation thick in his deep voice.
Irritation quickly gave way to anger as she met the challenge in his diamond bright stare across the table. “Like the rags that print lies and false truths, it’s so easy to believe bullshit when fed it at regular intervals. I will only say this once more. I am not anything to Vance Hollister but a tool he wishes to use for his own gain.”
“A tool, how so?” Arthur pounced, as she knew he would.
Foolish move on her part she needed to keep her mouth shut.
“Everyone is a tool to him. His only goal is his own self-interest.”
“He hasn’t changed much then.” A woman’s voice cut through the tension.
Arthur and indeed, all of the men at the table sprung to their feet with smiles and warm welcomes on their faces. She rose from her seat to find the men swarming over the four newcomers. Two women and two men stood within a circle. The obvious affection on display brought home how much of an outsider she truly was. Not that she wanted to belong to this small group. She preferred her isolated life, really she did.
Juliet watched as small curvaceous raven haired woman broke from the group and headed toward her. Violet eyes sparkled with happiness, a large welcoming smile on her small fey-like features. The woman was positively stunning and somehow made her feel huge against the petite woman.
“I’m Merci Tremaine and I know you’re Juliet Boyd. The newspapers sure don’t do you any justice, but then why would they?” She grabbed Juliet’s hand and squeezed it firmly in her own. “I am very pleased to meet you.”
“Merci, don’t scare away the guest before we get to be introduced,” a tall, blond haired man admonished playfully as he made his way to the woman’s side.
Merci giggled as he tucked her possessively under his arm. “This is Drake Monroe, my husband.”
Juliet for the second time within the hour endured the sharp pang of envy watching the two of them. The love they held for each other so painfully obvious Juliet could no longer look upon them without
Damn the man twice to the nine levels of hell.
Squaring her shoulders she let Arthur lead her to her chair. Arthur took his seat at the head of the table with Colin, Neil and Simon on the right and Andrea, Darius with her on the left. With a twinge of irritation she noticed she ended up directly across from Colin.
Just great.
She would just have to ignore him as well. After all, two could play that game. Concentrating on the food before her she filled her plate with a helping of lamb in a rosemary sauce, red potatoes with garlic and butter, succulent artichoke hearts seasoned in rosemary and olive oil and fresh baked buns still warm from the oven. She ate with relish, nearly moaning in pleasure as the flavors burst in her mouth. Never had food tasted so good.
“So, how did you get mixed up with Vance Hollister?” Arthur’s tone held a casual note as if he simply asked about the weather. Only his intense gaze told her nothing about this man was simple.
“Vance was a business acquaintance of my father. I really don’t run in the same circles as he does, but sometimes we are at the same charity functions.”
“Yet, you two seemed pretty close at Dragonwick Enterprises just a few days ago,” he pointed out.
Her appetite dwindled to a mere memory as she set her fork down by her plate. She became painfully aware that everyone stopped eating, all eyes on her and wanting her answer. Irritation rose quickly to her rescue and squaring her shoulders she met Arthur’s cool gaze. She could feel Colin’s gaze boring into her, but refused to look in his direction. She couldn’t stomach seeing the suspicion she knew would be there, if she dared to look.
“Like I have already told Mr. Hennessy, looks can be deceiving. Vance Hollister is not now nor ever been anything but a family acquaintance.”
“Well, from where I stood it sure the hell looked pretty cozy,” Simon chimed in suspicion and accusation thick in his deep voice.
Irritation quickly gave way to anger as she met the challenge in his diamond bright stare across the table. “Like the rags that print lies and false truths, it’s so easy to believe bullshit when fed it at regular intervals. I will only say this once more. I am not anything to Vance Hollister but a tool he wishes to use for his own gain.”
“A tool, how so?” Arthur pounced, as she knew he would.
Foolish move on her part she needed to keep her mouth shut.
“Everyone is a tool to him. His only goal is his own self-interest.”
“He hasn’t changed much then.” A woman’s voice cut through the tension.
Arthur and indeed, all of the men at the table sprung to their feet with smiles and warm welcomes on their faces. She rose from her seat to find the men swarming over the four newcomers. Two women and two men stood within a circle. The obvious affection on display brought home how much of an outsider she truly was. Not that she wanted to belong to this small group. She preferred her isolated life, really she did.
Juliet watched as small curvaceous raven haired woman broke from the group and headed toward her. Violet eyes sparkled with happiness, a large welcoming smile on her small fey-like features. The woman was positively stunning and somehow made her feel huge against the petite woman.
“I’m Merci Tremaine and I know you’re Juliet Boyd. The newspapers sure don’t do you any justice, but then why would they?” She grabbed Juliet’s hand and squeezed it firmly in her own. “I am very pleased to meet you.”
“Merci, don’t scare away the guest before we get to be introduced,” a tall, blond haired man admonished playfully as he made his way to the woman’s side.
Merci giggled as he tucked her possessively under his arm. “This is Drake Monroe, my husband.”
Juliet for the second time within the hour endured the sharp pang of envy watching the two of them. The love they held for each other so painfully obvious Juliet could no longer look upon them without
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