“It’s so good to see you, Liam.” She pulled back, tut tutting. “You must visit us more, dear. I know you’re busy with all that teaching nonsense”—I tried to hide my flinch—“but we miss you.”
“Oh, you know how the nonsensical teaching profession is. Keeps me busy,” I said, earning a small glare from her. Though she was kind, she didn’t like it when I rocked the boat so to speak. Changing the subject, I said, “I’d like you to meet Cerise.”
My mother clutched Cerise’s hand in between hers, putting her mask back on. “Cerise. What a beautiful name. I am so pleased to make your acquaintance. Liam has never brought a woman home before…you must be something special.”
Cerise smiled warmly at my mother, a hint of a blush on her cheeks. “It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Pendragon.”
My mother waved a hand. “Oh goodness, none of that. You can call me Mary.”
We visited for a while with my mother, talking about nothingimportant. She peppered us with questions about work, feigning her interest when I could tell she really just desired to gossip with her friends. After a while, she left us to do just that.
“Your mother is sweet,” Cerise said as we weaved our way to a long table set up with even more food.
“She’s caught up in all this.” I gestured around us. “But she means well.” I picked up a plate. “Are you hungry? I was going to make us dinner before my sister so rudely interrupted our night.”
“Actually, yes. I’m starving.”
I began placing a little bit of everything on the plate. Oysters baked with spinach and breadcrumbs; toasted bread with goat cheese and fig jam; little meats cooked in a rich sauce; roasted quail.
After piling the plate as full as possible, I led us to a small table near a row of rose bushes, away from the majority of the crowd.
Cerise took a seat and I set the food before her, trading my empty champagne coupe for a full one as a waiter passed.
“Are you not eating?” Cerise asked.
“Not hungry,” I said, trying to ignore my nerves. We hadn’t seen my father or brothers yet, but we couldn’t avoid them forever.
“Liam,” Cerise admonished. “That’s your third drink. At least put some food in your stomach so the alcohol doesn’t make you sick.” She brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Please.”
“All right.” She pushed her plate toward me and stood. “Wait, Cerise. I got that for you.”
“I appreciate it, but you need it more. Eat. I’ll go get myself a plate. I’ll be right back.”
Her tone left no room for argument so I did as she asked, taking a bite of a fig and keeping an eye on the people mingling. It wasn’t long before a loud, condescending voice cut through the crowd.
Callahan, my eldest brother. Six years my senior, he was just as bad as my father, only caring about reputation andwealth. And was always on the prowl for women. I turned to his voice, only to find him in the middle of a conversation with Cerise. And she looked wholly uncomfortable.
Oh, fuck no.
Chapter 38
Misogynists
Cerise
Iplaced another piece of fruit on my plate, unable to keep myself from worrying about Liam. I’d never seen him so antsy, so unsure of himself. Though he tried to keep it hidden, it was like all his usual confidence and swagger disappeared the moment we stepped over the threshold of his parents’ home.
It was like a mirror. I saw myself in him when I had to face my mother. And now I wanted to whisk him away and rescue him from the remainder of this night, exactly like he had done for me at the gala.
“Let me get that for you, sweetheart,” a low voice spoke close behind me as a hand reached around and took my plate from my hands.
I spun around, face-to-face with an imposing man. White hair, emerald eyes, a perfectly tailored ebony suit. He looked so similar to Liam, I froze for a moment. But it wasn’t him. This man was bulkier, taller, lacking the easy smiles and friendliness. Instead, he emanated an air of condescension and disdain.
I backed up a step. “Excuse me?”
“I’ll fill your plate for you. What’s your name? I’ve never seen you before.” His eyes wandered lazily over my figure.
I straightened. “That won’t be necessary. Keep that plate. I’ll get another.”
