“This one’s different, Patrick. It’s the maiden voyage, invite only. And it’s—”
“Marketing, Arra. Smoke and mirrors.”
“It’ll be good for us, love. A break from work ... and all the other family shit. Just me and you. We need this, Patrick.”
It wasn’t a lie. Just not the whole truth. And now she dreads the moment he does learn the truth—that Lillith is on board.
Terminal staff have been waiting for them. The ship is being held. They’re rushed through check-in and security, and within minutes they’re heading up the VIP escalator to the gangway.
Patrick inhales deeply and reaches for her hand as they ascend. His gaze meets hers.
“You know, I think I’m actually looking forward to this now.” He squeezes her hand. “Thanks for persuading me.”
She nods and looks away, worry rising in her belly.
Softly, he says, “TheOrchidhas a jewelry boutique aboard.”
Her gaze shoots back to his. “What?”
“Maybe it’s time, Arra.”
“For what?”
“That we pick rings. Platinum bands.” His thumb strokes her palm as he speaks. “A wedding next spring, maybe?”
Her jaw drops. She stares at him, speechless—which is rare for Arrabella Fairfax, infamous for speaking her mind without the slightest provocation, and for verbally slicing and dicing with a sweetly sugared tongue.
A wedding? Finally? To Patrick McGregor, the only true son of a deceased global media mogul? It’s what Arrabella has been gunning for since her last disastrous marriage and ugly divorce. It’s why she wangled a features editing job atP.L.U.S.H., one of the magazines in a chain controlled by Patrick McGregor. Her goal from the get-go was to attract the attention of the big boss, touted as one of the most eligible bachelors in the UK. And she did. She went so far as scoring an engagement ring from him.
But after Patrick was cut from Angus’s will—after his humiliation in the public eye because of it—her plans threatened to collapse. Patrick has thus far refused to legally challenge his right to his father’s inheritance, which is something Arrabella still doesn’t understand. Getting him onto theBlack Orchidis her last chance to salvage it all.
They step off the escalator hand in hand. The gangway yawns ahead. TheBlack Orchidawaits, lines about to be cast off. Arrabella glances back over her shoulder, back down the escalator. For a wild moment she wants to stop this. She’s afraid.
“What’s up?” Patrick asks.
“Nothing.” She forces a light laugh. “Just thinking how close we came to missing the boat.”
A sleek woman with a tablet welcomes them on board with obvious relief.
“Lady Arrabella Fairfax, Patrick McGregor, I’m Maxine. We’re so thrilled you made it. The ship is fully boarded—we’re preparing to weigh anchor.”
Another woman approaches them, looking flustered.
“Ah, here’s Roshaan, your concierge,” Maxine says. “She’ll escort you both up to the Calliope Sky Villa. I’m afraid the larger suite you requested—the one immediately across from your stepmother—was already booked, so we have you just a little ways farther down the hall.”
Patrick freezes. “Lillith? Her suite is—what the fuck?”
He shoots a glance at Arrabella.
Arrabella stiffens.
“She’s here?” His eyes blaze with sudden anger. “You knew?Thisis why you dragged me onto theOrchid? This is why you badgered me into taking this trip?”
“Patrick, I—”
He spins to Maxine. “Get my bags off. I’m leaving.”
“Patrick!” Arrabella grabs his arm.
