Chapter One
21st December
Aurelia
“Are you sure this isn’t too much for you?”
I try not to show how anxious I am as I take my mother’s hand in mine. Although she’s had to keep her gorgeous red hair cropped short to make sure it grows back evenly, I’m sure most people at the ball think she looks stunning tonight in her sapphire-blue gown and Venetian-style mask.
I know her better, though. The mask covers dark shadows under her eyes. The dress hangs loosely on her slender frame. And earlier, I watched her slip a couple of painkillers into her mouth when she thought nobody was looking.
“If you feel tired at any point,” I add, “just send me a signal and I’ll come and get you.”
“Of course,” Mum says. “Shall I let off a flare, or can I use semaphore?”
My father, standing next to us, snorts, and I give them both a wry look. “All right, I know I’m overdoing it. I’m worried about you, that’s all.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Mum puts her arms around me and gives me a big hug. “And I really appreciate it. But I’m fine, honestly. I’ve been looking forward to tonight. I haven’t been to a ball in ages.”
“Okay, well, I’ll be keeping an eye on you,” I warn, “and if I see you flagging, I’ll come and rescue you.”
She laughs. “I know you will, baby.” She kisses my cheek. “I’ve just spotted Emmy from Rotary. I haven’t seen her in ages. I’d like her to meet Caesar. Do you know where he is?”
“I have no idea,” I say, somewhat icily. “I think he’s avoiding me.” My brother is the patron of the AshfordFoundation. I need him to mingle with the important guests, but he’s been missing for the past forty minutes or so.
“Oh well, never mind. I’ll speak to you later.” Mum walks away, leaving behind the faint aroma of her jasmine perfume. When she was sick and I thought she might not make it, I knew I’d always be able to tell if her spirit was with me after she’d gone because I’d smell that scent.
I look at my father, not surprised to find him watching her, probably thinking something similar. There’s a sad but tender expression on his face, and it makes my throat tighten. He completely went to pieces when he found out Mum was ill. The doctors say she’s recovering well, but even though he’s only fifty-nine, Dad’s planning to retire from the company as quickly as possible so he can spend more time with her.
“Look at you,” I tease, rubbing his arm and bringing his gaze back to me. “You still look at each other as if you’re both teenagers.”
He smiles, as he was supposed to, then glances around the ballroom. “Seems to be going well so far.”
I follow his gaze. It’s the evening of the Ashford Foundation’s Midsummer Night’s Dream Charity Ball. We’re raising money for the children’s hospital. It’s the biggest, must-attend event of the festive season. Everyone who’s anyone is here, and ticket sales have already raised a significant amount. There’ll be a silent auction soon, too, with lots of amazing items, including a selection of paintings done by children from local primary schools.
“You’ve worked very hard,” Dad says. “You should be proud of yourself.”
“Oh, I just bossed the team around,” I reply breezily, but his compliment makes me glow. He’s right; I have worked hard. As the public face of Ashford AgriTech, I feel responsible forensuring we present a positive front to the world, and this has helped big time.
It’s been a super tough six months, but Mum’s on the mend now, and things are going well. It’ll be nice if tonight heralds a more positive and pleasant New Year.
Beside me, a man clears his throat, then says, “Ms. Ashford?”
I turn my head, and my gaze meets a black bow tie. I tilt my head back to look up at its owner. Wow, he must be a foot taller than I am, even though I’m wearing heels. As it’s a black tie event, he’s dressed practically the same as every other guy at the ball, in a black tuxedo with satin lapels, a black waistcoat, and a white shirt. Like everyone else, he’s also wearing a mask that covers the top half of his face. But he seems vaguely familiar… Do I know him?
“Yes?” I query.
“I’m Luke Grayson.” He has a soft, low voice, a little husky. “I’m your new close protection officer.”
I stare at him, and it’s only now that I spot the earpiece in his left ear.
“Oh no,” I say firmly. “Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope.”
When I was younger, security was never an issue. I don’t remember us having any on the family farm in Cambridge, and it wasn’t a problem while I was at university. After I graduated and started work at the Ashford building, I got used to seeing the occasional security guard, but none of them ever followed me around outside of the office.
About two months ago, though, Marcus—my other brother—announced they were upping everyone’s security. He didn’t explain why, despite me repeatedly asking him, but I’ve gradually become used to a greater security presence both at the Ashford building and at my apartment. Occasionally, I’ve spotted an agent shadowing me while I’ve been around thecity, which has annoyed me, and I’ve enjoyed giving them the slip. I’ve put up with it to keep him quiet, but this is getting ridiculous. He wants me to have a personal bodyguard?
“Sorry,” I tell Luke firmly, “there’s been a mistake.”
