Page 6 of Deadly Misfortunes

She reached across the table and took his hand in hers. She knew she shouldn’t have. His warm touch sent a thrill of expectation through her body that she could never fulfill again with him. “I’m sorry it could never have worked out for us, Damon.”

“I know I shouldn’t have come. But I wanted to see you dance.”

“I’ve already done the last of my dances.”

He groaned. “I couldn’t get away from Lemoyne’s tonight early enough.”

“Well, you know the Worthingtons. They’ll expect you to enjoy the food and drink anyway.”

“And the entertainment?”

“The only thing I see in your future is your marriage to Lucy, Damon. That’s all.” Not in a vision, but once her Aunt Meg’s mind was made up, she didn’t think there was any changing it.

He nodded and looked up from her for a moment, then turned back to her. Leaning over, he kissed her cheek with a tender touch. She knew he wanted much more to send him on his way, but she couldn’t give him what he hoped for.

He winked at her, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. “It seems another redhead is intrigued by you, Sascha.”

His voice masked his irritation in part, but she wondered if he’d said it to see what she thought of the bachelor billionaire. She shook her head. “Yeah, well, Gregory Landry has been investigating my family. He won’t win any Brownie merit badges with me with those kinds of actions.”

Undoubtedly relieved she wasn’t interested in the other redhead, Damon relaxed his shoulders. “Why would he be checking out your family?”

“It seems he was upset that Katrina pretended to be a Landry.”

“But she is a Landry.”

“Yes, only he assumes the Dallas Landrys have exclusive rights to the name.”

Damon chuckled. “Well, I can tell you right now, he’s still investigating you, from the tip of that lovely red head of yours to the crystal baubles dangling from your gold sandals.” His eyes took in the slit of her skirt. “And other parts of you. Be good. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Lucy isn’t that bad, Damon. Truly she isn’t. You just have to stand up to her. Clear your thoughts so she can’t read what you have in mind to do to her, and knock her down every once in a while.”

He laughed. “That’s what I always love about you. Your sense of humor.” He kissed her cheek again, gave Gregory a look like the lady wasn’t available, then squeezed her hand and strolled off toward Mrs. Worthington.

Sascha knew her cheeks must have been as brilliant a red as the hibiscus flower, as warm as they felt. She avoided looking in Gregory’s direction in case he was still watching her. To her relief, a lady sat down at her table to get a reading. For another hour, Sascha read palms for several of the guests at the party.

When she finished with the last of them, she looked around the room to see if anyone else needed a read, but the number of partygoers had dwindled, with several already having left. She sighed deeply. Then she smiled as Katrina and Prescott finally emerged from the hallway leading to their bedroom.

Her gaze caught Gregory, watching her, a smile percolating on his lips. Heat spread through her body like an iron turned on high. Katrina distracted her, though, as she walked over to her table, alone.

“Sorry, I kind of left the party early. I know I was supposed to be your assistant for the night.”

Sascha patted her hand. “You’re supposed to be enjoying time with Prescott. When is Prescott relocating the carriage house and other guest house to the country so that I can move in?”

She hadn’t figured the houses would be moved anytime soon so when Katrina said next week, the news surprised her.

“Then I need to give notice for my apartment?” Sascha said.

“Sure thing. It’ll take a little while for everything to be hooked up, but go ahead and give them notice. You can stay with us in the main house until your place is ready.”

Sascha stood. “You don’t know how thrilled I am for you, Prescott, and the babies. And thanks so much for the carriage house and all.”

“I wouldn’t think of not having you living next door to me. I’ll certainly need the help with the twins when I have them.” Katrina’s mouth dropped open as her gaze shifted to a location across the room. “Is that Damon?”

“Yeah. He came by to see me dance, but missed the last one I did.”

“He can’t be still hoping that you and he⁠—”

“No, he just wanted to tell me that he’s reluctant about marrying Lucy.”