Page 108 of The Devil’s Lair

“I-I…” I clear my throat.

Wearing a swimming costume at the spa was one thing. That was a contained environment, where only a select few saw me. The ball is an entirely different prospect, and I am not ready to have my abuse on display to hordes of strangers. “I have scars. On my back. Lots of scars.”

“I see.” Her smile doesn’t hold pity, only understanding. “Well, then, we won’t need this, this, or this.” She plucks three dresses out of the pile and puts them to one side. “But this, I think, will look glorious on you.” She holds up a dress in front of me. “The rich ruby really brings out the blue in your eyes.”

Her kindness and no-fuss-attitude brings on a raft of tears. “Thank you.”

“Why don’t you go into the cubicle and try it on? It has a side zip, so you should be able to manage by yourself. Feel free to call me if you get stuck.”

She’s giving me privacy without openly saying the words. I take the dress and head into the cubicle.

As I zip it up and stare at myself in the mirror, more stupid tears come. This woman knows what she’s doing. The color does bring out the blue in my eyes. The high back covers every vile scar Marcus gave me, yet the front is feminine, with a V-neck that shows a hint of cleavage and a slit up one side revealing half my thigh which, I admit, looks good on me. My legs are actually quite nice.

I step back into the main dressing area. “What do you think?”

Melanie gives me a full body once over, then breaks into a generous grin. “I am good.” She laughs. “In all seriousness, it’s not often I get a hit with the first dress, but that’s it. That’s the one. You look incredible.” She circles her finger in the air, and I twirl. “Perfect. All we need now are the right shoes and jewels, and you’re good to go. What size shoe are you?”

“Five.”

She’s back in less than a minute with a pair of gorgeous strappy sandals and what I hope are fake diamonds, because if those are real, I can’t, in all consciousness, wear them. I let her put them on me, though, and I have to admit, they are beautiful.

“Stunning. You’ll turn heads that’s for sure.”

I touch the jewels at my neck. “Can I show my friends?”

“Of course.” She gestures to the exit, and I totter out on heels I hope I don’t break an ankle on. Imogen and Vicky look up as I enter the main area. I’ve no idea where Grace is. Trying on clothes, perhaps.

“Wow! Like, wow, Rebecca,” Vicky says. “If I wasn’t into guys, I’d ravish you myself.”

“You look incredible,” Imogen offers. “That color works beautifully on you.”

I smooth my hands over the fabric. “Do you think?”

“Absolutely.”

“I’m glad you found the right dress on the first go around,” Vicky says. “We didn’t exactly give you much time. I’m annoyed none of us thought about this earlier. Thank goodness Grace asked you this morning.”

“It’s okay. I’d completely forgotten about the ball as well, and from the look on his face, so had Tobias.”

“We’ve all had a lot going on, I guess.” Vicky swipes another glass of champagne off a tray that never runs empty. “Still, out of all of us, I feel as though you’ve had the toughest entry into the madness that is this family.”

“I’m doing okay. Tobias has been amazing, just incredible, and Isla adores him. He’s always there when we need him.”

Vicky peers at me over the top of her flute, eyes narrowed. “Hmm, you don’t say.”

“I’m blessed, truly.”

“Mm-hmm.” She wipes her mouth with her thumb and forefinger. “I think somebody has some gossip to share over lunch.”

I look around. “Who?”

She giggles, jerking her chin in my direction. “You, silly. I know that look. The dreamy eyes, the gushing compliments. Something’s happened.”

I blush, full on blood-red cheeks and blotchy chest.

“Yep. I knew it.” She makes a rude gesture. “Rebecca and Tobias have done the deed.”

My jaw drops. “Vicky!”