Page 22 of London Dynasty

“We’re going to be late,” Tod Belmond stormed, pacing the length of the foyer and checking his watch.

“It’s not even seven, darling,” Iris said in a soothing voice. She’d opted to wear a gold gown that showed off her dancer’s body and brought out the deep tones of her skin. It definitely wasn’t as daring as the gown she had chosen for me to wear tonight.

Caroline had wanted me to wear white, but Iris had pushed me towards the opposite end of the spectrum. I smoothed the black lace down and hoped I looked alright. My dress had long sleeves that stopped at the wrist, the lace showing flashes of my pale skin. It dipped low, carving an elegant but slightly provocative line from my cleavage to my arms, leaving my shoulders bare before dipping even lower in the back. It flowed along the curves of my body flaring slightly around my ankles. Unlike the arms, the gown itself was lined with a thin nude fabric that made it look as though I was wearing nothing else beneath. I reached down and lifted my skirt at the thighs ever so slightly so I could see my feet as I began my descent down the stairs. The dress went perfectly with the peekaboo heels I’d chosen early, and I’d been surprised to find that despite their height, they weren’t difficult to walk in. Still, after wasting an entire day getting pretty, I wasn’t going to fall ass over tea kettle down the steps and wind up in an ambulance.

When I reached the fifth step down, Tod stopped and turned, his mouth open as if to call out. But whatever he planned to say to me died on his lips. I nearly froze myself, worrying that I’d already messed up. Had I done something his daughter would never do? Worn my hair the wrong way or chosen the wrong shade of lipstick? I’d trusted the people that came here today, assuming they would treat me as they had always done to her. Maybe I shouldn’t have assumed.

But when I stepped onto the landing, Tod caught my hand. “You look beautiful, Kerrigan. Spencer will be pleased.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, feeling suddenly shy.

He must have noticed because he released my hand and crooked his arm to his wife. “You’ll follow behind us in the Maybach.”

“I’m not going with you?” I blurted out. “Why did you wait for me?”

“I simply wanted to be certain you got out the door on time. Punctuality hasn’t always been your defining characteristic. And you may wish to stay longer than us.”

I tried to ignore the implication of those words. I might want to seal the deal with Spencer—or rather, he might expect me to go to his bed. Then there was the other reason, Tod had waited. He wanted to see me himself, to know if his scheme would work or if he had to call everything off. I made a mental note, though, that Kerrigan favored tardiness. It was little things like that which might help me pass for her.

A driver helped me into the back of the Maybach as Tod helped Iris into the backseat of a black limousine. Their car had already started down the drive as my driver took the wheel of the Mercedes.

“Ready, Miss?” he asked.

Part of me wanted to say no and run back into the house. I could change and be gone before Tod Belmond realized I wasn’t behind them. Despite all that I had done so far, I sensed that tonight the final line would be crossed. After this evening, there would be no turning back. I would be trapped in the arrangement until time or my double set me free.

I thought about the ten million pounds. One year of taking orders. One year of playing a part. And then I would never belong to anyone again.

“Yes,” I said. As he drove away, I didn’t bother to look back.

Chapter Thirteen

It turned out that I wouldn’t have gotten far had I decided to run because in less than five minutes’ time the car turned into a drive and paused to speak with the security guard at the gate. A moment later, the gates opened revealing my first glimpse of Sparrow Court, the Byrd’s family home. If I had been impressed with Willoughby Place, this residence actually intimidated me. The house itself sat a good way from the road, far enough that it might have looked small in the distance if it weren’t so terribly palatial. The drive had been lined with spotlights that were turned on despite it still being twilight, giving the feeling of making a grand entrance from the moment we drove onto the property. The drive itself was paved with bricks, but I didn’t feel the slightest bump thanks to the smooth ride of the Maybach. We rounded the circular drive, pulling past a fountain featuring three female statues, breasts bare, holding large pots from which water flowed to the pool below. Flowers floated in the water next to small candles which flickered romantically. The Mercedes paused and a gloved attendant opened the door.

“Miss Belmond.” He offered me his hand and I took it.

Rising out of the car, I swallowed a gasp at the scene in front of me. The staircase leading into the main entrance had been draped with white flowers of all types. Roses, lilies, peonies, and other varieties too exotic for me to name mixed with twisting ivy vines. Even from here the delicate floral bouquet perfumed the air. Lanterns had been placed at the far end of each step. Suddenly, I understood why Caroline had wanted me to wear white. She wanted me to look the part of the innocent, blushing bride. I found myself wondering if this was simply a party to announce an engagement, what would the actual wedding be like?

I glanced around looking for Tod and Iris, but they were nowhere in sight. Other than a few others arriving, I was alone. I thanked the attendant for his help and took a single step toward the party, hesitating for a moment and wishing I had made Giles sit in the car, after all. I turned my head slightly at the sound of an engine in time to see the driver pull away, off to wherever he was expected to wait until I called for him. I had no choice but to go inside and hope I didn’t trip down the staircase or make an unintentional blunder. A group that arrived after me chatted animatedly as they went ahead, entering without so much as a pause. I could do that, I decided. One foot in front of the other until I was inside, and then I would make the next right move. But as the partygoers climbed the stairs, a man stepped around them, wearing a tuxedo that showcased his broad shoulders and athletic build. I blinked when I saw him, but the rest of my body refused to budge momentarily. It was him. I’d seen him for only a moment across the restaurant, but I recognized him both from that distant encounter and my shameless internet stalking.

You are Kerrigan Belmond tonight, I told myself as I plastered a dazzling smile on my face. I looked like her. I was dressed like her. I merely had to act like her. She wouldn’t freeze at the prospect of facing a childhood acquaintance no matter how circumstances had changed since her youth. I continued on until I was close enough to touch him.

He extended a hand. “You look lovely tonight, Kerrigan. It’s been too long since we saw each other. It almost makes me wish I’d chosen Oxford over St. Andrew’s.”

“Good evening, Spencer. You look lovely—I mean, handsome, too,” I said flummoxed by the gentleman before me. Was this how he wanted to play it? Were we to pretend that nothing had happened yesterday? If that was what he had wanted, why go to the trouble of sending a note over to me? Why point it out?

“Shall we?” he asked stiffly, crooking his arm.

I accepted it, and we went silently up the stairs. Every inch of my body was aware of his presence. I’d spent last night imagining what it would be like to feel his hands on me, to have his weight crushing my body as he took me. But if Spencer felt a physical attraction to me, he showed no sign of it. He barely looked at me as we made our way to the party and his demeanor remained stiff and detached like he was simply another attendant sent to guide me into the house.

As soon as we were through the double entrance doors, carved from solid wood, the scene changed from romantic tranquility to a crowded room buzzing with people. The foyer looked like it could fit half a row of mews inside it, and there were people everywhere. My hand gripped Spencer’s forearm a little more tightly, earning me a curious glance. He led me inside and I found myself trying to take it all in. If a mansion was impressive, one filled with rich and important people was even more so. Women dressed in elegant gowns, dripping with priceless jewelry, hung from the arms of men in tuxedos, sipping from champagne coupes. A string quartet played Mozart in one corner, and waiters wove through the crowd offering canapes and drinks. Before I could process the busy setting, Spencer pulled his arm away. I started, looking at him with a panicked expression and feeling as if my life raft had just been yanked out from under me.

“If you’ll excuse me, I see my grandfather. I’ll find you in a moment.” He nodded his head at an older man with bushy white hair and a face lined with signs of age and frustration. I’d done enough homework on the Byrds, thanks to the internet and Giles, to know that the elder Byrd was a member of the House of Lords, a Duke, and one of the few remaining persons that held a hereditary seat in Parliament. He was in a sense a dying breed and judging by his age, I meant that quite literally.

Spencer left me standing there, wondering exactly what to do. I was surrounded by strangers who all thought they knew me. A few heads turned my way and several people nodded hello. I returned the greetings, hoping no one came up and tried to talk to me.

“You’re here!” an excited voice squealed to my right.

I turned in time to see Evie’s bright smile as she threw her arms around my shoulders. “Mum sent Spencer to escort you in. Where is he?” She peeked around my shoulder as though he might be hiding there.