Page 20 of Secret Dynasty

It seemed I had passed whatever inspection they thought was necessary. A staff member for the Byrds ushered me to a small room where the family was cloistered before the services began. As I entered, I was suddenly self-conscious about everything I was wearing, thinking, or doing. How had I found myself here? I looked down to check my choice of ensemble and was relieved to still find it suitable. The black dress suit I’d found was fitted and formal, tailored perfectly for such an occasion. There was nothing about it that was sexy or eye-catching. It did the job of looking somber perfectly. I’d paired it with classic black Louboutins and dark hosiery. My hair was pinned into an elegant twist that I’d managed to do by myself and the Philip Treacy fascinator I’d chosen was neither ostentatious nor simple.

Spencer didn’t look up as the staff member announced my arrival. He was deep in conversation with an older man I didn’t recognize. But Holden’s eyes darted to me and then away. I found myself deliberately avoiding him. The only person that seemed to notice or care about my presence, at all, was Evie. She rushed over and gave me a hug. “So glad to see you,” she said quickly, “I felt terrible since the other night at the house. I was rude and—”

“You weren’t rude,” I interrupted her.

“I was. You were so nice and I acted like a brat,” she said with a guilty look.

“Believe me, you’re the least bratty member of your family,” I whispered to her. “Have you met your brothers?”

She giggled, but as soon as it was out of her mouth, she smacked a hand over it for betraying her. “I can’t believe I did that.”

“I don’t think anyone noticed,” I reassured her. They would have to be paying any attention to us to have seen her laugh. Spencer was too busy being important. Holden was too busy being sullen. And Caroline…

“Where’s your mother?”

“Probably draining her flask in the loo.” Evie pursed her lips with obvious contempt. Lowering her voice, she whispered, “She’s been a twat all week. The only thing she cares about is your wedding. I knew she hated grandfather, but…”

Caroline hated me, as well. I didn’t understand why she cared about the wedding. Now that Lord Byrd was dead, there was no one pulling the family strings. They could do as they wanted, but both his daughter-in-law and his grandson were still following the plans he’d laid out for them.

A member of the clergy appeared in the small room, wearing ornately embroidered robes and cleared his throat politely. “We’re ready for the procession.”

“The what?” I whispered to Evie.

“We have to walk behind the casket and look sad,” she explained. “Didn’t Spencer send over the information?”

I thought of the paper Giles had brought me. I’d been too busy gawking at the guest list to read through the order of events. “He did, but I was distracted.”

“Just follow my lead.” She smiled warmly and directed us to follow her brothers out of the room. Before we reached the door, Caroline stumbled in.

Their mother radiated her usual poise in a charcoal-colored coat that tapered at her waist. Her silver-blonde hair was up in an intricate masterpiece with an understated hat perched on top of her curls. She looked every bit the part of the family matriarch but as she came closer, I spotted what Evie was saying earlier. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot and as she swept up to us, I caught a waft of strong juniper on her breath.

“You reek of gin,” Spencer muttered to her. He snapped his fingers and one of the household staff appeared. The woman didn’t seem at all put out at the condescending gesture. He whispered something to her and she disappeared in a panic. A minute later, she returned with a box of mints. “Mother.”

Caroline took them timidly and hung to the side as a church official began organizing us into a line.

“First, we will have Lord Byrd’s daughter here,” the man said.

“No,” Spencer cut him off. “My grandfather wished for his heirs to lead the procession. My mother should walk with my sister.”

The official’s eyes skittered around the group before nodding. “Oh, very good.”

“Kerrigan,” Spencer spoke my name like an order. “You’ll walk with me. Holden will follow.”

Across from him Holden’s jaw clenched, and he dropped his head before anyone could see his reaction. Was he upset that I was taking his place? Or was he angry over Spencer’s domineering attitude? It was impossible to tell with him avoiding all of us. Regardless, he showed no sign of questioning Spencer’s direction.

Caroline didn’t have the same restraint. Her eyes flashed at her son. “Do you really think she should be at the front of the line?”

“As my wife, she should be at my side.” Spencer shrugged a shoulder.

“You aren’t married yet, son,” she hissed.

“A formality,” he reminded her. “Kerrigan belongs with me.”

I belonged to him was more like it. Tension thickened in the room and I decided not to make it worse. I simply walked over and stood next to him.

“See?” he said to his mother as I joined him. “She understands her place.”

I clamped my mouth shut to keep myself from saying something I shouldn’t—especially in a church. But Holden had no such reservations.