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Lecy had no answer to offer, and the subject died when Chrys returned. Scarlett pressed the ice bag to her swelling cheek while the other two fluttered around, preparing for the party. “I think I’ll get an early start,” Scarlett said. “I can be back in San Francisco within a couple hours, so it shouldn’t be too dark.” The idea of attending the party held no appeal.
“No, you must come to the party,” Chrys insisted. “It won’t be the same without you.”
Seeing the pleading in her sister’s dark eyes, Scarlett gave in and went to her room to dress for the party. Instead of taking a shower or pulling the dress from the closet, she lay across the bed and swiped at the trickle of tears leaking from her eyes. She still couldn’t believe her father had hit her. Not once in twenty years could she ever remember him doing such a thing.
Forcing herself from the bed, Scarlett soaked in a tub full of hot water. Afterward, wrapped only in a towel, she called information and got Carter’s phone number. She dialed the house and Ann answered. “He’s not available right now, Ms. Terini. I believe he’s out.”
“Thank you, Ann.” She was relieved to avoid a conversation with him. “Will you please take a message? Tell him I’ll be back sometime tomorrow morning.” After hanging up, Scarlett went to her closet and opened the door, walking inside. The dress, styled after a sixteenth-century courtesan’s, with a daring neckline, sweeping skirt, and yards of lace, hung on a rod by itself. Once dressed, she curled her hair into fat ringlets and slipped on the ivory mask. It had been specially designed to match the handmade dress and Scarlett found herself wondering how much the costumes for his daughters had cost her father. Likely not even a fraction of what the party was costing him.
After slipping her feet into matching ivory slippers, Scarlett returned to Lecy’s room and found her sisters dressed and ready. Their styles and colors were all complimentary, and Scarlett couldn’t help but notice how striking the three of them were. She wore ivory, Lecy was in midnight blue, and Chrys had chosen black.
Presenting a united front, the three of them went downstairs and started greeting guests as they arrived. Everyone was dressed exquisitely, and expensively, in imaginative creations. In past years, Scarlett had always looked forward to the party and treasured the memories all year, but tonight she was bored. Her face and her ankle throbbed in unison, and she was tired of standing, walking, dancing, and making polite conversation. She just wanted to go to sleep and forget that tomorrow she was returning to Carter Braxton.
There was a stir of excitement among the guests as new people entered the ballroom. Curious despite herself, Scarlett craned her neck to see the new arrivals. Other guests blocked her view, and she politely pushed her way through until the new guests were visible.
He wore a tuxedo, and it fit him well. Since she had only ever seen him a suit, his tuxedo didn’t surprise her in the least. His piercing blue eyes found her and she couldn’t look away. He looked so sexy. Why did she run away?
Oh right, because he’s a liar and was terrible to her.
Scarlett tensed as Carter approached her, with no sign of Darren. “Carter,” she said nervously when he stopped in front of her.
“Scarlett,” he purred. “I’ve come to collect my property,” he whispered. “You or the house, it makes no difference,” he added in a cool tone.
“I was coming back tomorrow.” Scarlett stuttered.
Carter laughed, a rich sound, but there was a sharp edge to it. “I’m sure you were.”
“I left a message with Ann earlier in the evening. You can verify it with her.” Trying to keep a straight face, she said, “I only came for this party, and then I was returning. If I were leaving forever, don’t you think I would have taken my clothes, my possessions?”
Carter smiled down at her. “That’s a lie, but I’ll allow you to tell it. Next time you want to go somewhere, please ask the driver to take you.” He phrased it like a request, but they both knew better. “I don’t like coming to this cursed place to fetch you.”
“Shall we leave?” Scarlett asked, nervously licking her lips.
“A dance first,” Carter suggested.
“My ankle hurts.”
“I’ll carry us both.”
Having no further protests, Scarlett placed her hand in Carter’s and followed him
into the crowd of dancers. He grasped her waist tightly, nearly carrying her as they moved. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears at his touch. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind, though the heady scent of his cologne didn’t help clear her thoughts. She would not allow herself to become attracted to the man who was trying to ruin her father and her family.
Aside from the aspect of betrayal implied by her attraction, Scarlett knew it was a no-win situation. Carter would never believe she was truly attracted to him and would assume, as he’d done previously, that it was a plot to soften him up. He would become even more ruthless, and Scarlett would get hurt. I don’t even like him, she reminded herself forcefully and repeatedly until the music ended. “Now we’ll leave,” said Carter.
Scarlett followed meekly behind him, not even asking if she could change first. Before they left the ballroom, Lecy intercepted them. “Don’t hurt my sister,” she said in a low voice, pitched so the other guests would not hear.
“She’ll be perfectly safe.” Carter sounded bored.
Lecy snorted. “You’re a beast, Carter Braxton, and some day you’ll get what you deserve.”
Carter leaned forward, and his height dwarfed Lecy. “I’m counting on it, Ms. Terini,” he bit out. As Lecy’s eyes widened, he took a firm hold on Scarlett’s arm and pulled her out behind him.
In the town car, Scarlett sat on the seat across from Carter and stretched out her legs. “Where’s Darren?” she asked.
“In the front with the driver,” Carter said disinterestedly.
The mask pressed tightly against Scarlett’s face, and she removed it without thought.
