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“Why don’t we all have a drink while we wait for Judge,” Margot suggests as she gestures to the sitting room.
There are murmurs of agreement before we follow her into the room, and I can’t help but wonder what this is about or why she invited Hildebrand in the first place. I know he’s akin to a colleague to Judge, and I’ve seen them speak at Society events before, but even so, it seems odd to invite him for dinner.
Margot goes out of her way to ensure Hildebrand’s comfort, taking his drink order and then scurrying off to the kitchen to relay it to Miriam. We all take our seats as she does—Hildebrand in a large wing-backed chair and Theron and I on the loveseat opposite. Hildebrand observes us keenly, his eyes bouncing back and forth between us before they settle on me and the obvious bruise on my face.
“Is Judge treating you well while you’re in his care?” he asks.
I force a smile. “Of course. Although, I can’t say the same for his horses. I took a spill yesterday, as you can see. Luckily, Theron came to my rescue. He was the perfect gentleman.”
“Well, you let me know if that changes.” Hildebrand’s tone is teasing, but his eyes aren’t. “I hope your stay here won’t be too long. It’s high time one of our Sovereign Sons takes you off the market and makes a proper wife out of you.”
“I already told her I was up for the task,” Theron answers boldly.
I stare at him in disbelief, but Hildebrand actually laughs, cutting through some of the tension. That is until a dark shadow enters the room in the form of Judge. His eyes move to his brother first, and then to me, and it’s clear he heard that remark. I smile up at him sweetly, aware he can’t say a goddamn thing in front of Hildebrand.
“Councillor.” Judge moves into the room, his body stiff, the tension radiating from him palpable. “I had no idea we’d have the pleasure of your company this evening.”
“Your mother’s idea,” Hildebrand informs him. “I couldn’t turn down the offer when I heard beef Wellington was on the menu. And I thought perhaps we could have a word after dinner anyway. I have a business matter I’d like to get your thoughts on.”
“Of course.” Judge offers him a polite smile, but I can see he’s not pleased. And now I think I understand Margot’s reason for inviting Hildebrand. He’s the buffer for tonight.
Judge can’t be rude to any of us while in his company. It works to my benefit, but I don’t doubt it’s just as much for Theron’s too. He does seem rather pleased with himself as he leans into me, whispering in my ear.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find a way to liven up this evening somehow. I suspect copious amounts of alcohol should help.”
There’s no earthly way Judge could have any idea what he’s saying to me, but his eyes narrow in on us as if he can. And then they move over my riding gear before noticing that Theron is wearing his too. It’s impossible to miss his nostrils flaring before Margot enters the room with a flourish, Miriam carrying a tray behind her.
“One martini with a twist.” Margot hands the drink to Hildebrand herself. “And Judge, I took the liberty of having Miriam pour you a scotch. I’m sure you’ve had a long day.”
Judge glares at her as he takes the drink from her hand, and then Miriam approaches the loveseat, her lips twisted in indignation that she’s being forced to serve me.
“Your Riesling, Ms. De La Rosa.”
I take the wineglass from her with amusement. “Thank you, Miriam. That was so kind of you.”
She ignores me and hands Theron another glass of scotch.
Once we all have our drinks in hand, Margot takes on the role of hostess, engaging Hildebrand and Judge in conversation, forcing him to participate. They discuss Society business, reminisce on old cases, and debate the merits of the current education practices for the younger generations.
Meanwhile, Theron takes every opportunity to move closer to me, never missing the way Judge’s eyes move to us when I laugh at one of his brother’s jokes or offer him a coy response. At one point, Hildebrand makes a casual observation that Judge will have to keep me under close watch, lest Theron steal me away to the altar. If that wasn’t enough to send Judge’s temperature to the boiling point, Theron’s reply that he’s already picturing a spring wedding does the trick.
He’s goading him, and it’s so obvious, but Judge is letting it get to him. I can see it by the way he keeps tugging at the tie around his neck as if it’s choking him. As if he’d like to remove it and strangle the very life from Theron himself. It pleases me far too much to see we’re getting under his skin, so I take it up a notch when we head for the dinner table, continuing with the joke that seems to amuse Hildebrand so much.
“I told him he’d have to get in line. I have my choice of Sovereign Sons. So many fine men vying for my attention. How can a lady ever choose?”
Hildebrand snorts. “I would have to agree. You do seem to be a favorite among the bachelors. In fact, I can recall one man being so flustered by your presence he walked right into a wall and knocked himself out because he couldn’t seem to drag his eyes away from you.”
“Ah, yes.” I laugh at the memory. “Poor Mikael. The funny thing is he never said a word to me. Too nervous, I suppose.”
“You have that effect on men,” Hildebrand remarks. “But don’t let it sway you. Find yourself a partner who doesn’t shake like a leaf in your presence. I’m of the belief one can only ever be satisfied with a match their equal. And you, Ms. De La Rosa, need a strong man beside you.”
“On that, we can all agree.” My eyes intentionally move to Theron as I offer him a flirtatious smile.
I don’t have to look at Judge to feel his gaze on me. It’s burning right through me.
“Pardon the interruption.” Miriam and Lois enter the dining room together, carrying trays of food. “Dinner is served.”
30
