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My eyebrows hit my hairline. “She told you to leave Merivale?”
Her mouth turned down. “I got caught having sex in the pool with Dusty.”
“Oh.” I slid my eyes to my brother, who gave her a stony look.
She knitted her fingers. “We’re no longer together. Okay.” Her edgy tone revealed something hurting in my sister. I’d noticed her darker moods since our father’s passing. I made a mental note to spend some time with her.
“If you want to talk ever. You know I’m always there for you,” I said.
Her mouth curved into a faint smile. “Thanks, Eth. I’m good, though. But I need a drink. Where’s that waiter?”
Savanah walked off and left me with my brother. “You haven’t said much about Crisp being here.”
“I hate him. We all do. But we’re stuck with the bastard. Savvie mentioned something about a hacker earlier. Let’s see if they bring something up.”
I frowned, worried about my sister and her impetuous choices, not only in men, but underground activities. “That could get her arrested.”
“If Crisp organised a hit, that’s all we’ve got.”
“But if evidence is gained by illegal means, won’t that be inadmissible in court?”
“Mm… true.” Declan rubbed the back of his neck. “I might have a chat with the family lawyer.”
“You’d think she’d want to know, wouldn’t you?” I puffed out a breath. Then, seeing the waiter, I grabbed a glass. I looked at Declan, and he nodded, so I took two.
Handing him a glass, I asked, “So where’s your lovely wife?”
“Warming up, I believe. I’ve been out all day, dealing with an issue at Reboot, but when I got home, she acted all coy. I’m not sure what she’s planning, but I get this feeling it’s a surprise of some sort. My wife has a dark edge to her. In a good way.” His eyebrow arched. “Mum’s acted deplorably towards her. So if Theadora feels like performing punk rock or something just as radical, I’ll be the first to applaud.”
“Punk rock on the piano?” I chuckled. “Anything will be better than sitting through a poetry reading.”
Dressed in a cream-coloured dinner jacket, Will stepped out of the shadows, where he normally lurked at these social events, embracing his new role as lord of the manor.
“Will and Mother have come out as a couple.”
Declan nodded pensively. “A bit too soon for my taste.”
The butler rang the bell, and it was time for us to take our seats in the ballroom.
This was one of many soirees at Merivale we’d attended. The ballroom, with its high domed ceiling, lent itself to a makeshift recital hall. Seats were arranged in tiers facing a shiny black grand piano positioned in front of burgundy velvet curtains with dimly lit lamps for mood.
As always, I sat between Declan and Savanah. As kids, we’d poked fun at some of the more tedious performances. For a while there, my mother had a thing for Shakespearian actors. A friend of hers from Oxford was a director, and we would sit through long, convoluted monologues while pulling faces at each other.
After an exhausting poetry reading that went for twenty verses too long, Theadora came out draped in an embroidered shawl, wearing a costume with a ruffled train.
“She’s gone all flamenco,” Savvie said.
Whispers and little comments floated through the air.
“Is she about to stomp her feet?” I asked Declan.
He had stars in his eyes as he watched his striking wife with justifiable pride.
“Is she going to dance?” Savanah asked Declan.
He shrugged.
I glanced over at my mother, who fixed her unblinking gaze on Theadora. It surprised me that she’d even asked her to perform. At least my sister-in-law, in that vibrant theatrical outfit, had brought some welcomed colour to that normally stodgy affair.
