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Camilla raised a brow. “Did you have a tiff or something?”
Rathe shook his head, saying finally, “She chose not to come.”
“Ah.” Camilla clucked her tongue. “I can’t say I blame the poor gal. Sheiseighteen, you know. And this party?” She waved a hand, gesturing at their surroundings. “What do you see around you, Your Grace? Is this the kind of party someone her age would likely enjoy?”
Slowly, his gaze roamed his surroundings. A ballroom, rather than a night club. Crystal chandeliers rather than neon LED lighting. And guests in suits and gowns rather than cool-looking blazers and mini skirts.
“It’s your fault, Your Grace,” Camilla chided softly. “You’re being quite the selfish jerk, wanting her to come here so she’d be put on a spot and forced to act older—-”
Rathe’s curt nod, a command in itself, had Camilla immediately quieting.
“I understand already.” The words were spoken in such an icy tone it almost made Camilla shiver. It also tempted her to smile, but she knew that was the one thing she shouldn’t ever do.
For the rest of the evening, Camilla was content to speak of business matters, making no mention at all of Mary. She didn’t have to since she had already achieved her objective.
When Rathe walked her to the chauffeured limo waiting for her by the curb, Camilla kissed him goodbye, making sure to have her lips linger a second longer than usual.
Inside her limousine, she quickly took out her phone and sent a message to the Wellesley family’s solicitor Wilson Daughtry.
Camilla:FYI, everything going as planned.
Wilson:You are Daddy’s girl indeed. And great job on the kiss as well. The photographers got really good shots.
Camilla:I look forward to seeing it in tomorrow’s tabloids.
Wilson:Just be sure to play it subtly with the two.
Camilla:You’ve got nothing to worry about. You know how these “honorable” people are.
Wilson:I wouldn’t know since I’m not one.
Camilla:And I am so bloooooody thankful for that. Rest assured, my dear father, I’m still going to be the Duchess, and you will still have a duke for a son-in-law.
Chapter Six
“G-good morning.”
