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I gape at him through the mesh of my mask. My mother is AWOL. My brother may have killed himself because of a genetic disorder that I may or may not have, and some scummy hack is digging into my nuptials. “Just a lot of shit going on,” I mutter, breathless, as I pull off my mask. “Besides, you’re performing way too well for my liking.”
“Practice. That’s all it is. What with you married, and Tom all loved up with Henry, I’m on my own.”
“My heart bleeds, bro.”
He laughs and claps my back. “You going to Dimitri’s tonight?”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s have a swift drink, and then I’ll let you go.”
“Okay. But it needs to be a swift one. I need to pick up some jewelry from the vault.”
“For your countess?”
“Yep.”
Joe grins. “Need a hand selecting something?”
“Mate!”
“Just asking.”
* * *
Alessia and Caroline are in the back of a taxi cruising back to Chelsea from Knightsbridge. Alessia’s phone buzzes. She has a text from Maxim.
What color is your dress?
Mx
One is black.
The other is red.
Why?
You’ll see!
Mx
“Is that Maxim?”
Alessia nods.
Caroline smiles. “I think he’ll be pleased with today’s endeavors.”
“I hope so.”
“It’s been fun.”
“It has,” Alessia acknowledges, surprised.
“Of course, this is my last hurrah for a while,” Caroline says.
“Last hurrah?”
“Yes. I start work on a project for Maxim next week.”
“Oh?” Alessia glances at Caroline, who seems oblivious to the alarm writ all over Alessia’s face.
“In my old life,” she continues, “I was an interior designer, and one of the Trevethick properties in Mayfair is being refurbished. He wants me to add my special sparkle to it.”
Special sparkle. What does that mean?
Caroline works for Maxim. This is news.
How closely do they work together? A chill grips Alessia’s heart as she recalls them hugging this morning. “And you enjoy it. Working?” she asks, trying to keep her voice level.
“Yes and no. Depends on the client. Maxim will be fine, but some can be a complete nightmare.” Caroline makes a face, and Alessia can’t help but laugh because it’s so unexpected. “Yes. I’ve had some dreadful, demanding, delusional clients in the past. But I’ve missed being in the fray. And now, well, I need to get back out there since, since Kit…”
Caroline exudes a confidence that Alessia envies, but one mention of her deceased husband and her confidence crumbles—her shoulders droop, and her face clouds. Instinctively, Alessia reaches out and clutches her hand. Caroline turns raw blue eyes to her that shimmer with unshed tears and returns her squeeze. “Thank you,” she whispers.
Alessia’s compassion shines in her kind smile, and they continue their journey in silence for a few moments.
Alessia glances out of the cab window, wondering what it would be like to have a proper job. “I’d like to work, but I can’t because I don’t have a visa,” she says, almost to herself.
“Oh?” Caroline is surprised.
“It’s frustrating. I’d like to…um…contribute.”
“I see.” Caroline looks thoughtful. “I’m sure you contribute in other ways.” She gives Alessia a quick smile, and Alessia wonders if she’s referring to sex as she usually does, but there doesn’t seem to be any malice or vulgarity in her expression.
“Yes. I may go a little crazy in the apartment.”
“Oh, you’ll have enough to do once you’ve established yourself. There are two estates to oversee as countess. Incidentally, Maxim asked me about finishing school. I recommended the one I attended. It was just what I needed. It’s a good idea that you go.”
“I was surprised you needed to go.”
Caroline scoffs. “Kit wanted me to go. Darling, I’m not aristocracy. He was very particular in how things were done.”
“Oh.” Alessia is surprised.
“Yes. He was a bit of a snob, to be honest. Everything had to be just so. Maxim isn’t like that.”
“No.” And Alessia is waiting for her to say—he married you—as an example of how he’s not a snob.
But she doesn’t.
“Once you’re done, you’ll have the confidence to assume your place, and then you should have a proper introduction to both the estates as Maxim’s countess.”
“That’s the reason for doing the course. My confidence.”
“You’ll be fine.”
Astonished by Caroline’s sincerity and kindness, Alessia fixes a smile on her face, which her sister-in-law returns.
Caroline cocks her head to one side as she scrutinizes her. “Your hair looks so pretty blow-dried in these soft waves, Alessia.” She sighs. “I envy your thick hair. It looks so healthy. You should go twice a week and have Luis style your hair each time. They’ll cover grooming during etiquette lessons. It’s fun. Nails. Hair. Everything. Tonight you will stun, darling. You’ll meet everyone, and they’re all dying to meet you. Once tonight’s over, the press should stop bothering you.”
Alessia is bewildered by Caroline’s candor and that she envies Alessia, when it’s the other way around—Alessia hopes to emulate Caroline’s elegance, poise, and confidence. She’s her only role model as to how Alessia should look and behave. The fact that Alessia will be attending the same finishing school gives her hope that she will.
