Page 10 of Too Good to Be True

“I like him, okay? Don’t mess this up,” she begged. “I need you guys,”—she turned her head Lou’s way—“both of you guys, to be really cool and not mess this up.”

“How exactly would we mess this up?” I inquired.

“Portia.”

At her name intoned in a man’s cultured voice coming from the direction of the door, we all looked that way.

And I knew exactly what we might mess up.

Yes, Richard and Jane, the Earl and Countess Alcott, were the upper crust. Tall. Straight. He was ageing almost preternaturally well: his dark hair only touched with silver, his perfect bone structure offering the foundation for his continued good looks even though (I’d looked him up), he was nearly sixty-five. And she was a goddess. Cool and blonde. Ethereal didn’t describe her. The house didn’t need to be haunted, her beauty was haunting enough.

They walked into the room, and we all stood.

“Your family has arrived,” Richard stated like an accusation.

“Yes, I sent word,” Portia said.

“Which is why we’re here,” Richard replied frostily. He turned to Lou. “You must be Louella.”

You must be Louella?

I thought they’d met.

Lou didn’t remind him of that.

“Yes, yes. Hi. Hello.” She moved forward, holding up a hand.

Both Richard and Jane stared at it for a scant moment as if trying to cypher some way to avoid touching it before Richard reached out and took it briefly and let her go.

Jane did not.

Richard also didn’t look Lou in the face.

Then again, Lou managed the whole encounter with her eyes pinned to some point beyond Richard’s shoulder.

Weird.

“Welcome to our home,’ Richard droned.

“And this is Daphne,” Portia declared, pushing me a bit toward them.

I, however, did not offer my hand.

“My Lord, my Lady,” I said aloofly, matching their welcome. “Thank you for having us.”

Richard’s attention was sharp on me. Jane remained expressionless.

Richard looked to Portia. “You’ll explain the rules?”

The rules?

And, hello, how do you do to you too.

Asshole.

“Of course,” Portia assured quickly.

“We’ll let you catch up,” Richard declared. “And we’ll see you at dinner.”

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