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Chapter 11
Liam couldn’t believe his eyes when the bathroom door opened and Isabella stepped out all dressed up like that. She wore a dark blue, ankle length cocktail dress with an embellished neckline and a sexy side slit, running all the way from her silver high heels to a few inches above her knee. Her hair was put up into a bun, except for a few strands that hung down the sides of her face. She was wearing no makeup, but by God, she was the prettiest woman he had ever laid eyes on. Her eyelashes were naturally long and her bright blue eyes looked like a piece of the blue sky. He tried not to look at her rosy, full lips as this always got him thinking naughty thoughts.
“You look stunning,” he said with his mouth gaping.
Isabella playfully turned in a circle, giving him the full view. “Thanks,” she smiled, lifting her chin in confidence as her eyes scanned Liam who was wearing a well-tailored black suit. “You look very handsome yourself.”
“Thanks.” But instead of offering her his arm, he pulled a little red satin box out of his blazer pocket and handed it to her. Her eyes widened in surprise. “What is that?” she gasped, opening it. Isabella had no idea that while she was trying on dresses, he had gone to the jewelry section of the store and bought her a pair of white gold earrings and a necklace. The set was arranged in a floral design that looked very much like it just came out from the Victorian era.
“Oh Liam…” She covered her mouth as the gold pieces sparkled under the light, reflecting into her eyes.
“You can exchange it in case you don’t like it, but I thought it might remind you of home.” Isabella threw herself into his arms before realizing what she was doing.
“I love it. It’s the most beautiful gift I've ever received.” Liam jittered as he felt the sudden unexpected warmth of Isabella. Feeling her skin rest around his neck, his arm steered its way around her waist, holding her close. He gently lowered his head into her hair, slightly intoxicated by her sweet scent.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said with his eyes closed. It might very well be one of the last items his credit card would let through before declining any further purchases, but in his eyes, it was money well spent. If this dinner didn’t turn into a deal, he was done. He would most likely die with enormous amounts of debt attached to his name, so why not go down by putting a smile on a woman’s face? Especially if that woman was someone he cared deeply for.
He held her for a second longer, then softly let her go. “We better go.” Isabella grabbed her coat to put it on before giving Liam a cheeky grin.
“Ready for battle.”
“To win the war,” he joked back at her.
Liam pulled in front of the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Isabella got out first. She had never been in this part of town before. The hotel had been built with a neoclassical theme, featuring a huge rotunda. A man in a black suit and white gloves came running toward them as Liam handed him the keys to his car. Isabella recognized this simple act and instantly knew what the man was doing. They had one in their own house and called them footmen.
Liam walked over to Isabella and offered his arm. Isabella accepted it with a nod as they both entered. The entrance had two porters who instantly opened the doors for them. Much to her surprise, the elegance inside of the foyer could have passed for a luxury hotel of her own time. There were small differences in the furniture, but overall, the high ceiling, golden fixtures, marbled floors, and the staff in uniforms gave her the illusion that she was back in her own time.
Liam scanned the entrance hall and led her into the rotunda. The room was a formal dining area, held by enormous pillars that decorated the walls under a high domed ceiling, giving the impression that one was in a Greek temple.
“Do you have a reservation?” A woman dressed in black who seemed about Isabella’s age approached them.
“Yes, I think it's under Brunswick,” Liam replied. The woman scanned her list while Isabella realized what Liam had just said. Brunswick…Brunswick?It sounded so awfully familiar!Wasn’t that the name of a German noble family that Isabella’s family had married intoin the late 1400’s? For the first time in her life, she wished she had paid more attention to her awfully dry history tutor.
“This way,” the woman said, leading them into a closed-off area. Their table was decorated with a white table cloth under crystal clear glasses for wine and water, with fresh white roses that rested in a silver vase. The table was set up elegantly, but not for dinner.
“I assume Mr. Brunswick has changed his mind in regards to dinner,” Isabella said, sitting down on the chair Liam had pulled back for her.
“Why do you think so?” He sat down next to her.
“This table is not set up for dinner. I noticed some of the other tables were set up for dinner similarly to how it would have been prepared in my own time, but ours is not.” Liam looked over to a neighbor’s table. Creases started to form on his forehead as he shook his head. Lips pressed under clenched teeth hard enough that his cheeks were throbbing. “Looks like this bastard won’t even waste his time for a dinner." He let out a huge stream of breath from his nose. "He probably thinks this will be a quick meeting. In and out. Sealing the fate of so many people in less than a single drink.” Isabella wrinkled her forehead in thought. This name, Brunswick, there was no doubt. It must have been that noble family from Germany.
“Brunswick.” She caught Liam’s attention as the crease in his forehead faded away. "I believe I'm familiar with this name. Do you know anything more about him?”
“Brunswick? Not much, besides him being as arrogant as he is rich. And he happens to be a billionaire.”
“Sounds like the type of man my mother would like.” Isabella took a sip of water.
“Looks like I’m starting to get to know your mother already.” Liam glanced over the wine card. “He has destroyed countless companies for a quick profit, leaving behind a trail of impoverished and desperate people so long, it would probably wrap around the globe. His name used to be Miller, like the cheap beer. But a few years back he bought a castle in Germany that came with a title, so he changed his name.”Yes! Yes! Yes!Isabella lifted her chin up with a victorious grin. This war was won without even going into battle!
“Excellent!” she almost shouted in excitement. Liam was obviously confused, but before he could ask her what she was so happy about, a short, skinny old man walked up to them. He wore a bright-golden suit. Its glitter was distracting even from across the room. “You must be joking…” Liam barely got out in disapproval as Brunswick glided through the dinner room, blinding others guests in his ridiculous suit. Neither Liam nor Isabella had the time to rise and greet him as Brunswick sat down without even a single word or nod. The first thing he did was arrogantly wave at a waitress, leaving no doubt that he was used to being served.
What an ill-mannered man. But at the same time this was wonderful news for Isabella. All of it. Her whole life she had lived amongst people like Brunswick; she even used to be one of them. He didn’t know it yet, but Brunswick was about to get played like a violin.
“So, you brought your wife?” he said, still not looking while taking a gentle sip of water. Liam was quick to react, but Isabella was faster.
“Fiancée. I do hope I am not intruding,” she replied in the most noble British tone his ears must have ever had the pleasure of hearing. Brunswick studied her for a moment.
“No, not at all,” he replied, averting his gaze toward the wine list without even recognizing the server as he made his selection of preferred wine. “I heard a British accent?”
