“Mr. Crowne, you look positively dashing this morning.”
It took a moment for Beryl’s gaze to drift down the hall. “Josephine, you look ravishing as always. Where are the children?”
I followed his gaze to find Josephine St. Germaine in a stunning white velvet dress.
Her jaw tightened a fraction. “You know how unpredictable the weather can be.”
“I do. Dangerous, even.”
Josephine clenched the stem of her crystal flute. There was something under this conversation, something I couldn’t detect.
As Josephine and Beryl talked, Josephine casually turned, until Beryl was facing away from me. Her eyes shifted to me, clandestinely looking to my skirts.
I don’t know how she knew, but I realized now was the time for Grayson to slip out of my skirts. I quickly lifted up my skirts while Beryl had his back to me. Grayson slid out.
He stood up slowly, rolling out his shoulders, dark glare on me and unblinking. Not even bothered by how close we’d been to getting caught.
I glared back. What should I have done? I know Grayson is lying—I know what it means if his grandfather catches him. He dragged his pinky along his bottom lip, like he saw the words in my head.
Silently, I threw my hand out behind me to the Christmas tree.
Go.
He rubbed his jaw, walking away from his grandfather and me—and slammed right into West coming around the corner.
Beryl turned around at the noise.
“Grayson?” Beryl arched a brow. “Where did you come from?”
West looked at me and Grayson, then tilted his head, a slow grin spreading. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for West to do something, say something.
Then West threw his arm around Grayson. “He was with me.”
My heart dropped into my stomach. Why would West do that?
A slight wrinkle formed in Beryl’s brow. “Is that so?”
West squeezed Gray’s shoulder, wrinkling the soft fabric there.
Grayson clenched his jaw, gritting, “Yup.”
Beryl looked between the two. “And what could have brought you two together?”
West looked to Gray. “Why don’t we tell you all about it over a cigar?”
Gray looked like he’d rather chew through leather, but nodded. West looked over his shoulder, throwing me a wink before disappearing around the corner.
Dread wove ugly vines in my chest. What game is he playing?
Josephine waited until Beryl had long disappeared with Grayson and West, before turning to me.
“Hello again, Story.” Josephine sighed prettily into her champagne. “I see you got your own castle. Congratulations.”
Her congratulations sounded like my condolences.
I tore my gaze from the corner. “You just helped me.”
She shrugged. “You looked like you could use a hand.”