In a swirl of ice-blue chiffon a woman joins us. She’s very beautiful and clearly noble. Her pale blonde hair is styled in a French twist, and an ornate necklace with brilliant blue sapphires is around her neck.
“There you are, Colonel,” she says, taking his arm. “Felicity wanted to stop and speak to the crown prince.”
“Colonel?” My brow arches.
“Oh, I just told Miss Westingroot I was a little ole Kentucky Colonel.”
It’s then I notice he’s wearing a gold pin on his black tuxedo jacket. Sure enough it has Kentucky Colonel stamped on a blue background under a bald eagle.
“Did that come with the coat?” I snark under my breath.
“It’s just an honorary title, of course, but Lara here seems to think it’s worth a damn.”
“Who knew America had such things?” Lara says, but I don’t care for her snotty tone.
My heart jumps again at the sound of Cal’s voice. “Hello, what do we have here?”
Locking my eyes on Seth’s, I mentally order him, Don’t fuck this up…
“MacCallam,” Lara steps forward to kiss my escort’s cheek. “How is your health?”
“Good as yours, I imagine, who do we have here?”
He touches my lower back, and Seth’s eyes narrow. My jaw tightens in response.
Lara gestures toward Seth. “I’d like to present Mister Seth Hines. A real Kentucky Colonel.”
Her tone is still mocking, and I break my staring battle with Seth to evaluate this Westingroot chick.
“As in the chicken franchise?” Cal actually sounds impressed. “Incredible business model. All built around fried chicken.”
“Yes, the Colonel was a smart man,” Seth continues in that ridiculous accent, “Our honorable order lost a real gem when he passed.”
My eyes are back on Seth now, and I’m speechless. Is he actually attempting to be some fried chicken heir? I guess I have no right to judge. I’m supposed to be an oil baron’s niece.
“I’m sorry,” Cal speaks to me. “Zelda, do you know Miss Westingroot? Mister Hines?”
“We’ve only just met,” I say, doing my best to keep it together.
Seth is right on it. “I didn’t get your name, Miss…?”
“Benedict,” Cal answers for me. “Lux Benedict is her uncle. Of Texas?”
“Well, cotton and fiddles,” Seth says, and I cringe. “Texas is a mighty big state, but I’ve still heard of the wealthy Lux Benedict.”
“That’s right!” Lara Westingroot is addressing me now, and her tone has turned to solid ice. “You’re the one we have to thank for the lovely Miss Wilder’s presence.”
“Miss Wilder?” Seth asks, his eyes round with fake curiosity.
“The young lady attached to the crown prince like a remora.”
“Excuse me?” My voice is sharp. “She happens to be one of my best friends.”
Seth’s eyes widen, and my fear at what he could say to expose us is the only thing keeping me in check.
“I declare, Miss Benedict, have you known the crown prince long?” A wicked gleam is in his eyes, and I start to sweat.
“Yes, Miss Benedict,” Westingbitch chimes in. “How long have you known his royal majesty? Or better yet, how do you know him at all?”