CHAPTER EIGHT
Friday, 7.03 p.m.
ELSIE’SNERVESTIGHTENED, but Felipe didn’t take her straight to the ballroom. Instead they stopped at a small chamber not far from Amalia’s suite. A selection of velvet boxes had been set out on the table.
‘I know you appreciate and enjoy jewellery.’ He gestured for Amalia to step forward. ‘You may choose something to wear tonight.’
Amalia’s eyes rounded. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course,’ he said. ‘Take your time. You can try them all.’
The waiting maid showed Amalia earrings, necklaces, jewelled hair combs, even a couple of miniature tiaras. After a moment Felipe walked over to where Elsie was quietly marvelling.
‘Your skin is also bare.’ He pulled something from his pocket. ‘Perhaps you would like to wear this?’
Elsie’s skin rippled with goosebumps as he held it for her to inspect. A narrow rope of glistening diamonds set in gold. It sparkled brilliantly, making her think of an unbreakable chain that would undeniably tie her to him. She stared into his eyes for a smouldering moment, shocked by her thoughts...at the temptation at the thought of being so linked to him.
‘It’s a bracelet,’ he explained slowly as if she’d suddenly become brainless.
Which apparently she had because now a vision rose—of herself clad in nothing but this diamond chain on her wrist and with Felipe bracing above her, the wickedest of smiles on his face. A ball of heat exploded low in her belly.
‘No.’ She shook her head, clearing the shocking image. ‘No.’
‘It’s just a bracelet. Just for tonight.’
‘What happened to “my body my rules”? Adornment?’ she asked, desperate to escape her own overactive imagination. ‘You said you weren’t my fairy godmother, but you want to dress me up to fit in with your world.’
‘It’s not that. You’ll never fit into my world.’
The truth stung.
He gripped her wrist and stopped her from stepping away. ‘That’s a good thing, Elsie.’
‘If it’s good, then don’t ask me to pretend to be someone I’m not.’
‘Can you not be someone who wears pretty things? Or expensive things? Do you think you’re not worthy in some way?’
His perception angered her. She needed to stop him. To shock him. And there was nothing more shocking than the truth. As he’d just demonstrated. ‘My father is in prison.’
He stilled. ‘Your father is not you.’
She felt the prickle of tears and blinked rapidly, resisting the overwhelming emotion. It seemed more truth might be required. Things she never spoke of. She needed to push him away from her. ‘My brother was in prison too.’
‘But you’re not.’ He hesitated. ‘Have you ever been?’
She slowly shook her head.
His eyes were very deep and dark and he regarded her steadily. ‘And your mother’s gone. I’m sorry, Elsie.’
It hadn’t worked. He hadn’t withdrawn. Now he actually stepped closer, lifting the bracelet in his hand.
‘Please, Felipe.’ She shook her head again. He could tempt her into wearing it. Part of her desperately wanted to—to be accepted, to pretend for just a little while. Another part wanted to snatch it from his hand and never give it back. ‘It’s not mine. It’s not something I earned and I paid for. It’s not appropriate.’
‘It’s only to borrow, not keep,’ he argued. ‘Amalia told me you didn’t want to stand out. Unadorned you will. I imagine Sofia will be wearing so many kilos of jewels she’ll barely be able to stand beneath the weight of them.’
Startled, a horrible hot sensation rolled through her stomach. ‘She’s going to be here tonight?’
‘Are you jealous of my ex?’