Her Surrender (Irresistibly Bound 2)

“Yes, the Oakmont Street development in West Heights. The locals are being difficult.” Vicki waved her hands dismissively. “They’re up in arms because we’re ‘destroying the neighborhood.’”

The locals? Difficult? April couldn’t believe what was coming out of Vicki’s mouth.

Senator Williams scoffed. “West Heights is prime real estate now, but it’s covered in all those ugly old townhouses. They’re a waste of valuable space.”

“Well, if the locals don’t like it, they can move somewhere else,” the Duchess said.

April fumed. Did Vicki really expect April to just stand here and listen to these snobs badmouth West Heights? She opened her mouth to retort when Camilla spoke.

“It’s unfortunate,” she said. “There are some lovely old buildings in the area. Isn’t there a museum that’s going to be demolished?”

“It’s a library,” April said sharply.

“Yes, it is a library.” Vicki placed a hand on April’s shoulder. “April works there.”

“Do you, dear?” The Duchess peered at April over her glasses. “It’s very generous of you to give up your time like that.”

Did this woman think April was some kind of volunteer? Of course, it made a lot more sense than someone who actually had a job at a library being a guest at a party like this. April did look like a guest right now, considering she was walking around with Vicki holding a glass of champagne.

“Yes, she’s a real dear, this one,” Vicki said, a mocking edge in her voice that only April seemed to notice. “She’s been helping Oasis work out a solution to relocate the library.”

“Well, I for one don’t see the point,” the Duchess said. “Do people even use libraries anymore? Can’t they just buy books?”

“The library isn’t just for books,” April said. “Plenty of people use libraries for the other resources they offer, like computers and free wifi.”

“Don’t they have those at home?”

April resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Some people can’t afford them. That’s why places like the Oakmont Street Library are so important.”

Without thinking, April launched into an impromptu speech about the importance of the library. When she finished, she realized that everyone in the circle was staring at her.

“I had no idea,” the Duchess said. “Did you know about this, Vicki?”

“Not until April told me about it,” Vicki said.

“Well it sounds like you’ve got an important thing going there, April,” Camilla said. “I’d love to help out. I’m sure I could find some funds to make a donation to the library.”

April beamed. “That would be wonderful.”

“Yes, I’ll speak with my husband about making a contribution,” the Duchess said loudly. “He’s the Duke of Immingham, you know. We’re very charitable people.”

Camilla tilted her head toward April and spoke under her breath. “Good luck getting anything from her. Last I heard, ‘the Duke’ stopped letting ‘the Duchess’ touch their money after he caught her naked in their bed with the pool boy. No, that isn’t right. It was the maid.”

April nearly choked on her champagne. She glanced around. The conversation had moved on, and no one else seemed to have heard Camilla’s comment.

“So, you work at the library?” Camilla asked.

“I run it, actually,” April replied. “I’m the director.”

“And that’s how you and Vicki met?”

April glanced at Vicki, who was deep in conversation with Senator Williams. “We’re not… We just happened to run into each other tonight,” April said for the second time that hour.

“Right.”

“Really, I’m supposed to be working right now,” she said, looking guiltily at her almost empty glass of champagne. “Vicki just wanted to show me around.” April still wasn’t sure what Vicki was showing her. After Vicki’s comments earlier, she was s

tarting to wonder if this was all a big joke.