Dating the Duke (The Aristocrat Diaries 2)

“Oh, we were just—” I looked at Alex.

“Checking on Olympia,” he said without missing a beat. “She wanted to say goodnight, then requested Adelaide show her her dress.”

I nodded. “She was quite insistent. I think she might want it for herself.”

Eva’s lips twitched.

Right.

I couldn’t lie to her. She knew.

I was in so much trouble right now.

“Shall we go in?” Alex said, offering me his arm.

I slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow.

“After you.” He motioned for Gabi and Eva to go first. “Ladies first.”

Gabi pursed her lips and grabbed Eva’s hand. “Such a gentleman.”

He smirked at me. “Let’s go.”

***

Fortunately, when we arrived, we were ever so slightly late, and Charlotte and Fred had already taken their seats. We were shown to ours by a member of staff, and after apologising to our table for being late and greeting them all, we settled into a comfortable conversation until our food was brought out.

Eva magically managed to make her way through three courses without spilling anything on her clothing—quite the feat, if you knew my sister’s eating habits—and even managed to charm one of the single young men who’d attended with his brother and two sisters.

After dinner came the charity auction. I didn’t bid on anything, but Alex found himself the winner of five horse-riding lessons with a top horse trainer that he promptly declared would be Olympia’s birthday present this year. Gabriella won some rare roses for her rose garden that she grumbled Miles would likely try and steal, and Eva just had fun running everyone else up.

Like I said.

She was in one of those moods.

Evangeline was the kind of person who would be kidnapped and returned within the hour. The ransom would be paid to our parents to please take her back.

When that was all said and done, it was time to be the nice upper-class girl my mother raised me as.

My sister would take care of the hellion side.

“Adelaide!” Charlotte approached me with her arms out. She wore a slinky silver dress that I had to admit complemented her blonde hair perfectly. It was also cold, like her personality, but there we were. “It’s so lovely you could come.”

No, it wasn’t.

“Charlotte. What a wonderful evening you’ve pulled together. It seems to be a real success.” I embraced her before pulling back. “Dinner was lovely.”

She pressed a hand to her chest with mock humility. “Thank you.”

“The steak was a bit dry, though,” Eva said, resting her elbow on my shoulder. “Shame.”

Charlotte’s smile froze. “Eva. Always a pleasure.”

“No, it’s not.”

See?

Hellion.

“Adelaide.” Fred grinned at me, and we kissed each other’s cheeks. “What a lovely colour on you.”

“Thank you, Fred. It’s lovely to see you.”

“Eva. I see you’re behaving yourself,” he said, turning to my sister.

Eva grinned and kissed his cheek. “When don’t I?”

Literally all the time.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes at her. “Fred, I see someone waving for us.”

He looked over our heads. “I don’t see anyone, darling.”

“They’ve stopped now. Let’s go.” She gripped his arm, and he left with her with one shout to Alex that he’d catch up with him later.

“Eva, do try to behave yourself,” I said softly. “There’s no use getting in an argument with her tonight.”

“I am behaving myself,” she said, holding onto her almost-empty champagne flute. “The steak was dry.”

Alex fought back a laugh. “That’s because you had it well-done. Most well-done steaks are dry, Eva.”

She sniffed at him. “Excuse me for ensuring my meat is actually dead before I eat it, unlike your cut which was still mooing on your plate.” She finished her champagne. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m getting another drink. Gabi, are you coming?”

She waved her hand. “No, no, I’m fine.”

“I’ll bring you one back.” With that, Eva sashayed through the crowd, drawing her usual amount of attention from men, both single and married alike.

Alex shook his head. “How on Earth do you live with her?”

“It’s quite simple. She got all the confidence and extroverted traits, and I got all the opposite. We balance each other out.”

“I can see that.” His lips twitched. “You handled Charlotte well. She… not so much.”

“Eva isn’t terribly good at hiding her emotions,” I said slowly. “If her mouth doesn’t say it, her face will, so she just lets her mouth say it anyway. Best to cut to the chase and all that.”

We sat back down at the table, and Alex chuckled. “If it works for her, it works for her.”

“Alexander. I thought I heard your voice.”

I turned to see the newcomer to our conversation—I vaguely recognised him, but I couldn’t place him nor put a name to his face.

It was a very nice face, all things considered.

“Matt!” Alex stood back up and clasped hands with him, and they did that clap on the shoulder thing that men did.

I’d never understood that.

Just shake hands.

“How are you? I’m glad you made it,” Alex said.