CHAPTER NINE
Friday, 11.27 p.m.
ELSIEWALKEDDOWNthe long corridor, hoping it would lead to the guest wing. She should’ve asked Amalia’s maid to show her but hadn’t wanted to be a pain. It was so quiet this far from the ballroom she felt as if she were the only person in some magical realm.
‘You didn’t even make it to midnight before running away.’ A tall shadow stepped from a corner.
‘Felipe?’ Her jump-scare switched to jump-sizzle as he moved closer until he was right in front of her.
She could hardly look at him in that sharp suit with the glimmer of stubble on his sculpted jaw and the smouldering ferocity in his eyes.
‘Amalia is over it,’ Elsie nervously explained. ‘She’s just gone to bed.’
‘I’m over it too,’ he muttered.
Elsie couldn’t think about him going to bed. ‘What about your guests?’
‘I’ve talked with all of them.’ His stormy gaze pierced her. ‘Except you.’
‘I’m not your guest, though. I’m—’
‘Here under sufferance?’ he interjected huskily.
‘Here for Amalia,’ she corrected softly.
‘No, you’re not.’
Her pulse flicked into double time. Amalia had been one reason he’d demanded her presence tonight. But there was another—stronger one.
Take a breath.
It was impossible. Hot and tense, she needed to get away from him.
‘I’m going to my room.’ Her voice wobbled worse than an opera diva’s.
‘Is it satisfactory?’
She hadn’t actually seen it yet. She’d got ready in Amalia’s room, where they’d provided literally everything for her. Dress, shoes...panties. But before she could answer him, he frowned heavily.
‘It’s in the guest wing,’ he growled.
‘Speaking of guests,’ she answered awkwardly. ‘You really should get back to them.’
‘I don’t want to.’
She couldn’t help a smile. ‘You do sullen far better than your teenage stepsister.’
‘I’m not sure it’s wise to provoke me right now, Elsie.’
Her mouth dried.
‘I’ve let it be known I’ve retired to reflect before tomorrow,’ he said.
Tomorrow was too close already. Time was ticking—trickling away.
‘To reflect?’ She reached for a smile but failed.
At midday tomorrow he would be the sole focus of millions of people. She couldn’t imagine the pressure that came with that level of scrutiny.