‘We could cure that annoying habit very easily,’ Libby said into his ear.
‘It didn’t work this evening.’
‘I wasn’t naked and on top of you then,’ Libby said, and Daniil found himself smiling at the thought of his father’s hasty retreat if he found them in such a compromising position.
‘You wouldn’t duck under the covers, would you?’
‘Of course not,’ she said. ‘I’d ask him to pour me a glass of water. He’d never not knock again.’
‘What are you doing?’ Daniil asked, as she smiled and gave a small wave to someone over his shoulder.
‘I’m annoying George for you,’ she said. ‘I just smiled at your mother.’
Here at the family home, when he had never thought there could be, there was the first glimpse of ease. With Libby, there was a sense of togetherness—nothing and no one could touch them.
‘What are your family functions like?’ Daniil asked.
‘Catered for by my sister, micromanaged by my father...’
‘And your mother?’ Daniil asked, because she rarely mentioned her.
‘Frowned on by her.’ Libby’s response was resigned. ‘I don’t think she’s ever been truly happy. She simply doesn’t know how to enjoy the moment.’
And that was exactly what they did.
Right now, in the midst of so much history, a sliver of pleasure was found—the beat of the music, the feel of each other.
Was this what a relationship made possible? Daniil pondered.
A hellish visit made bearable simply by having her there.
Always there was the next thing to aim for, the race to be run, but right now, in a place that held no happy memories, where he had least expected to find it, he started to glimpse a future, a constant that could remain.
The dance had turned into one of pleasure, an unexpected treasure that he had never expected to find this night, though it unnerved Daniil, rather than bought comfort, for he knew better than to get used to such a thing.
Nothing lasted—that much had been proved long ago.
As the music shifted he released her from his arms and Libby excused herself to visit the ladies’ room. Daniil went and got another glass of sparkling water—he was very deliberately not drinking tonight.
He stiffened as George came over to him—he was all smiles as he congratulated Daniil on his speech.
‘Very nicely said.’ George gave a nod of approval that Daniil did not need but, because he had sold his soul tonight, just to find out about the letters, he seemingly accepted the praise and shook his cousin’s hand.
‘It’s true what you said about a forty-year marriage being an achievement...’ George sighed. ‘I doubt it will ever happen to either of us.’
‘Yes, I heard about your divorce,’ Daniil said. He really was on his best behaviour tonight, for he omitted to mention that this divorce would be George’s third.
‘Yes, the cow is taking me for all I haven’t got,’ George hissed. ‘The last two saw to that. Relationships are bloody hard work if you ask me.’
Daniil hadn’t.
‘So how long have you been with Libby?’ George asked. ‘She seems like a very lovely lady.’
‘She is.’
‘How did you meet?’
‘We...’ Daniil started, and then he realised there was no reason to lie. ‘We met through Libby’s father. He organised tonight.’
‘So you only got together recently, then?’
Daniil nodded.
‘I thought as much.’
‘Excuse me?’ Daniil checked.
‘She still seems happy,’ George said, and walked off.
Daniil’s jaw gritted but he told himself to ignore what had just been said. As he went to walk away it was straight into Charlotte, who was standing, talking with his mother and her father.
‘For old times’ sake?’ Charlotte said.
It was a duty dance or make a small scene, Daniil knew, so he held his ex in loose hands and, had Libby not been here tonight, she’d have sufficed.
Charlotte didn’t do it for him now.
‘My father’s looking very displeased,’ Charlotte whispered, and twelve years or so ago that would have turned him on.
Hell, a few weeks ago it might have been enough for Daniil to make his way to her room later tonight for the simple pleasure of screwing her under her father’s nose.
‘I’m coming down to London next week,’ Charlotte purred.
‘I’ll be away on business.’