Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Now, let’s go over your speech,” Nan said, watching me carefully for my reaction.
I shot her a happy smile. “Don’t worry, I’m too busy plotting Cora’s downfall to blame you for this little detail. I’m well aware that she would normally be the one giving this speech.”
Nan tsk’d me. “It’s important for you to get the opportunity to speak of important issues so people can see you’re more than a pretty face. I’m going to introduce you to Ned Pinchon, who’s been selected to help write your statement to the voting members in the by-election. He’s also taken a stab at your speech for tomorrow. The two of you can spend the rest of the afternoon sorting those things out.”
The remainder of the day was more excruciating than the rest of the day had been, which was saying something. Ned was a fine man with excellent skills, but he took his job incredibly seriously. By the time I was called into dinner, my head was throbbing.
The throbbing turned to a relentless pounding when the first person I saw in the dining room was my Aunt Lydia.
“Darling! I’m thrilled you’ve finally finished that American modeling nonsense and are home for good.”
I gave her the expected air-kisses before glancing around to find Reg’s new sous chef setting a few serving utensils on the sideboard and Kenji standing alone nearby, pretending to admire a portrait of the ninth earl and his hunting dogs. I glanced back at Aunt Lydia. “Have you met Kenji yet?”
She tilted her nose up almost imperceptibly. “No, I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”
I moved over to place a hand on Kenji’s back, and he turned toward us. A mask of politeness fell over his features, dropping the temperature of the room a few degrees.
A small frown of worry creased the sous chef’s face as she glanced between Kenji and Lydia, indicating some unspoken tension in the room.
“Aunt Lydia, may I introduce Kenji Toma? Kenji, this is my aunt, Lydia Davencourt. Cora’s mother.”
Lydia gave a perfunctory nod and fake smile without offering her hand. “I see. And you are Landry’s assistant, correct?”
Kenji stumbled against my side, making me aware that I’d pulled him closer without noticing.
“Yes, ma’am,” he began, the edge of his mouth curling up dangerously. “I assist him in quite a few things, actually.”
The words were laden with innuendo.
Kenji’s hand landed on my chest as he turned and shot me an adoring look. “Isn’t that right, darling?”
I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips, surprising a breath out of him. Unlike our earlier kiss in the hallway, when I’d grabbed the man the way a drowning man gasps for air, heedless of anyone around us, this kiss was definitely intended for an audience. But it still lasted long enough for me to make my aunt uncomfortable, to establish Kenji was more than my employee, and to remind Kenji that even though I was angry at him and I was confident he was still angry with me, I was on his side no matter what.
When my aunt made a sniff of disapproval, I pulled back and met Kenji’s eyes. My sweater was tangled in his grip, and his lips were shiny from the tip of my tongue. “Hi,” I murmured softly. “Are you okay?”
He nodded silently, his eyes wide and a little dazed.
“Good.” I turned back to Aunt Lydia but kept an arm around Kenji’s waist. “I thought we weren’t expecting you back from the Maldives until just before the Hearts of Hawling Dinner?”
She waved a manicured hand in the air. “Don’t be daft. I obviously cut my trip short as soon as I heard your news. We need to present a united front as a family if you’re to take up your place in the Lords. I can help plead your case, especially to the MPs’ wives. You do know I’m on the membership committee of the Mayfair Ladies’ Philanthropic League with Caroline Langhurst. Her husband is deputy leader. And I play tennis with Harriett Goldsmith on Tuesdays. Her brother is Lord Tremayne, senior deputy chairmen of… oh, I don’t remember.”
“Economic affairs,” Kenji murmured politely.
I stared at him as Cora came bustling in. “Sorry, I’m late. Nan and Uncle Ed are right behind me.”
Sure enough, my father and Nan completed our group. As soon as Dad reached his spot at the head of the table, he smiled and nodded at everyone in turn. “Welcome home, Lydia. Cora, nice to see you taking a break for once. Kenji, I hope your first foray into the lion’s den wasn’t too taxing. Everett, I had a call from Teddy this afternoon, full of praise and excitement about your willingness to help out. And Nan.” His face softened into familiar affection. “If I haven’t told you yet today, you’re looking particularly lovely in that green. It sets off your eyes and reminds me of the Yorkshire dales in spring. Everyone, please be seated.”