The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(38)

"See you at the party tonight. It starts at 8," she said effectively dismissing me.

I walked up the stairs, not quite sure what to think. What did Esther mean by that? Did she know I had feelings for Rob? I knew by now how to get to my room, and made it there without any issues, even with my mind distracted. I closed the door and sat on my bed, trying to process what Esther had just told me. The thought of her knowing of my feelings for Rob didn't bother me, I was surprised to realize. In fact, it was almost freeing. At least someone knew, and didn't think me crazy for it.





Chapter 17: Rob



The party was in full swing, and most of the guests had already arrived, yet Emilia was still in her room. I had gone there before I came downstairs to escort her, but she told me she was still getting dressed. That had been half an hour ago. I glanced at my watch again impatiently, and wondered if she were trying to make some grand entrance. The thought annoyed me.

I'd been in a bad humor all day. There were people all over the house, and I couldn't find a minute alone and in peace. My father and sister had mercilessly teased me all day, and my mother kept shooting me smug glances, as if she knew something I didn't. It was enough to drive me to drink. And I'd been doing that in abundance. I was on my fourth glass of champagne and was really craving something a little harder, but my mother would have had a fit. Liquor is reserved for after dinner, I heard her voice say in my mind.

Part of the reason I'd been so cranky was because I'd not seen Emilia all day. It was like she was purposefully trying to avoid me, and the thought rankled more than I cared to admit. Didn't I tell myself that I was going to limit the time I spent with her? So why was I so upset that she was doing us both a favor by keeping her distance as well? My jaw clenched involuntarily.

"You look like a beast," I heard a laughing voice at my back, and turned to see Roman standing there with his wife Lily.

A tight smile crossed my lips, but I gave Lily a kiss on the cheek and reserved a glare for Roman. He looked entirely too happy and at ease tonight. Meanwhile, I was feeling like a ship in the midst of a raging storm.

"Well, aren't you going to say anything?" he asked, still standing there with that arrogant look on his face.

"Why don't you go bother someone else," I said.

"Is that any way to greet your favorite cousin and his beautiful wife?" Roman asked, giving Lily a kiss on top of her head. They shared a look and got silly grins on their faces before I'd finally had enough and blew out a frustrated breath.

"Aren't you two past the honeymoon stage yet?" I asked.

"Geez Rob, what's got your panties in a bunch?" Lily asked.

"Pardon?" I said.

"Bothered? Pissed off? I've never seen you look so--agitated," she explained.

"I can take a guess," Roman said, laughingly.

"Oh hush, I don't think you should be teasing him," Lily admonished lightly.

"Why not? It's what he'd do to me. In fact, I remember him doing exactly that to me when I was in his situation," Roman said.

"You two do know I'm standing right here," I said, annoyance lacing my voice.

"Sorry, Rob. You look like you'd rather be alone. We'll be going now," Lily said, tugging Roman's arm away.

I gave her a grateful smile as she left. I felt a little guilty for taking my annoyance out on her. Roman, I didn't care about, but Lily had been nothing but kind and understanding. I followed them with my eyes and was just about to turn my attention back to the stairs for Emilia, when they were arrested by a sight I'd never thought to see under this roof again.

There standing not two feet away from the dance floor was Cordelia Crenshaw, my ex-girlfriend. She was Lady Sutton now, so I heard. We'd dated off and on since university, up until five years ago. She was a major reason why I'd been so against settling down and getting married.

Our parents had set us up initially, since they were acquaintances. My mother must have thought we were a match made in heaven, at least she hoped it. Cordelia had the right family, connections, titles, and wealth. All I cared about at the time was her looks, and boy was she pretty; the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. She was well developed at 18, with long blonde hair, green eyes and killer curves. She was every teenage boy's dream come true.

After college, she'd started harping about getting engaged, and I was nowhere near settling down. Then one day she told me she was pregnant, and I thought my life was over. I was prepared to marry her. I'd been raised to take responsibility for my actions, but she'd eventually told me she lost the baby. I'd heard through the grapevine that she'd used that tactic before, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Still, I wouldn't be a fool and forced into a loveless marriage, so I ended things with her permanently.

She spotted me looking at her and her face lit up. I was pissed off at my mother for inviting her in the first place. What was she thinking? She knew Cordelia and I were old news, and I hadn't talked to her for years. Was this what she'd meant when she warned me she would take matters into her own hands? I grew angry just at the thought. It was insulting, actually, not only to myself but to Emilia. My mother knew we were engaged. What was she doing inviting my ex to a party where my fiancée was. Why put us in that awkward position?

I knew my face must have looked thunderous. Just then I looked over to see Emilia at the entrance of the ballroom. All eyes turned to her as she stood there. She was looking directly at me and her smile faltered when she saw my face.