Intent on His claim (Beauty and the Beast #3)

Chapter 15

Warren still managed to sound as angry as he was a second ago. "She insults the honor of my lady to my very face!"

"Oh, you must have misheard her," Veronica dismissed then turned to a bristling Matilda. "I'm sorry, I don't know why Warren would think you'd insult Belle. She's a darling girl."

By now we'd caught everyone's attention. Matilda decided to make her case. "Veronica dear, how you can stand by and watch while Warren parades this simple girl on his arm simply confounds me. She is of no repute."

"Yes, I see how it confounds you," Veronica said sweetly, making her gasp. "It never occurs to you, does it sister, that a person can be her own merit? That a lineage is not all that must be taken into consideration?"

"Well, naturally, but -"

Veronica took my hand and pulled me to her side. Warren willingly let go. "Annabelle has met with all my expectations. Surpassed them, actually. She is a very honored guest in this house, now and at any time she chooses to visit. Here, she is family." And in the ensuing silence I knew she'd made her stand, firmly placing her family in my corner.

When Matilda said nothing else Veronica linked arms with me, once again the perfect hostess, and turned to Warren. Her brow was raised as she teased lowly but still loud enough to be heard, "You should know better than to be drawn into an argument by weak minded people. You know your aunt is intellectually challenged."

I couldn't help a choking laugh as Warren's mouth curled slightly. "Of course, Mother."

Veronica towed me away. "Come, dear, there is someone you simply must meet." She glanced over her shoulder at Warren. "Honey, your guests have arrived."

Veronica took me round the room introducing me to more people, but I was now self-conscious. When we neared the door to the kitchen, I told her I wanted a drink and slipped from her grasp. "But there are waiters -"

I slipped into the relative quiet of the kitchen. Luckily, there were only a few caterers in here and they hurried about their business. I went to the drinks table and grabbed one, then took a sip and leaned against the wall, trying to calm myself down. It hadn't occurred to me that Warren's family would want him to be with someone who fit his status. How had that not crossed my mind before? He was the son of a lord, of course he was out of my league.

Maybe I hadn't been wrong about Kyle all those months ago. Maybe he really hoped Caitlin would -

"Ah, there you are! So the sun chooses to shine upon us even at this late hour. Why, may I ask, does such magnificence grace us with her presence?"

I looked up to find an unfamiliar guy watching me with a lazy smile. He had deep brown hair and blue green eyes. He was cute, so maybe Warren's cousin? "Are you talking to me?"

"A compliment, sweet flower," he smiled and held out a red rose to me.

"Oh."

"Will you accept this simple offering? Though it cannot hope to match your beauty, I hope it is enough to entice you to dine with me tomorrow evening?"

I frowned. Who at this party still didn't know that I was Warren's girlfriend?

He stepped closer and I was suddenly pushed back behind Warren's back. He stood between me and his cousin and leaned closer to him. "You appear a little lost, Nigel. May I suggest the scalloped crab on the table to your right?"

"Ah, so it's true," Nigel laughed. "My apologies, cousin. I had stepped out of the room for a short minute and so missed what I suppose was the highlight of the evening. " he peeked over Warren's shoulder, his eyes twinkling as he winked at me. "Fascinating. She truly is worth the wrath of the dragon lady."