Butter for the Balls

Chapter Eight

"Go tell your new husband hello for me."

Her new husband? Could Chad have found out about her brother's plans? Did he see the letter before her?

Questions upon questions raced through Adrianna's mind as she revisited their conversation through the night. Chad did a great job at avoiding her. Adrianna didn't know how Chad knew about the engagement, but she wanted to find out. Instead of waiting for him to come to her, she walked around the ballroom, trying to find him in order to explain everything. Adrianna was barely able to make it a yard before coming face to face with her mother.

"Darling!" She exclaimed, arms open wide for a hug. "It has been too long."

Even though Adrianna highly disagreed, she still smiled and hummed in agreement.

"Hello, Adie!" It was Tamlin. Adrianna didn't know how to react around him. Her whole body was tense with the memory of his betrayal. How could he agree to marrying her off to some stranger? Where was her fiancé, anyways?

Her mother seemed to read Adrianna's mind and whispered to her, "He should be here any minute now." She gestured to the crowd but no man appeared, and Adrianna hoped he would never show up. Instead of just sulking, Adrianna decided to glare at her brother instead. She didn't know if she would be able to forgive him after this, but instead of receiving a malicious glare back in response, Tamlin gazed at her quizzically. She had a gut feeling that something was off, he didn't even seem to know what was going on.

In an effort to change the subject and break the silence, Adrianna decided to mention Tamlin's ex-wife who she saw drinking by the large 'snowball', "I noticed Megalodon is here. I didn't know she had an invitation."

"Oh, I am sure she found a friend to bring her. I just felt so bad about her being so alone during this festive celebration." Adrianna's mother sighed, and then flicked her attention to Adrianna's bosom, "What in heaven's name is that?"

"Butter," Tamlin said simply, chuckling a little underneath his breath.

"I think it's charming." Adrianna said, smiling down at the hand embroidered letters, "The Duke did it for me. I think it's quite unique."

"Unique is right." Her mother huffed disapprovingly and looked into the crowd. Adrianna's hope died right as soon as Mother's face lit up, "There he is!"

She waved him over, and Adrianna had to wait for the crowd to part before being able to decipher his figure.

No. It couldn't be.

This could not be happening.

Anyone but him. Any thing but him.

"Mr. Harold Richard Mann!" Her mother practically cheered.

"Please, Mr. Harold Richard Mann was my father. Call me Harry Dick Mann." Harold bowed to the three of them while locking eyes with Adrianna.

Tamlin cleared his throat, "Mr. Mann, I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

By the time Harold moved his gaze to her brother, Adrianna was halfway across the ballroom, heading straight towards the gardens. She couldn't handle being in the same room as him, let alone be engaged to him! Her ex! The crowd was too close, the noise was too loud, her heart was beating too fast. Adrianna had to escape immediately. She weaved her way through people, apologizing when necessary, and bumping some shoulders until she could exit the large doors and take a breath of fresh air.

The air was cold and crisp and snow had fallen on the ground, making the gardens look bright and completely white. A few people scattered the gardens, but it was still amazing not to be crowded inside. Instead of waiting there, out in the open for Harold to find her, Adrianna kept walking and searching for a hiding place where she could wait out the party. Adrianna crunched towards a corner of the castle walls, her feet freezing in the icy snow, but paused when she saw a crumpled note on the ground, and stooped to pick it up.