Classy

Chapter Three

Frankie Bennet

In which I very maturely refrain from punching someone in the face

As I emerged from my two hours of bathing, styling, and dressing, all of which was somehow done by other people while I just tried not to get in the way, Gates applauded cheerfully.

"You look spectacular," he said appreciatively. "And not just because you're dressed in one of my own creations."

I awkwardly examined myself in the mirror. I did, frankly, look spectacular. I think it would have been hard for anyone to look anything less than spectacular in a tasteful, golden shimmery dress and heels. Gates was also dressed, in a suit that appeared black until he moved, and the light caught the golden thread woven through it in a plaid configuration.

"You look great," I told him honestly, smiling. "Very handsome. We match!"

"Yes, please let the room in general notice that," he put his hands together as if pleading with a deity. "Please let the women in the room notice that we match and leave me alone."

I turned to him curiously. "Okay, I get that you don't want your folks to set you up with someone, like that's understandable. But you don't think you'd meet anyone you like, by yourself? You must meet so many people in your line of work."

"Yeah, I do," he mused, thinking it over. "But - I'm going to sound like a very sappy romantic here, so brace yourself - I just don't get interested very easily. When I do, it's something truly extraordinary that catches my attention, and I have been known to fall in love rather intensely. And honestly, most people think I'm gay. I think it's the clothes."

I grinned. "Gonna need those stories later."

"You got it, sordid Gates-related romantic history later," he agreed. "But really, it's just two past relationships, all of which didn't make it past a year each. I'm not exactly high-maintenance, I don't think so anyway, but I think I'm a bit... whim-prone."

"If I had your money I'd probably be prone to some whims," I laughed, but he seemed a bit down, so I elbowed him and said, "Hey, I think you're great. A true catch. But if you're not looking to be caught right now, then that's okay too. You can just be happy knowing I have literally no interest in you, in any conceivable way."

"Thanks," he said, genuinely meaning it. "I really do appreciate that." He then said, "Mads has gotten in my head about you maybe feeling uncomfortable here - are you sure you're up for it?"

I felt simultaneously patronised by Madeline Darcy, and thankful that she'd thought of me being uncomfortable because I likely would be very uncomfortable. Still, I wasn't one to back down from a challenge, and really, at worst all that would happen is people twigged me and Gates weren't halfway down the aisle.

"Don't back down on me now, Bingley," I told him, offering him my arm. "Or Jane will have had to babysit for nothing."

Gates beamed. "She's a delight. I should make it up to her, send her a thank-you gift."

"Maybe a gift card," I hedged. Gates' last thank-you gift had taken up half of the flat.

*****

The party was, to put it lightly, absolutely ludicrous. There were oysters, which I avoided determinedly. The food was unpronounceable. The trays were marked for allergies, which I was thankful for, not wanting to accidentally ingest nuts and cause a swift end to my existence, but I had no idea what I was eating, and I didn't dare ask. I had the sense that the tastes were supposed to be complex, bold, and daring, but I mostly just tasted cream cheese and various vegetables. I avoided the ones with caviar, because I'd never had it, and I didn't want to find out if I hated it in front of everyone.