The Enemy

Chapter 17

Chapter 17: January 2007 - Charterhouse

The Charterhouse Commons looked marvelous. Emma smoothed out the glimmering, silky skirt of her dress and linked her arm with Alex Khan. He was a notable footballer from Eton and had already garnered a spot on Manchester United upon his graduation this upcoming spring. They'd brushed shoulders during Clay Pigeon League competitions, and Alex had approached her about her to admire her skill with a rifle. Upon Lily's insistence, she'd invited him to Charterhouse's New Year's Ball. John hadn't even expressed a passing interest in asking her, and she'd been moping around campus for weeks. She'd been shocked when Alex accepted her request. She definitely wasn't the type to reel in the school's star athlete. The look on John's face when he learned the news was priceless.

She smiled at her date and bit her lip, taking a deep breath. He was really good looking. Like, insanely so. It was maddening. She felt everyone's gaze on them and ignored the puzzled stares. He also smelled bloody amazing. He was tall and intimidatingly strong. His tailored tuxedo hugged him in all the right places, and his blond hair was mussed just so. It looked like he'd tumbled out of bed, pulled on smart clothes, and decided to attend a dance. It made her think of bed. Of him in bed. She pulled her arm away from him and fiddled with her hair. It fell in sleek waves down her right shoulder thanks to Lily's magic touch.

"The school looks lovely." He smiled.

Emma nodded and led them towards the refreshments. Her golden dress shimmered in the colourful lights, and the sparkly golden heels, though painful, made her strong legs look long and lean beneath the cocktail-length dress. "I'm so glad you agreed to go with me. They've really gone all out this year. It's a treat."

He laughed, and it rumbled in her own chest. She got caught up staring at the dots of stubble threatening to sprout up on his freshly shaven cheek. He was eighteen to her sixteen, and the thought sent tingles up her spine. A lanky form caught her eye. John stood with Rebecca Hall just a few feet away. His suit jacket was nice though a tad loose and his hair actually styled. She re-linked her arm with Alex and nodded at John when he made eye contact.

"Alex!" Alexandria Campbell, a year younger than Emma and prominent member of the Saunderite house, appeared. Her bright blonde hair shone in the lights and cascaded down her back. Her bright blue eyes were complemented by her periwinkle dress.

Emma tightened her grip on Alex's arm.

"It's so wonderful to see you!" Alexandria smiled in a way that exposed all of her perfect, gleaming teeth. "You've simply got to say hello to the others." She motioned over to a table overflowing with Saunderites. One pale, scowling face was unmistakable as he motioned and smirked, pointing towards some awkwardly dancing couples. The entire table of people around him erupted with laughter.

Alex looked at Emma with a raised brow. "You alright?"

"Yes!" She grinned. "Let's go." Emma exhaled and focused on Alex's warmth against her. Alexandria kept glancing back at them with a furrow in her delicate brow. Emma narrowed her eyes and squared her shoulders.

"Alright—" Alexandria broke into the laughing group and got everyone's attention.

Beck looked the newcomers up and down and whispered something to Christopher Saint. The two boys smirked.

"I want to introduce you lot to someone! Someone who will actually class up the joint."

There were a few jeers and hoots, but Alexandria just smiled. Alexandria put an arm around Alex and pushed the two of them towards Beck and the others. Howards was clearly the leader of the group.

"Beck, this is Alex Khan." Alexandria fluttered her eyelashes and Emma bit down on her cheek to resist rolling her eyes. "He's starting for Manchester next year and is in his final year at Eton. Our mothers are good friends and work closely together at the peerage club."

Howards raised an eyebrow and extended a hand. Alex shook it with force, and she noticed the two men's jaws clench after exchanging pleasantries. She stifled a scoff and crossed her arms. Alex continued down the line, and she moved to step away.

Howards's eyes turned back to her. They flicked over her and grew. "Stapleton?"

Emma met his cold eyes with a glare. "Yes?"

Howards relaxed, and his expression returned to his usual look of bored superiority. He turned to exchange another look with Saint. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"What?" She shook her head. "At my own school dance? Yes, what an absolutely unexpected occurrence."

He scowled, and his eyes bored into hers. "I didn't expect to see you here with the likes of Alex Khan." His eyes flicked over her again. "I expected to see you with the likes of...." He cast a pointed look to the awkward couples on the dancefloor.

"Sorry to disappoint." She fought off a flush and the urge to stomp on his foot. She turned and sighed with relief to see Alex returning. She shifted on aching feet and hoped her wide eyes conveyed her need to leave. Alex smiled and wrapped a large arm around her back. She eased into his embrace.

"Lovely to meet your friends," he said to a spot just behind her ear. It sent a delightful sensation swooping through her belly. "Nice to meet you, mate." Alex extended his hand again, and she turned to see the brooding stares of Howards and his cronies.

Alexandria popped up beside the other Saunderites and looked distinctly put out.

"I know that I don't need to introduce you to the incomparable Emma Stapleton." Alex pressed a quick kiss to the hollow where her jaw met her neck, and she nearly jumped.

Alexandria looked ready to throttle a kitten.

"Now, if you'll excuse us, I promised the lady a dance."

Emma and Alex couldn't smother their laughter as they walked away, and Emma danced all night until she could barely stand. Later, when Alex kissed her soundly, it was the first time in years she didn't think at all of John Huxton.