Winning the King

The opening scene

‘Dammit. I knew I should have worn red.’

Diana Wiltmore reclined on the sofa and watched her twin sister twirl in front of the mirror. Cassandra was in her wedding gown, a bewitching concoction of blue lace bodice and sheer material skirt that was layered over itself to hide as much as it revealed of Cassandra’s legs. It was a stunning dress — Diana had designed it herself, determined that for once in her life, Cassandra was going to look as good as she should.

‘I told you it should be red,’ Diana said. ‘Grendon was a dick about many, many things, but he was right about the fact that red is your colour.’

Cassandra pulled a face. ‘I can’t believe that even from jail, he’s still managing to ruin my life.’

‘Grendon is nothing if not talented at being a complete and total arse.’ Diana got up and went over to stand at the mirror, as much to admire her own reflection as to support her sister.

The two of them were as different as two people could be. Physically it was hard to believe they were sisters, let alone twins — Cassandra was smaller, curvier, with dark hair and flashing hazel eyes. Diana was tall, svelte, with a cascade of blonde silk, and bright blue eyes set in a face that even complete strangers stopped to tell her was breathtaking.

Personality wise, Diana had thought they were also complete opposites. Cassandra was a workaholic, whereas Diana was all about enjoying life. As a result, they’d fought constantly.

But the events of six months ago, where the family company had been almost destroyed and Cassandra herself had been kidnapped and bashed by her then-fiancé, Grendon, had brought the two of them closer. Since then, Diana had found within herself a surprising pleasure in having a job – who’d have thought it? Now, she and Cassandra were best friends and Diana was glad of it.

Diana flicked one of the loose, curled locks of her hair off her cheek and pressed her palms down the length of her pale pink gown. Pink wasn’t a colour that worked well on her — a sacrifice she’d made to ensure her sister was the beauty of the day.

Diana put her arm around Cassandra’s shoulder. ‘You look wonderful, Cassie. That dress is absolutely gorgeous on you.’

‘So says the designer,’ Cassandra said, but she gave her body a half-twist to move the skirt of the gown, and the look on her face said she liked what she saw.

‘Stunning, my darling girl.’ Their mother, Venus, bustled across from the other side of the room. It was from her that Diana had inherited her golden beauty. Looks wise, Cassandra was a classic Wiltmore. ‘I’ve never seen you look lovelier.’

‘You don’t think it would be better in red?’

‘Of course not.’ Venus kissed Cassandra’s cheek but Diana saw the slight twist of her mother’s lips that signalled a little white lie. ‘And the fact is, red, blue or gold, Kernan won’t care about the colour. All he’ll see is his beautiful bride.’

Cassandra smiled at the mention of her soon-to-be husband and in that moment, she outshone both her mother and sister. Diana loved seeing that look on her sister’s face. For years, Cassandra had refused to succumb to the siren call of loving men. When she finally did, she chose a great one. Diana had wanted Kernan for herself, but she’d quickly seen how taken Cassandra was with him and decided to leave the field free for her sister.

Besides, it wasn’t as if Diana has issues finding men to love.

The fact that Cassandra had again brought up the colour red meant it was time. Diana nodded at Venus and their mother swept regally out of the room.