London Dynasty (The Dynasties #1) - Geneva Lee Page 0,25

was no denying that it was a statement.

“This will send a message,” Iris whispered.

“Which is?”

“That you’re a queen, and queens hold all the true power.”

I stared at the mirror, wondering if it was possible for a dress to convey all of that. Somehow, though, I knew she was right. Without me, Tod Belmond would be screwed, and the Byrds would lose out on my family’s fortune and connections. I was the most powerful player on the board because I had nothing to lose.

“You have an event tonight, no?” Camille, the facial expert as she’d been introduced to me a few moments ago, asked with a heavy French accent.

“Yes. I mean, no. I’m sorry, what was the question?” I stammered, still feeling anxious about what waited for me this evening.

“You are going to a party tonight?” she repeated a little more slowly.

I nodded. “A dinner or a ball.” God, she probably thought I was an idiot. I prayed she didn’t ask me about my skincare regime or my travels. I was struggling enough with facts that I didn’t want to have to make up lies. “I just know it’s important.”

“I will be gentle then.” She stood behind me, her eyes watching mine in the colossal bathroom’s mirror. Her hand reached and took my chin, tilted my head to study me. “Have you been wearing sunscreen?”

“I try to avoid the sun,” I said without thinking and my stomach flipped over. Where was it that everyone thought Kerrigan had been? New York? The South of France? I had to remember that. No one would believe that a wealthy, beautiful woman had gone to the Mediterranean and stayed out of the sun.

But Camille didn’t seem to think anything of my answer. “Good girl. The sun will ruin your skin. Hats and sunscreen, remember?”

I suspected she’d given this lecture before, but I nodded anyway.

“Thankfully, your skin is quite clear, so we will make you glow.” She lowered her voice, a hint of a smile reflected by the mirror. “Just like you’ve woken up with a lover.”

I bit my lip and hoped I wouldn’t blush.

I didn’t know what to expect as I climbed onto the small table she had set up near the sunken tub. It had been covered with crisp, white sheets. As I laid down, she covered me with a fresh one, tucking it around me before gently placing a rolled towel under my neck.

“Good?” she said softly.

“Hmm.” I sighed more than answered.

Camille wrapped another towel around my head, this one slightly warm. “Relax, cherie. You seem very tense.”

“It’s a big night,” I admitted to her. “I’m announcing my engagement.” Maybe confronting this sudden change in circumstances would make it easier to handle later this evening. The words felt funny coming out of my mouth as if they belonged to someone else. In a way, they did. But nothing could change the fact that I was the one who would be accepting well-wishes and taking Spencer’s arm tonight. I had to be ready for it.

“Congratulations! We will make you extra beautiful.” She clapped her hands lightly. “Close your eyes.”

I did as she instructed and she placed two cool gel pads over them. I relaxed into the comfortable situation I found myself in, hoping I didn’t fall asleep but already feeling tired.

Camille lifted my hand. “Do you have a ring?”

“Not yet,” I murmured. Would I? Would he give it to me tonight? Would others ask? I couldn’t imagine a diamond on my finger and yet, it was another almost certainty confronting me.

“We will do a little something for your skin here.” She massaged cream into my hand. “You must moisturize. It looks as if you’ve been doing dishes.” She laughed. No doubt the thought of Kerrigan Belmond with her hands in soapy water, was hilarious to those that knew her. I, however, had been washing dishes only a few days ago. She continued to rub the lotion into my skin. When she finished she wrapped a steamed towel around it. She repeated the process on the other side. By the time she was finished, I’d nearly fallen asleep.

Camille worked quietly, humming slightly under her breath, while she applied serums and lotions and whatever other magic she carried with her to appointments. She paused occasionally to place a warm towel on my face, wrapping it so only my nostrils were exposed. I drifted between sleep and awake as she worked.

When she finally removed the last towel, she applied one final lightweight liquid to my skin.

“Miss Belmond,”