London Dynasty (The Dynasties #1) - Geneva Lee Page 0,29

after me chatted animatedly as they went ahead, entering without so much as a pause. I could do that, I decided. One foot in front of the other until I was inside, and then I would make the next right move. But as the partygoers climbed the stairs, a man stepped around them, wearing a tuxedo that showcased his broad shoulders and athletic build. I blinked when I saw him, but the rest of my body refused to budge momentarily. It was him. I’d seen him for only a moment across the restaurant, but I recognized him both from that distant encounter and my shameless internet stalking.

You are Kerrigan Belmond tonight, I told myself as I plastered a dazzling smile on my face. I looked like her. I was dressed like her. I merely had to act like her. She wouldn’t freeze at the prospect of facing a childhood acquaintance no matter how circumstances had changed since her youth. I continued on until I was close enough to touch him.

He extended a hand. “You look lovely tonight, Kerrigan. It’s been too long since we saw each other. It almost makes me wish I’d chosen Oxford over St. Andrew’s.”

“Good evening, Spencer. You look lovely—I mean, handsome, too,” I said flummoxed by the gentleman before me. Was this how he wanted to play it? Were we to pretend that nothing had happened yesterday? If that was what he had wanted, why go to the trouble of sending a note over to me? Why point it out?

“Shall we?” he asked stiffly, crooking his arm.

I accepted it, and we went silently up the stairs. Every inch of my body was aware of his presence. I’d spent last night imagining what it would be like to feel his hands on me, to have his weight crushing my body as he took me. But if Spencer felt a physical attraction to me, he showed no sign of it. He barely looked at me as we made our way to the party and his demeanor remained stiff and detached like he was simply another attendant sent to guide me into the house.

As soon as we were through the double entrance doors, carved from solid wood, the scene changed from romantic tranquility to a crowded room buzzing with people. The foyer looked like it could fit half a row of mews inside it, and there were people everywhere. My hand gripped Spencer’s forearm a little more tightly, earning me a curious glance. He led me inside and I found myself trying to take it all in. If a mansion was impressive, one filled with rich and important people was even more so. Women dressed in elegant gowns, dripping with priceless jewelry, hung from the arms of men in tuxedos, sipping from champagne coupes. A string quartet played Mozart in one corner, and waiters wove through the crowd offering canapes and drinks. Before I could process the busy setting, Spencer pulled his arm away. I started, looking at him with a panicked expression and feeling as if my life raft had just been yanked out from under me.

“If you’ll excuse me, I see my grandfather. I’ll find you in a moment.” He nodded his head at an older man with bushy white hair and a face lined with signs of age and frustration. I’d done enough homework on the Byrds, thanks to the internet and Giles, to know that the elder Byrd was a member of the House of Lords, a Duke, and one of the few remaining persons that held a hereditary seat in Parliament. He was in a sense a dying breed and judging by his age, I meant that quite literally.

Spencer left me standing there, wondering exactly what to do. I was surrounded by strangers who all thought they knew me. A few heads turned my way and several people nodded hello. I returned the greetings, hoping no one came up and tried to talk to me.

“You’re here!” an excited voice squealed to my right.

I turned in time to see Evie’s bright smile as she threw her arms around my shoulders. “Mum sent Spencer to escort you in. Where is he?” She peeked around my shoulder as though he might be hiding there.

“He went to speak with your grandfather,” I told her.

“That cad! He left you here all alone?” She slipped her arm through mine and tugged me toward a nearby waiter.

“I suppose he thought I could take care of myself.” And why wouldn’t he? It