mine and gazed up at McKinnon in question. More than one person looked our way. Perhaps they were curious, or maybe they sensed the tension. Hell, maybe they saw something in him that resided in me. A sense of not belonging.
“So sorry,” she said. “I’m Lord Chambers’ fiancé.”
I sent her a pointed look. A pointed look she ignored.
He smiled such a charming smile, that it worried me. So, he knew very well how to be charming, when he wanted to. He and I both were acting in a play, although who was lead, I wasn’t sure. “Lovely to meet you.”
She nodded. “A pleasure to meet you, I’m sure.”
I’d never seen him smile. Not when I’d met him at the market, and not eight months ago when I’d gone to his factory demanding to know where he’d placed Ginny. What was the man up to? “What are you doing here, McKinnon?”
Miranda’s gaze jumped to me, surprised by my sharp tone. The façade was slipping. The mask I wore had started to peel, revealing my true self. One could only pretend for so long.
“Is there a problem?” Landcaster asked.
“Your fiancé and I met through a mutual friend,” McKinnon added, ignoring him and focusing on Miranda.
I could sense the tension in Marks and Landcaster. I didn’t mistake their annoyance for loyalty. There was no such thing as loyalty here. They were angry because someone who didn’t belong dared to enter their privileged realm.
Miranda quirked a brow as she looked at me for answers. “A mutual friend?”
Damn him. Did he mean to threaten me? He’d dared to go that route? So be it. “And how is our friend?”
His hard gaze met mine. “She is doing very well.”
She is doing very well.
Hell and damnation.
She was alive.
My heart slammed wildly against my ribcage. She was alive, and he knew where she was located. The entire room spun, the floor seemed to give away. She was alive, well, and this bastard had known all along.
Heated anger roared through my veins. I wanted to hit him in his arrogant face. I wanted to slam him against the wall and demand answers. I wanted to see him bleed.
“Gabriel?” Miranda whispered, jerking me from my violent thoughts. “Are you well?”
“If you’ll excuse us, McKinnon and I need to speak about something in private.”
I started down the hall and away from the crowds. I could feel him follow. The bastard. It had taken everything in my power not to strangle him right there near the dance floor. In the shadows I paused, waiting. “Why the hell are you here?”
He tugged at the cuffs of his black jacket. He’d left his actress behind, and she was doing her best to keep Miranda’s attention. Although Miranda, snob that she was, was having none of it. “I was invited.”
“By whom?”
“Lord Poggelbottom.”
“You think this a joke?” I stepped closer. We were of the same height, so I couldn’t use that to my advantage. But I had anger. Anger and desperation on my side. “How long has she been with you?”
“Our mutual friend?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “She showed up on my doorstep a week ago.”
Startled, I hesitated. Was he telling the truth? A mere week ago? “And you didn’t feel the need to let me know?”
It was a stupid question. He arched a dark brow. “How remiss of me. I hadn’t realized I owed you. I do hope this hasn’t destroyed our friendship.”
“Go to hell, McKinnon, and get out of my home.”
“Rather rude.” He turned. “I shall go. I wouldn’t want to cause a scene.”
Damn him, he realized I was desperate to know more about Ginny. “How is she?”
“Fine.” He paused, turning to face me. “In fact, she just recently gave birth.”
The blood drained from my body. The entire room disappeared. I felt oddly cold. Numb. Ginny had had a baby. She’d slept with someone else. “Is that so?”
“Yes.” He watched me closely. “Very recently.”
Had it been McKinnon? Had he seduced her, and that’s why she’d gone to him that week ago? I’d kill him. “Where is she?”
He laughed. “You think I’d tell you when you have murder in your eyes?”
“Is the child yours?”
“If you have to ask that, you don’t know her very well.”
“And you do?” I stepped closer, furious. “How well?”
“Well enough that she came to me for assistance. Well enough to take care of her while she birthed the baby. Well enough to know she deserves better than you.”
“You arse!” I grabbed him by the throat and shoved him