over the bumps of my diamond rings that had been fashioned by his jewellers with Hawk diamonds. “You are, I must say, perfect for him.”
I tugged my hand back, slightly unnerved by whatever abilities he possessed. “We’ve just met, so I’m not sure how you can say that but...thank you.”
“I feel like I know you well.” His bronze eyes twinkled. “I’m glad you found each other. And I’m glad the clothes my wife made fit so well and have my friend’s approval.”
Nila rolled her eyes, only half her pretty face obscured by her mask. Her dark hair was tied back, and the black and white feathers on her gown rippled with air eddies as couples danced past.
“Hi, Eleanor, I’m Nila. Ignore my husband.” She held out her gloved hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
I nodded, shaking hers gently. “Likewise.”
She grinned as two tiny children bolted past, ducking around ladies’ skirts and racing past men’s legs. “And those two hurricanes are our children.”
Jethro chuckled as the kids vanished into the throng. “Kes and Emma. You’ll meet them later.”
Sully cocked his head, studying his friend. “Family life truly agrees with you, Jet.”
“It does. No drug can compare.” He sighed, his humour fading a little. “I’m sure I’ll pay for this little soirée, but I thought it was time to begin introducing Emma and Kes to society. Prove to the tabloids and conspiracy theorists that whatever rumours plague Hawksridge are no more.”
“Fair enough.” Sully gathered me close, tucking me into his side. “So far, the ball seems like a success.”
“It’s an overly glorified business convention, really,” Jethro said. “I invited you to catch up, but it’s also a good time to make new contacts for your business. Especially the new islands in the South Pacific. Rapture, was it?”
“Correct.” Sully nodded. “We’re thinking about a visit there ourselves, actually. You and your family are welcome to come.”
“Maybe.” Jethro smiled. “For now, how about I introduce you around? You’d be doing me a favour by taking some of the attention off me. I can feel it a little too keenly.”
Sully threw me a look. “I’m happy to come, but I don’t particularly want to leave Eleanor.”
“By all means, bring her—”
“Oh, don’t you worry about her,” Nila said. “She’ll be bored while you talk business. I’ll happily keep her entertained.” Coming closer, Nila murmured, “I’m sure you have questions about my strange husband. And I can give you a tour if you’d like? Show you the gardens or the greenhouses. Maybe the stables?”
“Oh, that’s kind.” My unwillingness to leave Sully vanished. Our chemistry faded in preparation of being apart. I looked at Sully, my heart glowing as he nodded gently.
“I won’t be long. I’ll come find you after.” His eyes heated with sinful promises.
“Okay.” Smiling at Nila, I added, “I’d love to see your horses. We saw you riding this afternoon.”
Nila beamed. “The stables it is. I should’ve offered that option first, seeing as I’ve heard about your fondness for animals.” She motioned toward my snakeskin dress. “That was designed in a collection a year or so ago, but I figured it was perfect for you. In hindsight, I should’ve embellished it with more creatures. There truly are unlimited patterns you can pull from nature.” She eyed my dress with critique rather than satisfaction. Annoyance clouded her gaze, then inspiration glowed bright. “Oh! I could do an entire collection based on the attributes of hunter and prey! I could design fangs out of wire and—”
“Needle, stop.” Jethro chuckled. “We have friends to entertain, not new wardrobes to create.”
Nila nudged him with her shoulder. “I can do both at once.”
“Don’t listen to her.” Jethro looked at Sully, then me. “If you let her discuss clothing, you’ll find yourself sitting in her sewing room while she sketches until tomorrow.”
Taking Sully’s elbow, Jethro bowed at me and his wife. “On that note, we’ll see you two ladies in a bit. Don’t get up to mischief.”
Nila fluttered her eyelashes. “But I like mischief.”
“Yes well, our intention tonight is to squash the rumours, not to create more by making me chase after you to ensure you behave.”
Nila laughed, glancing at Sully. “See what I have to live with? He can do whatever he wants, but me? No way. Do you threaten your wife on a daily basis like he does?”
“I’d say almost hourly, actually,” I said before Sully could. “Then again, I issue my own just as often.”
Nila laughed harder. “I’d like to hear these threats.” Stepping back, she opened her arm