“Tell me how a ladies maid knows how to dance the waltz,” Matthew demands.
“That is a long story, your Lordship, but you must know that Declan is in danger. Lord Hubbard is determined to gain control of his business.”
“I’d like to see him try,” Matthew laughs.
Declan watches from the sidelines and smiles as his grandfather glides elegantly around the dance floor. London says something that makes him laugh out loud, and Declan isn't surprised to hear people begin to speculate about the lovely young woman in his arms.
“He’s already begun.” London quickly goes through the details of the fire while Matthew frowns and nods.
“I will heed your warning, my dear. You must let me tell Declan who you are.”
“No,” she insists. “It isn't important. Only that you understand the situation, Declan's business is in. Should I continue with my plan to buy the shares, or should I let you handle it?”
“You continue with your plan, and I will handle Hubbard. I will, of course, reimburse you for your loss, plus interest, my dear.”
“That's very kind of you,” London glances away and finds Declan looking at them. Matthew escorts her to the unmarried side and bows to her. “Thank you for making my night,” he stops when he realizes he never got her name.
“The honor was mine, Lord Sheridan,” London curtsies.
Matthew watches her quickly stride from the ballroom and isn’t surprised to see Declan working his way towards her. He is clearly frustrated when he’s stopped multiple times.
London pauses at the door and glances over her shoulder, her heart trembles in surprise when she locks eyes with Declan. Matthew grins as a new plan forms in his mind. If your beloved was about to marry another, where would you be? He grins and strides from the ballroom in search of the angry young man.
London turns and hurries away through the hallways to the elevator. She takes it to the second floor, before stepping off. She hurries down to the stairwell, where she rushes up three flights of stairs, praying that no one sees her in this dress. This level is reserved for the staff only. When the door finally closes behind her, London strips out of her dress with trembling hands. A hiss of pain explodes when she removes the glove allowing air to hit the open blister on her palm.
Thankfully, Reagan is sure to be back in the adjoining room late, but that is the least of her concern. Her blue dress is folded carefully and packed into the bottom of her trunk, and she changes back into her maid uniform. Rubbing the ointment onto her hand, she ignores the throbbing pain and mulls over the night's events. Things are getting out of hand quickly.
Stepping over to the mirror, she is shocked at her own face looking at her. Her hands tremble as she slides the spectacles back into place, and she murmurs, “Fix your hair, London”
“I'm so tired of this,” she murmurs and rubs a darkening powder into it instead of a wig. “Soon London, you will be free of this charade.”
Matthew returns an hour later and watches his grandson for the rest of the evening. There is no joy, only stiff resignation in his posture. He's disheartened when he realizes that he pushed Declan into making the biggest mistake of his life. Reagan Hubbard is young and obviously has feelings for someone else. This match will be a disaster if someone doesn't do something. A naughty grin ripples across his face, “I'm just that somebody.”
George Hubbard is drinking and laughing with a group of friends. He's unaware that Matthew is studying him. If he moves to call off this wedding, it could ruin Declan's business. If he lets him marry her, it will destroy two lives. He grins when he thinks of the young nameless maid. She's saving them twice, and Declan doesn't even know it yet.
One thing Matthew knows for certain is that no one threatens his grandson's life and business and gets away with it! The Hubbard's are about to learn that lesson the hard way.
Chapter 12
Declan dreams about the blonde beauty from the dance the night before. She’s running through a garden calling his name. “Wait!” he shouts, and she laughs, disappearing around a perfectly manicured maze. He picks up speed, running faster, he hears her laughter once more and smiles in response.
“Declan,” she whispers when he rounds the next turn and skids to a stop. Her beauty has him mesmerized. She reaches for him, only to scream in pain when he touches her hand. The ground opens up beneath her, and the terror in her eyes has him lunging forward.
“NO!” he shouts, waking with a start when he hits the floor with a thud. He sits still for a moment before stumbling to his feet. Walking to the side table, he pours a glass of water and sips it while waiting for his pounding heart to calm down. “It was just a dream,” he murmurs as if trying to reassure himself. Guilt strikes him. “What kind of man dreams about another woman when he's about to be married?”
Declan wishes he could drink something stronger, but he won’t resort to that. Today he will spend at the offices with his banker and lawyer. They have to go over his business plan and stocks. He’s sure it’s going to be bad news.
Part of his heart is thankful he won't have to spend more time with Reagan and her family. The young lady is miserable. It's clear she doesn't have feelings for him, and judging by her response last night, her heart belongs to another.
As much as he loves his grandfather, something has to be done. He won't be shackled in a loveless marriage just to make him happy. Declan pulls the chord for the valet
