AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Where did the son of Alfred Cade get off, portraying himself as a protector of women?
‘She’s precious to me, too,’ he murmured as he disengaged his hand from Cade’s intimidating grip.
But it was only as he followed the Cades and Milly into the ornate chapel on the grounds and the lavish christening ceremony began, with Milly beaming at him while she fulfilled her role of godmother, that it occurred to him he’d told Cade the truth about his feelings for Milly.
And the fear and shame and confusion threatened to gag him all over again.
‘She’s precious to me, too.’
Milly could feel her heart floating as she ran the words Roman had uttered over two hours ago through her head again,while trying to spot her date amid the cluster of three hundred carefully selected guests at the ‘intimate’ garden party Lacey had arranged to follow Artie’s christening.
Roman had sounded almost grudging when he’d said it—and there was definitely tension between him and Brandon, which she had decided was basically a mutual respect kind of a thing—but somehow the tight look on his face had only made the comment more meaningful. And more perfect.
Roman was not a man who flaunted his emotions. In fact, she was fairly sure he’d convinced himself a long time ago he didn’t have emotions. So, hearing him say she mattered, especially to Brandon, who had set himself up as her father figure ever since he’d rescued her and Lacey and Ruby from the press intrusion that had dogged the early part of her sister’s marriage, felt so much more significant.
As with all the Cades’ social events, the eclectic crowd ranged from the families of Ruby’s schoolfriends at the local primary she attended in Hackney, to valued members of the estate staff, and A-list film stars, politicians and assorted movers and shakers that Brandon did business with on a regular basis.
She grinned as she finally located Roman across the gardens, talking to a junior government minister, who he probably knew too, she thought proudly. His head lifted, his gaze locking on hers, as if he had sensed her watching him. The frission of sexual energy ricocheted through her body, the desire to be near him drawing her like a physical force.
‘It’s lovely to see you again, Mrs Ettock, don’t forget to try the rhubarb fool, it’s delicious,’ Milly said, forcing her gaze back to the elderly retired lady she had been chatting to, who had been one of Brandon’s many governesses, apparently. The woman was a font of knowledge about childcare, but Milly just wanted to say her goodbyes now to everyone, and leave with Roman—soshe could bask in the words he had said to Brandon earlier while also indulging that hot look in his eyes.
He’d seemed uncomfortable ever since they’d arrived, maybe even before they’d landed. From what he’d told her about his past, she suspected he wasn’t used to family gatherings of any sort, even big social occasions like this one. Plus, they’d barely been able to talk, let alone touch, because of her chapel duties as Arthur’s godmother during the afternoon, and then her hosting responsibilities as Lacey’s sister as evening approached.
There had also been that strange moment when Ruby had noticed his resemblance to Brandon. Odd that Milly hadn’t noticed that herself—clearly the unusual green shade of Brandon’s irises, which he shared with his daughter, was more common than Milly thought, but the fact they were virtually the same height and similar builds wasn’tthatsurprising... Then again, how weird was itreallyshe hadn’t noticed the vague similarities between the two men, which could only be a freaky coincidence? After all, she’d never been remotely attracted to her sister’s husband, probably because nowadays he was like a big brother to her—and at first, he’d been distant and intimidating, which had reminded her rather uncomfortably of her father.
‘Do enjoy the rest of the party,’ she added to the older woman, before turning her attention back to Roman, who was still watching her, ignoring the junior cabinet minister and sending her ‘let’s get out of here, right now’ vibes strong enough to melt her brain cells—and her panties—from thirty feet.
‘I will. And you enjoy your young man, Milly,’ Mrs Ettock said, but as Milly lifted the hem of her gown, planning to dart through the crowd and do exactly that, the older woman touched her arm to stay her getaway. ‘You know, he reminds me of Alfred.’
‘Really? How nice,’ Milly said as politely as she could, while trying to stifle her impatience. The old woman was probably talking about her dead husband, whose name Milly could not remember for the life of her.
‘Not really, dear,’ Mrs Ettock replied, her voice hardening. ‘Alfred Cade was a tyrant and a bastard. But Brandon’s father was also a handsome devil. And he certainly knew how to make women fall in love with him, the poor things. Although they always lived to regret it, I fear.’ The old lady’s gaze became clouded with pity, before she headed towards the dessert table.
Leaving Milly stranded in the centre of the crowd, alone and dumbstruck.
Alfred Cade? How was that possible? That Roman looked like Brandon’s father?
She’d never seen any photos or pictures of the man, because by all accounts Brandon did not have any fond memories of him.
Even so, her heartbeat stumbled, a strange void opening in her stomach, which she recognised from over a week ago, when her conversation with Roman had taken that uncomfortable turn when she’d mentioned Brandon.
She was still standing in the middle of the crowd, trying to stifle the uneasy feeling, the sense that something was going on that was definitely not good, when Lacey appeared beside her.
‘Milly, I’m so glad I caught you.’ Her sister smiled, but there was something concerned and apologetic in her expression, which only increased the weightless, unpleasant sensation in Milly’s stomach. ‘Brandon and I would like to have a quick word with you, in private. In his study.’
‘What about?’ she asked. She knew that look. It was her sister’sI-don’t-want-you-to-get-hurtlook. Milly had seen that look before, when she had been forced to give up her job at the preschool and decided to run off to Europe and become anartist. And way back, when Milly had gone through a bit of a crisis after their mother’s death, and the hideous meeting with their father at the funeral—when he had rejected them both.
The look had the same result now as it had then. It made Milly feel defensive and rebellious. Especially when Lacey said, oh-so-cautiously, ‘It’s about Mr Garner.’
‘He’s not Mr Garner, Lacey. He’s Roman. And I like him. A lot,’ she said. And knew it was the truth. No matter what anyone else thought or said.
Mrs Ettock had seemed lucid, but she was old, and could easily be mistaken. Roman probably looked nothing like Brandon’s bastard of a father. Why was she getting worked up about any of this?
‘So, it would have been helpful if you and Brandon hadn’t been quite so stand-offish with him earlier,’ she added.
But even as she said it, she knew she wasn’t being entirely fair. If anything, Brandon had made a considerable effort not to show Roman any animosity—despite their business rivalry, which she had gathered from the various surprised reactions of the other guests at seeing him here, was more involved than Roman had let on. But when Roman and Brandon had met briefly earlier, there had definitely been an edge to Brandon’s welcome, and Roman had picked up on it. Because so had she. Which was probably why Roman wanted to leave early.
‘I’m sorry, we were trying not to judge,’ Lacey said, her concerned look intensifying—which only upset Milly more. ‘But there are things about Roman Garner Brandon wants to make sure you’re aware of,’ Lacey added. ‘Just in case it has a bearing on...’ Her sister paused, her expression becoming strained. ‘On his decision to date you.’
