Page 39 of Cruel Dynasty

“It’s not funny. I’ve been looking for hours.”

Hours? “Does Spencer need to talk to me that badly?”

Holden glowered, his eyes narrowing. “How should I know? I’m not your messenger. I’m not even worthy of a quick note.”

He stomped off towards the kitchen, leaving me there in stunned silence. I put my bag on a table near the door and took a deep breath. One problem at a time.

I dialed Spencer. When he picked up, I blurted out, “So sorry. My ringer was off.”

“It’s not a big deal,” he said slowly.

“Holden said you were trying to reach me.”

“I was, but I left a message with him. Did he give it to you?”

I looked to where Holden had disappeared down the hall and sighed. “No. We aren’t really speaking.”

“That didn’t take long,” Spencer laughed. “Look, I hate to do this, but I have to stay the night. They’ve called an emergency session of Parliament and my grandfather needs my help. I’m hoping to leave tomorrow night.”

“Oh.” I closed my eyes and slumped against the door.

“Kerrigan?” he pressed after a moment of silence. “I’m really sorry. If you want to drive back, I understand.”

I could only imagine what his brother would have to say about that. Plus, there was the very real possibility that I would miss a turn and wind up in Wales.

“Tomorrow?” I said instead. “I can wait.”

“Thursday at the latest,” he promised but his words felt empty.

“Of course. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I love it here.” That was somewhat true. I thought Yorkshire was beautiful. Besides, Kerrigan would never dream of standing between her fiancé and important matters of state. That was the whole point of her existence.

To be the perfect wife standing beside the perfect candidate for Prime Minister when the day came.

“Wonderful. I’ll let you know as soon as I’m on my way back. And Kerrigan…” He paused and my heart jumped into my throat. “I miss you.”

It plummeted back into place. “I miss you, too.”

We hung up, leaving me to feel foolish and silly. Of course, he wasn’t going to say I love you and even if he was, did I really want to hear it?

It was just my luck that Parliament would be called into an unexpected session the week my ambitious boyfriend had driven me five hours away to the north. I hoped Spencer was right and the meeting would be brief. That only meant dealing with Holden’s volatile mood swings and shameless flirting for another day. I didn’t dare consider how I would handle it if the session went longer.

Being stuck at Hensley left me two choices: I could avoid Holden or I could patch things up.

I thought of my conversation with Edward earlier. Things were complicated between us, because I didn’t know who Holden was and what he meant to Kerrigan. But also because he had information that could destroy the arrangement I’d made with Tod Belmond. I didn’t really have a choice at all.

I found Holden in the kitchen standing in the dark. I moved closer and discovered he was digging into the chocolate pudding that Spencer had introduced me to. My stomach growled and he looked up.

“Maybe you should see a doctor about that. I’ve never heard a human being make that noise,” he informed me and turned back to the dessert.

It took me a moment to locate the flatware. When I finally did, I grabbed a spoon. “Share?”

“I don’t suppose I have a choice.” He eyed me. “I’m scared of what will happen if I refuse.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going to faint.”

“I was more concerned about you eating me. Judging from the noise, you make—” he pointed to my belly “—you might be part bear.”

“You’re hilarious.” I bumped him over with my hip and dug my spoon into the chocolate. Taking my first bite, I sighed with pleasure. When I glanced over at Holden, he was watching me.