“Still…“ In truth, we both knew that Penny was better off here with the two of them than with me tonight. But it felt like it was my job to show concern over leaving her.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be here. I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend the start of the new year than cuddling my daughter next to the room’s crackling fireplace with Smith at my side. But what if I had another episode? I couldn’t risk it. It was better this way.
I backed out of the room, my eyes never leaving Penny’s curled-up form. Nora had dressed her in a white-smocked one piece with a Peter Pan collar. Together, the two of them looked almost angelic. Penny, a bright light and Nora, her dark protector. A bitter taste filled my mouth, and I turned away, leaving the nursery behind. This was supposed to be my life, but it didn’t feel like my own anymore. I should be grateful to Nora for taking care of my daughter when I couldn’t be trusted. Instead, I felt nothing but jealousy. I stopped a moment in the hallway to collect myself, straightening my shoulders and preparing to put on a cheerful face for everyone downstairs.
As I descended the staircase, Smith walked into view and stopped at the landing. His eyes met mine and the look of love there stole my breath away. I clutched the railing, feeling myself tremble under the weight of his gaze and somehow managed to make it to the bottom.
“You’re beautiful,” he said simply.
“So you’re always telling me,” I said with a shrug.
He hooked an arm around my waist and drew me to him. Smith tipped my chin up with his index finger, his green eyes piercing through me. “Don’t do that. Don’t make yourself less than you are.”
“And what am I?” I breathed.
“Everything.” His face angled over mine, leaning to capture a kiss. It was slow and full of unspoken things—the words we hadn’t said the last few days. Suddenly, I knew that Edward was right. None of what happened mattered to Smith. He would stand by me no matter what. I might not deserve him, but I wasn’t about to let him go. In his arms, his mouth pressed to mine, his tongue licking a hungry line across the roof of my mouth, I remembered that I belonged to him. He would protect me. If I was broken, he would put me back together. When he finally broke away, he pressed his forehead against mine and whispered, “We could just stay in…“
“I was promised champagne and dancing,” I reminded him.
“Well, in that case.” He offered me his arm, and I took it.
“Where are the others?” We paused at the door and he wrapped a mink stole around my shoulders.
“I sent them ahead. I wanted a few minutes alone with my wife.” He glanced over at me, an unreadable expression passing over his face. “Is that okay with you?”
“I always want a moment with you.” It was the truth. It was what we needed. I could see that now. I’d been so keen on punishing myself that I lost sight of what really mattered. We had something worth fighting for. Our love. Our family. We would make it through this.
“Are you ready, Mrs. Price?” he asked, his question suddenly taking on a whole new meaning.
“Lead the way, Mr. Price.”
8
Belle
The Christmas snow had lingered all week, and it seemed we were in for a white New Year as well. Plump snowflakes fell against the dark sky as we drove toward Briarshead. I missed the Bugatti, but as the Range Rover’s tires crunched along the snow-strewn roads, I found myself realizing Smith had been right about the larger vehicle. My hand was in Smith’s, resting on its large leather console, as we made our way to celebrate a new beginning. When we arrived in the village, there were crowds of boisterous partygoers crawling between the town’s three pubs.
“Shit.” Smith surveyed the crowds and cast a worried look at me. “Not exactly what I was expecting.”
“I doubt they’re going to head to the Briar Rose.” In fact, I knew they wouldn’t be. According to Edward, Tomas had closed the restaurant for tonight’s party “It’s by invitation only. I don’t think we have to worry about drunk university students.”
By the time we reached the end of the high street, the crowds had dissipated. We found the Briar Rose lit up warmly with strings of party bulbs on the outside. Through the windows we could see groups of people milling around. I spotted Jane speaking animatedly with a man half her age. I had no doubt she’d have him seduced by midnight.
Inside, the Briar Rose had been transformed from a cozy, if eclectic, British tavern into a swanky club for the evening. The lights were dim, the lanterns hanging from the ceiling flickering romantically overhead. Large bouquets of white roses clustered on every table with feather plumes sticking out of them, adding to the atmosphere of the fête. The tables had been laid with white linen cloth and set formally with gold rimmed, bone china and silver. In the center of the room a large tower of coupe glasses had been erected just waiting for champagne to overflow from the glass on top. Rather than have servers, the bar had been turned into a buffet of mouth watering delicacies. I was already eyeing what looked to be a platter of foie gras when Jane accosted us at the door. She thrust a glass of champagne into my hands and leaned to kiss me on the cheek.
“Are you ready for the new year?” she asked.
The sip of champagne I’d started to take turned into a gulp, and I nodded with wide eyes. This year had been full of too many ups and downs. From the incredible high of expecting our first child and then welcoming her into the world to the terrible events that had hurt so many people I loved, I was more than ready for the clock to strike midnight.
Jane had chosen a loose-fitting, sequined gown that hung off her shoulders. A woman in her twenties wouldn’t be able to wear it with the amount of sophistication and confidence that my aunt could. She owned the dress, and by the end of the night, I suspected she’d own every heart in the room.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Smith said, “I’m going to get you something to eat, beautiful.” He disappeared toward the bar before I could stop him.
“You really picked a good one.” Jane sighed as her eyes traveled along after him. “Now help me pick one.”
“You’re looking for a husband?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
Jane swatted my arm, laughing merrily as if I’d made a good joke. “Oh no, I have no interest in giving up my freedom now. Ones like him don’t come along every day. Just remember that.” She paused, a look of distant pain flashing over her face. I knew the truth. Jane had found the right one and lost him. She married a handful of times, the relationships each lasted such a short while that she’d told me herself they didn’t count.
“Are you okay?” I asked in a lowered voice. I knew all too well how easy it was to lock away pain.
“Don’t fuss over me,” she said, instantly brightening. “I love my life. I’m completely happy by myself. That’s the trick, you know,” she lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Whether you’re single or you’re married, love yourself wildly and you will always be happy.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I promised her. “So, what am I picking out for you then?”