Chapter Six

“Cindy. My name is Cindy.” She said breathlessly. 

“Smile Cindy, we are about to enter the lion’s den.” 

He took her hand and led her towards Stephen and Ava. Ella breathed out. She could do this.

Would they be able to identify her by her voice? It wasn’t anything like Ava’s. Ava had one of those high pitched girly voices. Ella saw no need to increase her volume so everyone around her could hear everything she said like Ava did.

It was too risky to talk normally, just in case. Ella would intentionally pitch her voice lower to keep others from guessing.

The decision to use the ball to seek revenge on Ava was a big mistake. She found herself in a position where she had to cooperate with this stranger. Her mind was racing as they reached the other couple.

Nick placed his hand on the bare skin of her lower back, making her breath catch. His hand was hot, and it did something to her she hadn’t experienced before. It was all she could do to keep her smile in place when facing Stephen and Ava.

“Stephen, Ava. Let me introduce you to my date, Cindy.” Nick’s thumb moved over her spine, almost making her jump out of her skin. “You did say, Stephen, I could bring a plus one.”

Ella focused on the two in front of her instead of his very distracting hot hand. Ava seemed on the verge of screaming as Stephen stared at her. 

“Nice to meet you both,” Ella said in her moderated voice.

“Welcome to Blackwater Manor, Cindy.” Stephen lightly tapped Nick’s shoulder in a gesture of approval. Ella detected the wink that he also sent to Nick. What was that about?

Ava totally snubbed her completely, which if Ella had been a guest that Ava didn’t know this would be the height of rudeness and not the behaviour of a welcoming host. Mary would have to work hard to make Ava aware of her duty. Not that Ella believed Ava would listen to any advice given by Stephen’s mother. Ava believed she knew everything.

“Thank you.” Ella said to Stephen. Ignoring her sister as well.

“If you both don’t mind, I’m going to take this vision of loveliness onto the dance floor.” Ava snorted, becoming even angrier because of Nick’s choice of words. 

Nick guided Ella away from the other couple, then embraced her tightly on the dance floor. That hand went around her waist, laying again against her bare skin of her back, above the start of her dress. “So why doesn’t anyone recognise you? Are you a beautiful party crasher?”

His loins heated as he listened to the joyful laughter that filled his ears. The woman’s exotic beauty was so enchanting that Nick was certain he could experience it through her sound, smell, and taste. Before the night was done, he was determined to make her his.

“No, I have lived here all my life. I even have an invitation. If you want to see it, we will have to find my friend first. The reason people don’t know who I am is because, I think...... they only see what they want to see.” He could hear the hurt in her voice. 

“We don’t have to find your friends because regardless, you are my plus one tonight.” Nick responded.

Ella felt a warm sensation throughout her entire being. She had never felt this way with any man before. He was undeniably sexy. There was no man she knew like him in Ashwell, so he had to be a friend of Stephen’s.

He wouldn’t be Ava’s. Ava didn’t have male friends. She doubted that Ava could maintain a friendly or platonic bond with any man. She had always used sex as a weapon. 

Nick was tapped on the shoulder by someone who wanted to cut in. “No!” was all he said before spinning her away.

“How do you know Stephen and Ava?” she asked softly.

“I went to university with Stephen.” Proving she had been right.

“Do you live in London?” Cindy asked him.

“No, I’m visiting Stephen. I live overseas.”

Hearing that she would never see him again made her feel a little disappointed. “Are you here for the wedding?”

“I hadn’t planned on it, but I could be persuaded!”

Ella didn’t say anything, shyness doesn’t just go away because of a mask and a pretty dress. The art of flirting and persuading men was completely new to her.

“You don’t give a lot away, do you?” Nick remarked.

“What’s the fun in that?” Ella countered. Feeling freer than she had ever felt before. Wearing a mask was fun.

“Come, let’s go for a walk.”  

As they made their way towards the balcony through the French doors, Nick quickly snagged two flutes of bubbles from a passing waiter. Ella took hers. Outside, Ella was careful not to ruin her beautiful dress as she leaned against the stone ledge and had a sip of her drink.

Hmm, it was nice. Ella didn’t drink often. Ella didn’t fit the typical mould of her age group, as she preferred movie nights and feasting on food with Em rather than going out to pubs. Em’s father used to struggle with alcoholism. He had a drunk driving accident 10 years ago, wrapping his car around a lamp post on his way home from the pub. He had died that night, leaving behind a young Emily.

Em had no interest in drinking. Worried about inheriting her father’s issue, she feared developing it herself.

She watched Nick watch her as she took another sip. “How was Stephen at university?”

Nick lifted a brow. “Is Stephen someone to you?”

Ella swallowed. She wasn’t going to tell him the truth in case he brought it up within Ava’s hearing.

Nick continued before she could think of her answer, “I mean, if you want him to be and you wanted to upset Ava, we shouldn’t have told them you were my date. I can tell you, you leave Ava for dead.”

Ella flushed under her mask. “Thanks, but it isn’t about Stephen or Ava. I have no interest in him other than two people from the same town and he is only a point of conversation, someone we both know.”

Ella directed her attention to her glass. She had drunk the whole thing. Passing it to the waiter walking by, Ella picked up another glass for something to do with her hands. She was nervous.

“Stephen was a hard worker at uni very focused on his business studies, surprisingly so for a second son not due to inherit the lion’s share of the family estate, very much like myself.” Frowning, he then added, “Well, I hadn’t planned on it.” In a sad tone..

Ella deciphered the hidden meaning in his statement. His brother was dead. “I’m so sorry. When did it happen?” Laying her hand on his arm in comfort.

“Thank you, yes I lost my brother in a boating accident eight months ago. He unfortunately hadn’t had children.” In other words, Nick didn’t want to inherit the family business. 

“Did you have other plans? You didn’t want the family business.” 

Nick laughed. “Family business.” Shaking his head “No, I didn’t want to worry about the family business. I had my own concerns without the added issues or the family business, as you say.” 

Ella found herself slightly perplexed by his choice of words and the tone he used in his answers, but brushed it aside. It’s possible that it’s an inside joke. One she didn’t get.

“You said you had a friend here tonight? Family?”

“Yes, my family is here. They are unaware it’s me.”

“Are you insulted by this?” He questioned her.

She cast her eyes upon the gardens, bathed in moonlight. Bushes and trees near the balcony were adorned with wrapped fairy lights. Before answering. “Not really. It allows me to be myself.”

Ella realised she had revealed too much after drinking her second glass, which made her feel lightheaded and made her speak freely. Did she really care? This man wasn’t staying.

Tonight, she could be anyone she wanted, experiencing a sense of freedom. Only Em knew her true identity, yet this attractive man desired her company. Despite her young age, she led an uneventful existence. Em is the only thing that keeps her from a monotonous routine of school and home. Ella was planning to have a great time tonight and savour every moment.

“Let’s dance.” Ella had enjoyed being in his arms, and she wanted to experience it again.

“Lead the way.” He grinned.

Ella intertwined her fingers with his and led him onto the dance floor, settling into his embrace.