Page 49 of How to Kidnap a Fake Date
‘Oh… shit,’ I blurt.
Everyone freezes as they look at anotherMaggie Disaster.
Then Dad bursts into a rich laugh. ‘Christ, Maggie, you haven’t changed a bit.’
‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t see it.’
Priscilla narrows her eyes at me, and I divert my gaze.
A staff member is already there with a cloth while someone else produces a fresh glass. Priscilla waves it off. ‘I’ll get him another.’
‘It’s fine, darling,’ Evan says fondly to Priscilla, shaking his head. ‘You sit down and let someone else fuss over me. Do you remember the time Maggie knocked over the champagne tower at Rupert and Melinda’s wedding?’
‘It was an accident,’ I mutter.
Eliza laughs. ‘Maggie knocking something over is practically a wedding tradition in our family. Hope you and Priscilla have everything bubble wrapped for yours.’
Everyone laughs. Even Roman. I stare at the floor, my cheeks burning.
Dinner is announced, saving me from having to sit there any longer feeling like a clumsy twat.
Roman raises his brows at me, and when I leave the room, he follows.
‘That didn’t look accidental,’ he whispers as we head through the corridor towards the smaller dining room.
I shake my head. ‘Priscilla put something in Dad’s drink.’
‘What kind of something?’
‘Well… I don’t know. She said it’s a supplement.’
‘Could it… actually be a supplement?’ Roman nudges me as we walk. ‘They seem pretty infatuated with each other.’
I roll my eyes. ‘If it’s a supplement, there is no need for her to be so sneaky about it.’
‘True.’
The dining room is set out for an intimate dinner. Glittering candles and pretty florals cover the length of the table along the centre line, the tableware gleaming in the low, flickering candlelight. The staff had gone to town, even though it was only the family tonight.
Roman takes a seat beside me, looking unperturbed by the indulgence around us.
Dad sits at the head with Priscilla beside him, her hand resting lightly on his. He looks relaxed and happy to have us all back together. Which makes my earlier unease feel a bit ridiculous.
We eat course after delicate course, each small but rich. Meaty game and tart berries, pureed vegetables beneath glazed scallops, and matching wines with each dish. Roman eats like a man starved.
Fraser sits opposite me with hunched shoulders, his dark hair falling into his eyes as he picks at his food. While he may have been physically present at family dinners, he rarely took an active part in the conversation. The mardy little sulk. He glances at Roman occasionally, then me, curiosity flickering.
Eliza chats with her effortless grace, holding court amongst the family as we eat, keeping conversation flowing.
At one point, she leans towards me and drops her voice low. ‘Roman’s doing well.’
‘Mmm, and why shouldn’t he?’ I murmur back.
She smiles. ‘Oh, I can think of a few.’
Then Coffin swoops in a flurry of black.
The rush of wings sends my hair fluttering, and the crow drops something dark and gleaming on Priscilla’s plate before pinching her cut of venison in sharp talons.
