Nesta looked at the plates of food in her hands. “Do you want to wait until Mr. Roth comes back to eat?”
Cassandra shook her head. “No. He could be a while.” She didn’t feel at all hungry, but she’d try and eat some of it.
Nesta gave her an approving nod, then hurried back to the kitchen. Cassandra sat there for a few minutes without moving, remembering Liam saying that Logan and Dominic got on well. “Almost like brothers,” Liam had said with what she thought was a hint of jealousy.
And now it seemed there was friction between the two men.
If ever she’d needed to be reminded that Dominic could be friend or foe, it was now. If he believed the best thing for Nicole was to shut her mother out of her life, then he would do it. No hesitation.
Cassandra spent the next day at home, lazing about with Nicole, taking a leisurely bath and generally trying to relax. The bath helped, as it always did, and she felt more at peace now that she knew she had volunteer work ahead of her. She knew she was being a coward in avoiding mentioning the money to Dominic, but talking about money to a man who thought she was a gold digger was paramount to admitting he was right about her.
Yet there was nothing for him to be right about.
Then Thursday dawned. It was her birthday and she wasn’t going to mention it to anyone. Nor was she going to think about the money. That would be her birthday present to herself.
So after Dominic left for work, Cassandra took Nicole outside for some fresh air and sunshine. She chatted to her daughter as she carried her around the garden beds and stopped to smell the flowers. Then she let Nicole crawl around on the lawn, allowing the sun to do its magic.
After a while Nicole began to get a bit whiny, and Cassandra took her back inside.
“Mrs. Roth,” Nesta said as soon as they came through the patio doors. “Mr. Roth telephoned before. He wanted to ask me if I was available to babysit tonight. He said he’s taking you out to a party.”
Cassandra’s heart jumped. Could he know it was her birthday? She could imagine he might have tasked his PA to keep tabs on such things. “Did he say where the party was or what it was about?”
“No. Just that he wanted to give you plenty of time to make yourself beautiful,” Nesta said with a smile.
Cassandra managed to say something appropriate, then she took Nicole upstairs to bathe her before her mid morning nap. But she couldn’t help wondering. Had Dominic arranged something for her birthday? A family party? She couldn’t imagine he would bother, or that his family would want to be involved. Of course, Laura was a stickler for doing the right thing—even though she disliked her daughter-in-law.
After that, Cassandra spent the rest of the day trying not to get her hopes up, but there was still a little piece of her that thought he might have actually arranged something special.
She was dressed in an iris-purple cocktail dress that was stylish but comfortable and was putting the finishing touches to her hair when Dominic walked in the bedroom.
He stood and looked at her, his eyes darkening with desire. “God, you look beautiful.”
The breath hitched in her throat. “Thank you.”
He looked some more. “I’d kiss you, but I don’t want to mess you up.”
She hid her surprise—and disappointment. It wasn’t like him not to take what he wanted from her lips.
He tilted his head. “There’s something about you tonight. You look…keyed up.”
“I do?” She didn’t mean to be. If he was taking her out for her birthday, she didn’t want to spoil the surprise. And if he wasn’t…
He tossed his jacket on the bed. “Give me ten minutes.” He strode into the bathroom. “I’ll meet you downstairs. We’re taking the Porsche tonight. The party’s not far. It’s one of those society things.”
Her bubble didn’t burst, but it was slowly leaking.
“Sorry about the short notice,” he said once they were in the car. “I need to show my face on behalf of the family.”
For a moment she wondered if this was merely an excuse to put her off the scent. It all seemed odd to her. “Don’t they realize the family is still in mourning?”
“I’m sure they do and I was going to give it a miss, but now there’s a rumor floating around that my father is about to retire.”
That surprised her. “Is he?”
“Of course not, and I don’t want Dad to hear about it. He’s got enough on his mind. I’m convinced it was started by a competitor who thinks he can unsettle our major buyers.”
She frowned. “But how can they do that, anyway? Even if Michael retires, you and Adam have excellent reputations and will run the business just as well. I can’t see how anything will change.”
He gave a small smile. “Thanks for your confidence in us.” The smile slipped away. “No, any mention of change unsettles people, and I need to put out the fire tonight. One of our valued customers will be at the party, and I have to assure him that everything is fine. If he was to start looking at taking his business elsewhere, others might follow.”
She let that sink in, appreciating the importance of it all and feeling foolish because she’d been focused on a mere birthday party.
Yet disappointment dueled with self-derision. “Oh, I see.”
He glanced sideways at her. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.”
“You were beaming before, and now you look down in the mouth.”
“Sometimes things get to me,” she said by way of an excuse, aware he shot her another look, but hoping he’d put it down to her thinking about Liam.
Thankfully the moment was broken as he slowed down to let the car in front turn into a driveway. And then her bubble finally did burst when he followed, stopping to give their names to the security person at the gates before continuing up the sweeping drive to an illuminated mansion.
Staff opened the car doors for them, precluding Dominic from talking further. Their hosts were a gracious couple who were too well mannered to ask the question in their eyes. She could feel others looking at them and was grateful that Dominic kept her at his side as they moved around the room, his arm around her waist in a protective manner.
Or was that a possessive manner?
And why did she feel a little thrill at the thought of him being either?
“Just ignore them,” he whispered in her ear.
“Who?” she said unnecessarily.
“All those people who are wondering about us.” He didn’t need to point out they were probably asking themselves how a woman could marry her late husband’s brother within two weeks after his death. “It’s none of their business,” he added quietly, and then his jaw clenched. “And if anyone says anything to you, please let me know. They won’t say it again.”
“I don’t think they’d dare,” she mused, looking at the fierceness in his eyes.
“You think it’s funny?”
He looked even more fierce.
“Not at all.” And unexpectedly—in spite of everything between them—she couldn’t help herself. Her lips twitched. “You’re being funny.”
Surprise showed on his face; then his mouth curved upward in a sexy smile that held his trademark arrogance. “You won’t be smiling later tonight,” he threatened in a low voice. “You’ll be begging.”
Her heartbeat began to race. He’d made love to her every night, but tonight would be a special birthday treat to herself.
Just then a waiter interrupted them with the offer to refill their half-filled glasses, but Dominic shook his head and the waiter left.
“Keep smiling at me,” Dominic murmured once they were alone again, but she noticed his gaze had briefly darted away from her.
Her pleasure in the moment faltered and died. “We’re being watched, aren’t we?” That was why he was being so charming to her. He was using her. Like Liam had often used her in front of his friends and business acquaintances.
Dominic didn’t seem to notice her dismay. “The man I need to speak to is across the room. I want him to see we’re at ease with each other. He’ll be more likely to believe nothing’s amiss with the family if we look sure of ourselves.”
She winced inwardly, disappointment biting at her heels, thoughts of making love to Dominic later tonight suddenly not so gratifying. If things were better between them, if the brief connection she sometimes glimpsed between them hadn’t vanished again, she could at least have enjoyed some of his company at the party tonight. As it was, right now all she wanted to do was go find a corner to curl up in.
All at once he gave a low curse. “Damn. It looks like he’s leaving the room with our host. Paul’s probably taking him out to the garage to show him his latest car.”
“Then go after him. I’ll be fine here.” She’d be glad to get away from Dominic’s presence, even if it meant standing there by herself. “Go.” He went.
Dominic moved across the room, making sure he didn’t look like he was hurrying as he steeled himself to talk to the man ahead. The deep cut and thrust of the business world had always appealed to him, but this time he didn’t like it that one client might be able to inflict damage to their business. He hated smoothing the waters like this.
Admittedly, it wouldn’t be the end of the Roths—not even close—but they would take a hit if Bannon Dale didn’t renew his contracts and started furnishing his hotels from other luxury goods department stores. Lost revenue would certainly mean a number of Roth employees, from those who worked in the stores, down to the people in their warehouses, to the drivers who moved the goods, could lose their jobs.
He didn’t really expect it would happen, but damage prevention was called for tonight. Bannon had to be assured that Michael Roth wasn’t retiring for a long time yet and that no other changes were planned. Bannon Dale Hotels would always get the best from them.
And then he’d have to speak to both his father and Adam about paving the way for when his father did eventually retire. Things would change when he took over the business, but he would continue to use his father’s philosophy of integrity and fairness.
He saw his target ahead in the hallway. “Good evening, Bannon,” he called out, raising his voice just enough to be heard above the party.
Bannon Dale turned, along with the other man, and boomed, “Dominic! I didn’t expect you here tonight.” He waited for Dominic to get closer, then shook his hand. “How’s your father?”
Dominic noted there was more than a gleam of interest in the other man’s eyes, and he was glad he’d come tonight. “As switched on as ever and looking forward to coming back to the office next week.”
Bannon nodded sympathetically. “Yes, I was sorry to hear about Liam.”
“Thank you.” Dominic appreciated the words. Then he paused. “Actually, I wonder if I could have a brief word with you in private.” He glanced apologetically at their host. “I won’t keep him long, Paul.”
Paul nodded. “Sure. You can use my study. It’s down on the right.” Then he looked at Bannon. “I’ll be in the garage when you’re ready.” He left them to it.