He's Captured My Trust (Captured Series Book 2) (13 page)

“And what a handsome face it is,” Connor says with humour.

“And this is Emma, his future wife.”

I put my hand out toward Emma and say, “Hi,” but I get nothing. She stares at the floor and then slowly, almost painfully, raises her head and runs her eyes over my entire body.

“Emma.” Connor nudges her with his arm.

“Oh, sorry,” she says in a soft voice. “You must think I am so rude, Elizabeth.”

“No, not at all, and Libby’s fine.”

“I don’t use nicknames, so it will be Elizabeth from me,” she replies.

I catch Sophie smirking at the side of the room. She mouths, “I told you the fun begins.”
Alex keeps his hand firmly on my waist as he continues talking with Connor. I try to make small talk with Emma, but she seems rude. Joan announces that dinner is about to be served at the right time, and both Sophie and I decide to help her take the food into the dining room.

“Oh my God,” Sophie says, turning to me as we enter the kitchen. “She can be a total bitch.”

“Miss Mathews.” Joan’s voice echoes. “Don’t let your brother hear you.”

“I know, but she was so rude. There is no need for that.”

“Here—you take this,” Joan says, handing her a basket of homemade rolls that smell divine. “I’m not sure I trust you to not throw the soup over Emma,” she says with a laugh. Joan obviously knows the family very, so I can only presume she has worked for Alex for a few years.

“So what is Emma’s problem?” I ask cautiously.

“She thinks she’s so much better than everyone. Spoiled little rich girl.” Sophie is not giving much away.

“That can’t be all it is?” I ask.

“No. I’d say Emma is not a people person. She can be shy and finds it hard to mix with new people. But she comes across as overbearing. I should try harder with her for Connor’s sake and maybe we would get along. I know she must have a soft, loving side otherwise my brother wouldn’t be with her. But I’ve yet to see it.”

I lift the bowls of soup and position each one correctly so I can carry three at the same time.

“How do you do that?” Sophie asks.

“Tricks of the trade,” I reply with a smile.

Sophie leads the way, carrying the rolls through to the dining room, and my decision of whom I will serve is made easily. Richard is sitting at the far end of the table with Sarah to his right, so that’s where I start. Sophie puts the rolls down and sits down on Alex’s left, leaving the right free for me. I serve the soup to Richard first, and then Sarah, followed by Connor. Joan serves Emma, Michael, and Sophie before heading back to the kitchen to get the last two bowls.

“Joan, this smells great,” Richard says before she leaves the room. “I think a toast is in order. To our growing family.” Richard looks directly at me as he says it. Alex takes his drink in his left hand and takes hold of my hand on top of the table. His mother has a warm, loving smile on her face at Alex’s show of affection toward me.

“Surely she’s not!” Emma’s voice is loud and harsh. “Is this why we’re all here? So you can announce your pregnancy?”

I can’t help it. I burst out laughing, and Sophie joins me. How the hell did she come to that conclusion?

“Emma, is there any reason in particular you find that disturbing?” Alex’s voice brings both Sophie and I back to the present as he stares at her. My God. Poor girl. I hope I’m never on the receiving end of that glare. I shift in my seat, Sophie looks between Alex and Emma.
Shit.

“Um, no,” she says, shifting uncomfortably in her chair. “Except that you two don’t really know each other, and, well, I still believe in marriage first before children.”

“Alex . . .” I squeeze his hand as he continues glaring at poor Emma.

Michael watches Alex closely with a hint of a smirk. I sense he finds Alex amusing.

“It’s just that with Richard’s toast, I presumed there was news to be told,” Emma says.

“Emma, the toast was intended for both you and Libby, as you are both part of the family.” Richard sighs as he looks from Emma to me.

“But Elizabeth isn’t family.”

If the look on Alex’s face frightened me a few moments ago, this look terrifies me. I have some sort of understanding of why Sophie doesn’t get on with Emma. As Kirsty would say, she is bloody hard work
.
I’m sure my dear friend Kirsty would put Emma in her place with a few choice words. Poor Connor looks dumbfounded.

“Libby is as much a part of the family as you are, Emma,” Alex says.

“Of course I’m family. Your brother and I are going to be married.”

“I think we should start eating.” Sarah’s voice sounds rather unsettled at the turn of events.

Alex keeps holding my hand and uses his left hand to eat the soup. The conversation at the table is strained to say the least and is kept to a minimum, although Michael does try to keep everyone entertained. The soup is perfect, and I think I’ll ask Joan how she made the rolls. When everyone finishes their starter, Sophie and I seem to have a silent understanding of each other as we stand at the same time to clear the table.

“You don’t have to,” Alex says, pulling me toward him and placing a soft kiss on my lips.

“I know.”

“I thought my brother was going to kill her,” Sophie says as we enter the kitchen. “God, even I was scared. But Emma does have a big mouth that she finds incapable of keeping closed.”

“I get that impression from her.”

“Girls, do one of you want to take the wine and beer to the table before we take in the main course?” Joan asks.

“I’ll go,” Sophie says.

I watch Joan as she plates up main courses that I would be proud to serve in the hotel. From the way she moves, I can tell she loves doing it. I sense him in the kitchen before I feel his warm arms snake around my waist and his breath against my neck as he leans in toward me. Joan glances up quickly and smiles at us.

“Baby, sorry about Emma,” he says, placing small kisses on my neck.

“You have nothing to apologise for. You can’t control what other people say or think, but it was funny.”

“What, the idea of us having a baby?” I can hear disappointment in his voice. Seriously? Where has this come from? He’s moving too fast.

“Alex.” I lower my voice because I’m aware that Joan is still plating up. “I think you’d have to agree it’s far too early in our relationship to think about that. I have to agree with Emma with the order of events. Call me old fashioned.” I turn around in his arms because I need to see the look in his eyes. “And anyway, don’t you like how it is with just the two of us? Because I have to say, I love it.”

“Libby, you spark feelings and emotions in me I never thought existed. I never thought I would have someone as wonderful as you in my life, and that’s what I see with you: a future, a happiness I never thought I was entitled to.
You’ll see it eventually.”

Why would he think he wasn’t entitled to happiness? I can only imagine that it has something to do with his childhood and Katherine.

The smile on his face tells me a thousand words. It’s the first time I’ve used the
L
word when taking about us. He’s open about his feelings and his struggle with those as well. Maybe it’s time I was as open and honest with him, because I do know how I feel about him; it’s only right he should know.

“Now kids, when you’ve finished, you can help take these in before they get cold.”

“Yes, Joan,” Alex says, sounding happier.

I take three plates again and so does Joan, leaving Alex with two. He mirrors Sophie’s words from earlier in the evening. Joan and I look at each other and laugh.

“I see you’ve been roped into waiting on tables, Alex. You sure it’s not beneath you?” Emma’s voice is rather catty as she takes another drink from her wine glass. Alex can only shake his head in amusement at her; at least he hasn’t gone into a war of words with her.

Sarah gasps, and as I think she’s about to say something; Richard takes her hand and shakes his head. Connor looks on a little sombrely. He seems nice enough, but I don’t get the two of them.

“Wait until we descend on your house for a family meal. It will be your turn then.” Alex chuckles slightly with his words.

Sophie spits most of her drink across the table as she tries in vain to hide her laughter. The only problem is that Emma is sitting opposite her.

“Sophie,” Emma screeches. “For God’s sake, watch what you’re doing. And when it’s our turn, I think we’ll go out for dinner—so much easier. Less hassle and less mess.”

Sophie is about to say something, but Connor beats her to it. “Ladies, when you have both finished.” His voice stops the two in their tracks. “Emma, baby, I get that you’re stressed about tomorrow, but remember, you’re a guest in Alex’s home.”

“You’re right, Connor. Alex, I’m sorry.”

The atmosphere seems to lift a bit; the conversation around the table is much more relaxed, and I sense Sarah is content with that. Even Michael is good company. The more alcohol Emma drinks, the more she relaxes, and I was worried I would get drunk with the cocktails I’m drinking with Sophie.

“So Elizabeth, Connor tells me this was a surprise visit. Have you got a dress for tomorrow night?” Emma asks.

“It was a surprise, but yes, after a shopping trip this morning, I think I’m sorted out.”

“You’re going to look stunning. It’s as if I had you in mind when I designed those dresses,” Sophie says.

“Oh, you have an original design then?” Emma sounds disappointed.

“Not one, but two that she left the store with,” Sophie tells her bluntly.

“I’m surprised, because when I asked, you said you weren’t selling yet.” Emma stares at Sophie. “Anyway, I’m sure you’ll look beautiful tomorrow. James is looking forward to seeing you again. You certainly seem to have a way with our men. Or is it that you know how to wrap them around your finger?” Emma’s words are slurred.

Alex’s whole body tightens beside me at the mention of James’s name.

“Emma, I’m not sure what you’re implying, but as for your brother, I have no wish or desire to see him again.”

Alex squeezes my thigh in acknowledgment.

“My brother seems quite taken with you, and, don’t get me wrong—after seeing you, I can understand why,” Emma says. “But you’re not his or Alex’s usual type. You have left an impression on him.”

Alex shakes his head in frustration.

“Libby, as long as you save a dance for me tomorrow night, that’s all that matters.” Michael winks, obviously trying to relieve the tension flowing through the air. “I do hope you can keep your hands to yourself.”

“I think we know who has to keep their hands to themselves, don’t we, Michael?” Alex grunts at him.

“I am sure I’ll manage, Michael. It will be hard, but I’ll try,” I say as laughter erupts from everyone at the table except Emma. God, she is hard work.

“Right. Is everyone finished?” I ask.

I am standing when we hear a commotion from the hallway.

Murphy appears at the dining room door. “Sorry about this. She wouldn’t take no for an answer,” he says, looking directly at me.

With that, I know exactly who is behind Murphy.

Katherine bloody Hunter.

“EVENING, EVERYONE. I SEEM TO
be making a habit of this,” she says, entering the room with a false grin plastered on her face. “I came to apologise. Oh, I see we have some hired help this evening.”

Seriously, what have I ever done to deserve not one but two women who have an uncanny ability to make my blood boil?

“Elizabeth, I think I’ll help you,” Sarah says, standing and picking up the plate in front of Richard.

Between the two of us, we clear the plates in one trip. Sarah puts the dishes in the sink and leans on the countertop.

“Sarah, are you all right?”

“Yes, dear. I just need a minute before having to face her.”

Joan appears and hands Sarah what looks like a glass of brandy. She takes it and drinks slowly. Joan has nine plates out for dessert. “It appears Miss Hunter is staying for dessert,” she says dryly. “I’ll get Murphy to get another chair.”

“Don’t bother with a chair,” I say with a smirk. “I’ll be fine. And cut only eight pieces of cheesecake, but make one a bit bigger than the rest.”

Both ladies have grins on their faces. I hope Alex approves as well. We head back through with desserts in hand. I stop in the doorway when I see Katherine’s hand reach out and touch the side of Alex’s face, and it surprises me when he flinches. That’s all the ammunition I need.

I look around the table and notice that no one seems happy to see her. Sophie looks quite shaken. Michael looks as if he could throw her out, a thought that makes me happy. Richard looks concerned. I suppose he’s worried about Sarah and Sophie. Emma has had a look of thunder on her face for most of the evening and that hasn’t changed. Connor glances around the table, just watching everyone.

I walk around the table with two plates in my hand. I put one down in front of Katherine, who has taken my seat beside Alex, and the other bigger piece I put down in front of Alex. He looks at me with a longing expression. If it were just the two of us, I would know what to do. But as it is, he needs the connection between us right now, which I am more than happy to provide him with.