Fourteen

Edward halted in his tracks and turned on Joy with a thunderous expression.

If you mention this to anyone, even your damned dog, I will rip your throat out.

Joy clucked.

You really ought to conduct your affairs in your own room.

Edward hauled Sarah back into the hall and slammed the door shut.

She immediately wrenched her arm free and turned on him.

Your room?

She practically yelled.

Your room?

You bloody liar."

"You were the one who was so anxious about being in the hall.

And you'd do well to keep your voice down now if you truly do not wish to attract attention."

"Don't you dare try to lecture me."

Sarah took a deep breath,trying to calm

her shaking body.

I don't even know who you are anymore.

You are certainly not the boy I met Some years ago.

You are ruthless,and worthless,and amoral,

and—"

"I believe I understand your general idea."

Edward's civilized blandness only served to make her angrier.

Don't you ever approach me again, "she said in a shaking, low voice.

Ever."She stalked off, wishing she had a door to slam in his face.

Sarah had no idea how she was going to make it through that evening.

Spending several hours in Edward's company was bad enough, but now she would also have to face Lord , who surely thought her a fallen

woman.

She briefly considered inventing a case of the putrid stomach herself.

She would say that she had crossed paths with Miss Rija Vinton the day before; it

was not impossible for her to have contracted the same affliction.

Surely Lady Fairy would not force her to attend a dinner party while ill.

But then again Lady Fairy was the sort to assume that Sarah had developed nausea just to spite her.

It would be grounds for dismissal. With Lady Fairy, anything was grounds for dismissal.

With a sigh Sarah regarded the dress laying on her bed.

It wasn't quite as ugly as she'd feared, but it was too large and would hang on her body like a sack.

Further more it was yellow, a color that had always made her look sallow.

Feminine vanity aside, however, she decided not to let it upset her—she didn't want to attract attention, anyway.

Sarah was more than happy to play the

wallflower at this particular soiree.

That such meek behavior would probably

impress her employer was an added boon.

Sarah checked the clock in her room.

It was a quarter of an hour before eight—time to start getting ready if she was to arrive downstairs at twenty-six minutes past the hour.

Precisely twenty-five minutes past the hour, she thought with a grimace.

Not a second sooner and not a second later. Sarah didn't doubt that her job depended on it.

She dressed her hair as best as she could.

It wouldn't be as elegant as the other

ladies', but she had no maid to fashion fancy ringlets or curl a fringe.

A simple yet elegant chignon was the best she could do.

A look at the clock told her that it was time to head down stairs, and so she slipped out of her room, shutting and locking the door behind her.

When she arrived in the drawing room, the Fairy guests were all present, sipping their drinks and chatting amiably.

Lord Joy was in a corner with his back

mercifully toward her as he flirted with a young blond woman.

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief; she was still mortified about that afternoon's incident.

Edward was leaning against a wall, his expression foreboding enough to scare

off all but the most foolish socialites.

His eyes were intent and they had been

focused on the door when she entered.

He had obviously been watching for her.

Sarah looked around.

No one seemed inclined to approach him. Tonight's batch of socialites must have been considerably less foolish than average.

Edward took a step in her direction, but was cut off by Lady Fairy, who made her way immediately to Sarah's side.

Thank you for being prompt," she

said. "Mr. Park will be escorting you in to dinner.

I will introduce you to him presently.

Sarah followed her employer, barely able to believe the woman had actually uttered the words "thank" and "you" in the same sentence. Then, just when she and Lady Fairy had nearly crossed the room, she heard Edward's voice.

"Miss ? Sarah?"

Sarah turned around, dread filling her stomach.

"My word, it is you!

Edward's face was a picture of incredulity as he closed the distance between them in easy strides.

Sarah narrowed her eyes.

What the devil was he up to?

"Lord Valley!"

Lady Fairy said, just a touch breathlessly.

Do not tell me that you are acquainted with Miss Sarah."

"I am well acquainted with Miss Sarah."

Sarah wondered if anyone else could hear the double meaning in his voice.

She itched to let her temper loose and tell him exactly what she thought of his games.

Lady Fairy turned to Sarah with an accusing expression.

Miss , you did not tell me you were acquainted with Lord Silicon Valley."

"I did not know he was a guest, my lady."

If he could lie, confound him, so could she.

"We grew up together," Edward added.

In Kent."

Well, Sarah conceded to herself, that much was not entirely untrue.

She may have moved to Kent at the age of seventeen, but she had certainly done some

growing up while there.

Deception and betrayal had a way of doing that to a person.

"Is that so?

Lady Fairy asked, looking terribly interested and just a little bit baffled that her governess might have once moved in the same circles as an earl.

"Yes, our families are great friends."

Sarah coughed so hard that she had to excuse herself to get something to drink.

"Oh, no, allow me,"

Edward said grandly.

I can think of nothing I'd rather do."

"I can think of many things I'd rather do,"

Sarah muttered under her breath.

Stomping on his foot would be nice as would dumping a glass of wine over his head.

She'd already done that once with a basin of water, and it had proved most enjoyable.

Wine had the added bonus of being red.

While Edward was off procuring Sarah a glass of lemonade,

Lady Fairy turned on her.

You know Silicon Valley?"

She hissed.

Why didn't you tell me?"

"I told you, I didn't know he was a guest.

"Whether or not he is a guest is irrelevant.

He is beyond influential.

When I hired you, you should have informed me you were—Oh, hello, Lord Silicon Valley.

Edward nodded as he held up two glasses. Lady Fairy, I took the liberty of obtaining lemonade for both of you."

Lady Fairy simpered her thanks.

Sarah said nothing, well aware that if she opened her mouth, she'd say something unfit for polite company.

Just then, Lord Fairy came by, asking his wife if it was time to go in to dinner.

"Ah, yes," Lady Fairy said.

I merely need to introduce Miss to

Mr. Horn."

"Perhaps I might escort Miss Sarah to dinner," Edward said.

Sarah's mouth fell open.

Surely he realized what a dreadful insult that was to Lady Fairy.

As the highest ranking gentleman in the party, it was his duty to escort the hostess.

Sarah snapped her mouth closed just as Lady Fairy opened hers in consternation.

But…but…"

Edward offered her a warm smile.

It has been so long, and I'm certain Miss

Sarah and I have much catching up to do. Why, I haven't even the slightest

knowledge of how her sister fares.

He turned to Sarah with an expression that was so concerned.

And how is dear Zara?"

Zara is fine," Sarah ground out.

Is she still as impertinent as ever?"

"Not as impertinent as you,"Sarah retorted. Then she bit her tongue.

"Miss Sarah!" cried Lady Fairy.

How dare you speak to Lord Silicon Valley in such a tone.

Remember your place."

But Edward was only chuckling.

Miss Sarah and I have always spoken

frankly to each other.

It is one of the reasons we so enjoy each other's company."

Sarah was still kicking herself for letting him goad her into her previous retort, so she held her tongue, even though she really wanted to declare that she did not enjoy his company in the least.

Obviously at a loss, Lady Fairy looked as if she didn't know how to handle this irregular situation.

She certainly did not appear to be even remotely

pleased at the thought of her governess claiming the highest ranking guest as her

dinner partner.

Sarah, who had quickly realized that this slight might escalate into a did miss able offense, interceded.

I am certain it is not necessary that the Billionaire and I sit with each other.

We may "Oh, but it is necessary,"Edward interrupted, flashing the ladies a debonair

smile.

It has been an age."

"But Lady Fairy's seating arrangements—"

"We are not such an inflexible group. Mr.Horn will be happy to take my place near the head of the table, I am sure."

Lady Fairy turned quite green.

Mr.Horn was not and never would be a person of importance.

But before she could object Edward had called over the gentleman in question.

"Percy," he said in his most amiable tone, "you wouldn't mind leading Lady Fairy in to dinner?

I would be much indebted to you if you would agree to take my place at the table."

Percy blinked. "B-b-but I am m-merely—"

Edward gave him a hearty whack on the back as an interruption, sparing him future stutters.

You'll have a smashing time. Lady Fairy is an

astonishing conversationalist."

Percy shrugged and offered Lady Fairy his arm.

She accepted it— indeed, there was nothing else she could do without insulting an billionaire —but not before she threw a furious glance over her shoulder at Sarah.

Sarah closed her eyes in agony.

There was no way Lady Fairy was going to believe that this disaster was not her doing.

It didn't matter that Edward had done all of the talking, that he was the one who'd been so insistent.

Lady Fairy would find a way to pin this on the governess.