The Game (15 page)

***

The next morning I woke up bright and early after having slept for a good 12 hours. I must have been more tired than I thought, and after a good night's sleep, my mood improved a lot. Tonight was the party for Rob's parents. After that, I'd be home free.

I decided that the less time I spent with Rob, the better. I realized that we were playing a very dangerous game, and I'd been foolish enough to develop feelings for him. He obviously didn't feel the same, since he kept running away when things between us got too real. The last thing I needed was some unrequited love.

I'd go back to LA to prepare for my next role, which was slated to begin in the spring. Work was what I needed to take my mind off the confusing mess of my emotions. I'd always relied on work to get me through tough times, and this would be no different. Once the Oscars were over, I could get back to my old life and wipe my hands of this entirely.

The scandal was old news at this point. No one even remembered Kelsey Keller's name, much less the smear campaign she tried to spearhead against me. My star had never shone brighter, and I was riding a wave of good publicity. So on the upside, there had been some benefits that came from this arrangement.

I got dressed and headed out of my room. The house was so big, I had no idea where I was going. My first thought was to look for Rob, but I decided against that. I needed some space to think and I'd seen some nice manicured gardens from my view, so I decided to head outside. I made a wrong turn and ended up in some other part of the house that looked like it was closed off. I could hear the bustle of activity echoing around me, but could never actually see anyone else.

I heard footsteps just down the corridor and rushed there thinking I'd find a butler or maid, but instead I found Stella and her mother. I stopped in my tracks when I spotted them and had the sudden urge to hide. The last person, besides Rob, that I wanted to see was his mother. I wasn't quick enough and they spotted me immediately. The three of us stood there, at a loss for words for a moment, before Rob's mother plastered a smile on her face and walked over.

"Emilia! What a surprise to see you up so early. I had thought you'd still be asleep. Lord knows Robert usually is a zombie after his flights from America," she said.

"I've always been an early riser, and would hate to waste the day lying in bed. Since I've only got a couple of days here, I thought I'd enjoy it by going out to the garden," I said, hoping she'd just point me in the right direction and let me go.

She looked at me in confusion at first, and I realized that I'd forgotten to play my part as the obnoxious gold digging fiancée. She recovered herself and smiled at me, a genuine one this time.

"How lovely. We were just heading that way ourselves. Would you mind if we joined you?" she asked.

"Uh...sure," I said.

I really wanted to refuse, but that seemed pretty rude. I knew I was supposed to act crude and ill mannered, and play up the part of an unsuitable fiancée for Rob, but somehow I couldn't muster the energy. The truth was, I didn't want his mother to think poorly of me. I shouldn't have cared what she thought, but for some reason I did. It was obvious that Rob thought highly of her and they were close, despite his complaints about her interference in his life.

For her part, she wasn't as snobbish or overbearing as I'd been led to believe. In fact, she seemed like any concerned parent who just wanted to see her son settled down. My own mother was the same way with my brother Frank. She'd been downright Machiavellian about the whole thing, and in the end, it all turned out well for Frank. It was obvious Rob's mother only wanted the best for her son, and she thought seeing him settled was it.

We walked through the corridor and down the main staircase I had walked up the night before. My eyes widened as I took in the scene before me. The whole place was decked out in extravagant fashion. Workers were polishing the massive crystal chandelier that hung over the foyer while others were scurrying around, and carrying trays and boxes full of who knows what. And the flowers! They were everywhere. It felt like we were in a tropical rainforest.

"It's quite a sight, but hopefully they'll have everything set up in time for the party," Esther said.

"Is this your first time in England?" Stella asked.

We had maneuvered past the bustle of activity and had just made it out the front door, toward one of the walking paths I saw from my bedroom window. The air was chilly, and there was still some morning frost on the ground, but the sun was shining and the view was to die for.

"No, I've been here a couple of times before for work," I said.

"Oh right, Rob tells me you're an actress," Esther said.

Stella let out a low chuckle and turned to her mom with mocking eyes. "Come on Mum, as if you didn't know she was one of the most famous actresses in the world."

"I don't know if that's a compliment or not," I laughed. "Being famous doesn't take much talent. I'd rather have a great career than fame."

"That's very wise of you," Esther said.

"It's just come from years of experience. Fame is a double edged sword. On the one hand, I need it for my career, but at the same time, it can be unbearable."

"Rob said he's been having a hard time adjusting to all the paparazzi and journalists wanting a piece of him now," Stella said thoughtfully.

"Did he say that?" I asked, surprised. "I wouldn't blame him. It's not easy to become an overnight celebrity."

There was that look again!
Esther eyed me with open interest and I was sure she was trying to puzzle me out.

"Oh Stella, I forgot to tell your father that his cousin is coming tonight. They only just called me this morning. Be a dear and go tell him for me so that he has ample warning," Esther said.

Stella looked between us, her brows rising in concern, but she left anyway. "Be nice," I heard her whisper to her mother before she left.

"You'll have to excuse my daughter. I don't know where she gets these notions sometimes," she said once Stella had gone.

"No offense taken. I'm guessing you have something you want to say to me in private?" I said, cutting to the chase.

She looked at me consideringly before nodding her head. "My, you are forthright. I think James was right. I do like you."

"Thank you," I said, feeling more pleased than I should. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"Tell me, what has my son has roped you into?" she asked.

"Excuse me?" I said.

I was a little taken aback at her question. I wasn't expecting that. Then again, Rob and I weren't exactly doing a bang up job of looking like a couple who were madly in love. Putting on a show for the public was one thing, but to see us in person, especially how we were yesterday, I wasn't surprised she was suspicious. Rob was distant, and looked like anything but a loving fiancé. And I wasn't helping matters either with my ditzy American act.

I didn't know if Rob would be upset if I let up the gig to his mom. She seemed to suspect it, and judging by how embarrassed he was by my behavior last night, I was sure he'd eventually confess to her if I didn't. This whole scheme was a mess anyways. What did it matter if his mother knew? Our engagement wouldn't last past the winter. I'd be surprised if it even lasted that long.

"I'm sorry if what I say offends you, but I'm not an idiot. I know my son better than anyone, and it wouldn't surprise me if he'd concocted this little charade to get back at me. He's always been as stubborn as a mule and even more headstrong. So be honest with me. Are you really in love with my son or is this whole engagement an elaborate ruse?"

I didn't know what to say. I could just imagine her reaction if I told her the truth.
Yes I was in love, and yes it was a fake.

"I don't know what to tell you," I finally said. "It's complicated."

She waited for me to explain and I searched my mind for any explanation that would satisfy her. In the end, I was saved from answering by Stella, who had come back from her task. She was out of breath when she reached us, as if she'd jogged the whole way back. I almost wanted to kiss her for her perfect timing.

"Sorry it took me so long," she said. "Dad says he'll be ready."

"You didn't have to run the whole way there and back," Esther said, looking bemused and a little miffed.

"It was good exercise," Stella replied, bent doubled over with her hand on her hip.

We walked back into the house and I was glad to be going my separate way. Before I could head back up to my room, Esther stopped me with a hand on my arm. I looked at her and was surprised to see a look of understanding and kindness on her face.

"I think my first impression of you was wrong. Rob is very lucky to have you, whatever your relationship may be."

I was so taken aback by her words, I just stood there, tongue tied and staring at her with my mouth hanging open. "Right, thanks," I finally managed to say.

"See you at the party tonight. It starts at 8," she said effectively dismissing me.

I walked up the stairs, not quite sure what to think. What did Esther mean by that? Did she know I had feelings for Rob? I knew by now how to get to my room, and made it there without any issues, even with my mind distracted. I closed the door and sat on my bed, trying to process what Esther had just told me. The thought of her knowing of my feelings for Rob didn't bother me, I was surprised to realize. In fact, it was almost freeing. At least someone knew, and didn't think me crazy for it.

Chapter 17: Rob

The party was in full swing, and most of the guests had already arrived, yet Emilia was still in her room. I had gone there before I came downstairs to escort her, but she told me she was still getting dressed. That had been half an hour ago. I glanced at my watch again impatiently, and wondered if she were trying to make some grand entrance. The thought annoyed me.

I'd been in a bad humor all day. There were people all over the house, and I couldn't find a minute alone and in peace. My father and sister had mercilessly teased me all day, and my mother kept shooting me smug glances, as if she knew something I didn't. It was enough to drive me to drink. And I'd been doing that in abundance. I was on my fourth glass of champagne and was really craving something a little harder, but my mother would have had a fit.
Liquor is reserved for after dinner
, I heard her voice say in my mind.

Part of the reason I'd been so cranky was because I'd not seen Emilia all day. It was like she was purposefully trying to avoid me, and the thought rankled more than I cared to admit. Didn't I tell myself that I was going to limit the time I spent with her? So why was I so upset that she was doing us both a favor by keeping her distance as well? My jaw clenched involuntarily.

"You look like a beast," I heard a laughing voice at my back, and turned to see Roman standing there with his wife Lily.

A tight smile crossed my lips, but I gave Lily a kiss on the cheek and reserved a glare for Roman. He looked entirely too happy and at ease tonight. Meanwhile, I was feeling like a ship in the midst of a raging storm.

"Well, aren't you going to say anything?" he asked, still standing there with that arrogant look on his face.

"Why don't you go bother someone else," I said.

"Is that any way to greet your favorite cousin and his beautiful wife?" Roman asked, giving Lily a kiss on top of her head. They shared a look and got silly grins on their faces before I'd finally had enough and blew out a frustrated breath.

"Aren't you two past the honeymoon stage yet?" I asked.

"Geez Rob, what's got your panties in a bunch?" Lily asked.

"Pardon?" I said.

"Bothered? Pissed off? I've never seen you look so--agitated," she explained.

"I can take a guess," Roman said, laughingly.

"Oh hush, I don't think you should be teasing him," Lily admonished lightly.

"Why not? It's what he'd do to me. In fact, I remember him doing exactly that to me when I was in his situation," Roman said.

"You two do know I'm standing right here," I said, annoyance lacing my voice.

"Sorry, Rob. You look like you'd rather be alone. We'll be going now," Lily said, tugging Roman's arm away.

I gave her a grateful smile as she left. I felt a little guilty for taking my annoyance out on her. Roman, I didn't care about, but Lily had been nothing but kind and understanding. I followed them with my eyes and was just about to turn my attention back to the stairs for Emilia, when they were arrested by a sight I'd never thought to see under this roof again.

There standing not two feet away from the dance floor was Cordelia Crenshaw, my ex-girlfriend. She was Lady Sutton now, so I heard. We'd dated off and on since university, up until five years ago. She was a major reason why I'd been so against settling down and getting married.

Our parents had set us up initially, since they were acquaintances. My mother must have thought we were a match made in heaven, at least she hoped it. Cordelia had the right family, connections, titles, and wealth. All I cared about at the time was her looks, and boy was she pretty; the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. She was well developed at 18, with long blonde hair, green eyes and killer curves. She was every teenage boy's dream come true.

After college, she'd started harping about getting engaged, and I was nowhere near settling down. Then one day she told me she was pregnant, and I thought my life was over. I was prepared to marry her. I'd been raised to take responsibility for my actions, but she'd eventually told me she lost the baby. I'd heard through the grapevine that she'd used that tactic before, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Still, I wouldn't be a fool and forced into a loveless marriage, so I ended things with her permanently.

She spotted me looking at her and her face lit up. I was pissed off at my mother for inviting her in the first place. What was she thinking? She knew Cordelia and I were old news, and I hadn't talked to her for years. Was this what she'd meant when she warned me she would take matters into her own hands? I grew angry just at the thought. It was insulting, actually, not only to myself but to Emilia. My mother knew we were engaged. What was she doing inviting my ex to a party where my fiancée was. Why put us in that awkward position?