Page 33

The handshake should end after a polite moment, but I’m too busy noticing details. Andrei makes no move to release me, either because he’s noticed my distraction or because he wants to see how long it takes me to remember what people normally do with their hands.

“Thank you for approving the change,” I say as I pull mine free and curl my fingers around my wineglass. “We know the invitation wasn’t intended for us.”

“It was issued to Mr. Brewster, and you share his last name.” His gray eyes move over my face before meeting mine again. “I assumed there was a connection.”

“He’s my twin brother.”

Andrei studies me for another moment, his expression giving away none of the thoughts behind it. “I noticed the resemblance.”

My thumb pauses against the stem of my glass. Most people need to see Connor and me together before they notice we have the same eyes and mouth. Andrei met me less than a minute ago, yet he speaks as though he had already identified every similarity before I explained it.

“You notice people that closely?” I ask.

“When they arrive using someone else’s invitation.” He reaches for a glass of red wine from a passing tray and thanks the server with a slight inclination of his head.

His answer is courteous, but I hear the warning beneath it.

“We didn’t steal it,” I explain. “Birdie called ahead, and Tessa approved the change.”

“I’m aware.” Andrei turns the wineglass once between his fingers, studying its color beneath the chandelier light.

“Of course you are.” I glance around the pavilion, where employees seem to anticipate every guest’s needs before anyone asks. “Do you approve every decision made on this property?”

“Only the ones that require my approval.” He lifts the glass and takes a sip, watching me.

“That sounds efficient and incredibly annoying for everyone who works for you.”

Beside me, Birdie presses her lips together, but the smile escapes anyway.

A trace of amusement enters Andrei’s eyes. “Tessa would agree with you.”

“She seems very good at her job.”

“She is.” His eyes move toward Tessa, who plucks a wilting rose from a centerpiece while answering a server’s question. “The estate would stop functioning within a day if she ever decided to leave.”

The admission surprises me enough that I turn back to him. “Does she know you admit that?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I prefer that she remains affordable.” His expression doesn’t change, but the dry humor in his voice makes Birdie snort into her wine and cover it with a cough.

I study him with new interest. “I didn’t realize you were capable of making jokes.”

“It was an observation,” he replies.

“It was both.” I take a sip of wine and point my glass toward him. “You should admit it. People might find you less intimidating.”

“Do you find me intimidating?”

The question comes without a change in his expression, but his voice lowers enough to make the conversation feel private despite the guests surrounding us. I adjust my stance beneath the skirt of my dress and remind myself that he’s only a man, although the reminder would be more persuasive if he looked like an ordinary one.

“I haven’t decided yet,” I say, tipping my chin up.

“You’ve been here less than twenty minutes, and you’re already counting security officers.” His eyes look elsewhere before returning to me. “I think you have.”

The glass grows slippery beneath my fingers. I didn’t see him watching me near the drive, which means he noticed from across the pavilion or someone told him.