Chapter 93

The dinner party to announce my engagement to Victor was an hour away.

I was lying across my bed in my plush bathrobe after showering while Jennifer rummaged through my closet, searching for the perfect pair of shoes to go with the dress I chose to wear tonight.

“What about this pair, Miss?” Jennifer asked.

Before I could answer her, my phone rang. The caller ID told me it was Debbie, my personal assistant at my mother’s charity foundation.

Debbie and I had become well acquainted over the last week. She filled me in on the details of the day-to-day operations that even Victor did not know.

I liked her very much. She respected me and my opinions and didn’t look down on me if I didn’t know something.

I answered the call. “Hello, Debbie.”

“I’m sorry to bother you before your dinner party,” she apologized. “But I needed to ask a quick question.”

“Did you want the invitations for next month’s charity auction sent out first thing Monday morning, or do you want to wait until after the article is printed in the newspaper?”

“Let’s get them out Monday morning,” I replied. “That way, our regular donors will feel like they’re in on a secret before the general public finds out about the auction.”

“I was thinking along those lines, but I wasn’t sure,” Debbie chirped.

She was always very upbeat and positive. I relied on her extensively, yet she always made me feel like I was in charge.

After we disconnected, Jennifer showed me a pair of black leather kitten-heeled sandals that would go great with my dress.

I’d chosen to wear a sage green calf-length cocktail dress with a keyhole neckline and an asymmetrical hemline.

It was pretty and feminine and made me feel very grown up.

But before I got dressed, Jennifer dried and styled my hair in the long loose waves I preferred these days. I smiled at her and my reflection as she gathered the cosmetics she’d need to do my makeup.

“It’s nice to see you looking this happy,” Jennifer said as she began applying my foundation with a blending sponge.

“Why wouldn’t I be happy?” I said with another smile. “Everything’s going great at my father’s office, I’m making new friends at school, and I will be officially engaged within the hour.”

“It sounds like you're a lucky girl,” Jennifer agreed.

“I am fortunate,” I said. “The menu at this dinner party will be talked about until next season. Cook is preparing my favorites like steak tartare and Vichyssoise.”

“It’s going to be quite a dinner,” Jennifer said. I had to smile at the pride in her voice. “Only the highest-ranking Alphas have been invited.”

“It should be quite a night,” I agreed.

But a few minutes later, I was almost ready for the party when my nerves kicked in.

Was everything going to continue to go smoothly? Was I doing the right thing by becoming engaged in Victor?

I mean, I knew it wasn’t a real engagement, but most of the time, it seemed real enough.

My hands began to shake so severely that Jennifer had to help me put on my earrings and necklace.

“It’s just a case of nerves, Miss,” Jennifer assured me. “As soon as the guests arrive, you’ll be fine.

I put on the sandals and went downstairs to check everything before the dinner. I should have known I wasn’t needed because Benson had everything under control.

My father was in his study. I helped him with his tie before the first of the guests began to arrive.

I was surprised to see the ambassador and his wife enter the mansion. But I recovered quickly and curtsied to them both.

I knew a few faces that followed them through the door, but most of the rest was a blur of shaking hands and fake smiles.

William’s parents walked in toward the last of the crowd. William’s father gave me a kind greeting, but Mrs. James turned her head as she passed by me.

“Why were William’s parents invited?” I whispered to Victor. “It’s like rubbing salt into a wound.”

“Your father and I were trying to promote goodwill between them and our families,” Victor replied. “But I see Mrs. James isn’t over William leaving the city yet.”

The dining room filled to capacity, and we took our seats at the gigantic, linen-covered table laden with the finest crystal and china.

I was seated with Victor to my right and my father to my left. But across the table from me sat the Jameses.

Lily James stared at me while we waited to be served the first course. It made my anxiety ramp up to an excruciating level.

Suddenly, I looked her in the eyes and said, “How is William? Have you heard from him recently?”

She didn’t answer me until her husband lightly elbowed her side.

“We received a letter from him the other day,” Lily replied. “He said he was fine, but he has no idea when he’ll return to the city.”

I mumbled my thanks and leaned toward my father. “How are you feeling?” I whispered. “I don’t want you to tire yourself out.”

He patted my hand. “I’ll be fine, dear. Let’s enjoy this wonderful dinner, and then I’ll make the announcement.”

Victor leaned back, and I saw Lana and Harry were seated on Victor’s other side. I smiled when Lana gave me a little finger wave and a smile.

“You look lovely, Daisy,” Lana said.

Harry agreed a moment before we were served the appetizer course. He sat next to an association bigwig, and the two men were talking about interest rates.

Soon, the room was buzzing with many conversations and the clinking of silverware. The food was better than expected, and I made a mental note to thank the cook and Benson.

As my water glass was being refilled, my eyes were drawn to the other end of the table, where the top members of The United Association of Alphas and their spouses were seated.

The clothes and jewelry they wore was fabulous. I saw these men on TV and in the newspapers, but I have never seen their wives.

Most of the women were middle-aged yet well-maintained and elegant, except for one who looked a little older than me. Maybe it was the old Alpha’s granddaughter.

“Who is that young woman with the southwestern governor?” I asked Victor.

“That’s his new wife,” Victor replied. “He divorced his second wife last year and remarried six weeks later.”

“What does that pretty young girl see in him?” I mumbled.

“Most likely, money and power,” Victor replied. “She's from a lesser-known Alpha family, and her parents were thrilled when she caught his attention.”

He said the words as if they weren’t shocking. I couldn’t imagine marrying a man for those reasons. People like to assume the worst about others.

“Maybe she loves him,” I argued. “Youth and good looks aren’t everything. Maybe he’s good to her.”

Victor gave me a sideways glance and a smile. “Perhaps she does love him.” He raised my hand to his lips and kissed it. “You are the sweetest person.”

I gently pulled my hand away and blushed when I saw Lily James watching us. She made me feel guiltier than I already did.

And I couldn’t help thinking of William and wondering where he was at that moment.

Finally, dessert was served. Everyone was offered their choice of Crêpe Suzette or cherries jubilee. Victor and my father chuckled when I chose some of both.

“All you need is ice cream,” Victor teased.

“What a good idea,” I said around a mouthful of cherries. “Maybe I’ll ask Benson for a dish of vanilla.”

When the last of the sweet treats were eaten, my father rose to his feet to make the announcement.

“If I could have your attention, please, everyone. I have an announcement to make that brings me great joy.”

He motioned for Victor and me to stand and took my hand.

“I’d like to announce the engagement of my daughter, Daisy Alberta Wilson, to Victor Harrison Klein III.”

The room erupted in applause and good wishes.

It took almost a full minute for everyone to calm down, but finally, Victor and I could be seated again, and we accepted more congratulations.

But a moment later, Benson entered the room with a more severe than usual expression on his face. He whispered something to my father, and my father nodded.

Benson returned to the room’s entrance and held the door open as he announced, “William James has arrived.”

William, looking as handsome as ever in his white tie and tails, walked into the room. He spotted us sitting at one end of the long table and waved.

I waved back, unable to stop the huge smile that spread across my face.