challenge?
Lord knew he could use some excitement in his life. Maybe Ms. Montgomery would be just the thing to occupy his days—and nights—for a spell.
“How do you know my stepfather?”
“Family acquaintance.” He watched as Sara gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “Tough work, isn’t it? One function after another. Fund-raisers. Birthday parties. Black-tie auctions.”
She visibly caught herself, as if her comments might be offensive.
He grinned.
“I didn’t mean this particular birthday party.” She let out a small sigh. “Just the circuit in general.”
Kyle found himself mesmerized by the twinkle in her eyes. “I wouldn’t know.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Prescott. I’m sure you’re at one party or another every night of the week.”
Before Kyle could answer, his half brother Peter stepped between them, extending his hand toward Sara.
She took a step back, startled by the sudden movement.
“Peter Turner.”
“Sara Montgomery.”
Kyle bit back an unusual wave of jealousy. Let Peter find his own companion for the evening. Ms. Montgomery was obviously miles out of his league.
“You’re as beautiful as your sister was.”
An emotion Kyle couldn’t quite put his finger on passed across Sara’s features.
“You knew her?” she asked.
“I was a great admirer.” Peter nodded. “She was the one person who took the time to talk to me when I was a kid. I remember her from some of the parties Mother and Father took me to.”
His expression turned grim. “I was very young, but I still remember the shock of hearing she’d been murdered.”
Montgomery.
Kyle knew the last name had rung a bell.
He watched as Peter pinned Sara with a look that fell far short of sympathy. “I would imagine her death ripped your family apart?”
Enough.
Kyle stepped between Peter and Sara, glaring at his half brother. “Leave it to you to turn the conversation to tragedy, especially on an evening as gorgeous as this one.” He turned to Sara. “My apologies.”
But before she could answer, loud voices sounded from the far side of the gathering.
His mother stood, hands on hips, hot anger flaring in her cheeks and eyes, as she screamed at the caterer.
“Only an imbecile would serve on these dishes.” Olivia Turner gestured wildly then tossed a plate against the parquet floor. The sound of china shattering was unmistakable.
“An imbecile!” she continued ranting. “If you think you’re getting your final payment, you’ve got another thing coming.”
Kyle’s stepfather stood at her side, fingers wrapped around her elbow, obviously trying to calm her and move her away from where she and the caterer stood over what appeared to be several shattered dishes.
“Unhand me.” Olivia spun on her husband as the shocked partygoers fell silent, watching her every move. “Don’t you dare try to placate me after this man’s—” she pointed accusingly at the caterer “—outrageous behavior.”
“Excuse me,” Peter said softly. “It seems Mother could use a drink.”
SARA’S MIND WHIRLED with possibilities as Stephen Turner succeeded in moving his wife away from the tables of food. The poor caterer worked feverishly to clean up all evidence of Olivia’s tirade.
Perhaps the woman had been justified in her actions, but surely a public display such as the one she’d just caused fell somewhere outside the acceptable parameters of polite society.
Sara had heard rumors about Olivia Turner’s tendency toward odd behavior. She’d just witnessed proof of those allegations firsthand.
“I apologize for my brother’s rudeness.” The rumble of Kyle Prescott’s voice cut through Sara’s thoughts.
She shifted her focus to his face, noting the lines of stress that had appeared following his mother’s outburst.
Annemarie. Her thoughts turned back to the awkward conversation with Kyle’s half brother.
“He took me by surprise,” Sara answered. She waved one hand as if she weren’t bothered by Peter’s comment, when the truth was she’d been blindsided. Peter Turner’s sudden remarks had left her feeling raw and exposed.
The orchestra swung into a slow, melodic tune and Kyle held out his hand. “Dance?”
Sara slipped her fingers into his. “It would be my pleasure.”
They moved to the center of the dance floor, other partygoers moving out of their way as if they were the Red Sea parting for the prodigal son.
For a split second, nerves fluttered to life in Sara’s stomach but she willed them away.
Now wasn’t the time to feel out of her element. Now was the time to revel in her surroundings.
She swayed to the music, following Kyle’s obviously practiced lead as the orchestra played on. The heat of Kyle’s fingers burned through the thin material of her dress at the small of her back, but she held her composure. Held her cover.
“I don’t remember seeing you at all these awful society events you mentioned.” Kyle’s lips quirked into a grin. “Are you sure you aren’t just crashing this party?”
If he only knew.
Sara graced him with her warmest smile, gazing up into his deep blue eyes. “Let’s just say I’ve been off the circuit for a bit.” Not a complete lie. “But I’m back now.”
His grin widened and he pulled her closer. “Lucky for me.”
Sara shifted to slide her fingers higher on Kyle’s shoulder. “That remains to be seen, doesn’t it?”
When the music stopped, Kyle moved toward the edge of the dance floor, never letting go of Sara’s hand. She concentrated on remaining upright in the ridiculous heels she’d purchased just for this occasion.
If she were smart, she’d have practiced walking in the contraptions before tonight.
When they reached the far side of the ballroom, Kyle spun on her, daring her with his expression. “I could use a change of scenery.” One dark brow lifted. “Do you ride?”
Sara glanced down at her heels. “I do but I don’t think there’s a horse anywhere that would appreciate
