well-being. So much for his talk of a dynasty, she reflected with a small sad laugh. If he took this much interest in his line going forward, it would die out.
She started with surprise as the door burst open and Luc walked in. ‘There you are,’ he exclaimed as if she’d been hiding. ‘Come with me. I want to introduce you on stage so you can take credit for your success.’
It took her a moment to rejig her brain back into work mode. Luc was like a tornado who swept in and then out again with equal force. Taking a deep breath, she asked the only question that mattered where business was concerned. ‘Has the team been on stage?’
‘Of course,’ he said impatiently. ‘But you weren’t there.’
You make it so inviting, she mused tensely.
‘You’re part of the team, aren’t you?’ he demanded.
‘Yes, but—’
‘No buts,’ he said. ‘This is your night. And if you won’t take the praise for yourself, then at least take it for the team, and for the hotel staff that has supported them.’
Put like that she had no option.
THE CROWD IN the ballroom listened attentively as Stacey thanked them for their generous contributions. Then she invited key members of staff up on stage. ‘Nothing would happen without these people,’ she explained to a barrage of cheers and stamping feet. ‘And now, if you would like to join us in the hotel lobby, your transport awaits! And please, dress up warmly. I’ll meet you outside, where my team will show you where to go.’
She left the stage as people rushed to grab their coats and boots from the cloakroom. Luc was waiting at the foot of the steps. ‘Thank you,’ he said politely. ‘I know this is your job and what you’re paid for, but you’ve excelled yourself tonight, and I couldn’t be more pleased.’
‘Thank you,’ she said with a tight smile, before hurrying away to join the growing crowd in the hotel lobby.
Was that it? Thank you? Was that all he had to say?
She felt sick inside.
Trying not to think too hard, she smilingly arranged the excited guests into travelling groups. If she dwelled on Luc’s manner, she’d break down. She knew it was time to grow up—this was work—but if only he could be a little less distant, and maybe ask some intelligent questions about the baby. His disregard hurt so much, she had to believe there was a reason for it. He couldn’t have changed so much, become so cold. She knew he had a problem with feelings, but taking it to these lengths? There had to be something wrong.
Get over it. It was probably all for the good, she decided as she started to muster guests into travelling groups. She would never belong in this sophisticated world. If they could return to the easy relationship they’d shared on the farm when they weren’t fighting, chatting easily about horses, maybe there’d be a chance for them. She huffed a humourless laugh as she moved on to the next group of guests.
Operation Up the Mountain was a welcome distraction. Stacey’s passion remained unchanged. Seeing people enjoy themselves at the events she organised was everything to her, and she never allowed personal feelings to get in the way. It was crucial that guests remained unaware of the mechanics behind an event, and it never felt like work to Stacey. But to be on the receiving end of this carousel of parties and lunches, banquets and fashion shows, rather than organising them? She couldn’t do it. She had to get her hands dirty. She had to be real. False eyelashes wouldn’t last five minutes in the country in a rainstorm, and, though she loved the city and all the glamorous occasions she helped to arrange, her long-term goal was to live on a small farm surrounded by ponies, where the only event she ever went to was the local county show.
The transport Luc had arranged was inspired. Nothing could stop the big snowploughs trundling up the mountain on their tank treads. Headlights blazing, music blaring, the party continued as they travelled up the slope. Stacey found herself seated next to Lucas, but this was business so she kept her distance and he kept his. The only comments they made were directed at their guests to make sure they were seated comfortably and well wrapped up in rugs.
When they arrived at Luc’s impressive chalet, she’d made sure that champagne, mulled wine and soft drinks were waiting for his guests.
‘You’ve thought of everything,’ he commented as he helped her to climb down. ‘And you look amazing.’
She blinked. Not that Luc’s touch on her arm wasn’t as electrifying as ever, or his face as wonderfully familiar, nor were the expressive eyes holding her own bemused stare any less darkly commanding and beautiful, but…compliments? Really? Was that the best way to start when they had so much more to say to each other?
So what would you say? She shrugged inwardly. He’d made a start. She should too. ‘You don’t look bad yourself. We’ll talk later. Yes?’
Angling a strong chin already liberally shaded with stubble, Luc gave her a measured look. ‘I think I can make time for you.’
‘Make sure you do.’ And with that she was off about her duties.
He tracked her down in an empty kitchen minutes before the fireworks and the torchlit descent were due to start. ‘I sent Maria out to enjoy the show,’ she explained in a neutral tone, swiping a cloth across the granite worktops without pausing to look up.
‘Well?’ he prompted, suffocated by tension he could cut with a knife. ‘Do you have some news for me?’
She stilled and slowly raised her head. ‘Are you saying you don’t know?’
Of course he knew. He made it his business to know everything concerning him. His security team hadn’t been hired for their pretty faces. But he wanted Stacey to tell him. Whether she could open up enough to do so remained to be seen. ‘Just tell me.’
‘Congratulations,’ she said in the same emotion-free tone. ‘You’re going to be a daddy.’
He ground his jaw so hard he could have cracked some teeth. The way she’d told him, and, worse, the way this most marvellous news was overshadowed by concerns from his past, made him madder than hell, and saddened him equally.
‘Don’t you have anything to say?’ she pressed.
‘Congratulations,’ he echoed with a brief, accepting smile.
‘Wow. Your enthusiasm overwhelms me.’
‘Not now,’ he warned as Maria bustled back into the kitchen.
‘When, then?’ Stacey mouthed across the counter.
‘When everyone else has left and we’re alone.’
With a shrug she seemed to accept this, and they split, each attending to their duties,
