A Noble Affair by Jennie Goutet

Author:Jennie Goutet
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jennie Goutet

16

The music was audible as soon as Louis entered the iron gates and turned down the lane towards the house, a somewhat crumbling old manor that was set far back from the street and encased in tall oak trees. This was probably how the party was able to carry on in full force without incurring a neighborly call to the police.

There were a few people outside the house, and one or two of them nodded at Louis. As soon as he walked through the door, Mitchell and Sandeep hailed him in an inebriated pitch. “Louis. You made it, man.” He gave a small wave and walked over to Max and shook his hand.

“You got here just in time,” Max said. “I was starting to run out.”

“My dad wanted me to have dinner with Manon Duprey. I couldn’t leave until we were finished.”

Max whistled. “Is she just as hot in person? You’re a lucky dude.”

“Yeah, but she’s dating my father, so—”

A girl fell into Louis, laughing as she was pulled to her feet again. He tugged his beer-soaked shirt away from his bare skin and tried to wring it out.

“Hi, Louis.” Another girl with straight blond hair walked up to him, her skin tanned from makeup, her voice flirty. “I’ve never seen you at any of these parties before.” He didn't recognize her.

“I’ve been to one or two,” he mumbled, torn between surprise and annoyance.

“What?” she yelled over the music. She fell forward into him.

“I’ve been to a few,” he said more loudly. He glanced around, desperate to leave her company and find a place where he could get his hands on a drink, anything that would give him something to do. He didn’t see the bar from where he stood, so he stayed put.

“So,” she said with a glinting smile, her breath a combination of beer and cigarettes. “What do you say you and I head upstairs and find someplace to talk and get to know each other better?” She linked her arm through his, and added, unnecessarily, “If you know what I mean.”

Louis looked her over. He was sure she didn’t attend Fenley, though she seemed to know a lot of people at the party. Even in the muted lighting, there was something repellent about her. He realized with dim surprise that he wasn't even interested in a one-night fling with her. He shook his head and pulled his arm away.

“He may be the son of a viscount,” she said to no one in particular as she walked away, “but he’s still a loser.”

Sandeep jerked his head towards the departing figure. “She’s from Sartrouville. I have no idea who invited her. Come on,” he said. “Let’s get you a drink.”

Louis turned to Max. “I’ll be right back.”

Max had a satellite of girls around him, but he didn’t seem interested in any of them. He was watching what happened at the party with a keen eye. To anyone but a casual observer, it was obvious he was the one who kept all the plates spinning.

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