A Dragon in the Rough by Christina Gardner

Author:Christina Gardner [Gardner, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: OffBeatReads

Graham steered me toward the back of the room where some ladies were gathered. I pushed the dark thoughts out of my mind, trying to focus only on the now. I drank in the beautiful plants growing in nooks along the walls, the towering trees in the corners, Grahams’ warm arm in mine.

I suddenly remembered what Gareth had said about Graham leading his first wife places with his hand on her back. He’d never done that with me. I wondered if he ever would.

We stopped in front of several ladies in gorgeous gowns. All of them wore either red or black floor-length dresses. I felt like a daffodil among roses in my tea-length light-yellow dress.

“Ladies, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Katheryn.”

They nodded, and a blonde with dark red lipstick said, “It’s a pleasure.”

“Thank you for inviting me,” I replied.

“You have all done such a lovely job with the benefit,” Graham continued. “This place looks amazing.”

A few of them blushed. One of them stared like she’d like to get my husband alone. I couldn’t bring myself to feel jealous. She’d be sorely disappointed if she ever did get any one-on-one time. At most he’d criticize her.

“Isn’t that right, Katheryn?” Graham flashed me one of his faker smiles. He must have been having an off night.

I nodded. I hadn’t been listening, but smiling and nodding seemed safe.

“Great, I’ll let you ladies alone so you can get to know each other better.” He withdrew his arm and walked away. I stared after him for a moment before turning back. He’d just dropped me off here so he could get away. I don’t know why that surprised me. I took a deep breath, anxiety coursing through my veins. I’d never done well with other royalty, but maybe I could change that. I hoped I could change that since this was my only approved pool of friend options.

“You are so lucky,” the blonde said.

I forced a smile. “Right, that’s me, super lucky.” I pressed my lips together, just as a familiar face strode over.

“Allison! I didn’t know you’d be here,” I said, excited to recognize someone, even if it was her.

She smoothed the skirt of her tight red dress as her condescending eyes drank in my outfit. “Do I know you?” she asked haughtily.

I rolled my eyes. You’d think she would have grown out of acting like she didn’t know me by now. “I’m your cousin,” I reminded her unnecessarily. We’d only grown up together.

She shrugged her bare shoulder. “I have so many.” She was already taller than me, but her heels made her tower over me. Not that she needed them. She was already exceedingly good at making me feel small.

I snorted a laugh. “You have—”

“Girls, I was just talking to the most delicious man,” she gushed, turning toward the other ladies and blocking me from them with half her back.

I folded my arms over my chest and surreptitiously looked down at my dress. I suddenly felt like a little kid sneaking into an adult party.

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