Untrue Colors (Entangled Select Suspense) by Veronica Forand Page A
Authors: Veronica Forand
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was soft and pretty. One eye peeked out from her new sleek hairstyle, and her posture could not have been more perfect on a debutante. She wore a fitted pale pink dress embellished with a ruffle over one shoulder. Crystal stilettos displayed perfect feet and pink toenails. Her tempting legs were exposed to two inches above her knee. Classy, yet sexy as hell.
Uncle George greeted them at the door to his town house. “Henry, so glad you could come.” He let his gaze swing to Gabe and held her hand with both of his. “You must be the lucky girl. Henry has told me about your engagement. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. He’s told me so much about you. Your work as a member of Parliament is admirable.” Gabe spoke with an almost aristocratic affectation similar to the Kennedys of Boston.
Uncle George beamed.
During the walk from the foyer to the living room, his uncle introduced a poised and polished Gabe to several couples connected to his uncle through Parliament, two Russian socialites new in town, and a few single men to mingle with the single women. Gabe navigated the minefield of aristocrats with practiced grace. She spoke without hesitation, yet without a need to overpower anyone else. She never contradicted or argued with anyone and made no comments on the authenticity of the paintings hanging on the walls.
Uncle George pulled him aside while Gabe discussed the wedding with Aunt Mary. “I like her.” He slapped Henry on the shoulder.
She’d passed the first test.
“As you should. I told you I’d found the perfect woman. She happens to be American, but that seems to be her only flaw.”
He laughed. “She’s pretty, soft-spoken, and a real angel. She’ll make you some beautiful children. Perhaps you can hand the reins of your little charity thing to her, although I doubt she’ll approve of housing all those dysfunctional families in the castle.”
A small hand slid over his arm, and a warm feeling flooded his heart. Gabe. He turned to see her gazing at him with feigned admiration. What an actress.
She focused on his uncle. “May I call you Uncle George since we’ll be family soon?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thank you.” She beamed warmth mingled with something indefinable, yet hypnotizing. “I overheard you speaking of the Ripon Women’s Group. Henry’s work with them is inspiring. With the changes he proposes, he’ll improve the lives of many wonderful women and children whose only crime was picking a lousy boyfriend or husband.” She squeezed his arm. “Knowing these families can benefit from the generosity of the Chilton family compels me to assist him in the renovation of that section of the castle. What a legacy Henry will leave to future generations. I’m so proud of his efforts.” She turned those lovely eyes back toward him and made him wish for a moment that their engagement wasn’t fictitious.
Aunt Mary called everyone to dinner. After Uncle George left to help her, Henry linked his arm in hers, and they strolled into the dining room together.
“Enjoying yourself?”
“Your family seems nice. Your aunt adores you.” She smiled up at him.
“By the end of the evening, I’m sure you’ll become her favorite.” He stopped a moment to kiss her. He’d never been so addicted to a woman. Suddenly, the party was overcrowded and boring. He wanted to take Gabe home.
The dining room could sit twenty people in comfort. Rose-tinted curtains framed amazing views of Hyde Park. The table covered in white damask glimmered with crystal glasses and silverware. A huge bouquet of white roses and lilies, his aunt’s favorite flowers, decorated the center of the table and guaranteed that no one on the far ends of the table would see the other side.
Gabe sat between a Russian model and Frank Stevens, a thirty-year-old viscount and the founder of a biotech firm near Greenwich. Henry tried to hear their conversation, but caught mere snippets, something about Frank’s need for capital and
Uncle George greeted them at the door to his town house. “Henry, so glad you could come.” He let his gaze swing to Gabe and held her hand with both of his. “You must be the lucky girl. Henry has told me about your engagement. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. He’s told me so much about you. Your work as a member of Parliament is admirable.” Gabe spoke with an almost aristocratic affectation similar to the Kennedys of Boston.
Uncle George beamed.
During the walk from the foyer to the living room, his uncle introduced a poised and polished Gabe to several couples connected to his uncle through Parliament, two Russian socialites new in town, and a few single men to mingle with the single women. Gabe navigated the minefield of aristocrats with practiced grace. She spoke without hesitation, yet without a need to overpower anyone else. She never contradicted or argued with anyone and made no comments on the authenticity of the paintings hanging on the walls.
Uncle George pulled him aside while Gabe discussed the wedding with Aunt Mary. “I like her.” He slapped Henry on the shoulder.
She’d passed the first test.
“As you should. I told you I’d found the perfect woman. She happens to be American, but that seems to be her only flaw.”
He laughed. “She’s pretty, soft-spoken, and a real angel. She’ll make you some beautiful children. Perhaps you can hand the reins of your little charity thing to her, although I doubt she’ll approve of housing all those dysfunctional families in the castle.”
A small hand slid over his arm, and a warm feeling flooded his heart. Gabe. He turned to see her gazing at him with feigned admiration. What an actress.
She focused on his uncle. “May I call you Uncle George since we’ll be family soon?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thank you.” She beamed warmth mingled with something indefinable, yet hypnotizing. “I overheard you speaking of the Ripon Women’s Group. Henry’s work with them is inspiring. With the changes he proposes, he’ll improve the lives of many wonderful women and children whose only crime was picking a lousy boyfriend or husband.” She squeezed his arm. “Knowing these families can benefit from the generosity of the Chilton family compels me to assist him in the renovation of that section of the castle. What a legacy Henry will leave to future generations. I’m so proud of his efforts.” She turned those lovely eyes back toward him and made him wish for a moment that their engagement wasn’t fictitious.
Aunt Mary called everyone to dinner. After Uncle George left to help her, Henry linked his arm in hers, and they strolled into the dining room together.
“Enjoying yourself?”
“Your family seems nice. Your aunt adores you.” She smiled up at him.
“By the end of the evening, I’m sure you’ll become her favorite.” He stopped a moment to kiss her. He’d never been so addicted to a woman. Suddenly, the party was overcrowded and boring. He wanted to take Gabe home.
The dining room could sit twenty people in comfort. Rose-tinted curtains framed amazing views of Hyde Park. The table covered in white damask glimmered with crystal glasses and silverware. A huge bouquet of white roses and lilies, his aunt’s favorite flowers, decorated the center of the table and guaranteed that no one on the far ends of the table would see the other side.
Gabe sat between a Russian model and Frank Stevens, a thirty-year-old viscount and the founder of a biotech firm near Greenwich. Henry tried to hear their conversation, but caught mere snippets, something about Frank’s need for capital and
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