Wanting The Wilson Brothers

Chapter Four

Violet’s POV

London was everything I imagined it to be, with its tall structures and the archaic feeling. I leaned closer to the windowsill of my bedroom, overlooking the Richmond Castle. It was different from what I was used to.

Everything felt strange.

Returning to the room, I gave myself a once-over in the full-length mirror, pressing down the non-existent wrinkle on my dress. I remembered the song that was playing through the building.

It was Moving On by Kodaline. Every note raw and real.

A knock sounded on the door, and I took in a deep breath. For some reason, it hurt. Nothing had happened yet. Nothing had changed.

Yet, I knew.

I could feel it in the air.

A total stranger peered at me when I pulled the door open. “Miss Jones?”

I nodded.

“The engagement has begun on the ground floor. The Wilsons request your presence.”

The Wilsons. Nate had promised that he would personally escort me to the party. But what did I expect? What was I thinking?

Harper was right. This was a huge mistake. His girlfriend was around. Beckley. I was the last person on his mind. Nate needed to be there for her, to ensure she didn't feel left out. While I was the one who could be ignored.

Because Violet always understood.

Everything felt different as I took the stairs to the ground floor. The music must have been put on repeat, as the lyrics kept echoing around the walls.

I was dressed similarly to the rest of the crowd, because God forbid Mrs. Wilson caught me in one of my old dresses. This was made with silk, the fabric teasing every corner of my skin. I thought the emerald made my eyes look great.

But I needed to hear him say it.

My eyes found him easily in the midst of the crowd. He was leaning into Beckley, laughing about something she said, his eyes twinkling. I thought the excitement in them wasn’t real. At least, it looked different from the one that shone when he looked at me.

Or maybe that was just me, being delusional. I was doing that a lot these days.

Despite the fact that I looked like one of them, I knew I didn’t belong. Not one did Nate look at me. And the rest of them acted like I didn’t exist.

I made my way to the bar at one end of the room, sighing as I leaned against the counter. There was a girl next to me. Pretty, lean.

“Hi,” I whispered, angling my head. “Great castle, isn’t it? I’m wondering what the story is.”

But she had no response as she regarded me as if I had dropped out of nowhere. I looked down at my dress just to ensure nothing was out of place. And when I looked back at her, she had amusement on her lips.

“What’s up with your hair?” she laughed in a thin voice that scratched the inside of my skin. “Is that… wax?”

I wanted one of the ladies-in-waiting to fix my hair for me, but that would have cost a lot of money. And I wasn't a Wilson. Nate must have forgotten to give them my name. So, I had to make do with what I had.

“I…”

“How did you even get in here?” she continued, her grin getting wider. “Oh my God! These days, I learn the Wilsons are getting more accommodating with the charity they embark on.”

“I am not…”

"Don't worry." The girl swatted her hand in the air. I caught the diamond glittering on her slender finger. "When Nick Wilson marries my sister, the likes of you are not going to be able to leech on the family."

She grabbed her glass of cocktail and flicked her hair over her shoulder. “Enjoy it while it lasts.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her retreating figure. I wished I could do something, but all that filled me was despair.

“Miss, what would you…”

“Dirty martini, please.”

“Are you sure you’re old enough to be drinking that?”

I turned around in that minute, the air in the room suddenly changing. He was around the corner, piercing blue eyes that never left me. He had a scowl on his face, gentle yet gripping. He seemed to think about it, his eyes narrowing for a fraction.

I saw him make the decision before he crossed the space. He didn’t ask for a glass. He had no reason to. The bartender moved immediately, sliding him something that looked ten times hotter than mine.

“Did you ask for her age?” He asked the bartender. He was straight-faced.

“Sir, I…”

“Oh!” He leaned back, sliding onto a stool. “I think she should be twenty-one. The last time I saw her, she was a weeny baby running around my brother.”

I blinked. “Nick?”

I never thought I had met him in my entire life. I'd only heard stories about him, that he was broody and rude. And that he didn't want to stay in Chicago because the business was a lot for him to handle.

I detested him even without meeting him, because he put so much pressure on Nate. My best friend had to learn to take over a company when he had an older brother.

That was a d**k move.

“Why are you alone, Violet?” He turned around, his head turning slowly until they landed on him. “Oh. He came with his woman.”

“I … I can… I am totally fine on my own. I didn’t come here for Nate.”

"Of course, you didn't," he said, still in that straight face. Reaching for his drink, he brought the rim of the glass to his lips, and those blue eyes regarded me for a second before they fluttered closed.

It was a sight. The way he took a sip. The only word that came to my mind was art.

Not Nick Wilson.

The way he drank his whisky.

“But tell me, kiddo. Why are you here then?”

I scoffed. “My best friend’s older brother is getting engaged. I wanted to support him.”

"Nathaniel doesn't look like he needs your support, Violet." There was a way he said my name, like air trapped in the middle of a desert. Want, need, hunger.

Or again, that was just me and my delusion.

“But humor me, Violet." He moved closer to me. It wasn't noticeable. I doubted he realized it, too. "Are you still hung up on my baby brother the way you were all those years ago?"