The Playboy's Touch (Book 2)

Chapter 20

Rachel

The Sevilla house was grand-grander than anything I had seen in London.

I didn’t know if it was the bright flowers, tall fountains or grand archways lit by candles that made it all more majestic.

Oliver helped me down the carriage and he held both mother and I on each arm.

“You both look radiant tonight,” he told us smiling.

For the past 10 years, he had always made it a custom to tell us this when we attended an event. And every time I either ignored him or dismiss his compliment with a snarky remark. But tonight, for the first time in my life, I actually believed him. I felt radiant. I smiled at him, not knowing how to thank him. But he seemed to understand and just smiled back.

He led us through the grand door into a beautiful room with three chandeliers above us. Everyone was dressed in bright colors and lively music was playing. There were over 20 tables around us stocked with food, pastries and champagne. I had no idea who the hosts were, and to be quite honest I didn’t really care. This was the first time I had willingly and happily attended an event. Women around me laughed and chatted away and men drank and smiled at me. I wouldn’t say everyone was looking at me or I was the most beautiful woman in the room-but I did feel beautiful and I knew some men were looking at me. I felt Oliver tense at my side and saw him glaring at people around us-it was only further proof that I was indeed being noticed.

Mother insisted on getting drinks and we headed over to a table with hundreds of champagne flutes.

“This is much more lively than London,” I said sipping on the bubbles.

“Very much so,” Mother agreed. She looked around in awe and I even saw a handful of older men looking at my mother with fascination. My heart swelled at the sight- my mother was beautiful and although I knew many men and women dismissed her as an old widow, I always knew my mother could still cause men too look at her with interest.

Oliver saw this as well and smiled. I knew he only ever wanted mother to feel wanted and beautiful because our father had hurt her for so many years. A man with short grey hair and thick mustache approached her and introduced himself.

“Good evening señora. I’m Sir Theodoro Guzmán, may I ask for a dance?” He said bowing and kissing my mom’s hand.

Her eyes bulged and she looked at Oliver and I in shock. We both grinned and nodded. When she didn’t say anything Oliver and I stepped in.

“She’d love to.” We said at the same time.

The man grinned and took our smiling mom to the dance floor. Oliver and I just laughed but his face grew tense as he looked at something behind be. I turned and saw Vicente approaching us. He was smiling his usual boyish smile and he looked crisp and clean-his light waves slicked back exposing his thick eyebrows and hazel eyes. When he reached us he bowed to us both.

“Good evening Miss Thompson, Good evening my Lord.” He said.

Before I could respond Oliver responded. “Evening.” He said in a cold tone.

Vicente nodded, as if expecting this. “My Lord , I was hoping if we could speak alone. I’d like to apologize for my actions two days ago. They were rude and inconsiderate to both you and your family.”

Oliver just looked at him with an intensity that only an older brother could but he nodded and they walked away. Vicente smiled and winked at me as he turned to walk with Oliver and I laughed. Only he could feel at ease talking to an angry and protective older brother.

As I continued to sip my drink I marveled at everything around me. For the past ten years I had closed myself off to all of this beauty. The music, the hearty laughter, the rich smells of flowers and food. I didn’t have to participate in it all to enjoy it. As I appreciated everything around me I felt someone next to me. I turned to see a tall man with blonde hair and small green eyes. He could pass as handsome but he reeked of alcohol and he was looking at me in a way that made me uncomfortable.

“Would you like to accompany me for a dance?” He said.

Usually the mentioning of dancing would sadden me but at this moment I couldn’t be more grateful for my uncooperative knee.

“No thank you,” I said giving him a smile and turning away.

“But I must insist.” He said grabbing my hand.

I immediately pulled away and set my glass down. “I said no.”

“Don’t play hard to get, it’s not suitable for a woman your age.” He said a bit irritated and his smile began to falter.

My face got hot with anger-it didn’t matter if he found me attractive or that he was the first man to approach me. I still had standards and self respect. I glared at him as I spit out my next words.

“I told you no. And when someone says no to you, it means NO.”

His nostrils flared and I flinched when he stepped towards me. But I felt a small hand touch my shoulder.

“Scamper away. My friend here said no.” A soft but stern voice said next to me. I turned and saw a small girl with chocolate colored hair and light green eyes. She was glaring at the man but smiling.

When the disgusting man saw that I wasn’t alone and neither of us would budge he let out a string of curses and walked away.

“I hate men.” The girl said. She reached for a champagne flute and drank it all at once. It wasn’t exactly ladylike but she did it so gracefully.

“Thanks for that,” I told her. “I’m Rachel-thank you again for stepping in.”

She smiled at me. “I’m Cecilia, and it’s truly no problem. I make it my mission to scare off men like him at parties from women.”

“A true vigilante,” I joked and she laughed.

“Are you here alone?” She asked.

“No, I’m here with my brother and mother. And you?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m here with my mother. But she’s probably off bidding me to any man she can find. She’s desperate for me to get married.” She sighed and picked up another champagne flute.

“Why would she do that?” I asked confused. She was younger than I was and very pretty.

“She doesn’t believe in courting-she just wants to marry me off as soon as she can. Probably has a lot to do with my father leaving us in debt after he passed away last month.”

“I’m so sorry..”

She smiled. “Thank you.” She drank her champagne quickly again. “But I can’t argue with her. At this point I’m growing tired of waiting too. It’s my second year out in society. I’ll take anything at this point.”

I made a disgusted face thinking about the man we just got rid of. She must have read my mind because she scrunched her nose.

“Well.. not anything.” We both laughed and as we did I caught a glimpse of Enrique talking to a red headed woman.

I was sure it was the woman I saw leaving the house weeks ago. I felt a small stab in my chest but dismissed it immediately. I then turned to Cecilia who was contemplating getting another flute and I grabbed her hand, remembering my promise to Enrique.

“Come with me Cecilia.” I said tugging her away from the beverage table.

“Wait-where are we going??” She asked.

I smiled at her despite my chest feeling a bit tight. “I have a friend I’d like you to meet.”