pattern , but being recognized by the Harper s still carried a desired flair in the community. Now that the pleasantries were all over, it was time to have some fun, as Ry an said at the end of his short speech.
The huge ballroom provided enough space for dining and dancing , and the music replac ed speeches and polite chatter. Meg an breathed a sigh of relief, realizing only now that her hands had a tight and sweaty grip on her utensils . The delicious food didn’t really leave any impression since the initiation of a conversation with Henry had killed off her appetite. He seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her better, and she wanted to appear smart and as perfect as possible. Maybe that was shallow and childish, given the fact that Ry an didn’t really need his grandfather’s blessing to date who m ever he chose. Still, Megan could tell that her relationship with the old patriarch mattered immensely to Ry an .
She chatted with the old man, and Ry an ’s presence took off some of the edge and anxiety that she would have otherwise struggled with . To Megan’s surprise , he proved to be exactly how Ry an had described him . H is eyes and words became kinder as the evening progressed. Slowly but steadily, the haze of worry that she would commit a faux pas dissipated, and her usual vivacity and good humor livened the stilted conversation.
‘I think I will leave you young people alone now , for a moment . ’ H is slightly raspy voice carried a note of amusement as he nodded towards the dance floor. ‘ Everyone else seems to be having a grand time over there.’
He was right , of course. Even though the evening had started out rather slow and cautious, with Henry’s presence putting a slight damper on the cheerful crowd , the party was in full swing. Megan caught a glimpse of Amelia and a serious young man with glasses waltzing by dreamily . Amelia’s black - lined eyes barely register ed her impressive grandfather.
And then there was Matt and Sonia. They were impossible to overlook, if only because of Sonia’s silver dress that sparkl ed with all the colors of the rainbow in the light of the crystal chandeliers . Actually, she reminded Megan of a fish with glittery scales, her fluid , glittery body as nimble and elusive as that of an angelfish . She and Matt seemed to be having a grand time, laughing and visibly en joying the evening. Matt ’s pristine white shirt and smartly cut Italian black pants brought out the golden hues in his strawberry - blond hair . His jacket had been discarded over his chair, forgotten as they swirled around the floor. M ore than a few pairs of eyes around the room noticed his good looks .
Meg could tell that Matt ’s family wasn’t too happy with the way the things were progressing . R upert ’s eyes followed his younger son each time Sonia’s silvery laughter reached his table. Obviously , he was hoping for some eye contact , his slim, serious face becom ing increasingly uneasy. Still, Matt seemed blissfully oblivious of his family’s tension. He seemed to have eyes only for Sonia , w hich was excellent.
Meg bit her lower lip, exasperated with her own twisted thoughts. Who care s if Matt decide s to make a very public display of emotions as he swirl s his partner around the floor until they resembled a silvery tornado ? She heard them laugh , and her mood darkened when Sonia pulled Matt closer and kissed him on his mouth in full view of the guests and his family members .
They could make love right there on the floor for all she cared . She felt a wave of resentment rising inside her as she watched the blond girl twirl seductively around Matt . She could have walked up to her and dragged her away, her fingers already itching to dig into the platinum blond hair. But that’s understandable, isn’t it? She is extremely crass and disrespectful, especially since she can’t be totally daft and not figure out by now, she isn’t really welcome.
Ry an would n’t
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