The Secret Heir

n my knee the entire time while he regales his "darling cousins" with tales of European escapades I can scarcely follow. My gaze keeps darting warily to Cyrus

om Paris. Attendants bustle about, collecting crystal flutes and adjusting leather seats back into upright po

er glimpse of newly engaged bl

tion. I nod dutifully. Bastian takes my arm and escorts me back down th

servation. I brace my most polished socialite smile as flash bulbs detonate around us walking across the tarmac. Despite the Flatiron building's imposing silhouette visible in

grip above my elbow, likely to prevent any chance I stumble drunkenly in my stilettos again on the icy pavement. But the off-ramp area is now clear of snow and salted

He sweeps me toward an elongated Rolls Royce idling twenty paces from the

ats inside to the far window. I stare mutely down at the giant diamond now weighing heavily on my left hand as the engine purrs qui

s to Cunningham's fleet," Bastian remarks offhandedly. "I remember th

this Rolls less than a year ago. He prefers British made, obviously

rapid succession. Having this banal discussion while being chauffeured back into the city feels absolutely surreal. I should be weeping openly into my m

, no matter the chips or champagne flutes falling around me. I chance a side glance at Bastian, who sta

still engrossed with playing palace with fairy wings and plastic tiaras. Our contact ever since then has been limited to the occasional family holiday card from the Whitmore's ever changing i

leather and alleged British craftsmanship are steadily shrinking in on me. I crack the window

We can't have New York's newest darling debutante catching influenza alread

ay. At least until the wedding night!" His hand gives my knee a comedic squeeze and I stifle an impulse to slap it away vi

for the tree-lined brownstones of the Upper East Side. The Rolls glides sedately into my neighborhood, one of respectful old money and her

my family's nine bedroom Stanford White original. Fifteen perfect years of manners instilled since infanc

ete his task. I flash grateful eyes at Amos, our butler, stepping out onto the narrow sidewalk while flashes from the paparazzi's lenses

front steps before I see her face emerge between th

ntain excitement when your flight tracker l

hands still gently brace my shoulders in inspection. I see my own grey-green eyes reflected in hers-striking and quick to catch nuance despite the we

flight with a stranger on my arm now bound to me for life. But Eleanor beams smoothly at Bastian instead,

ement surprise! You shall have to regale us later with the full

y that biting winter wind was the only romantic backdrop to him ann

ps echo off the coffered ceilings towering above twin sweeping stairwells while Amos ushers us toward Father's fav

call about Bastian's little revelation in Paris. We must have the families together as soon as possible! I shall make certain Diedre

intermittently about hoping the Plaza and Four Seasons aren't already fully booked next June. It's as if I have been relegated already

ttempt to capture the myriad faces of inner me. I had squealed in astonishment opening the gift, never dream

ystalline voice while crossing the Aubusson carpet. He extends a strong hand to shake Bastian's and beams approvingly. "And with exquisite timing to announce you

cement this dynasty now that global oil futures are rebounding so profitably, s

uncertain how to react. Bastian surely made some attempt at humor given everyone else's laughter. I cr

t from a crystal decanter on the bar. "Since your betrothed has matured so astutely in financial interests whi

certain if I misheard. Bastian as a business par

nounce your engagement, yes? The newly merged Cunningham-Whitmore Ventures will be a global forc

is glass, appearing to have been holding a prepared response. Our eyes meet briefly but I turn away, even