32

Will stood in the front entrance of the reception room gritting his teeth while his mother griped at his father about something.

“I don’t understand why they even came,” he muttered under his breath to Jem.

“Because the plan was to attend the reception after the race, and Mother isn’t going to deviate from the plan, even when the day goes to shit and everybody ends up loathing each other.” She downed the last of her champagne in one gulp. Jem had dealt with their mother’s sniping by drinking her body weight in champagne. God, how he envied her.

To be fair, neither of his parents had said anything particularly offensive at the reception. There were a lot of people there, some they even judged to be marginally important, so it wouldn’t do to make a scene like the one in his motor home.

The Mira situation was still eating at him. He’d wanted her with him today. Dealing with his parents’ bullshit would have been a lot easier if she’d been there. That was the whole point of relationships, right? He’d thought they were trying to have one, but he’d had to deal with today on his own, so what the fuck did he know? Maybe he was wrong.

“All right, Mum,” Ed said. “The valet has just brought the car around, so why don’t we shove off?”

“Language, Edward,” she muttered under her breath, and Ed rolled his eyes.

“Will, good luck at Monza!” he called over his shoulder as he propelled their mother toward the door.

“Thanks, mate.”

“William.” His father turned back to him briefly, then looked away again. “It was good to see you.”

Then he left as well.

“So much for that,” he sighed.

Jem squeezed his arm. “I’m sorry. I should have known they’d blow it.”

“It’s nothing less than I expected.”

Jem opened her mouth to say something, then stopped, which was totally out of character. Ordinarily she said whatever was on her mind without hesitation. It’s what he loved most about her.

“What?” he prompted.

“I know they were horrible, but they’re not in a great place right now, if that makes any difference. Especially Dad.”

“What do you mean? What’s going on?”

She shook her head. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

“Jem, don’t do that. I’m not your baby brother anymore. Tell me.”

“You will always be my baby brother. Look, it’s just …” She blew out a breath, ruffling her dark fringe. “The firm is in a bit of a sticky spot at the moment,” she finally admitted. “And Dad, being Dad, would rather blame anyone but himself. You’re the only one not around, so I’m afraid he’s decided it would all be different if you were.”

“The bank is in trouble? How?”

She waved a hand in the air. “The banking world has modernized. Hawley and Sons … hasn’t. That’s all.”

Will rolled his eyes. “That tracks. Dad wouldn’t embrace modernity if it was all that stood between him and a fiery death.”

“Yeah, well, he’s going to embrace tradition right into insolvency, if he’s not careful.”

“It’s that bad?”

“I keep telling him we need to diversify. Maybe accept some clients whose families didn’t come over in 1066, but he won’t listen.”

Figured. Of the three of them, Jem was the one with vision. But she was a daughter, not a son, so she was the last person their father would listen to.

“Well, diversity of any kind has never been Dad’s strong suit.”

Jem barked out a laugh.

He grasped her hand and squeezed. “Listen, are you going to be okay?”

Ed poked his head back in. “Jem, she’s ready to go, and you know she gets testy if you make her wait.”

Jem rolled her eyes. “And I get testy when she acts like a right bitch.” She turned back to Will. “Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine. You just keep yourself safe out there.”

Jem would be fine. She’d always land on her feet. But Ed’s whole life was Hawley and Sons. And Clarissa and the girls were relying on him, too. But Jem was smiling brightly at him, probably sorry she ever said anything, so he let it go. For now.

“If I’m meant to stay safe then I’m definitely in the wrong line of work.”

“You know what I mean. Now shove off and go find her.”

He startled. “What do you mean? Who?”

She gave a shrug of exaggerated innocence. “Don’t know. But you couldn’t stop looking around the room tonight. It was obvious you were on the hunt for someone. And since you ordinarily can’t be bothered to look for the ladies but let them look for you, I’m guessing this one, whoever she is, must be special.”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked down at his feet. “Maybe? I dunno. It’s tricky.”

“Well, any girl who’s got you feeling a little unsure of yourself gets my vote.” She reached up to pinch his cheek and he swatted her hand away. “You and this pretty face of yours have had it too easy. You need to work for it a bit. It’ll be good for you.”

“Jem!” Ed called in desperation from behind her. “The longer she waits, the worse she gets!”

“Coming! Take care, Will.”

She hugged him and he squeezed her back. “You, too.”

He watched them go, still thinking about what Jem had said. She was right. In the past, he’d never had to exert much effort if he wanted someone. But he’d been pursuing Mira since the first day he saw her, which had to mean she—this—was different. Important. If he wanted more with her—and he did—he was going to have to suck it up and be brave.

Pulling out his phone, he sent a text to Violet.

Do you know where Mira is? I need to ask her something.

She texted back immediately.

Your *girlfriend* is back at the track. Next time text her directly.

Well. Seemed Violet had figured it out. Now it was time for him and Mira to figure it out, too.