“How fortunate for you to receive such a lovely welcome.” Frances’ words were clipped. Clearly, she believed Aria was a gold-digger. But what else could she think when she believed they’d been together from the first moment he’d arrived in town? When she found out about the pregnancy, it would only confirm her suspicions. Aria didn’t blame her, but it hurt. What did annoy her was the implication that women were attracted to Eli for his money. Had Frances taken a good look at her son recently? Or spoken to him? He was sexy and sweet, practically catnip to most women.

“Yes,” Eli replied. Aria begun to suspect he was intentionally baiting his mother. “As soon as I met her, I knew she was special, and I haven’t let go since.”

Aria didn’t like the direction the conversation was taking, or the lies he was telling, so she interrupted. “You have a lovely home, Mrs. Lockwood. Your gardens are gorgeous. It must be wonderful during the summer.”

No one replied. A girl wearing an apron and white gloves entered with a tray of herbal tea and the most delightful miniature scones Aria had ever seen. She helped herself to one and found it tasted as good as it looked. Then she noticed everybody’s eyes had widened in shock and Frances’ jaw had gone slack. Apparently, this wasn’t a ‘help yourself’ kind of place. As if to diffuse the tension, Teri also grabbed a scone and bit into it.

Eli moved to a couch, taking Aria with him. The server poured tea, and they sipped while Eli made awkward small talk with his parents. They discussed his new project, the family business, and a holiday that Frances and Phillip would soon be taking to Bora Bora.

Aria felt like a stranger in a strange land. She didn’t understand this family, and she wasn’t sure how to behave. It was like they all had a copy of some etiquette manual, but no one had shared it with her.

When it was time to change for the ball, Eli showed her to a spare bedroom where she could get herself ready. Teri stayed with her.

“That was awful,” Teri exclaimed when they were in private.

“It wasn’t so bad,” Aria said, although secretly she felt shaken.

“It actually was,” Teri argued. “They’re like robots. Snobby robots. I hate being back here.”

“They’re a bit uptight,” Aria admitted. “But you shouldn’t say disrespectful things about them. They are your parents, after all.” She unzipped her bag and added, “Come on, let’s see your dress.”

Teri opened her bag and pulled out a pale pink gown. She changed into it quickly and twirled. The gown fell to her ankles and was strapless with a fitted bodice and diamantes adorning the skirt. Paired with a seven-lucky-rings necklace and silver wedge heels, she looked radiant.

“You’re stunning,” Aria gushed.