All that I want is to go home and concentrate on finding the person who is after me. I would have preferred that Mike channelize all his efforts in searching for the perpetrator responsible for the accidents and the notes. Instead, he is here wasting time on ensuring my security and those of the people around me. Bloody fucking hell!

Celia touches my arm bringing me back to the present as the princes and their wives step forward. Plastering a smile on my face, I ease into conversation with them until they step aside and someone else takes their place.

It’s all getting tedious. So many people, so many familiar faces, but only few can be called as trusted friends. I hear Gabriel’s loud laughter a second before I spot him. I pivot towards him and my eyes zero in on the woman by his side, Aaliya Singh.

They’re laughing over something. She turns and her dark orbs lock with mine. Once again, her eyes are rimmed with black smoky kohl and I like it, a lot. My mouth curves into a lazy smile, as I take in every inch of Aaliya. Dinner last night with her was so pleasant and I hate that I had to cut it off to go to Celia.

Aaliya looks luminous in a stunning soft pink gown. The color looks so fantastic with her complexion that I can’t help but stare at her. She takes her own time assessing me and when her eyes meet mine again, they are sparkling with mischief. Fuck! I do like her sass.

They reach me a moment later. We continue to stare at one another as Gabriel exchanges pleasantries with my mother and Celia.

Taking Aaliya’s elbow, Gabriel draws her forward.

“I’d like you all to meet a dear friend of mine, Aaliya Singh,” he says before turning to her. “Aaliya, this is Lady Emma Talbot, Her Grace, the Duchess of Kittridge and Lady Celia Parker. You know Damien already.”

Aaliya smiles before addressing my mother. “You have a lovely home, Your Grace.”

My mother gives her a stiff nod in reply and converses with the person next in the queue.

Celia looks from Aaliya to me and back to her.

“How do you know Lord Kittridge?” Celia asks her in a haughty tone.

It’s quite annoying that Celia is trying to make a point of my title. Either she’s trying to impress Aaliya or intimidate her. If I were to guess, neither would work on the other girl.

And sure enough, Aaliya doesn’t even cast a glance at Celia. Instead her gaze remains fixed on me.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Damien,” Aaliya says. “I do hope we can spend some time conversing later.”

“Of course,” I tell her, “You still have to tell me all the things Gabe has told you about me.”