He shrugs, unruffled by the threat. “Oh, I doubt it. My father doesn’t bother with me. I think for the most part, he’s just happy when I’m not in rehab. It’s Emmett who carries the world. My father expects too much from him, and Emmett, idiot that he is, never ceases to rise to the occasion. I tell him all the time that all he has to do is fuck up a time or two and our father will forget about him as he’s forgotten about me.”

“Problem solved,” I tease.

He laughs. “Exactly. Now, between you and me, I don’t know what all the fuss is about…” He runs his gaze over my dress and doesn’t try to hide the fact that he’s blatantly checking me out. “Emmett acts as if he’s been saddled with some ogre. You, frankly, are nothing short of exquisite.”

“I’m also your soon-to-be sister.”

He waggles his eyebrows. “Oh, taboo. Things just got interesting…”

I can’t help but laugh at his idiocy. It’s refreshing having a conversation with someone so blunt, and whether it’s his easygoing smile or his kind eyes, I know he’s only teasing me. There’s nothing lascivious about him.

“Truthfully, I appreciate you coming over to chat with me. I was too scared to approach you.”

“Oh yes. Dealing with my father and brother does that to a person. Everyone lumps me in alongside them without realizing I’m the golden retriever of the family. All bark, no bite.”

“Good to know,” I say with a thankful smile.

“Now I feel it’s probably best to wish you good luck.”

“Why’s that?”

He reaches for my shoulder so he can slowly begin to spin me around to face the room.

“Because a distinguished-looking man just walked in, and if my instincts are correct, he’s looking for you.”

I gulp down panic and finish whirling around, expecting to find Emmett.

Instead, it’s Eugene, the man from Leclerc & Co. who visited me in New York, and he’s obviously here on assignment.

“I’m looking for Elaine Davenport,” he says to the room with a twinkle of delight in his eyes.

My panic is wiped out by dread.

Alexander steps away, dropping his hand from my shoulder and giving me center stage as Eugene’s gaze lands on me. He smiles and changes course to head my way, loving the pageantry of the moment as he speaks loud enough for most of the room to hear.

“Since your fiancé couldn’t be here to celebrate with you, he asked me to deliver this.”

A hush falls over the room as Eugene pulls out a black velvet box.

I feel the color start to drain from my face.

To be honest, when I told Eugene to get Emmett’s opinion on the stones, I didn’t expect to see Eugene again. I assumed Emmett would want no part in choosing a wedding ring for me.

But it’s obvious I underestimated Emmett, because when Eugene slowly pries open the velvet box and shows me what’s inside, it’s clear he has sent a message.