Duke didn’t want to think about money at this moment. He wanted life to be simple. He wanted to take the night off, enjoy the party and this fine woman beside him. But he couldn’t put off the doctor; there was too much at stake.

“I hate to be rude, but I’m gonna have to call my pops back. Do you mind?”

Angel shrugged. “It’s okay. I’ll call Jose. I’ll be back in a minute.”

As she sauntered past him, he watched her hips wrapped in the red dress he wished he’d bought her—he could have watched her try it on. And slip it off.

Chapter Fourteen

Wading through the crowd of beautiful people, she spied Regina on the far side of the room, leaning against the fireplace with one foot elegantly propped on the wall behind her, a martini glass in hand. The pose was reminiscent of a famous picture of a real flapper, and Angel was sure Regina knew it.

At the door, she found the older manservant who’d taken her coat when they’d arrived. “May I please have my cell phone? You have it tucked away with a white fur stole I wore in.”

“Of course, miss. Right away.” The man, who probably answered to the name Jeeves, strode away.

“What do you think of our butler?” Roland towered above her.

“I didn’t know there were still butlers around. I expected him to answer me in a British accent.”

Roland smirked. “Steven has been with Kinley’s family since he was a child, when his father was butler. Kinley talked old Steven into moving up here from Virginia when we decided to buy this monstrosity. Pissed off her parents, but they can’t stay mad at their little Kinney Poo.”

Kinley was walking up behind Roland. She’d heard everything. The hostess rolled her eyes at Angel and then tapped her husband on the shoulder.

“Really, Roland?”

Angel wondered if there was a way to disappear into the wall.

Roland shrugged. “Babe, you know how I feel about having Steven around.”

“Uh-huh. And I know how you feel about this house, and my family … Maybe, just once, you could keep it to yourself. Sorry, Angel.”

“It’s okay—”

The butler returned. “Here you are, miss. I can put it back when you’re done, if you like. Will there be anything else?”

“Alright, Steven, move along.” Roland flapped a hand at him, shooing away the older man like a child. The butler didn’t say a word as he returned to his post.

“You are testing me, husband,” Kinley growled.

I think he’s really testing poor old Steven, who I hope is using Roland’s toothbrush to clean the toilet. Angel edged away and held up the phone. “I need to call home. Don’t mean to be rude.”