Bennett guided Noel back into the main ballroom through one of the side arches. The second waltz had already begun... strings rising in a slow, sweeping melody that filled the vast space. Couples spun across the polished floor in perfect circles, under the chandeliers. The air smelled of beeswax candles, expensive perfume, and champagne.
They thought they had slipped in unnoticed.
They were wrong.
Cedric stood near a tall marble column on the opposite side of the room. He had one gloved hand resting lightly on the column, the other holding an untouched glass of champagne. His brown eyes tracked them the moment they stepped into the hall.
He saw Bennett hand Noel a fresh glass of champagne.
Noel accepted it as his fingers brushing Bennett's for half a second longer than necessary.
Cedric's jaw tightened.
He promised himself he would deal with Noel later.
First, he had to get rid of his mother.
