More Than Scars (37 page)

I smiled and he smiled back.

“I knew we’d make a great looking date,” he teased gently. He pulled me into a hug. “I missed you!”

I hugged him back. I had missed his mischief too.

He gave another squeeze and then held me back to study the dress. “My brother has an amazing eye!”

I blushed.

“How much tailoring needed to be done?”

I
blushed a deeper red. “Very little.”

He
chuckled “Amazing eye indeed!” He turned to the other ladies who were staring at him…who could blame them? “Sandra…you look lovely as well,” he greeted my mother and then pulled his nieces in for a hug. “Where are you two lovelies off to?”

“Wish Daddy luck,” Brianne spoke up. “And to give him
Rissa’s flower.

Ian gave me a knowing grin and my cheeks fired once more.

“Very important job,” Ian agreed.

I bit my lip. “I didn’t get you one.”

He grinned and patted his breast. “No need for one Rissa! You will be on my arm! I don’t need a flower!”

Kate and Sarah mewled in breathless adoration. I rolled my eyes.

“You do look…” I eyed him up and down. “You look amazing Ian.”

He smiled that fantastic smile of his. He made a circular motion with his finger for me. So I turned obediently for him only to get the low whistle.

“I shouldn’t let you out of this room, Nerissa,” he said gently. “You look beyong your usual beauty tonight!”

My cheeks warmed.

“No, seriously…I might have issues with my brother if I let you out of this door without a covering,” he teased.

I lifted my chin in defiance. “He bought me the dress, so he can deal with it.” I turned to the mirror again to study my reflection.

Ian threw his head back and laughed. He leaned down to his nieces. “Go make sure your Daddy doesn’t chicken out and make sure to tell him how beautiful Nerissa looks…okay? I mean…really beautiful! Tell him Uncle Ian said it would be hard to keep his hands to himself.” He gave me a wink.

“Well, you better keep your hands to yourself!”

A pair of green eyes much like my own peered out from behind a mask at the door. Al was leaning at the entrance in full suit. I can’t remember the last time I saw my brother in a suit! He would be escorting my Mom down. The tall handsome blonde would turn heads tonight! Kate and Sarah seemed to be in agreement with my theory.

I smiled and shook my head. “You are looking dashing brother!”

He shrugged. “I hate these monkey suits but I do make it look good, don’t I?”

It was my Mom’s turn to ooh and awe over her little boy. She stood still long enough for Sarah to tie her mask on. We were all soon following the girls and Mary into the hall.

They headed to Liam’s door and the four of us headed to the stair. I was more than anxious to see the transformation downstairs! I had seen a bit of the décor but that was hours ago! I could hear the music now from a live orchestra. There would also be a DJ too who would play music…but for the arrivals the classical pieces played.

“We aren’t going to be announced are we?” I looked to Ian with worry.

He chuckled and took my hand. “Just relax. This will be fun Nerissa! No one will know who you are! For now you are my date! And…they will soon notice…the object of Liam Byrne’s affection!” He shook his head. “You just need to enjoy yourself tonight…and keep Liam’s eye.” He gave me a once over and smiled. “The way you look right now…that should not be a problem. He will not be able to look away Rissa.” He started us down the stairs. “I don’t know where he got that dress…but he did oh so well!”

I smiled. “I’m pretty much in love with it.” I closed my mouth as we started down the stairs and eyes were suddenly on me! I realized they were mostly on Ian…but it was unnerving. I peeked behind at my Mom and Al and offered a smile, hoping for smiles in return. They did not disappoint.

My heart teetered a bit as the hall came into view. Chandeliers had been added to the high ceilings and half of them were filled with candles, flickering low and beautiful. The colors were vivid even in the soft glow all red, black, and white. There were so many people here! I felt heat rise up my neck. How was Liam going to do this? And he was on his own! Why hadn’t I offered to be at his side? My hand trembled against Ian’s arm.

“Our Dad is upstairs now with him,” he whispered gently to me now. “He is coming down with him.”

I nodded and pulled in a breath as we reached the bottom of the stair.

Ian gave me a smile. “Welcome to the masquerade
Nerissa.” He pulled me gently into the crowd.

Chapter 19 Masquerade

             
I was trying to enjoy the sights and smells around me. Liam had spared no expense on this party. It was so elegant with the deep reds and blacks, as well as low candle light. The orchestra was small but equisite and the music gave me goose bumps! Well, part of the goose bumps were from the thought that he may soon arrive.

“He’s late.”

              It was not the first time I had heard this remark tonight from one of the guests. I was getting tired of it! It was only seven thirty. Yes, Liam was late to his own party! I was sure it had something to do with the girls and him wanting to see them safely to their rooms. I still gave Ian a worried glance.

             
He put an arm gently around me. “It’s rude to bring your phone to a party but…” He covertly held his for me to see the latest message. “I thought it may come in handy.”

             
I smiled.

             
Amelia needed a story first.

             
Yes, yes, yes…I loved Liam Byrne. He had a mansion full of people waiting on him and he makes them all wait so that he can read a story to his little girl. I wanted to march up the stairs and kiss the breath out of him now! I drew in a breath of my own to calm myself. I was borderline crazy in love.

             
Ian chuckled and tucked his phone back in his pocket. “Only Liam.” He reached for a glass of champagne from an offered tray and handed me a glass.

             
“I haven’t eaten yet,” I protested, taking it with trembling fingers.

             
“You need to relax,” he said softly.

             
How could I relax? Liam would be arriving soon! I…I was technically going to get my first look at the whole man. Well…hidden beneath a mask, but still…Liam…all six foot four inches of him! I’d had the view from behind but I couldn’t wait to look up at him and see that smile…and those eyes! My tummy fluttered and I took a good sized gulp of my drink.

             
“That a girl,” Ian encouraged.

             
I glanced around for my family and it seemed Mom and Al had no issues finding friends. I was glad they were enjoying themselves. I didn’t want to have to worry about them as well tonight!

             
Maybe I should distract myself and not be a spectator of his arrival! I was so nervous for him! I was nervous for myself! I sipped my drink a little more carefully now and glanced up at Ian. “Can we…could we just go hide for a while?”

             
He laughed at this and shook his head. “It’s going to be okay.” He reached for my free hand and squeezed.

             
I bit my lip. “I just don’t want to stand here like a spectator. Liam is going to be nervous enough! I’m going to be a fool with my staring.”

             
Ian grinned. “I don’t think he is going to mind your staring one bit.”

             
I shrugged and turned my back to the stair. “I just can’t…” I heard the murmur and I knew he was coming down. My stomach did a flip within a flip but I couldn’t turn around. “Is he?”

Ian smiled and gave a nod. I closed my eyes. Soon he would be down the stairs and into the crowd…out of view. Well, not quite. His height would keep him above most. I pulled in a breath and looked up to Ian again. “What?”

              His face was bemused. “He looks really good Rissa.”

             
“I can’t.” My face felt warm and the butterflies in my system went all through my body instead of staying localized in my stomach like usual.

             
I did study the faces of a few near me and noted the appreciation of the females. Okay, Ian wasn’t exaggerating. He had to look lovely in that tuxedo with those broad shoulders, that dark hair and the killer smile he owned. That did it for me. I turned about, but he was off the stairs now and being surrounded. I could only make out the top of his dark hair. I frowned and drank down the rest of my champagne.

             
Ian chuckled and took the glass from me. “Let’s go see what there is to eat. We will let the crowd get him out of their system.”

             
I wanted to pout. No…I wanted to push my way through the crowd and claim my man! But I would be patient. I followed Ian obediently, throwing glances over my shoulder, trying to catch a peek of him. Across the room would not be the same as up close, but it would be something! I just wanted to see him period.

             
There was a beautiful buffet set out and I comforted myself with some of the sumptuous food…making sure to choose things that couldn’t possibly hurt the dress if I even happened to have an accident. No, I wanted to be perfect when Liam saw me!

             
The party went into full swing as the champagne continued to be consumed. There were those who danced as the orchestra played and everyone was taking full advantage of the food. It was a lovely event and it was surreal with all the masks and colors that swirled about.

             
Many took advantage of the fantastic music and the space to dance. Everything was working out as it should and everyone was having an amazing time. I was trying and failing miserably! All I wanted was Liam! I had been dreaming of this night!

             
My eyes followed where the thickest of the crowd was. That would be where Liam would be. They didn’t want to let up but I couldn’t blame them. It had been years since they were technically face to face with him. He was easy to like.

             
Ian was carrying with him his own crowd, so I was also attracting attention being at his side. I tried very hard not to seem rude as I peered over their shoulders in Liam’s direction.

             
“Relax, he will come find you,” Ian whispered softly at my ear.

             
I blushed. I was being a baby and a really bade date. This was Liam’s night. This was not about me and I was being so selfish right now! “He doesn’t have to,” I sighed. “Really, this night is about him and the clients…not about he and I…I can be patient.” I returned my attention to him.

             
“Trust me…he’s coming for you.”

             
I rolled my eyes. “With all his friends around him, I highly doubt that!”

             
He smiled. “Well, if it makes you feel better…I have a better view from up here…”

             
“Really? A short person joke?” I laughed up at him. “I’ll have you know these heels give me a good three more inches!”

             
He chuckled. “Well, I still have a better view and I have been able to observe that he is looking for you just as much as you are for him.”

             
My cheeks heated. “You can’t know that!”

             
His brows raised. “Oh I can.”

             
“He could be looking for anyone.”

             
“He wants you,” Ian chuckled.

             
I shrugged. “He will be too busy for me tonight and it’s okay,” I said softly.

             
“Oh he’s making time,” he cleared his throat.

             
“Well, he certainly would have found you already. It’s okay, I’m okay if he is too busy!”

Ian tilted his head. “You are so sure he is not looking for you…coming for you?” His blues twinkled with mischief.

I tilted my head, mimicking his stance. “If he were looking for me…making time…he’d have seen you and been right over…” Ian turned me about and I tilted forward into a pair of arms…“here,” I sighed lamely. Yeah…this was okay too. I would know that scent anywhere. Liam. “Oh, here you are,” I whispered.”

             
Strong arms righted me and warm hands slowly ran down my arms to capture my hands. Both of my hands were being lifted toward his face and I followed the motion with bated breath. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. I think it did when my gaze lifted higher.