"Didn�t your father sell off the family jewels to book our passage to America?"

"It�s a figure of speech, Aiden. Don�t test my patience."

"You don�t have any patience. But if it makes you feel better, I don�t think your guests are thieves. After all, they�ve paid handsomely for the privilege of your company."

"That�s fine, as long as you understand it�s coming out of your pay if they are."

"You need another drink. Here, have mine." Aiden handed over his scotch. "I insist."

Dorian downed it quickly, then set the glass on a shelf behind them, taking a deep breath. "All the bloody yakking. The smiling. And now House Duchanes is here, bringing down the value of my property with their very presence. I don�t like it."

"It�s for a good cause."

"We should�ve just made a donation."

"I�m not talking about the children�s museum. I�m talking about Isabelle and the company we�re about to acquire. Despite your best efforts, and the fact that you wouldn�t let the geezer drive your car, it seems Armitage and his board members are quite enamored of you."

"Is that so?" Dorian asked. He�d never admit it to Aiden, but the news filled him with more than a modicum of relief.

"Word is, Mr. Redthorne, you�re the dog�s bollocks." Aiden pressed a hand to his heart, shooting Dorian a wistful smile. "If only they could figure out why you�re still single."

"Any theories?"

"Oh, the usual. Deep emotional wounds, fear of commitment, only-child syndrome, take your pick."

Dorian laughed. "I�ve got a house full of siblings, you knob."

"I�m just the messenger." Aiden clapped him again on the shoulder, giving him an encouraging squeeze. "Come along now. If we don�t get back inside, they�re bound to come looking for you."

"I hate this, you know. Worst idea you�ve ever had."

"You say that about all my ideas. Especially the good ones."

"This time I mean it."

"Great! Now that we�ve got that sorted." Aiden opened the inner door that led into the massive kitchen, now bustling with caterers and bartenders. "Come on, then. In you go."

Dorian followed him inside, then punched in the alarm code, securing the garage behind them.

After fixing themselves another round of drinks, the men weaved through the crowded kitchen and into the great room, Dorian doing his best to avoid eye contact while Aiden deflected the talkative guests. By the time they reached the expansive open foyer, Dorian was feeling marginally better.

Aiden had been right; the guests were having a grand time, laughing and chatting amongst themselves, enjoying the hors d'oeuvres and drinks his caterers delivered on elegant silver trays. Now that they�d seen Dorian at home, behaving himself in a mostly civilized manner, perhaps the Armitage mages would feel more at ease about their relationship, softening them for both the acquisition as well as the Redthornes� eventual offer for Isabelle. And of course, the museum would be able to do some great work with the proceeds.

As much as Dorian hated to admit it, he was glad Aiden had suggested hosting the event. Despite his anxieties and general aversion to putting his private life on public display, Dorian couldn�t imagine the evening being a more smashing success.

But then the greeters ushered in a late arrival, and Dorian�s heart nearly leaped out of his chest. All around him, dozens of dark, depraved gazes slid to the entryway, every one of his guests as captivated as Dorian himself.

There, standing in the foyer, dressed in a black satin dress that exposed her delicious curves and elegant gloves that reached her elbows, was one very devious, sexy-as-sin, copper-eyed woman. JrNovels.com