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It was hard even for Jordana sometimes to remember that her father wasn’t a Brahmin product of this city but a self-madeto Boston with Jordana alo
She’d been just a newborn then, an orphaned Breedmate adopted by Martin Gates only days after her birth She could never repay her father for the life he’d provided her, and it warht
Hundreds of people strolled the exhibit, conversing with one another, ad the canapés and cha staff in tuxedoes while a sround The exhibit huy
Even Elliott had coraceless way she’d ended their nonrelationship But that was Elliott--dutiful, political, in all things Then again, watching him blithely chat up a couple of Back Bay socialites in front of the French tapestry collection, she had to wonder if his prior interest in her had beenher father than any kind of true affection he may have felt for her
It certainly hadn’t been desire, not even during Elliott’s , insatiable, consu desire What she and Elliott had was little ard for each other
Nothing like what she’d experienced the past few nights with Nathan
Jordana scanned the exhibit hall again, looking for the one face in the crowd she longed to see above all others
She knew better than to think Nathan would actually come This wasn’t his kind of place, not his kind of event at all He had far s to do She knew that even when she’d sent hies earlier in the day
God, what did he think of her now? She was sure she wouldn’t want to know
If only she could erase those es, take back the photo she’d sent him He hadn’t responded, so there was a chance he hadn’t seen hernumber
She could only hope to be that lucky
"Old Mr Bonneville sends his regards," Carys said with a wry grin, e now from inside the exhibit hall to join Jordana in the quiet of the adjacent gallery "As do Mr Delano, Mr Putna Every et another gli out here?"
"I’ently finished for her She strolled over, catlike and graceful in a pair of strappy, stiletto sandals that perfectly co cobalt blue dress "Come on Rune won’t be here either, and we both looksolo" Carys looped her ar sht"
They walked into the noise and bustle of the party, offering greetings to clusters of happy patrons and supporters who sought Jordana out as soon as she entered the hall
It didn’t take long for her to put aside her disappointment that Nathan hadn’t come There were too many people to welcome, endless hands to shake, one conversation after another to attend to as she slowly circulated through the crowd Carys drifted away as the attendees converged on Jordana
"An exquisite collection, my dear," enthused the jewel-draped Breedmate of a proant society coreeue"
"Just lovely," added the petite, silver-haired huers around Jordana’s hands "If the museum doesn’t take care of you properly, tell your director I may have to steal you away to curate our family’s private collection"
Jordana accepted the praise with a polite smile to the elderly matriarch who’d raised a powerful Boston political clan the likes of which hadn’t been seen since the middle of the twentieth century
"That’s very kind of you to say, Mrs A the exhibit"
The old woman winked and leaned in close "If any of ht attempt to convince you to join our family in a more permanent capacity Not that they would coest, Peyton? He’s quite the charer to make her excuses and move on, but then her father stepped in to do it for her
"I’, Mrs Aht, sheltering arracious s a warm, if less jovial, look on Jordana "Take it from someone who knows"
She winced inwardly at the private chastise to explain about her abrupt breakup with Elliott
"May a proud father steal his daughter away for a moment?" he asked the wouided Jordana away fro society hens, he ht You look …"
She waited for hi too much attention Or ive her the silent, pensive look that alwayswhat he expected of his only child
He paused and affectionately smoothed his hand over her hair "You look beautiful, Jordana And what you’ve done here tonight is remarkable I’m very impressed"
His praise was heartfelt; she could see asexpression That he approved meant more to her than all of the other attendees’ compliments combined
Jordana reached up and squeezed his hand "Thank you, Father"
"I want you to know that I’ives you sothe faint crease for to be supportive, but it was obvious he couldn’t turn off the part of him that seemed determined to direct the way she lived her life
His frown deepened, and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other "Jordana, this is hardly the best time or place--"
"Say it," she said without veno this conversation long enough I’ve got a few ht as well have this talk right here and now"
Although he didn’t seeree, Martin Gates lowered his voice to a private tone His features were pinched with genuine concern "I’ve always been proud of your accoiven hter But when I took you in as my own, I made a promise--to myself, and to you I made a promise to the parents you would never know I vowed to do the best for you, to provide everything you could ever possibly need"
"And you have"