Page 70 of To Steal a Heart
She cringed when she caught sight of Sylvia and Hector. Even with their masks, Arden recognized them by their hair and build. They were across the ballroom, standing against the wall and chatting with another couple. Ugh! Hopefully, she could avoid them tonight. Mom mentioned that the two were engaged. She was sure they were both gloating over her misfortune. Well, let them. Arden no longer cared what either of them thought.
Growing tired of holding the mask up to her face, Arden placed it in her lap. Out of habit, she touched her wrist to rub the charms on her bracelet and then remembered that she’d not worn it this evening for fear that it would be too conspicuous. She didn’t want to have to explain why one of the charms was a pink diamond.
Bits of Grandmother and Wesley’s conversation drifted her way. She was glad Grandmother was talking to Wesley. It got her off the hook. Wesley talkedatArden rather thantoher. He wasn’t interested in anything Arden had to say. Not really. She was merely the flavor of the day. Or rather, the one flavor that he’d never had—nor would he ever have the privilege of tasting. From the time they met up, the conversation had centered on Wesley. All Arden had to do was insert a few obligatory comments into the right spots, and Wesley was satisfied. Arden suspected that Wesley agreed to be her escort more from a desire to be seen with her than anything else. He and Sylvia were determined to keep climbing the high society ladder as high as they could go. Wesley seemed perfectly content to talk to Grandmother, probably because he wanted to ingratiate himself into Grandmother’s good graces. From what Arden could tell, Grandmother was actually being civil to Wesley. That was a shocker!
“Good evening,” a woman said as she lowered her mask.
Arden looked up to see Katia and Astor. Katia was stunning in a sleek designer gown that accentuated her willowy figure. It was covered with delicate pink embroidered flowers. Had Arden been on a more familiar basis with Katia, she would have asked if the gown was Oscar de la Renta. She was almost positive it was. Her gaze moved to Astor. She had to swallow the giggle that rose in her throat. He was a cross between a pink Zorro and a bottle of Pepto-Bismol.
“Hello.” Arden rose to her feet, holding the mask down by her side. The idea of masquerade galas or balls was great. However, it was a pain to have to keep up with a mask for the entire night.
“How do I look?” Astor smoothed his palms over his tux.
“Pink,” Arden answered.
A guffaw issued from his throat. “I can live with that.”
“Are you enjoying yourselves?” Arden asked.
“We just got here.” Katia twirled her hand, encompassing their surroundings. “But everything looks amazing.”
“It does,” Arden agreed. Several beats of silence passed. All the while, Arden’s brain worked, trying to figure out something to say. She wanted the Bergmans to feel welcome. And yet, she didn’t have the energy to focus on them tonight.
Katia motioned to the empty seats beside where Arden had been sitting. “Do you mind if we join you?”
Arden’s heart sank. She needed to be unencumbered and free to focus on the plan. “Sure,” she heard herself say. Of course the Bergmans would want to sit by her. They’d come to Honeysuckle Island because of her. She needed to be a gracious host.
All three sat down. When Arden placed her mask back in her lap, Katia did the same.
Arden angled toward Katia. “Were you able to get some rest?”
“We were. Thankfully.” An appreciative smile creased her lips. “I hope you realize how much Dad and I appreciate you doing the reading today. This would’ve meant so much to Mom.”
“Of course. I’m honored that you both came and that you are allowing the hotel to put your diamond on exhibit.”
Katia shrugged. “It seemed only fitting.”
Arden looked at Astor to make sure he didn’t feel left out of the conversation. He seemed to be content to watch as the couples danced. Arden turned her attention back to Katia as she continued.
“The Finkle Diamond was Mom’s most prized possession.” Her voice grew reverential. “Dad bought it for her on their fortieth wedding anniversary. It became a symbol of their love.”
Guilt stabbed through Arden. She’d seen Garrett today. All reasonable doubt had been removed. She knew for a fact that he was going for the diamond. Should she warn Katia? If Garrett managed to steal the diamond, the Bergmans would be devastated. No amount of insurance money could make up for the sentimental loss of the diamond. Arden’s stomach knotted into a hard ball. She thought of a quote that was commonly attributed to philosopher Edmund Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
“I’m sorry,” Katia sighed.
Arden frowned. “For what?”
“You’re probably tired of me jabbering about my mom.”
“No, not at all. I can tell that you really loved her.”
“Very much so.” Katia’s voice caught. “I miss her every single day.”
“I think it’s honorable that you loved your mother so much and that you’ve gone to such great lengths to honor her.”
“Thanks.” Katia looked down as if trying to gain control over her emotions. A couple of seconds later, her voice lilted. “So, tell me about that treasure you spent your childhood hunting.”
A dry chuckle tickled Arden’s throat. “My brother and his big fat mouth get me in more trouble than I can count. I’m sure it probably seems silly to you that I was so fixated on a treasure.” Katia was the picture of refinement. She struck Arden as the type of person who established sensible goals and then patiently colored inside the lines year after year to achieve them.