Page 7 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

Piper knew the routine well when she was put in the position to cover for Felix’s moods and answered with a friendly smile. “I don’t think he’ll be here, Benedict, as I believe he was called back to Bankes Farms on urgent business. I’m sure he will get in touch with you tomorrow, and I’ll make sure to remind him when I return there in the morning.”

He looked at her warily. “I think you and I both know that his absence is because of his massive ego—he can’t stand to lose. I happen to know his father is staying at the farm, and Felix will do anything to avoid him. He didn’t go home.”

Piper kept a neutral smile on her face. “I will remind him to call you. Enjoy the evening, Benedict. It’s nice to see you.” But the smile froze as she turned and saw who was standing at her table talking to John and Lydia.

Andrés Olivera.

Her first thought was to turn back toward the exit, but the dinner crowd was thinning out as couples made their way to the dance floor, and most of the tables were empty. Piper felt exposed and couldn’t turn away without being seen. And the last thing she wanted Olivera to think was that she was running away from him. Lydia caught her eye and called out to her.

“Piper, come join us. Andrés is looking forward to meeting you.”

Andrés? She didn’t know him five minutes ago. Are they best friends now?

Piper’s lips didn’t waver from the smile, and she decided to be the one who took the lead. She walked forward and held out her hand. “Mr. Olivera, it’s a pleasure to meet you. On behalf of Sir Valor and Bankes Farms, congratulations on a well-deserved win today.”

His eyes showed merriment as he took her hand and raised it to his lips. “The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Marsh, and thank you. I thought it was a good showing for all the horses today.”

Piper thought he was mocking her and quickly pulled her hand back. “It’s Marshall, Mr. Olivera.”

He frowned. “I beg your pardon?”

“My surname is Marshall, not Marsh. I’m known as Marsh only among the staff.”

Andrés bowed his head. “My apologies, Ms. Marshall.” He looked toward the ballroom and back at Piper. “I haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy the music on the dance floor. May I have my first dance with you?” He held out his hand, his eyes never leaving hers.

“Oh, Piper, how fun! You love to dance and haven’t yet danced this evening either,” exclaimed Lydia with a mischievous grin.

Piper was stunned by Andrés’ invitation and perturbed by Lydia’s outburst. “I was thinking,Lydia, we should call for the car. Don’t forget I have an early morning tomorrow to drive back to Bankes Farms.”

Lydia stuck out her bottom lip. “Not before we have one dance, Please? John will ask me to dance, too. Won’t you, John?”

“Most certainly,” he replied. “My lady Lydia, will you honor me with a dance?”

“Yes!” Lydia took his arm, and off they headed to the ballroom.

Piper saw that the conversation amused Andrés, and, thinking about it, she considered it would be rude to avoid accepting him. She looked up at him with a slight smile of apology.

“I would be delighted to dance with you, Mr. Olivera, but only one dance. I do have a long drive ahead of me tomorrow.”

He grasped her hand, put her arm through his, and led her toward the ballroom. “Thank you. For a minute, I thought you might be holding our parking-lot meeting against me.”

Piper glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “Of course not. The only thing I would hold against you is your horse beating my well-trained champion to the finish line. Well,thatand not knowing my name.”

Andrés laughed and pulled her into his arms when they reached the dance floor. In his arms, Piper was oblivious to the smiles and whispers of the other dancers, who saw a handsome man and a beautiful woman who were completely unable to take their eyes off of one another.

CHAPTER4

PIPER

Piper was buried under the hotel bed linens when her phone alarm went off at six fifteen the following morning. She moaned as her arm shot out to turn off the multiple chime sound. Her head peeped out to see her room still engulfed in darkness, and she picked up her phone.

“Alexa, what time is sunrise today?”

“Sunrise in Doncaster will be at six thirty-eight today.”

“Ugh! I really don’t like this time of year,” she whined. “I prefer starting my day with something akin to sunlight.”

She sat up and fluffed her pillow behind her as her thoughts turned to the dance with Andrés Olivera. He had proved to be an excellent dancer and most charming in making conversation. When the dance was over, he had respected her condition that they would have only one dance and escorted her back to her table before wishing her a good night. Piper couldn’t deny that she had been nervous, but Andrés had a natural calm about him that put her at ease.