Adrian quickly pulled the ruined silk gown back up, Alexander making quick work of the remaining zipper, covering the hasty, passionate evidence of their stolen moment. The makeup was still pristine, the updo slightly askew, but the air of untouchable elegance had been replaced by a flushed, thoroughly loved look.
"One final time," Alexander murmured, kissing Adrian's forehead. "Adrienne. Elegant. Tired, but radiant. We were taking a moment after that intense socialising."
They stepped back into the ballroom. The music was still playing, but the crowd had thinned slightly. They hadn't been gone more than fifteen minutes, yet the tension that snapped between them and Mrs. Devereux was immediate.
She stalked toward them, her phone tucked into her handbag, her eyes narrowed. "Alexander. Where in the world have you two been? I've been waiting for a response from Adrian regarding the flights, and you simply vanish! This is unprofessional, even for a family event."
