Chapter 45. My (Brother’s) Girl (2)

When the greetings were over and all the guests had been welcomed, CC took her brother by the arm and led him out into the crowd.

“Svetlana,” said CC.

“What?” asked Aaron, already reaching for a glass of champagne.

“Your new frontpage blunder. That’s her name. For when Emily brings her up.”

CC looked straight ahead at Emily, who was surrounded by a suitor on either side. She put her hand on one of Aaron’s cheeks and kissed the other.

“She’s the only one that knows how to keep you good for a night. This is me keeping you off of tomorrow’s frontpage so don’t punch either of them. Better still, don’t punch anyone. Just ask her to dance.”

Emily wasn’t already dancing, so Duke Maine had failed once more to turn her into a bride. Just as well. If she were dancing with one of them, he probably would have ended up on the frontpage again and he’d already used up all the money Henry was willing to spend on burying his scandals for the month.

She autom