Fifty Shades Trilogy 02 - Fifty Shades Darker

too.”
    “Mother,” Christian greets her stiffly and kisses her on both cheeks.
    “Oh, Christian, so formal!” she scolds him teasingly.
    Grace’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Trevelyan, join us at our table. They seem exuberant and youthful, though it’s difficult to tell beneath their matching bronze masks. They are delighted to see Christian.
    “Grandmother, Grandfather, may I introduce Anastasia Steele?”
    Mrs. Trevelyan is all over me like a rash. “Oh, he’s finally found someone, how wonderful and so pretty! Well I do hope you make an honest man of him,” she gushes, shaking my hand.
    Holy cow. I thank the heavens for my mask.
    “Mother, don’t embarrass Ana.” Grace comes to my rescue.
    “Ignore the silly old coot, m’dear.” Mr. Trevelyan shakes my hand. “She thinks because she’s so old, she has a God-given right to say whatever nonsense pops into that woolly head of hers.”
    “Ana, this is my date, Sean.” Mia shyly introduces her young man. He gives me a wicked grin, and his brown eyes dance with amusement as we shake hands.
    “Pleased to meet you, Sean.”  
    Christian shakes Sean’s hand as he regards him shrewdly. Don’t tell me that poor Mia suffers from her overbearing brother, too. I smile at Mia in sympathy.
    Lance and Janine, Grace’s friends, are the last couple at our table, but there is still no sign of Mr. Grey.
    Abruptly, there’s the hiss of a microphone, and Mr. Grey’s voice booms over the PA system, causing the babble of voices to die down. Carrick stands on a small stage at one end of the marquee, wearing an impressive, gold, Punchinello mask.
    “Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to our annual charity ball. I hope that you enjoy what we have laid out for you tonight and that you’ll dig deep into your pockets to support the fantastic work that our team does with Coping Together. As you know, it’s a cause that is very close to my wife’s heart, and mine.”
    I peek nervously at Christian, who is staring impassively, I think, at the stage. He glances at me and smirks.
    “I’ll hand you over now to our master of ceremonies. Please be seated, and enjoy,” Carrick finishes.
    Polite applause follows, then the babble in the tent starts again. I am seated between Christian and his grandfather. I admire the small white place card with fine silver calligraphy that bears my name as a waiter lights the candelabra with a long taper. Carrick joins us, kissing me on both cheeks, surprising me.
    “Good to see you again, Ana,” he murmurs. He really looks very striking in his extraordinary gold mask.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, please nominate a table head,” the MC calls out.
    “Ooo—me, me!” says Mia immediately, bouncing enthusiastically in her seat.
    “In the center of the table you will find an envelope,” the MC continues. “Would everyone find, beg, borrow, or steal a bill of the highest denomination you can manage, write your name on it, and place it inside the envelope. Table heads, please guard these envelopes carefully. We will need them later.”
    Holy crap . I haven’t brought any money with me. How stupid—it’s a charity event !
    Fishing out his wallet, Christian produces two hundred-dollar bills.
    “Here,” he says.
    What ?
    “I’ll pay you back,” I whisper.
    His mouth twists slightly, and I know he’s not happy, but he doesn’t comment. I sign my name using his fountain pen—it’s black, with a white flower motif on the cap—and Mia passes the envelope round.
    In front of me I find another card inscribed with silver calligraphy—our menu.
      ~~~~~~~~~~
    A Masked Ball in aid of Coping Together
    Menu

    Salmon Tartare with Crème Fraiche and Cucumber on Toasted Brioche
    Alban Estate Roussanne 2006

    Roasted Muscovy Duck Breast
    Creamy Sunchoke Purée, Thyme Roasted Bing Cherries, Foie Gras
    Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2006 Domaine de la Janasse

    Sugared Crusted Walnut Chiffon
    Candied figs, Sabayon, Maple Ice Cream
    Vin de Constance 2004 Klein Constantia

    Selection of Local Cheeses and Breads
    Alban Estate Grenache 2006

    Coffee and Petits Fours
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Well, that accounts for the number of crystal glasses in every size that crowd my place setting. Our waiter is back, offering wine and water. Behind me, the sides of the tent through which we entered are being closed, while at the front, two servers pull back the canvas, revealing the sunset over Seattle and Meydenbauer Bay.  
    It’s an absolutely breathtaking