25. Kayo – Gown
Scott had nodded in approval – the sort of older brother approval that always gave Kayo a tingling feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Virgil had given her the most enormous grin. Far too much a gentleman for a wolf-whistle, he had offered her his arm to escort her downstairs.
Gordon was not too much a gentleman and indeed did wolf-whistle as soon as he saw her – receiving a jab in the ribs from Penelope for the effort.
Kayo couldn't help but laugh at his yelp of pain and the abject sorrow in his eyes when he looked at Penny again. The lady was not sympathetic in the slightest.
As they reached the bottom of Creighton-Ward Manor's sweeping staircase, Alan happened to turn around – and his jaw hit the floor.
"Kayo!"
He didn't exclaim; he yelped. He dropped his drink – though Parker's quick reflexes caught the crystal before it hit the ground. To her credit, Kayo didn't react. Instead, she patted Virgil's hand, gave him a grateful smile, then glided over to Alan – and tipped his jaw back up.
"I take it you approve, then?" she asked, giving him a little twirl.
The black silk shimmered in the bright lights of the ballroom. The emeralds that encircled the smooth curve of her neck were warm. They had once belonged to Lucille.
"I… I…"
Alan's Adam's apple bobbed up and down. Chuckling, Kayo reached out to take him by the hand.
"Come on, Rocket-Boy," she said, tugging him towards the dance floor. "Let's see if you paid attention in any of those dance classes we took as kids."
Alan's response was incomprehensible. In the background, there was another whistle – followed by another yelp.
"Lady PI!"
"Oh, do leave your brother alone, Gordon," she heard Penelope say.
Gordon's protests were lost as Alan shook his head, steeled himself, looked up at Kayo and held out his hands.
And in that moment, he was transformed. No longer the gangly young brother. For one dance, he was the master of himself, an adult at long last.
And Kayo? For once, she switched off – indeed, actually switched off her earpiece, if only for just one dance – and she simply enjoyed the feeling of the black silk gown twirling around her, letting the music and the blue of Alan's eyes sweep her away.