Night Whispers - Leslie Kelly [52]
The crowd began applauding and whistling all over again, and the photographer snapped away. Kelsey felt her back was going to break, but she didn’t move. She’d seen a flash of anger in Mitch’s eyes and didn’t want to risk making it worse. He obviously believed she had planned this entire thing and was paying her back. She probably deserved it. Her comment to her boss about “picturing a romance novel cover” had precipitated this entire mess. But this pose was killing her. Mainly because what she really wanted to do was wrap her fingers in his dark hair and pull him those scant few inches to her breast.
“Well, that’s our Lady Love, and her escort. Lady Love will be happy to visit with fans for the next hour, so if you’ve been wanting to meet her, please come do so.”
Mitch heard the deejay make the announcement. Realizing people would be approaching them, he pulled away from Kelsey, drawing her up with him. He didn’t trust himself to say anything yet, and tried to paste on a pleasant expression as people surrounded the display.
Kelsey shot him an uncertain glance out of the corner of her eye and whispered, “I didn’t know, Mitch. I swear to you…I give you my word…I had no idea they were going to do this.”
Mitch recognized the remorse in her voice and knew she was telling the truth. That made the entire embarrassing incident somewhat better. Before he could say a word to reassure her, several ardent fans surrounded the booth and began clamoring for Kelsey’s attention.
“THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH,” Kelsey said in reply to the three college students who had complimented her costume, and Night Whispers. “I’m glad you like the show. Have any of you called in?”
Mitch cast a quick glance over the three young men who looked more nervous than threatening, and determined that Kelsey had nothing to fear from them. Carefully turning to avoid yanking her with the chain, he slipped out from under the frame to look at it.
Someone had designed and created a complete seven-foot-tall romance novel cover for the ball, leaving only the center cut out so he and she could step into it and complete the picture. The board tacked to the wooden frame was painted a pale lavender, and vines and flowers, very artistically drawn, trailed down both sides. Glittery gold letters spelled out “Pirate’s Prisoner of Passion” across the top. There was even a small pirate ship on a stormy sea painted on one side. He could only imagine how the two of them had looked standing in that perfectly measured cutout center during their dramatic pose. A small grin tickled his lips.
Peeking around the bodies of the people pressing to meet her, Kelsey watched Mitch study the frame. He still didn’t look too pleased, although she felt sure she’d seen a sparkle of humor. She hadn’t worked up the nerve to step out of the frame and examine it from the front yet.
Kelsey continued chatting with fans, most of whom were friendly and nonthreatening. There were one or two, unfortunately, who made some suggestive comments, and Kelsey appreciated that Mitch moved closer, placing his hand on her shoulder, on those occasions. As much as she tried just to enjoy herself, she couldn’t help tensing up when any strange man got too close. In the back of her mind, she wondered if it was possible her secret admirer was in the crowd. She kept glancing around, looking for someone dressed as a knight, but didn’t spot anyone.
“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,” Mitch said after nearly two hours. “But I think my captive here needs a break. You will excuse her, won’t you?”
Not waiting for a reply, Mitch took Kelsey’s elbow and led her away from the crowd. He made his way to a small, unoccupied table on the edge of the ballroom and pulled back a chair.
“Sit. I’m going to go round us up some food and drinks.”
Kelsey began to protest, but Mitch ignored her and started to walk away. He made it half-a-dozen steps before being stopped short