Page 9 of Pandora's Pleasure

He offered it to me. “Less of this.”

Stepping forward, I took the phone from him. My father was right…she seemed to be addicted to the device, using it during the party when she should have been chatting with our distinguished guests. I’d delete her apps later.

She watched me tuck her smartphone into my jacket pocket. “Can I go now?”

“Address my father as sir,” I chastised.

Pandora shifted uncomfortably. “Sorry.”

“She’s very young,” Dad said to me, his tone mild. “Considering what’s expected.”

“Which is why she’s perfect,” I advised.

“True,” Brenan Bardot agreed.

Talk about throwing your daughter to the wolves; that man’s ambitions were shameless.

With no ex-lovers to cause a scandal, Pandora would make an ideal bride. If the time ever came for me to follow in my father’s footsteps and hold office, she’d make an elegant First Lady.

I strolled over to the liquor cabinet and removed a bottle of Diamond Jubilee. After using tongs to fill three tumblers with ice, I poured some of the amber liquid into each one.

“Whisky?” I offered one to Brenan and gave the other glass to my father, keeping the third for myself.

Dad took a sip and then said, “Pandora, tonight we’re going to announce your father as a potential candidate in my Cabinet.”

Her expression remained unchanged because she already knew her parents had made the ultimate deal by offeringher. The price of power for a daughter’s future.

“Which is why,” I said, my eyes meeting hers, “we should hold off on announcing our engagement tonight.” I watched the relief settle over Pandora’s face.

I gave her a wink. She’d pleaded with me to delay sharing our news with the world. I needed to get her to trust me and this situation worked just fine.

“Are you sure?” asked my father.

“Let’s focus on Mr. Bardot.” I turned to Brenan. “Let’s create the illusion I got to know Pandora better on the campaign trail. We’ll be able to spin it as us sharing the same core values.”

Pandora looked back at me with gratitude.

Approaching her, I ran my fingers through her blonde locks and let them tumble over her shoulders. Looking up, she fixed her grateful gaze on me and I tilted the rim of the tumbler so she could taste my whisky. She was too young to drink, but I thrived on making her break the law in front of everyone as a daring gesture in present company.

“Do you love my son?” asked Dad.

“Yes, sir,” she said breathlessly. “Of course.”

He offered her a thin smile of approval.

“What was my order earlier, Pandora?” My voice sounded husky from the whisky.

“I was to return to the ballroom,” she said.

“And then?” I coaxed.

“I was supposed to host the guests and their wives and make a good impression.”

“Correct.” I gestured for my father to continue. “She knows her part.”

My father gave a nod. “Should you disobey us in any way, Pandora, I’m afraid you’ll leave me no choice but to choose a different candidate.” He gave Brenan a knowing look.

Pandora drew in a deep breath, trying to hide her panic. She didn’t look her father’s way…she didn’t need to. Brenan’s anger radiated toward her like a brewing storm, the air heavy with his disappointment.