Chapter 10
O n his way to seek out Scarlett, Edward’s thoughts had been scattered, not having a clue what to say to her.
What was going to be his excuse for coming to find her?
Surely it was just to check she was okay– after all, the incline down to the rock pool was steep, and she hadn’t been in the best shape yesterday morning.
It was the right thing to do; he had a duty of care to all his employees.
However, as he turned the corner, he could once again hear the muffled sound of laughter coming towards him, and his heart sank as he saw who was accompanying Scarlett.
“Brother!” Leonard called out. “There you are.”
Edward didn’t respond, coming to a standstill and placing his hands deep in his pockets as he awaited their approach.
He noticed Scarlett was smiling, her cheeks flushed, and she appeared energised by her walk and the fresh air– and no doubt his brother’s company.
“I came looking for you and found this delightful creature instead.” Leonard threw Scarlett a radiant smile. “I can’t say I was disappointed.”
“You’re early.” Edward didn’t smile.
“Thank you. It’s good to be back.” Leonard threw his arm over his brother’s shoulder, turning him towards the house. The gesture made Edward stiffen. “Much to discuss, brother.”
Edward could sense Scarlett falling back, allowing them space and privacy, no doubt out of politeness, not realising it was the last thing he wanted.
“The place is looking great, as always,” Leonard continued, despite Edward’s lack of response. “Mother sends her regards and apologises for not accompanying me. She told me to tell you to call her. She’s not heard from you in a few weeks.”
“I spoke to her on Sunday,” Edward replied, shaking his head with a note of disdain in his voice.
Leonard shrugged off the comment.
“So, no doubt you’re dying to hear my news!” Leonard beamed at him.
“Is it that obvious?”
Leonard laughed and squeezed Edward’s shoulder before releasing him. “You hide your enthusiasm well.”
Edward still didn’t respond, painfully aware Scarlett was still behind them and wishing she wasn’t, or more, that Leonard wasn’t beside him.
“Appreciate you don’t keep abreast of big news from across the pond—”
“Try my best not to,” Edward said honestly.
He wanted to send his brother back to the house, alone, so he could fall back and talk to Scarlett. Maybe even apologise for his prickly behaviour towards her earlier.
“Well, I’m finally doing the deed.” Leonard smiled, ignoring the interruption. “I’m getting married.”
Edward finally looked at his brother. This was genuinely not the news he was expecting.
“Who’s stupid enough to do that with you?” Edward was genuinely stunned.
Leonard laughed, clapping his brother on the back. “Knew you’d be happy for me.”
Edward glanced behind him to see Scarlett was heading away from them towards the loch.
“I mean,” Edward said, trying to refocus on the conversation, “congratulations. Who is the lucky lady finally capturing the notorious bachelor from the deep south?”
“You don’t know her. Her name is Ana?se. Great girl. Daddy is filthy rich, like off the scale type of shit.” Leonard looked extremely pleased with himself.
Edward rolled his eyes. “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“And here’s where you come in.” Leonard beamed again.
“Jesus Christ, why do I need to be involved?” Edward was not interested in playing any part in any wedding.
“She’s a bit of a romantic and has her heart set on a winter wedding at her fiancé’s ancestral home in the Scottish Highlands.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Edward muttered.
“I told her you’d be over the moon about it. She’s sending out the save the dates as we speak. The week before Christmas. It’ll be the event of the decade! Although I’ve told her I can’t promise snow, but we can buy some in.”
Edward laughed sarcastically. “We’ll buy in the snow?”
“Absolutely! Mother is obviously bitching about the cold, but we’ll buy her some new ethically sourced furs to keep her sweet.”
“Right, because there is such a thing.” Edward rolled his eyes at the absurdity of this entire conversation.
“Come on.” Leonard nudged his brother playfully. “Who doesn’t love a wedding?”
Edward raised an eyebrow, making Leonard laugh.
“Also…” Leonard pulled on Edward’s arm, bringing them both to a standstill.
He became serious, looking at Edward with unnerving sincerity.
“Who on this sweet earth is the hot redhead?”
Edward flinched and continued walking back to the house. His brother’s presence on the estate was already annoying him.
*
Matters hadn’t improved by the following evening.
The brothers sat across from each other in the large oak-panelled dining room, both eating a thick red wine venison stew that had been filling the house with its rich smell since that morning.
Edward watched Leonard’s interaction with Mrs Wilson, who had been their housemaid and cook since they were boys and who was now enjoying fussing over him as if he was still the charming, albeit wayward, young man he’d always been before he left to live in the States.
“Thank you so much, Mrs Wilson.” Leonard flashed a smile at her before she left them alone to eat.
It seemed his brother’s high energy and light humour permeated the entire house, infecting everyone in it.
Edward knew he was being unreasonable, but it felt like every time he entered a room or rounded a corner, Leonard was there laughing and joking with one member of the staff or another. Then there was Lily.
His usually surly daughter had arrived as soon as she heard of her uncle’s arrival, more animated than he’d seen her in months and ecstatic to hear about Leonard’s inappropriate adventures over in the States.
This was all irritating enough, but what annoyed him most was how often he saw Leonard hanging around Scarlett like a bad fucking smell.
He’d seen them earlier that day talking and laughing in the corridors, and again later, in a room someone was to redecorate or freshen up for the big event.
Each time, it would make his mood sour even further.
“So, I spent a bit of time with Scarlett today,” Leonard said now, as if reading his mind, simultaneously shoving a bit of fresh bread soaked in gravy into his mouth.
“I’ve noticed.” Edward was moving food around on his plate, not hiding his lack of enthusiasm for the company or this particular line of conversation.
Ignoring Edward’s tone, Leonard continued in his usual upbeat fashion.
“She’s a gem, you know, not sure what she’s doing playing housemaid here in the sticks. She’s been quite reticent on that front. But she has some great ideas on how to get the house in order. I’ve put her in touch with Ana?se.”
“Great.”
“I’m assuming you’re okay with that?” Leonard looked across the table at his brother, seemingly trying to suss out his mood. “You seem a bit shirty. I won’t lie.”
“Do what you need to do. I only hired Scarlett as a favour, so I’m pleased to hear she’s useful to you.”
“A favour?”
“To her mother.”
“Ahh, the lovely June.” Leonard smiled, a lascivious twinkle in his eye. “I would, you know.”
“Your inappropriateness knows no bounds.” Edward put his fork down; his appetite was gone. “As for Scarlett, if you feel she’ll be of use, please, by all means, utilise her talents.”
“Ohh, I would.” Leonard smiled again. “But, you know, I’m soon to be married and all that.”
“God help Ana?se, hopefully she knows what she’s getting into.” Edward shook his head.
“I’m a changed man, Edward.” Leonard wiped his mouth with his napkin, his plate empty, and sat back, taking a long sip of his wine. “What about you then? Still the most eligible laird in the county, or is there anyone in line to be the next Lady Cameron-Reid?”
Edward also sat back, watching his brother and feeling a distinct lack of anything that could be construed as affection.
“Nobody else had anything to say on the matter, either.” Leonard surveyed the room, absentmindedly tapping his wine glass. “I’ve noticed you get a bit sketchy when I mention the redhead though. Is there anything I should know?”
“Now you’re being ridiculous. She’s an employee.” Edward rolled his eyes.
Leonard nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Never stopped me.”
“Don’t we all know. I’m pretty sure there are some kids in the surrounding villages who bear an uncanny resemblance to you.”
“Fallacies and lies, brother. I was always meticulously careful in that department.” Leonard winked at him.
Edward scoffed and took out his phone, noticing a couple of new notifications.
“Ana?se will be coming out next week to do a bit of a recce. We might stay on until the wedding. Hope that’s okay with you?” Leonard asked, his tone becoming bored.
“Sure, whatever you need.” Edward was also losing interest in the conversation and distracted himself by composing a polite yet noncommittal message to one of his acquaintances.
Edward: Sorry, been busy with the estate. Hope all is well.
He hit send and copied and pasted it into another message, pressing send again. He didn’t want to be rude and hoped that was enough to show he currently wasn’t interested in meeting up.
“She may have a bit of an entourage. Hopefully that won’t be a problem. Scarlett is confident she can get the rooms ready in time, so Mrs Wilson can get on with the rest of the preparations.”
“How many is an entourage?” Edward wasn’t keen on the idea of the house filling up with a group of eccentric rich kids.
“Just her maid of honour, Miranda– a bit of a handful, but she’s okay.
And Ana?se’s spiritual guide, some Buddhist monk from LA.
Oh, and perhaps a wedding planner called Andre– not sure if he’s going to make it.
” Another smile crept onto his face. “Also can’t work out if he’s gay or not.
Think he might swing both ways if I’m honest.” Leonard smiled.
“Not that it matters. I’ve experimented a bit in my time, too. ”
“Jesus, Leonard.” Edward rubbed his eyebrows and closed his eyes.