Chapter 11
T he following morning, the house was full of energy and Mrs Wilson was beaming when Scarlett found her in the kitchen.
“Good morning, Scarlett,” she almost sang. “Lots to do.”
Scarlett couldn’t help smiling at the small woman whose glasses were steaming up from the various pots and pans bubbling and frying on the huge Aga.
“There is. But it’ll be fine.” Scarlett took the toast handed to her.
“Indeed! It’s going to be a busy household, that’s for sure. A wedding! Offt, what a treat!”
Scarlett merely nodded, taking a bite of her buttery toast, wondering if Leonard’s bride-to-be was aware of his outrageously flirty nature.
“Aye, lots to do. Lady Cameron-Reid will no doubt be coming over, not on this trip, mind, but certainly for the wedding. And a week before Christmas! It’s all very romantic.”
“Yes, very,” Scarlett agreed. “So, I’m thinking I’ll carry on getting the rooms in the east wing ready. Will that be best?”
“That would be magic– I’m certainly grateful to have you here at the moment.” Mrs Wilson beamed another smile at her.
“No problem at all. I’ll head up now.” Scarlett shoved the last bit of toast into her mouth.
“Thanks, oh, and Lily is home again, too. It’s been a fair while since she’s seen her uncle, so she’ll be wanting to spend lots of time with him.”
Scarlett smiled and nodded. “Busy day ahead then.”
“Certainly is. Now, don’t you be doing too much on your own, though. Ask for help when you need it.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be just fine.”
Scarlett let out an enormous sigh of relief when she exited the kitchen. The heat from the cooking and Mrs Wilson’s enthusiasm were overwhelming.
Great , a wedding– just love those.
Deep in thought, she rounded the corner towards the main stairwell, walking straight into the broad hard chest of Edward.
“Ohh, I’m sorry,” they said in unison.
Edward’s hands were holding the tops of her arms, whether to steady her or himself she wasn’t sure, but his touch created a rush of heat that seared through her.
She looked up into his eyes and, for a moment, the crazy idea he might kiss her entered her thoughts, which, even more disturbingly, didn’t appal her in the slightest.
Realising she wasn’t breathing, she exhaled and looked down.
“Sorry again, I wasn’t looking where I was going,” she said.
“Me neither, my fault, really.” He quickly removed his hands from her arms, making her skin cry for their return.
Seriously, what is wrong with me?
“How are you?” he asked.
She could feel the heat of his gaze on her, making her lift her eyes back up to his.
They were still standing too close, making Scarlett feel self-conscious– worried he might actually hear her heart pounding, the sound thudding loudly in her ears.
“Much better, thanks. You were right, some rest and fresh air did me the world of good.” She took a small step back.
“Glad to hear it.” He placed his hands in his pockets, pausing before glancing back at her. “I hear you’ve been helping with the wedding plans– for my brother.”
Scarlett smiled. “Yes, Mrs Wilson is so excited. She’s close to bursting, I think.”
Edward smiled too– she liked it when he did.
“Aye, she seems to have a bit of a bounce to her step this morning.”
The pair locked eyes again, neither seeming to be able to look away this time.
“I hear your daughter is here, too. Sounds like it’s going to be a full house for a while?”
Edward nodded. “Seems like it. Which reminds me, Leonard was looking for you to talk about the preparations for the bride-to-be arriving. I imagine he’ll come and find you to discuss things in more detail at some point today.”
Scarlett noticed a slight annoyance creep into his voice.
“That’s no problem. I’ll be happy to help.”
“Tad serendipitous you being here, considering your background. Didn’t realise you were so experienced in the whole event organising thing, but I suppose it makes sense with your… with being involved in book launches and what have you.” Edward frowned and looked at his feet.
“Yes, I suppose it is.” She watched him with curiosity as he began looking around, clearly searching for an escape route. “How did you know all that about me?”
“Your mum– mostly,” he said with a shrug, and she could almost swear there was a slight blush to his neck and cheeks. “Great, well, I’ll let you get on.” He nodded.
Has he been googling me?
“Yep, you can get on too.” Scarlett cringed as soon as the words were out.
You can get on too? What am I even talking about?
“See you later.” He nodded again and walked away towards his office.
Right, enough of this idiocy .
She shook her head.
Edward was beyond her reach. She knew this and shouldn’t even be entertaining the idea.
Besides, she wasn’t actually interested, not really. He was just an annoying distraction that she would not spend any more time thinking about.
Enough was enough.
She would keep her head down and work hard. She would do her best to avoid seeing Edward and focus on helping Leonard with his ambitious wedding plans. Although, it wasn’t exactly helping that her dreams weren’t offering any kind of escape.
Since her arrival, Scarlett had found herself waking several times throughout the night, often with a start, wondering where she was and feeling as if the heat of Edward’s body was seeping across the mattress towards her.
Last night, she’d woken again from a dream in which his deep blue eyes had been watching her, leaving her feeling hot and breathless. As she grappled with reality, for a moment she even thought she saw his sleeping silhouette snoring softly beside her.
Realising she’d been dreaming, she attempted to drift back off to sleep, although she’d felt a residual ache in her body as if she was missing him in places he’d clearly never been.
What was wrong with her?
The man was literally haunting her to the point that when she now woke up every morning at six am– on the dot – she would be reluctant to fall back asleep in case he was still waiting for her, ready to consume every part of her, leaving her frustrated and undeniably horny.
The insanity is real!
She groaned with frustration. She really was done for.