10
As I walk back into the mansion, Catriona at my side, I’m still smiling at her direct manner, and I feel every eye upon us. Some look undeniably disappointed that I didn’t kill her; others shake their heads disbelievingly.
“Ladies,” I nod to Catriona as she walks to the far side of the room, Thorun immediately gravitating to her side. “As you know, traditionally I would need to eliminate two contestants tonight.”
There’s a buzz of acknowledgement and a chorus of thundering hearts.
“However,” I go on. “I have no plans to do so.”
Shoulders slump in relief here and there. Elsewhere, eyes flick between contestants and terse looks are exchanged. It seems some battle lines have already been drawn.
“Cut!”
I turn to the director.
“Yes, Gerry?”
“Viscount, ah, are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“But, ah, perhaps we should discuss this. After all, there are only so many weeks of the show…and we do need to get down to the final two by a deadline.”
“If previous seasons are anything to go by,” I glower at him, “we have plenty of time.”
He stares at me, and I can see he’s furiously trying to think up an argument, but he and I both know that last season so many contestants were eliminated in the early challenges that the producers had been forced to pad out the weeks following with extra dates in order to keep the show going.
Given that the bachelor had been a twat, it had made for boring television, and the reviews had not been great.
He also knows that the only reason the advertisers are chomping at the bit to participate in this show, and the ratings are expected to be higher than they’d been for decades, is because of who I am.
Gritting his teeth, he looks down at his clipboard and nods tersely.
‘And… Action!’
Smiling, I turn back to the women.
“I’d like to get to know you all a little more,” I say quietly. “Starting with my first one-on-one date tomorrow night.”
I give a slow smile full of promise to the English contestant and note with satisfaction the glares flicked her way by her competitors.
As I turn to leave and the women begin calling their goodbyes, I catch in the reflection of the window Catriona and Thorun deep in conversation. Thorun is staring intently at Catriona, who’s explaining something as only Italian’s can, with flamboyantly waving arms.
I expect Thorun is asking what the hell is going on.