Chapter 17 #2
She lifted an eyebrow. ‘Sure about that?’
‘I’m sure.’ He pulled her closer. ‘And if I wasn’t feeling absolutely mortified at having Connor walk in on us I’d prove it … again.’
She reached up and kissed him. ‘Save that thought for next time.’
He looked unsure. ‘There’ll be a next time?’
‘If you play your cards right.’ She gave him a playful pat. ‘Now go get dressed, breakfast is waiting.’
Elena waited until she was hidden away inside the spacious bathroom before allowing her true emotions to surface. Groaning, she collapsed in a heap on the floor and lay with her hands covering her face, wishing she could perform a Harry Potter spell and apparate somewhere else.
She’d told Danny what he’d needed to hear and down-played the humiliation of being sprung by Connor. In truth, any chance of convincing Connor she wasn’t dating his dad-stroke-brother would be pointless, and it was her own fault.
Knowing she couldn’t hide forever, she got up, washed, and put on some make-up in the hope of appearing unruffled.
Despite the ‘hotness’ of last night—to use Danny’s wording—dating Danny Jackson was still a bad idea.
It was too soon after Felix, and they were incompatible in temperaments.
That was bound to cause problems down the line.
They both had family dramas to deal with, and he …
She stared at her reflection in the mirror.
He … what?
All the misguided assumptions she’d made about Danny were false.
She’d been clinging hold of reasons that no longer existed.
The truth was, Daniel J Jackson was a sweetheart.
He was sensitive and generous, and they enjoyed a laugh together.
There was nothing majorly wrong with him, however much it pained her to admit.
So was dating him really such a bad idea?
She resumed brushing her hair.
Plus, the man had moves, he’d made her toes curl last night. He’d been attentive and assertive, and how she’d ever thought he was selfish, she didn’t know. His whole focus had been solely on her, ensuring she was having a good time. Not many men did that. His needs had come second, literally.
Feeling slightly calmer, she packed her bag, ready for a swift exit after breakfast, and headed downstairs.
Any hope of quiet discretion evaporated when a butler-type appeared and ushered her into the ‘morning room’, where the family ‘awaited her arrival’.
The room was long and rectangular and bathed in light flooding in from the huge leaded windows.
The space was filled with a long, solid table, decorated with vases of fresh flowers and candelabras.
Virginia and Nigel sat at either end of the table in true blue-blood tradition.
Connor was seated opposite, flanked either side by Hugh and Danny.
A man she didn’t recognise rose from his seat when she entered and gestured for her to sit next to him.
‘Hi, I’m James,’ he said, extending a hand. ‘Hugh’s husband.’ He was tall and slim with fiery red hair and light blue eyes that creased with amusement. He knew what had happened, she could tell. Why else would he be suppressing a grin? ‘Nice to meet you, Elena. I’ve heard a lot about you.’
Hugh covered his laughter with a cough.
‘Oh, I can imagine,’ she said, sitting down, assessing the atmosphere in the room.
Virginia and Nigel looked like their usual formidable selves, dressed in country casual tweed and ready for a day spent riding, shooting, or whatever other sport the elite enjoyed.
Hugh was making a hash of trying to contain his laughter, and Connor looked vaguely hopeful, as if embarrassment had given way to the idea that maybe Danny had found ‘love’.
In contrast, Danny looked like someone had burned all his expensive suits on a bonfire and he’d been made to wear polyester for the rest of his days. Poor man.
‘Morning, lovely gal!’ Virginia summoned the butler over to top up her coffee. ‘Sleep well?’ Her question caused Hugh and James to stifle more laughter.
They thought it was funny, did they?
Elena glanced at Danny, who looked mortified. His hair was rumpled, his cheeks were flushed, and if they’d been alone she might have dragged him back to bed. It was tempting, her inner thighs were still twitching.
Connor was looking at her with trepidation, like he wasn’t sure if she was mad with him or not.
Elena had two options. Suffer like Danny, add to the awkward embarrassment filling the room, and leave Bucklebury Manor with her tail between her legs … or face the situation head on.
‘I didn’t get much sleep, no,’ she said, nodding when the butler offered her coffee. ‘I hope we didn’t disturb anyone last night? We were rather noisy.’
Danny choked on his sausage.
Connor gasped, and Hugh and James burst out laughing.
‘Goodness, what were you getting up to?’ Nigel said, oblivious to the situation—which caused Hugh and James to laugh harder.
‘Oh, all sorts.’ Elena sipped her coffee. ‘It was quite the body workout. Luckily, I’m reasonably fit. Danny’s hip took a bit of a pounding, though.’
Danny’s knife clattered onto his plate, making everyone jump.
A weighty silence hung in the air.
‘I guess that’s what happens when you try playing a game of Twister after too much alcohol. Utter carnage.’ She accepted a plate of scrambled eggs from the butler. ‘This smells delicious.’
She could almost feel the collective sigh.
Nigel dabbed his mouth with a napkin. ‘Thank heavens. For a moment there I wondered what you were going to say.’
Everyone laughed, some more genuinely than others.
Elena turned to Nigel, aiming for wide-eyed innocence. ‘What did you think I meant?’ She glanced around the room, incurring a ‘stop it’ look from Danny as their eyes met. Anyone would think he wasn’t enjoying the joke. She hit him with a beaming smile. ‘Could you pass the ketchup please, Daniel?’
It was enough to break the tension and everyone resumed eating their food. All traces of apprehension had vanished from Connor. Virginia and Nigel remained clueless, and Hugh and James continued to share indiscreet glances.
When she caught Danny’s eye, he shook his head, pretending to be annoyed, but she knew he wasn’t really mad. Her gamble had paid off. Instead of an awkward situation, the tension had lifted and normal chatter resumed.
She asked James about his work as a vet, and laughed at his funny anecdotes, usually involving the animals’ owners.
Hugh talked about his ideas for setting up a weekly session aimed at encouraging men to talk about their feelings, and Nigel talked a lot about his rod, which Elena realised after a few raised eyebrows referred to his love of fly-fishing.
Neither Connor or Danny said much during the exchanges, incurring inquisitive looks from Virginia, who wanted to know why they hadn’t eaten more.
After the table had been cleared, Virginia clapped her hands and shooed everyone from the room.
‘Chores to do, places to be,’ she said, patting Elena’s shoulder as she moved behind her. ‘Let me get the blessed dogs sorted, and then I’ll drop you at the station. Unless you want to stay on? More than welcome to join us for the day, the laddies are heading off fishing.’
Elena stood up. ‘That’s kind of you, Virginia, but I should be getting back.’
‘Righto.’ Virginia gave Nigel a shove when he got in her way at the doorway. ‘See you out front. Get Danny to show you the stables before you go, he said you liked horses. Join us any time for another jaunt. Always welcome.’ She blew kisses at Elena as she marched off down the hallway.
‘Hope to see you soon,’ Hugh said, winking at her as he headed upstairs. ‘You must come for dinner. James does enjoy a couples’ night.’
James kissed Elena’s cheek. ‘I can see why Danny adores you.’
‘That’s it, I’m leaving!’ Danny headed for the front door. ‘Not remotely funny, guys.’
Hugh and James laughed and disappeared upstairs.
Connor still looked hesitant, and Elena felt bad for him.
She waited until they were alone before heading over to him. ‘I’m sorry about this morning. Bit awkward, huh?’
He ran a hand through his dark hair, reminding her of Danny. ‘I shouldn’t have barged in. I’m sorry, I had no idea.’
‘Why would you after what I said yesterday about Danny and I just being friends? It’s my fault. But I’m guessing it’s left you a little confused?’
He shrugged, looking younger than his years in his Wolf Alice T-shirt. ‘I get it. Friends with benefits, right?’
It was brutal, but probably accurate. She puffed out her cheeks. ‘It could be, but it might be more, I don’t know. I’m not sure yet, is that okay?’
He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. ‘Is it okay if I hope it is more?’
She smiled. ‘Always look on the positive side, is my motto. You’ve got to be in it to win it, right? No point quitting before you’ve even tried.’
His frown lifted as if he’d been struck by something. ‘I hadn’t thought about it like that.’
‘Whatever happens, I promise to be upfront and honest about how I feel, and I’ll never do anything to deliberately hurt your brother. You have my word.’
Connor nodded. ‘I know.’
‘I’d better find Danny.’ She squeezed his arm. ‘Take care, Connor.’
She headed outside and found Danny waiting for her on the gravel pathway.
‘I’m not sure whether to kill you or thank you,’ he said, striding off towards the stables.
She had to run to catch him up. ‘It worked, didn’t it? Besides, we’ve nothing to be ashamed of. We’re adults.’
‘I know. And you’re right,’ he said, glancing at her. ‘If it weren’t for Connor I might find it funny. Everyone else certainly did.’ He sounded peeved, and it made her smile.
‘I just spoke with Connor and he seems fine. You never know, this might be the incentive he needs to start dating. Wasn’t that the deal? You date, he dates. Simple as.’
Danny stopped by the stable door. ‘Are we dating?’
She gave him a nonchalant shrug. ‘Maybe.’
He folded his arms. ‘Are you going to make a decision anytime soon?’
She struggled not to laugh. ‘Maybe.’
‘That’s all I get? Maybe?’