Chapter 18 #2
‘Here we are!’ Gerry appeared with two drinks. A plain pint glass with gently fizzing bubbles for Edward and a pink concoction in a cocktail glass with a slice of lime and a frosted rim.
‘Thank you! It looks very pretty,’ I said, and then suddenly felt a bit daft for saying so.
‘Thanks!’ Gerry seemed pleased at the compliment. ‘I like to make things look as attractive as possible as well as taste divine.’ He remained where he was.
‘You’re not going to actually wait there, are you?’ Edward asked.
‘I thought I might.’
Edward gave him a patient look.
‘Fine, I’m going, I’m going.’ Then he bent down to my ear. ‘But let me know what you think, eh?’
‘Of course. I’m sure it will be delicious.’
Gerry gave another wide smile and then headed back to the bar.
I lifted the glass to my lips. Fruity, with a zing of lime but whatever else was in it, I couldn’t tell. Only that it tasted like dolly mixtures and not at all alcoholic. Which could be very dangerous indeed.
‘And?’
‘Soooo nice!’ I laughed with relief. The thought of pretending something else so as not to hurt Gerry’s feelings had been weighing on me. Thankfully, I didn’t have to. The man was a cocktail genius. ‘Do you really think he’ll call it The Emmeline?’
‘Without a doubt. Gerry is a man of his word. I’m glad you like it.’ He pointed to the menu. ‘Have you seen anything you like?’
My look was sheepish. ‘To be honest, I haven’t looked properly.’
‘Too busy running scenarios in your head?’ His question was delivered with a gentle smile.
‘That obvious?’
‘Perhaps not to everyone.’
‘But to you?’
He splayed his fingers on the crisp linen tablecloth. ‘I am aware of how intimidating this ridiculous request could be perceived by…’
‘Someone like me?’ Although he was right, I couldn’t help but bridle at having the statement out there.
‘Yes, but I don’t mean that in the way that you’ve clearly taken it.’ His tone was even, inoffensive. ‘What I was going to say is someone who hasn’t grown up in the same manner.’
‘The more lowly classes among us.’
Edward’s eyes fixed on me. ‘Now you’re putting words in my mouth.’
‘But that’s what you meant?’
He took a deep breath. ‘What were you turning over in your mind a moment ago while pretending to study the menu?’
‘I… Nothing really,’ I lied blatantly.
Edward saw straight through the fib. His mouth said nothing but his eyes called bullshit.
‘Fine. Yes, I was panicking that I’m going to end up at a fancy dinner with thirty-seven pieces of cutlery to choose from and not know which to use. Or address someone the wrong way and make both me, and you, look foolish.’
I’d been fiddling with the cruets and at my words, Edward reached for my hand and took it in his, causing me to move my focus back to his face at the unexpected touch.
‘I will never let you feel foolish.’
‘You don’t have the power to control that, Edward. I mean, like the night I met you. I couldn’t even get in the door without tripping over like an idiot!’
His fingers curled around mine. ‘You are most certainly not an idiot, and you had the excuse that it was pitch black and also, that my feet were in the way. Anyway, anyone can trip. I tripped over literally nothing last year in the house and fell down the back stairs. It happens.’
I hadn’t seen the back stairs in the house but had visited enough National Trust properties and seen enough period dramas to know these were usually cold, stone and thereby exceedingly unforgiving.
‘Ouch! Were you all right?’
‘Yes, luckily, although how, I’ve no idea. A sprained shoulder, a bloody nose and a lot of colourful bruises.’
‘That doesn’t sound particularly all right.’
He waved his other hand. ‘It was nothing to what it could have been. But what I’m saying is that accidents happen and I’m glad I was there tonight to catch you.’ His gaze dropped momentarily to the table before lifting once more. ‘I will always do my very best to catch you, Emmeline. I promise.’
It was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me and I had no response.
‘The moment my mother lied about the engagement, you could have spoken up, told the truth, but you didn’t.’
‘That Fenella woman was being pretty annoying.’
Humour glinted in his eyes.
‘Thank you for going along with all this. And when it’s done, you’ll be free to go back about your business and will always, always, have an excellent reference should you ever wish to leave the estate.
Although…’ he paused as a couple of other diners passed us by, ‘I do hope that won’t be for some time yet. ’
‘Me neither. And thanks. Your mum was kind to me and so down to earth. Hence me assuming she was the housekeeper for which I am still embarrassed.’
‘Don’t be. She didn’t enlighten you either so…’
I took another sip of the drink, now halfway down the glass.
Edward let go of my hand and somewhere in the back of my mind, I registered the loss of his touch, the warmth.
But the front of my mind told me that was just the alcohol.
Whatever Gerry’s secret concoction was, it was definitely a lot stronger than dolly mixtures.