Total pages in book: 235
Estimated words: 227851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1139(@200wpm)___ 911(@250wpm)___ 760(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 227851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1139(@200wpm)___ 911(@250wpm)___ 760(@300wpm)
“And cause a scene?”
She bites at her lip, thinking. “What did she want?” She’s asking questions she knows the answers to. “Did she know we were getting married today?”
Except that one. “Yes, she knew.”
“And she still came?” she asks, shocked, perhaps now comprehending the determination of these women. “Was she hoping to stop it?” She’s almost laughing. Yes, laugh, because it’s fucking laughable. “Was she going to barge through the summer room doors and declare that we shouldn’t be joined in holy matrimony?”
Truth is, I wouldn’t put it past Coral. “I don’t know, Ava.”
“When did you speak to her?”
“She’s been calling and turning up at The Manor.” Do I mention the call this morning? Be specific? “I’ve told her repeatedly I’m not helping her. I’ve told her there are no feelings. I’m not sure what else I can do, Ava.”
“What’s your definition of an affair?” she fires quickly, catching me off guard.
“What do you mean?” Jesus, we’re not here again, are we? We’ve been over this. Ava thinks I had an affair with Coral, I think I didn’t. But I’m not about to devalue her views or feelings on this. I have no right.
“I mean, she’s in love with you, and you’ve said it was only sex. It was obviously more to her.”
“Baby, I’ve told you before, just sex.” She has to hear me. “They always wanted more, but I never gave them any reason to expect it. Never.” But no matter how cold I was, no matter how detached, they always came back.
She looks away, hurt. “I don’t want you to see her again.”
“I won’t.” She ordered it, and I will listen. “I’ve no need to.” God, she looks so tired. I can relate. If only she would relent and allow me to take her on a holiday. Take us away.
“I’ve had enough of my wedding. I’d like to leave.”
“Ava,” I beg softly. “Look at me.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t start making demands when I’m feeling like this.”
She’s not the only one feeling defeated. But, again, how can I whine about how tired I am? All the shit that’s gone down today is because of me. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me right,” I say harshly, frustrated with everything. Especially myself. “I said, look at me.”
She turns a bored expression my way. “What?”
I get on my knees and put myself in front of her. “I’ve fucked up,” I say gently. “I’m so sorry, I was trying to keep her away from you.” I search her eyes, begging her to understand. There was nothing underhanded about seeing Coral. It was all simply an effort to protect her. “I panicked and thought I could talk some sense into her. I didn’t want her kicking up a stink on your special day.”
“It’s your special day too. You should’ve just told me.”
And I really wish I had, but what’s done is done. I move in and give her a hug. “I know. Let me make it up to you. What do you want me do, baby? Name it.”
“Just take me to bed.”
The best answer. Escape. We’re both done for the day. “Deal.” I get us up and give her a long, soft kiss, and I thank everything that she responds, syphoning off the calm she needs from the man who causes all of the chaos in her life. “We’ll make friends properly later.” I dip and sweep her off her feet, and she drops her heavy head onto my shoulder as I walk us back to The Manor. Exhausted. And yet despite her tears, she still looks . . . glorious. I didn’t ruin her beautiful face at least.
I look up at all of the illuminated windows of my manor, see the bodies on the ground floor in the windows. I don’t know if there’s ever been a time in the history of this place when it’s stood empty, not a single person in any of the rooms. Imagine how quiet it would be if it was just me and Ava living here. The lord and his lady. I smile.
It drops the moment I step into the summer room and spot Elizabeth gunning for me.
Oh, here we go.
“You’ve not cut the cake and you need to have your first dance,” she snaps, outraged. “Tell me, are we having a wedding?”
I only needed Ava to say I do. “I’m taking Ava upstairs.” I keep up my pace. “She’s tired.”
“But it’s only ten o’clock,” Elizabeth cries, flanking me. “What about your guests?”
What about them? “There’s a bar, band, and plenty to eat, Elizabeth.” And if they want to be adventurous, at this stage, I’d happily open the communal room to keep them entertained. “I’m sure they’ll survive.”
“Ava, please,” she begs, deciding she’s getting nowhere with me. “Talk some sense into him.”
Ava’s hands fall onto my cheeks, and my feet slow but don’t stop, my forehead heavy as I look at her. Her face. “A little longer,” she says, and I slow to a stop. “We can give her longer.”