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‘I’m sorry,’ she mumbled. ‘It must be weird smelling it and thinking of her.’
‘It’s not Elyse’s perfume. It’s yours.’
Her head jerked up. ‘What are you talking about? It’s in a bottle with the letter “E” on it.’
He smiled. ‘The “E” is for Estelle.’
She stared blankly at him.
‘I made it for you.’
‘Made it?’
‘I read chemistry at Oxford and always liked playing around with scents. I have a small lab upstairs in the manor and I made that one for you.’
Estelle blinked a couple of times, as if she didn’t believe him.
‘I made the one I wear as well. The one you’re allergic to.’
Her cheeks darkened. ‘But I can smell it on you now.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m trying to work out exactly how allergic you are.’ Stop flirting!
Her nostrils flared slightly as she took a breath in. She was so close, all he could see was the liquid warmth of her eyes, drawing him in, deeper and deeper.
‘You made that perfume for me?’ she whispered.
He nodded.
‘But it’s gorgeous. It’s perfect.’
Dropping her arm, he took her hand in his, all rational thoughts leaving the building to be replaced with wild and untamed longing. ‘Like you,’ he murmured.
She gasped.
‘They’ve started to arrive!’ Arthur yelled, barging into the room.
James felt Estelle’s hand leaving his.
‘Chop-chop! Shake a leg!’ Arthur herded the two of them through the door.
James kept an eye on Estelle in case she needed any support. Her ankle didn’t look swollen, but she still had a tubigrip bandage around it.
Vivienne and Dervla were already in the entrance hall greeting arrivals, as were Henry and Libby. James tensed when he saw Henry, but switched on the charm that always sealed the deal at work and with women, and went forward to welcome the guests.
Estelle was all smiles, but didn’t look at him. Had he ruined things between them?
Connor, Leo and Willow arrived to help take people’s coats and lead them into the drawing room.
Estelle checked a clipboard hidden behind the front door when there was no-one left outside. ‘I think that’s everyone.’
‘Bally marvellous!’ Arthur exclaimed. ‘That’s more than expected!’
James held his elbow out again to Estelle. ‘Shall we go through?’
She hesitated for a second, then took it.
‘I’m nervous,’ she whispered as they followed Arthur down the corridor.
