Page 10 of No Going Back

“So you said,” Guy observed. “Are you going to tell us, or make us spend the afternoon guessing?”

Ros punched his arm. “Of course I’m going to tell you. They’ve had a cancellation—three months from now. The couple have changed their minds about getting married, and Maddie’s given us first refusal. She’s emailing the offer to me. I need to talk to Simon!”

“Then go and talk to him, but check his schedule first. And don’t forget Brussels is an hour ahead,” Guy shouted after her as she ran out of the kitchen. He shook his head. “That woman.”

“She’s in love, Sir Guy.” Della looked at him as if he were the village idiot.

“I know, and no one’s happier than me to see it. But three months? Is it possible to organise a wedding in three months?”

“If I recall, sir, the law allows you to do it in twenty-eight days, if you can get the right people together in the right place at the right time.”

“You’re an expert, then?”

“No, but my cousin was last year. She looked into all the legal requirements. Don’t remember much about what she said, but I do remember that.”

Guy inclined his head. “I bow to your superior knowledge. So three months should be a walk in the park, then.”

“In theory, yes, but in practice, it could be a little problematic. If you’ll excuse me, sir?”

“Of course.” Guy grabbed both ends of the small towel still draped around his neck. “Has Ros left any chocolate cake for me?”

With a disgruntled frown creasing her brow, Della gave an indignant huff and resumed her kneading. “There’s plenty left, sir. She hasn’t had so much as a sniff at it since she got back.”

Guy recognised the wounded tone. A touchy subject, then. “You know what brides are like, trying to get into the dress they ordered three sizes too small in anticipation of losing the weight before the wedding. In the meantime, though, I don’t have to get into a wedding dress, so I’ll happily take a slice off your hands.”

About an hour later, his job-related research in the study was interrupted by his niece bounding in, looking fit to burst with joy. Guy set his book aside and braced himself for Ros landing on the sofa beside him. “I take it you have good news?”

Her grin reminded him of the second Christmas morning they’d shared at Stonehaven. He’d dragged her out of bed, every inch the grumbling teenager, and hauled her down to the stables to introduce her to her Christmas present. The transformation as she’d stroked the neck of the horse she’d named Fleming—after her favourite author—had been both a miracle and her Christmas gift to him.

“The best. Simon’s completely on board with bringing our plans forward, and I’ve already contacted Maddie to let her know. I can’t believe it. Three months. Oh good grief, there’s so much to do! What if the registrar’s not available?”

“Try to think positive. The cancellation was for the whole event, not just the venue—the registrar must have been booked, so probably has an opening now. I suggest you call and make the necessary appointments, then you can relax, have a drink, and enjoy the calm before the storm.”

“I guess you’re right. I’ll print the contract, ready for Simon to sign when he gets back tomorrow. The sooner I can get it back to Maddie, the better.”

“Just as well he’s returning early. Why don’t I drop the contract off for you, then you two can make a start on organising everything else?”

The words escaped his out-of-control mouth before he could stop them. Did he have to sound as eager as a hormonal teenage boy to speak to Maddie Scott again?

Probably, since he was eager to do a lot more than simply speak to her. Ever since his visit to Liz’s grave, a feeling of being on the verge of something life-changing had shadowed his every thought. He had no doubt it was connected with the events manager. Never one to act on emotion rather than logic, the situation he now found himself in was… unusual.

For him, at any rate. Plenty of people his age discovered a new lease on life, new beginnings and new relationships. He’d never considered himself likely to be one of them. He’d used up all his luck in love when he found Liz, and luck like that didn’t strike twice in a lifetime. His needs, when it came to relationships were too… specialised.

What if he could set those needs aside, though? Could he do it for a woman like Maddie?

There was only one way to find out.