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“Well, my month and a half is flying by. I decided I’d better plan out my remaining itinerary at least loosely, or I’ll never fit in everything I want to do before I leave. Who knows when I’ll have a chance to return?”
Ian reached over and filched her piece of paper. He studied it in silence. “You left off Edinburgh,” he said, frowning slightly.
“Edinburgh is a big city. I thought I’d stick to the little out-of-the-way spots. Like Portree.”
He crumpled up the list and tossed it in the general direction of the trash can. “I don’t want to cramp your style, Bella. I’ve already invaded what you thought was going to be your private time at your brother’s house. But…”
He trailed off tantalizingly.
“But what?”
“I have a proposition for you,” he said.
Everything inside her went on red alert. “Excuse me?”
Instead of answering, he stood up and paced. A couple of times he opened his mouth as if he were going to speak, but nothing came out.
At last, she lost patience. “What is this proposition?”
“Last night was fun. I’d like to spend more time with you, and as it happens, you could help me out with a certain situation. I was going to offer you money.” He winced. “But I remembered how you reacted to that envelope of cash when I first arrived.”
“Money?” Surely this wasn’t what it sounded like.
“I want you to come with me to Edinburgh for a few days.”
“Why?” She hesitated, realizing this was her perfect opportunity to set the record straight. “Um, Ian… Last night was a spur of the moment thing. You and I are not going to continue having…” She wasn’t sure what to call that thing they had done. Sex seemed too blunt, but coitus was clinical and absurd.
He jumped on her moment of indecision. “We enjoyed a mutually satisfying intimate encounter.”
“It was spontaneous,” she said. “It happened. But it’s not a good idea to move forward. In fact, last night was a big mistake. I’d prefer it if we go back to being acquaintances.”
The #2 bachelor in all of Great Britain appeared dumfounded. Maybe he’d never had a woman walk away. “Ye don’t know what ye’re saying,” he said, his accent thicker than usual. “Ye’re not making sense. Did I offend you somehow? I know I’m not always the sharpest tool in the shed. I’ll apologize for whatever stupid thing I said.”
Her smile was forced. “No apologies required. Seriously. Last night was…enjoyable. We’d both had an emotional day. Things got out of hand. We’re not suited to each other, though. I’d prefer not to build on something that has no future. Please understand it’s not you. I’m sure some nice woman in Edinburgh will enjoy your company.”
“I wasna going to pay ye for sex, ye daft woman.”
“Then what was the money for?”
“To hire you as a smokescreen. Though remembering your rant when I first arrived, I thought perhaps I could donate a large sum to the charity of your choice in exchange for—”
“In exchange for what?” She was flustered and hurt that he would offer her cash after last night.
He glared. “I have to meet the queen. The place will be crawling with photographers. I thought if you went with me posing as my fiancée, word would get around, and I’d be removed from that ridiculous list.”
“The queen? Of England?”
“Aye. Scotland, too.”
“And you want a fiancée…”
“In name only,” he said hastily. “Think of yourself as a bodyguard.”
“Do you know how ridiculous this whole conversation is? Did you hit yourself on the head during last night’s rescue? Do you have a fever? Why would the queen want to meet you?” She paused. “Sorry. That sounded terrible. You know what I mean.”
His gaze was wry. “Believe me, I was as gobsmacked as you are when I got the word. I’m to receive an Order of the British Empire honor for my civilian contribution to Naval safety. Though traditionally a Buckingham Palace event, this year the queen will host the ceremony at Holyrood Palace instead of London. I suppose it’s a nod to the fact that we Scots voted not to leave the realm.”
“I see…” Bella shook her head slightly, mostly to see if she was still asleep and dreaming. Nope. The smell of coffee and the sounds of birdsong outside the kitchen window said this was all too real. “I don’t know what to say. Congratulations, Ian.”
His pained reaction told her he didn’t appreciate her formal response. “I would get out of it if I could, believe me. Apparently, unless I’m on my deathbed, my presence is mandatory.”
“Well, of course it is. She’s the queen, for heaven’s sake.”
“Which is why I need you for moral support. I have to get a tux. And maybe a haircut. The whole prospect gives me hives.”
“Don’t look at me. I’m a clueless American. I wouldn’t know the first thing about accompanying a famous hero to a formal English occasion. Sorry, Ian. Count me out.”
