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CHAPTER ELEVEN
Summer
GLENROBINISINCHAOS. Literally.
There are boxes everywhere and James is my eager assistant. If someone had told me two weeks ago that James, the estate’s very austere butler, is a secret dance lover with a penchant for fairy tales, I would have rolled over laughing. But it’s true.
Today we’re taking delivery of the background pieces that will set the scene of the ball, and Rufus is as giddy as we are, thinking it’s an assault course for his pleasure alone.
‘Right, I think if we get these shifted into the ballroom as soon as—’
‘What the blazes?’
Edward tumbles into the hall, his feet caught on one of the many boxes, and both James and I cringe, unable to save him. He rights himself quickly enough, with a bounding Rufus more of a hindrance than a help, but the giant dog is unperturbed by Edward’s death stare.
‘I’m sorry, sir. I’ll have this cleared right away.’
‘It’s my fault,’ I’m quick to say over James. ‘I insisted we check the items off on the inventory before moving the boxes.’
The death stare is upon me, and for the briefest second I see the flare of something in his eyes before the look is replaced with the one I have come to expect these past two weeks. A look that would turn the warmest heart to stone.
‘What is all this?’
‘It’s for the ball,’ I say with forced calm. ‘You know...the Halloween ball I told you I was arranging.’
His eyes return to the boxes, widening with what I’d like to think isn’t alarm. Has he not listened to me at all?
I’ve had my suspicions, but seriously...
Never mind being told that James is a dance fiend—if someone had told me it was possible to live with someone and tune them out so completely, I’d have told them they were talking nonsense. But Edward has proved otherwise, and I don’t want to acknowledge how much it hurts...or how much the staff have picked up on it too.
I’ve barely seen him since our night together. When he’s at home he’s confined to his study, working. On the rare occasions he emerges his phone is in hand, his eyes fixed on it. At breakfast, his tablet is his companion. Lunch he takes in his study. Dinner is the only time he graces me with his presence, and even then his mind is elsewhere and we dine in virtual silence.
Not that I’ve pined for him. Not in the slightest. Honest.
I’ve spent my time reacquainting myself with the castle and the grounds, trying hard to feel comfortable...at home. I’m so glad of Rufus, who has become my little shadow—okay, my big shadow. And of James and Marie, who’ve been so warm and welcoming, trying hard to make up for Edward’s noticeable aloofness.
And I’m so excited to be putting Katherine’s money to good use, and her name too, by holding the Halloween ball in her honour.
I’ve spoken to the local children’s home, social services too. They’re as keen as me. Katherine’s name gets me prompt access to anyone I need, and it’s amazing how time isn’t an issue when you offer to pay a premium at the last minute. I have charities, caterers, entertainers, set designers, the all-important attendees with big wallets, and guests—young and old—all lined up.
It’s going to be the party of the year and I can’t wait!
The only thing that takes the edge off the thrill is Edward. I’ve been desperate to discuss my ideas, to engage him, get his sign-off on the plans—the lot. He’d know about it all inside out if he chose to listen.
Instead he’s snubbed every conversation I’ve attempted, and there’s only so much snubbing one girl can take.
Which is why his blank look now makes my blood boil.
I want to stomp right over to him and dare him to take issue with me. A fight would beat the silence I’ve been treated to this past fortnight. But there’s a small part of me—the part that still feels guilty about leaving all those years ago—that holds me back.
‘And when is it?’
I gape at him, fold my arms across my chest, tap my foot. ‘It’s a Halloween ball, Edward, when do you think it is?’
He rakes a hand through his hair, blows out a breath. It’s then that I notice the lines around his eyes, the shadows beneath too... Did I do that to him?
‘Right...right, of course.’
