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"Oh" she gasped.
"Hi," Alec said, a mere inch away from her.
Ruby didn't know he was standing right behind her, with both his hands on top of hers, and his chin on top of her head.
"What were you thinking about?" he asked.
Ruby clamped her lips. She couldn't possibly tell him she was thinking about how livable and inviting Hasting Manor was, or could she? She cleared her throat and said, "I was just thinking how beautiful this place is."
"Aye," Alec agreed, "'tis very beautiful." However, he was not looking at the scene below them, but rather, looking at her.
Ruby blushed because his eyes were so intensely focused on her face. She cast her eyes downward and said, "Can we explore the woodland now?"
"Hmm," he responded as he led her out the room.
Once they were outside, Ruby shivered as a cold breeze gusted about them.
"Cold?" he asked. At Ruby's nod, he said, "Come." With his arms around her shoulder, he led her to the car. He found his sweater and wrapped it around her.
"Your sweater?" she asked, eyeing the grey jersey that looked too big for her.
"Wear it, my lady. I don't want you to get a chill. You're such a wee thing," he said, helping her put it on, despite all the people watching them as they passed by.
Ruby blushed as her head popped out from the sweater, saying "I can dress myself, you know."
"I know," Alec replied as he pulled her long hair out from the back of the sweater. He thought she looked adorable; although it was so huge, she also appeared lost in it.
Ruby rolled up the long sleeves, trying to alter the sweater to fit her small frame. Her endeavor, however, was unachievable.
Alec laughed. "Come now, my lady, you look fine the way you are," he said as he guided her toward the woodland. His large, strong hand cupped the nape of her slender neck, his fingers digging deeply into her hair, as he put his face very close to hers. Then he gave her a small kiss on the side of her temple.
Ruby couldn't help blushing. "Alec, people are watching," she said, looking at a group of Chinese tourists observing them and smiling knowingly. One had the guts to laugh loudly and take their picture as they passed by.
She glanced up at Alec, who appeared like he didn't care one bit. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying the attention. As if to prove that to her, he wrapped his arm about her waist as they walked down to the loch, with his nose buried in her hair.
Ruby found it odd that she felt warm and comfortable with him so close to her. She did not feel threatened. She licked her lips and snuggled her head against his chest almost as if by instinct.
As they walked, admiring the beautiful scenery of tall trees and wildflowers that surrounded them, Ruby wondered if Alec felt happy. At that moment, she found it easy to forget about everything and simply enjoy this unexpected pleasure.
An hour later, he led her to a secluded spot. It was a seat right under a magnolia tree, and the ground was covered with fallen magnolia flowers. Ruby sat on the seat, deeply inhaling the fresh country air as she closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, Alec was on his knees before her, her small hands clasped in his large, strong ones. She looked at him, wondering what he was doing now.
"Ruby, sweetheart," he began as he looked deeply into her eyes. "I'm sorry I hurt you last night and before. I'm sorry I kidnapped you, and kept you isolated without your consent."
Ruby bit her lip. She couldn't help herself. She was too soft-hearted. He was confessing. And apologizing to her, she realized.
"Ruby, I'm very sorry, sweetheart," Alec said. "But never again. I promise I will never hurt you again." That said, he moved up to sit beside her on the bench.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," he said again, his hands cupping her face. "I promise I will never do such a thing again."
"Alec," she began. "I--"
"I know," he interrupted. "It's hard. I'm not asking you to forgive me. All I'm asking you is to give me another chance. That's all I seek."
Ruby cast her eyes downward, but Alec dug his fingers softly into her hair as he urged her to look at him.
"Would you give me another chance?"
Ruby gazed up at him for a long while. Then she nodded, because she couldn't find anything else to say.
Alec kissed her lips--long and gently. When Ruby opened her mouth for him, he plunged his tongue inside, kissing her slowly until Ruby lost herself in his embrace.
Ruby felt like she was in heaven that whole day after Alec apologized to her and asked her for a second chance. Pursuant to their passionate, gentle kiss in the woods, he led her back to the car where they met up with Brian and Susan, who seemed to have come to some sort of agreement. Then Jane appeared with a young man whom she introduced as Mr. Richard Nelson.
Ruby met Richard, and soon discovered he was a neighbor of Alec's who lived only five miles away in his country estate called Mooreland. After the polite greeting and introduction, they all went to lunch at one of the cafes in the village. Ruby enjoyed her lunch of roast lamb and vegetables. Afterward, they visited Geilston Garden and Ruby thoroughly enjoyed herself.
It was just before dinner when they got back to Hasting Manor. Ruby showered and changed, and when she came back down, the group was just assembling around the dining table. Alec escorted her to a seat beside him.
Jane insisted that Richard stay and join them for dinner, so he took a seat next to Jane. He said, "You all are invited to lunch tomorrow at Mooreland Mansion."
"That would be marvelous," Jane shrieked excitedly.
Ruby thought it wasn't hard to see that Jane was head-over-heels in love with Richard, whose dark blond hair and deep brown eyes made him quite handsome.
Dinner went smoothly with Jane and Richard doing most of the talking. After dinner, Richard and Jane went out for a walk. Ruby told everyone that she was rather tired and retired to her room.
Captain Snow was on the bed, waiting for her.
"Westies, did you miss me?" she asked, stroking his head.
Captain Snow licked her hand adoringly and jumped up and down.
"Oh, poor Mr. Westies," she said.
"Captain Snow really likes you."
Ruby turned to see Susan standing at the door, glamorous as usual, in her evening dress of pale pink.
"I'm sorry I interrupted you," Susan said.
Ruby shook her head. "No, you're not."
Susan came into the room and sat on the side of the bed. "He used to like me a lot," she said, looking at Captain Snow. "But since you came along, he won't even spare me a glance."
"Is he your dog?"
Susan nodded. "I bought him, you know. I saw him in one of those pet shops in London. He looked simply too adorable not to adopt. So I bought him."
"He is very cute," Ruby said, rubbing the dog's head.
Susan said, "Ruby, I'm sorry for what happened."
Ruby glanced at Susan, and thought the woman looked rather sad. Perhaps there was something critical on her mind?
"I didn't mean for it to go this far," Susan continued. "It's not Alec's fault. It's always been just the two of us. Our parents died when he was seventeen in an accident. He was still very young. Then he had to take care of everything, running the family empire, and studying at the same time. Not to mention, looking after me."
"What happened?" Ruby asked because she was curious.
"I was, what should I say? Very depressed after our parents passed away. I got worse. I... sometimes, I wanted to end my life. You know, that teenage phase. I was also very anorexic. If it weren't for Alec, I... I don't think I'd be here today, or so successful in the modelling industry. I have done my best to send the message out to all those young girls not to starve themselves like I did at that age. So the thing that I really want to tell you is: Alec loves me. Maybe too much at times. He worries about me. Without me, he'd be alone. Oh we have cousins and all, but they're just, you know, distant relatives. They only contact us when they need money--"
&nbs
p; "I think I get what you mean."
"Really?" Susan sighed. "I suck at explaining things."
"Actually, I do, too."
"Look, Ruby, I am very sorry for what happened. Please don't blame Alec. He only did it for me, and if you want to tell Brian, that's fine. I won't blame you if you do. I know you love him. I'm sorry I tried to steal him away from you." Susan sobbed, tears overflowing her lovely eyes. "I don't know what came over me that day. I don't even know why I asked Alec to help me. I ended the engagement. I don't understand why I want him back now."
Ruby felt sympathetic as Susan started crying. She said, "Susan, I understand."
Susan stood up abruptly. "I'll go now," she said as she rushed out the room.
Ruby turned to Captain Snow. "Well, Westies," she said, "two apologies from the same family in one day. What do you think that means?"
The dog just looked at her blankly before rushing up and licking her hand. Ruby laughed.
*
SIXTEEN
Despite getting a good night's sleep that night--alone in the large bed--Ruby had a very disturbing dream. She dreamt that a very big, white serpent was chasing her, and caught her with its slippery body. It bit her wrist, causing her to bleed.
Now sitting up in bed, she shut her eyes and tried to forget the dream. Captain Snow rushed over to her, licking her hand in an attempt to get her attention. She patted the dog's head. "Good morning," she said to him.
Captain Snow jumped down from the bed and ran with his wee legs to the door before scratching on it.
"Breakfast time, is it?" she asked. She got out of bed and went to open the door for him. Captain Snow swiftly slipped out and rushed down the stairs. Ruby shook her head and shut the door.
As she was walking back to the bed, she glanced at Alec, still asleep on the uncomfortable sofa and the tartan blanket on the floor. She went to pick it up and arranged it properly over him. Turning to walk back, he grabbed her wrist, and when she glanced over, she saw Alec smiling lazily at her.
"Good morning," he said sleepily.
"Good morning, Alec," she replied. "May I have my hand back please?"
Instead of letting her go, he pulled her closer to him. Alec shifted his body just so, which allow Ruby's body to fall to the side between the back of the sofa and him.
"That large, comfortable bed that you slept in last night, madame, is not free. I believe you owe me a kiss. Nay, two kisses because I'm sleeping on this very uncomfortable sofa."
Ruby wiggled her nose and said, "Your own fault, Mr. Hasting. There are many guest rooms in this castle and you, yourself, have chosen to sleep here. You can't blame me for that." Then she struggled to sit up.
Alec wouldn't let her, however, and gave her a peck on the cheek. She pushed him off the seat as she sat up in spite of him. Alec fell to the floor and laughed, his voice sounding loud in the room.
Ruby stood up and walked to the bathroom. Halfway, she glanced back. When she saw that Alec was up and about to chase her, she giggled and ran into the bathroom, locking the door.
Alec grinned, his hand resting on the handle of the door as he said, "Madame, you still owe me two kisses."
Ruby's insides were exploding with excitement. Alec, you cheeky lout.
She was humming to herself as she went about showering. When she finished and emerged wearing only a bathrobe, she discovered he was gone. She shrugged her shoulders and picked out her clothing. After getting dressed, she went downstairs to have breakfast.
The dining room was empty, and she wondered where everyone was. She was about to leave when Lizzie came in.
"Miss Ruby," the maid said. "Whaddya like fer breakfast?"
"Just some toast, thank you," Ruby said as she slid into a chair. "Where's everyone?"
"Miss Susan an' Miss Jane are still abed, I believe. Master Alec ate 'is breakfast an' 'e's gone out ta the stables. Mr. Brian, I'm not sure. But 'e joost finished 'is breakfast."
"Thank you, Lizzie," Ruby said as she poured herself a cup of orange juice.
After devouring a plate of hot toast and rolls, Ruby went out into the sunshine for a little walk. She was down near the river when she saw Brian.
"'Allo," she said.
Brian turned and smiled. "Good morning."
"Why are you here all alone?"
"To think," Brain replied, staring off at the still, glassy water.
"About what?"
Brian turned his gaze from the beautiful scenery to look at her. "You."
Ruby blinked and her heart missed a beat. She licked her lips and asked, "Why?"
Brian turned his body fully toward her and touched her arms. "I thought we had something, Ruby."
"Brian--" she began.
"Was I wrong?"
Ruby cast her eyes downward and shook her head.
"So what happened?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.
Ruby wanted him to stop interrogating her. She felt so exposed and helpless.
"Ruby, what happened?" he urged gently.
She looked up at him. "I fell in love."
Brian frowned. "You fell in love?" He looked confused.
"With Alec," she said.
"How? When?"
"A wee while ago," she replied evasively.
"When he visited New Zealand three years ago?" he asked as though it were impossible.
"Well, Brian--"
"Then why did you lead me on? Why did you make me think that I meant something to you?"
"Oh, Brian, it's not like that. You do mean something to me."
"In what way, Ruby?"
"Brian, you love Susan," she said, licking her lips.
Brian looked frustrated now. "How do you know I love Susan and not you? I used to love her, very much, in fact. But she didn't want me and broke off our engagement. I got over her."
"I know you still love Susan, and Susan still loves you. Can't you see what she's done for you?" Ruby said, touching his arm.
"In what way, Ruby? In what way do I mean something to you?"
Ruby just wanted this line of questioning to end. Why was he interrogating her? Asking questions she didn't know the answers to. She hesitated, wondering what she should tell him.
"A... a friend. Like... like a brotherly friend."
"Is that all?"
She could hear the disappointment in his voice, and her heart reached out to him. "Brian, I'm sorry."
"No, don't be, Ruby. It's the way it is. You can't tell yourself to love somebody if you don't."
"Brian, I'm sorry," Ruby said as tears flowed from her eyes.
Brain cupped her face in his hands. He stared deeply into her eyes and said, "Ruby, you're a special girl. I hope Alec sees that. If he ever hurts you, tell me. I won't let him die easily, even though he's my best friend."
"Brian, why are you so kind? Why does it have to be like this? I wish I never came here in the first place," she said, hiding her face against his chest.
"Like you told me that day in Dunedin: fate, Ruby, fate."
Ruby moved her head back and looked up at him. "Susan really loves you, Brian."
"I know, Ruby, I know," he said, patting her head as he stared off into the distance.
Up at the manor at that moment, Susan stood at the window of her bedroom, watching them. She felt sick to her stomach, and like she just lost everything as she watched Brian hugging Ruby.
Ruby must have been telling Brian about everything, why she was kidnapped by Alec and how Alec only pretended to be in love with her so that Brian--
Oh God, she couldn't think any further. It was too horrible to contemplate. She just wanted to die.
Feeling a bit dizzy, she thought she should go and sit down; although she preferred to stand there and watch them. Despite how very painful it was, she had to accept that Brian would never love her again. He would never marry her because he was already in love with Ruby. There was nothing more she could do. Unexpectedly, fresh tears welled up in her eyes.
Lunch at the Moorela
nd Mansion was delicious. Conversation, as before, was mostly conducted by Jane and Richard, who couldn't seem to keep their eyes off each other.
After lunch, both Alec and Brian excused themselves to take a ride on Richard's newly acquired stallions. Richard, on the other hand, showed Ruby--with Jane tagging along behind them--around the mansion. Susan was too tired to engage in either activity, and relaxed in the drawing room, reading magazines.
Ruby thoroughly enjoyed her tour of the mansion, and once they returned for some tea, Jane suggested they all go out for a stroll. Richard thought that was a good idea. Both Ruby and Susan reluctantly agreed.
"So nice out here," Jane said, linking her arm with Richard's as she inhaled the clean, country air.
"It's very peaceful and beautiful," Ruby commented to Susan. Susan smiled at her and nodded in agreement.
Ruby noticed that Susan did not look very well. She wondered what was bothering the woman. "Are you feeling all right?" she asked curiously.
Susan glanced at her in surprise. She shook her head as she said, "I'm fine. Just a bit tired."
Ruby nodded and asked no more.
A while later, as they approached the lake, Jane squealed with delight. "Oh, Richard, can we row the boat? Please?"
Richard laughed. "Would you girls like to come?" he asked Ruby and Susan. The women shook their heads. "Don't say I didn't invite you." He chuckled, leading Jane toward the lake.
Both Ruby and Susan watched Richard and Jane get into the small boat before rowing all the way to the middle of the lake, laughing gleefully.
Suddenly, the sounds of horses' hooves could be heard. Ruby turned to see Alec and Brian riding beautiful, dark stallions, fast approaching them. Brian held onto the reins of another horse beside him.
Once they halted, Ruby looked up at Alec and saw him watching her.
"I've got a mare for you, Susan. Want some exercise?" Brian asked.
Susan looked adoringly at Brian and nodded happily. She climbed onto the horse before she and Brian headed toward the woods.
Alec gave her one last glance before riding his horse off to follow Brian and Susan.
Ruby watched him until he disappeared from sight. With no one to talk to, she headed back toward the mansion. Strolling the narrow footpath surrounded by tall trees, with a gentle breeze dancing about her, Ruby relaxed. Now and again, she closed her eyes and inhaled the clean, country air filling her nostrils and lungs.
