Page 6 of Eternal Love
Oh well, she wouldn’t think about that now. No, this was about her. Her and her manor. She raised her glass to the house, feeling foolish, but doing it anyway. “Here’s to you, it’s us against the world.” She brought the glass to her mouth, letting the bubbles roll over her tongue.
“I quite like the sound of that,” said a deep voice from the shadows.
Chapter Four
“Shit!” she screamed, proceeding to spit out her entire mouthful of champagne. Screw it, she thought, tipping the rest on the floor and brandishing the glass like a weapon. “Get out now or I’ll call the cops!”
Oh God, I don’t even know the postcode to this place...
“Easy, easy, it’s just me,” said Theodore, stepping into the moonlight. It carved across his face like a mask. He grinned. It made him even more captivating. “You can put down your weapon.”
She breathed out so hard that it ruffled her hair. “What are you still doing here? I thought you’d left hours ago.”
He had the decency to look sheepish, running his hands through his hair. “I’m sorry I startled you. I came to say goodbye, I’m done for the day, but to also ask your permission to stay on the grounds. There’s a small guesthouse in the gardens. It’s where I’ve been living since starting work on the property last week. It’s easier than going home.”
“Of course,” she said. Then she thought it over. Despite the sunny weather, it was cold, and there was no central heating out there.
“Or ... or you could stay in the house? The heating system isn’t set up properly out there, you’ll freeze to death.”
He gave her a funny look. “I’m fine, really, I’m made of strong stuff.”
Fine, okay, she wasn’t going to argue with the man. She wasn’t going to beg him to stay in the house.With her. Besides, would she really want him wandering around the house, free to go wherever he wanted?
Although he can wander into my bedroom anytime he likes...
No, thoughts like that were not helpful.
He raised his eyebrows, and her cheeks flamed. Oh God, how long had it been since she’d spoken?Get it together, Julia.
“Fine, suit yourself, Theodore,” she said, dredging up some semblance of dignity. “Good night.” As always, fate laughed at her, and she walked straight into the table leg. The sound echoed around the room.
A musical chuckle. “Good night, Julia.”
Alone in her room, she pushed her back against the door and took a deep breath. This was her piece of calm, of tranquility. It was huge. You could fit her entire old apartment into the room. The walls were painted sky blue, and there was a huge poster bed in the center, like the cherry on top of a cake, but the true highlight was the giant bathtub. She peeled off her clothes and climbed into the lavender scented bubbles. Bliss. She could get used to this.
Buzz.
