Page 28 of A Cornish Wedding Retreat
‘Don’t do that,’ she hissed, glaring at him.
‘What?’
‘That thing with your hair,’ Maggie muttered under her breath.
God, what was she talking about now?
‘You do it all the time. Push your hands through your hair and then it falls back into place, except one bit always flops forward. It’s so thick and glossy and . . .’ Her voice trailed away and he almost felt sorry for her.
No you don’t, not really, you get a kick out of it.
‘Right,’ he dragged out the single word and fought against smirking.
‘Back to the subject in hand.’ Maggie pulled up the sheet to cover herself, giving him a stern glare. ‘I’ll answer as honestly as I can. I have a sneaking suspicion I love you as well but as you say it’s too soon. I’m probably equally crazy and all I’m saying for now is that Imightconsider your “suggestion” at some point.’
‘Okay.’ Chad thought he’d just been sort-of accepted. Maybe. ‘You want to leave it there for now?’
‘Well I’m hardly going to suggest going to the nearest jewellery shop, am I?’ Maggie’s sharp sense of humour re-emerged and he relaxed again. ‘You’d better get dressed and clear out of here before my dear sister puts in an appearance. I am not ready to explain any of this to her.’ She gestured at them both and the bed. ‘You can return at half past two showered, well-dressed and ready for us to brave Great Aunt Audrey in her lair.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ Chad popped a quick kiss on her lush, tempting lips. ‘Will I need a bulletproof vest?’
Maggie’s eyebrows raised. ‘Hardly, although you might consider a bunch of flowers. She’ll say they’re a waste of money but if you don’t take any you’ll be marked down as cheap.’
‘She already thinks I’m a crass, mouthy Yank so it’d only be one more black mark against me.’
‘Great Aunt Audrey is one smart woman,’ she joked and poked his arm. ‘I need to hurry into the kitchen and bake a coffee and walnut sponge. It’s her favourite although she’ll complain about that too — it won’t be the right size, it’ll be too sweet andhave either too much or not enough icing. But that’s alright. It’s her way and I know she loves me really.’
Chad cupped his hand behind her neck and eased her towards him for a last kiss. ‘That’s all that matters.’ It took all his self-control to stop and pull away. ‘I’d better go.’
‘Mm. I suppose you had,’ Maggie sighed.
Reluctantly he got back up from the bed and dressed, not daring to look at her again until he was ready. ‘You gonna come down and kiss me goodbye?’ Chad said hopefully.
‘If you’re good.’
‘You mean I wasn’t good enough already?’ he teased, pretending to be offended. ‘Maybe I’ll have to come back tonight and try harder.’
‘You are so wicked.’ Maggie wagged her finger playfully in his face. ‘Anyway that depends on Emily.’
‘Fair enough.’
They headed downstairs and Chad managed to sneak in several more kisses before she made him leave. Now it was time to get prepared to win over the old lady. If he could get her firmly on his side Maggie would be next.
Chapter Seventeen
‘This is it?’ Chad’s voice rose and Maggie stifled a giggle.
Holland House always surprised people the first time they saw the magnificent white rendered Art Deco era building. No doubt Chad imagined Audrey lived in a sprawling, gloomy old mansion run by a couple of ancient family retainers. ‘It isn’t what you expected?’
‘You know it’s not,’ Chad retorted. ‘You could’ve warned me.’
‘And what fun would that have been?’ She laughed as he mumbled complaints about weird English women under his breath. ‘Park anywhere along the front. Audrey owns the whole house but only lives on the top floor since she was widowed and rents out the downstairs.’
Chad stopped the car and quickly walked around to open Maggie’s door. He took the cake box from her hands while she got out before passing it back to her. Reaching into the car he took out a stunning bouquet of cream lilies. He locked up the car and stood still for a moment, scrutinising her godmother’s home.
‘A lot of people believe this house inspired the designer of the Tate Gallery here in St. Ives,’ Maggie explained, pointing to the sprawling town spread out beneath their view. Clinging to the edge of the water it shimmered in the afternoon sunshine making it obvious why so many artists had been drawn here over the years. ‘I’d tell you more but that would spoil Audrey’s moment of glory.’ She remembered being brought here as a small child by her mother and warned to be on her best behaviour. But Audrey had let her touch anything she wanted as long as she was careful and told her the fascinating stories behind every piece of furniture and the myriad of paintings and sculptures.
‘We wouldn’t want that. She’s going to enjoy crowing over me. I mentioned my interest in early twentieth century English design but she didn’t say anything about owning this little gem.’ Chad chuckled. ‘I may, or may not mention my own family’s pre-Civil War mansion. Depends how much she gloats.’
