by Lisa Hobman
There seemed to be little consideration for Cassie in his monologue and worry niggled at the back of her mind. ‘Yes, but you’re your own person, Seth. You don’t need to follow everyone else’s life plan. We can decide on things like kids together when we’re both ready.’
He released her and held her at arm’s length. ‘No, I’m aware of that. But this is my life plan, Cassie. I want a large family. And don’t call them kids. Kids are baby goats, darling.’ She scowled at him and opened her mouth to retort but he placed a finger on her lips. ‘Sorry…sorry that was snide and uncalled for. It’s just that I need to have children. It’s something I’ve always wanted and not just because of the family line. You do understand that, don’t you?’
She clenched her jaw. ‘Yes. Yes of course I understand.’ The last thing she wanted was to be railroaded into being barefoot and pregnant before she was ready. But she loved him, he was the perfect man for her and she didn’t want to fight on their anniversary so she decided to lighten the mood.
‘Well, when you propose to me properly, Mr Guthrie, we’ll discuss such matters then, hmm? In the meantime, there’s no harm in practising, is there? Now are you going to get me an ice-cream or what?’ She pulled away from him and took off towards the ice-cream stall where a long queue was forming and he followed behind with a handsome smile on his face.
The rest of the day was free from talk of marriage and babies and Cassie was grateful for that small mercy; feeling so much more relaxed because of it.
Later, back at the little cottage they made love again and then showered and dressed for dinner. Cassie wore the little black designer dress that Seth had bought her from a very exclusive Edinburgh boutique. It fit like a glove and hugged her curves perfectly. She loved the reaction it elicited from him when she wore it.
He walked up and slipped his arms around her waist. ‘Well, look at you. I do know how to pick clothes, don’t I?’
She shook her head. ‘Do I sense a hint of arrogance there, Mr Guthrie?’ she teased.
He leaned in to kiss the exposed flesh of her neck. ‘Not arrogance, darling. Just the truth.’ He patted her bottom before turning away. ‘Now come on. Something about this country air has given me a huge appetite and I don’t just mean for you, my tasty morsel.’
A taxi was waiting outside the cottage which surprised Cassie as Seth always preferred to drive when he had the chance. Like a true gent he opened the door and allowed Cassie to climb in first and when they later pulled up outside the bistro he was out first to do the same.
With her arm linked in his they walked into the dimly-lit, busy restaurant. The delicious aroma of garlic and Herbes de Provence emanating from the kitchen made Cassie’s stomach growl in anticipation as a smartly dressed young man showed them to a secluded table towards the back. Seth pulled out Cassie’s chair and she sat.
‘We’ll have a bottle of your finest Bordeaux to begin with please,’ Seth informed the waiter before taking his seat.
‘Very good, sir. Here are your menus. I’ll be back shortly.’ He handed the leather-bound booklets to them and left.
Seth glanced around their surroundings and crumpled his nose as he regarded the wax covered wine bottle acting as a candle holder in the centre of the table. ‘I didn’t think people still did that,’ he said with disdain.
‘Oh, I think it’s quite sweet. It’s rustic.’
He reached across the table and took her hand. ‘That’s why I love you. You have this amazing ability to see beauty in ugly things.’
She paused for a moment and frowned as she let his strange words sink in. A little patronising perhaps but she knew that when it came to expressing himself outside of the business world his turn of phrase could leave a lot to be desired.
‘Don’t scowl, poppet. You’ll get permanent lines and that would ruin your pretty face. Anyway, you know what I meant. I like modern, clean lines and fresh colours. But you… you like derelict things. Old things that people would usually discard. And I don’t just mean me.’ He chuckled.
And just like that his apparent arrogance had changed to self-deprecation and her heart warmed once more. ‘Like I said earlier, you’re not old, silly.’
The waiter arrived with the wine and poured a little into Seth’s glass for him to try it. He took a sip and paused with a slight grimace on his face. He glanced up and Cassie pleaded at him with her eyes not to say anything negative.
Seth placed his glass down. ‘Yes, that’s fine. Thank you.’ Cassie breathed a sigh of relief and was sure she saw the waiter do the same.
Once the waiter had taken their orders for food he left again and Seth sighed. ‘I should’ve taken you to Glitterati in Edinburgh like I wanted to.’ He spoke quietly as if only to himself.
Cassie reached over and squeezed his hand. ‘No, no this is lovely. So quaint and—’
‘Dark,’ he interjected.
She sighed. ‘I was going to say cosy.’
‘Anyway, whilst I remember I need to let you know we have a very busy week ahead. Do you have your diary?’ Seth asked as he took another hesitant sip of his wine.
Cassie took a drink and placed down her glass thinking it didn’t taste bad at all in her opinion. ‘You want to talk about that now?’
He shrugged. ‘Might as well synchronise diaries, poppet.’ Reluctantly Cassie reached into her oversized new designer bag and pulled out her mobile phone at which point Seth heaved a sigh. ‘Why don’t you use the diary I bought you?’
Cassie frowned, wondering how to inform him that the huge Filofax was rather cumbersome. ‘I prefer to put things in my phone then I can set reminders. You know how scatter-brained I can be.’
He raised his eyebrows. ‘Well it’s to be hoped you never lose the damn thing then, eh?’
Her temper began to rise and she hissed, ‘Bloody hell, Seth, I’m not twelve.’
He glared at her momentarily and then smiled. ‘You’re right, darling. I apologise. Now… Monday is dinner with Jasper and Pippa.’
Cassie looked down at her phone and secretly rolled her eyes. Jasper was such a lecherous prat—always aiming any conversation directly at her breasts. Pippa on the other hand was around the same age as Cassie and really quite lovely. She had to wonder what Pippa saw in Jasper. She genuinely seemed to adore him. Pippa, Vina and Cassie often met for cocktails in Glasgow City centre and Pippa always had some story to tell about her husband. It was clear she was aware of his nuances but it didn’t seem to bother her. Seth called them the terrible trio and feigned annoyance whenever she arranged her girls’ nights. But she knew that secretly he loved the fact that Cassie had a ready-made friendship with his younger sister.
She typed into the calendar on her phone. ‘Okay. Noted.’
‘Tuesday, we have dinner with my parents.’ He thumbed through his slim black diary. ‘Wednesday, we’re going to the theatre with Maxwell and Sophia Grant. I may be working with Max in the near future so it’s a good chance to meet with them and get friendly. Oh and just a heads-up—don’t call him Max to his face. He hates it. Thursday I’m working late so you’ll need to get dinner before I’m home. And Friday—’
‘Erm… Friday I’m travelling to Cumbria to see my dad. I did tell you. I promised him I’d go for the weekend.’
Seth’s eyes widened with alarm. ‘The whole weekend?’
Cassie nodded. ‘Yes. Seth he’s my dad. I don’t get to see him that often I can hardly believe you’d begrudge me one weekend,’ she pleaded knowing full well she shouldn’t have to.
He huffed and closed his eyes. ‘I don’t begrudge it, darling. Not at all. It just messes things up, that’s all.’
Cassie shook her head as annoyance began to build. ‘He’s my dad, for goodness sake.’
Seth reached across the table and stroked her arm. ‘Let’s just leave it for now, okay? We can rearrange things. Perhaps you could visit the weekend after?’ Cassie opened her mouth to protest but Seth held up his hand. ‘Here comes our meal. Let’s not spoil the ev
ening.’
They ate in silence for a while and Cassie was glad that the food was so delicious that it distracted her from the anger that had begun to bubble up at her boyfriend’s inconsiderate attitude. Eventually her anger began to dissipate and she placed her cutlery down at the end of the meal and rested her hand on her full tummy.
‘That was wonderful but I could do with a nap now I’m so full.’ She huffed.
Seth smiled. ‘So you’re not angry with me anymore?’
She rolled her eyes, frustrated in the knowledge that staying angry at Seth Guthrie was something she just couldn’t do. ‘No. You’re forgiven but only because I’m too stuffed to fight.’
‘Well in that case, I think we should have a toast.’ He nodded over her shoulder and suddenly the waiter appeared with two champagne flutes and a bottle of Bollinger. The thought of more alcohol, especially the bubbly kind, made Cassie feel a little bilious but she smiled wide in spite of the fact.
‘Oh, how lovely. Bolly, my favourite.’ The truth was she had never even tasted champagne until she met Seth. But she had definitely acquired a taste for it.
The waiter poured them a glass each and left them alone yet again.
Seth smoothed his tie down and took a deep breath. ‘Well I’m hoping we’ll soon have more than just our third anniversary as a couple to celebrate.’
In her overstuffed state, Cassie wondered what on earth he was talking about. Probably another business deal in the bag. ‘More?’
He fumbled inside his jacket and Cassie couldn’t believe he was going to get his damn diary out again after their earlier argument. But instead when he revealed his hand once more he held in it a small, black velvet box and she gasped as her hands instinctively covered her heart.
He pulled his chair around so he was seated closer and he took her hand. ‘Cassie Montgomery, you’re the most frustratingly intriguing and beautiful, yet sometimes the most absurd creature I’ve ever met. And I want to be the one to look after you. Will you let me do that?’ He released her hand and opened the box causing a flash of sparkle to dazzle her. Nestled in the cushion was a very large, diamond cluster ring. She stared at it and then up at him and then back at the bling in the box.
‘Cassie? Darling, will you?’
She burst into tears and lurched into his lap. ‘Oh yes, Seth. I will.’
*
The following morning she awoke with a very fuzzy head and a mouth as dry as the Sahara. She lifted her hand to examine her ring once again. In the light of day, it was even bigger and more ostentatious than she remembered. It was a real statement piece. Yes, that’s what it was. A statement of his undying love for her.
As Seth lay contentedly snoring beside her she replayed his proposal over and over in her mind, smiling at how perfect it had been. Until it dawned on her that he hadn’t actually asked her to marry him. Not in those exact words. What he’d asked was if he could look after her. Like she was a pet or an elderly person. Or worse still, a mistress.
At least he hadn’t broached the whole ‘obey’ situation again, nor that of babies. She knew deep down now, that he was just eager to get on with their life together as a married couple but that once he calmed down he would see there was no great rush. After all, she wanted to make sure she was settled in her new business venture for a couple of years at least before they married and started thinking about expanding their family of two. She had always loved the written word and her adoration for stories had led her to study literature at university with the ultimate goal of making a career out of her love. Becoming an editor and proofreader had seemed such a natural step for her and it was something that she could easily do freelance; an appealing prospect considering the social life she now had with Seth. Aside from movies, music and the man in her life, books were still her great passion. Becoming Mrs Seth Guthrie was also a very exciting prospect and so what if he didn’t technically ask her to marry him? It was inferred by the dramatic and gigantic cluster of rocks catching the light from her finger.
Seth awoke and rolled on top of her. He began to kiss her neck. ‘Good morning, future Mrs Guthrie. God, that makes you even sexier now, you know?’ He mumbled as he nibbled at her sensitive flesh. He tugged at her nightshirt and moaned. ‘Too many clothes again.’
Chapter Three
Standing in Edinburgh’s Glitterati restaurant the weekend following Seth’s bizarre marriage proposal, things were now clearer: why he had been so frustrated about her weekend visit to Cumbria, why he had been so keen to synchronise their diaries. And why he’d talked of rearranging things. He’d had the whole engagement party planned in advance and it just made her love him more. He’d wanted to surprise her and it had certainly worked. Now, here she was in the beautiful top-notch eatery, surrounded by the people she loved who were there to help the couple celebrate their wonderful news. He had even planned the music and chosen the closest things to love songs he could find from all her favourite bands and she had to fight tears as Pearl Jam’s ‘Just Breathe’ floated from the hidden speakers. He knew her so well.
Seth had even arranged for Cassie’s father to travel from Cumbria for the event and he had come armed with new photos of Patch, his little Jack Russel crossbreed. He’d bought the cute bundle of fur to keep him company seeing as he missed Bilbo very much. Cassie flicked through the images with a giggle. He was such a cutie and she really missed having a dog around. But Seth wouldn’t hear of having pets. He didn’t really tolerate mess of any sort. That was just one of the foibles that Cassie had accepted and learned to deal with, although having a dog around was something that she wished he would change his mind about.
Glitterati was the most exclusive restaurant in Edinburgh and it fit Seth to a T. White walls surrounded them, overhead crystal chandeliers with modern, rectangular shards reflected rainbows of light around the large space. White leather covered the seating at the bar and at the tables, and pristine white marble floors lay underfoot. As she gazed around the place, Cassie wondered with amusement if perhaps the restaurant owner had based his décor on Seth’s apartment. It was eerily similar.
Even though they usually spent their weekends in their home city of Glasgow, Seth had insisted on the best for his bride-to-be. Of course, he had the connections to save the date at short notice and their gathering had taken over the place for the whole evening. Cassie dreaded to think how much it had all cost but she knew better than to ask.
Vina and Pippa were there to congratulate her on her exciting news and Jasper had, of course, inadvertently congratulated her breasts. Lots of people from the Guthrie’s property company were there, wealthy associates too and his parents seemed delighted with the news of their son’s impending nuptials.
Cassie’s dad was a little bewildered, however. ‘It’s a bit showy this, eh, Cassie?’ her dad asked after kissing her on the cheek. He fidgeted with the tie he was wearing and looked incredibly uncomfortable in his attire. He was more of a jeans and jumpers type.
Cassie laughed knowingly. ‘Welcome to the life of the Guthries, Dad.’
He shook his head and whistled as he peered around the lavish, achromatic surroundings of the restaurant. ‘I don’t think I’d ever get used to it, Cassie. And in all honesty, I’m surprised you have.’
A little upset by his comment, she scrunched her brow. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ She had always presumed that Seth was the epitome of the perfect man that her father had hoped for her. His money, his ambition and most of all the fact that he worshipped her were all the things that had been clear priorities to her dad. Or so she had thought.
He sighed. ‘This is all just very… Seth.’ He was right. Seth was a tiny bit obsessed with all things white and pristine, so Glitterati was the obvious choice of venue for him. But like her father, Cassie was more at home in wellingtons and scruffy jeans, walking around the countryside or sitting on a beach in the rain.
In fact, when she was small that had been their favourite pastime. Her father would take her to St Bees
Head, regardless of the weather and they would walk down to the bay to skim stones and eat sandwiches on the sand. Then it would be a trip to the beach café on the seafront for ice-cream cones. He had always made a big deal of quality time, especially after Cassie’s mum passed away. Cassie had little to no actual memory of the woman who gave birth to her but her dad made sure that she stayed alive in conversations and stories. He had done everything he could to ensure that his daughter never went without; often meaning he would do just that himself. Yet he never complained.
She turned to face her dad and found him watching her with a look of concern creasing his brow. ‘What’s wrong, Dad? I thought you’d be happy that I’m going to be secure now I’m all grown up.’
He smiled but the reaction didn’t reach his eyes. ‘Are you happy though, sweetheart? That’s my main concern. All the money in the world doesn’t matter if you’re not happy.’
She placed her hands firmly on his arms and fixed him with a sincere gaze. ‘Ecstatically so, Dad. You have nothing to worry about on that score. It’s not the money. He loves me and I love him right back. He treats me so well and has my best interests at heart in everything. You can rest assured that my happiness is as important to Seth as it is to you.’
He cupped her cheek in his rough, over-worked palm. ‘That’s good to hear. I just… I worry that’s all.’
She smiled and shook her head. ‘There really is no need. Honestly.’
He pursed his lips. ‘But… don’t you think he’s just a bit too—’
She quickly folded her arms across her chest defensively. ‘If you’re going to say old then don’t even go there.’
His brow crumpled again. ‘Actually, I was going to say wealthy and different. He’s just so… well… the opposite of you. You’re sweet and funny and kind. You’re down to earth. You know hardship and it’s made you the person you are.’