“I know, and no one’s happier than me to see it. But three months? Is it possible to organise a wedding in three months?”
“If I recall, sir, the law allows you to do it in twenty-eight days, if you can get the right people together in the right place at the right time.”
“You’re an expert, then?”
“No, but my cousin was last year. She looked into all the legal requirements. Don’t remember much about what she said, but I do remember that.”
Guy inclined his head. “I bow to your superior knowledge. So three months should be a walk in the park, then.”
“In theory, yes, but in practice, it could be a little problematic. If you’ll excuse me, sir?”
“Of course.” Guy grabbed both ends of the small towel still draped around his neck. “Has Ros left any chocolate cake for me?”
With a disgruntled frown creasing her brow, Della gave an indignant huff and resumed her kneading. “There’s plenty left, sir. She hasn’t had so much as a sniff at it since she got back.”
Guy recognised the wounded tone. A touchy subject, then. “You know what brides are like, trying to get into the dress they ordered three sizes too small in anticipation of losing the weight before the wedding. In the meantime, though, I don’t have to get into a wedding dress, so I’ll happily take a slice off your hands.”
About an hour later, his job-related research in the study was interrupted by his niece bounding in, looking fit to burst with joy. Guy set his book aside and braced himself for Ros landing on the sofa beside him. “I take it you have good news?”
Her grin reminded him of the second Christmas morning they’d shared at Stonehaven. He’d dragged her out of bed, every inch the grumbling teenager, and hauled her down to the stables to introduce her to her Christmas present. The transformation as she’d stroked the neck of the horse she’d named Fleming—after her favourite author—had been both a miracle and her Christmas gift to him.
“The best. Simon’s completely on board with bringing our plans forward, and I’ve already contacted Maddie to let her know. I can’t believe it. Three months. Oh good grief, there’s so much to do! What if the registrar’s not available?”
“Try to think positive. The cancellation was for the whole event, not just the venue—the registrar must have been booked, so probably has an opening now. I suggest you call and make the necessary appointments, then you can relax, have a drink, and enjoy the calm before the storm.”
“I guess you’re right. I’ll print the contract, ready for Simon to sign when he gets back tomorrow. The sooner I can get it back to Maddie, the better.”
“Just as well he’s returning early. Why don’t I drop the contract off for you, then you two can make a start on organising everything else?”
The words escaped his out-of-control mouth before he could stop them. Did he have to sound as eager as a hormonal teenage boy to speak to Maddie Scott again?
Probably, since he was eager to do a lot more than simply speak to her. Ever since his visit to Liz’s grave, a feeling of being on the verge of something life-changing had shadowed his every thought. He had no doubt it was connected with the events manager. Never one to act on emotion rather than logic, the situation he now found himself in was… unusual.
For him, at any rate. Plenty of people his age discovered a new lease on life, new beginnings and new relationships. He’d never considered himself likely to be one of them. He’d used up all his luck in love when he found Liz, and luck like that didn’t strike twice in a lifetime. His needs, when it came to relationships were too… specialised.
What if he could set those needs aside, though? Could he do it for a woman like Maddie?
There was only one way to find out.
CHAPTER FOUR
With a spring in his step. Guy left his fiery-red F-type Jaguar in the car park and headed for the front entrance of the hotel. He’d called ahead, so hopefully Maddie would be available—not that he cared if he had to wait. The prospect of spending some time in her company, no matter how short, was worth it.
He gave the doorman a nod and made straight for reception, from where he was escorted to Maddie’s office. As he entered, she rose to meet him, her arm extended for a handshake. This time, he held on a little longer than might be the norm for a business greeting. He looked straight into her eyes, claimed her gaze, and held it until she broke the contact by glancing down in a classic gesture of submission. His interest in her hit a new high.
“Sir Guy, how lovely to see you again. Would you like to take a seat?”
“Thank you, Maddie, and it’s still just Guy.” He waited until she resumed her seat, then took the same chair as last time.
She returned his smile with a radiant one of her own. “I’ll try to remember that. What can I do for you?”
“I’m here on an errand.” He reached into the interior pocket of his jacket and brought out the stiff white envelope. “One contract, signed, sealed and delivered. Given the timescale, I thought it might be advisable to return it in person.”
She nodded and took the envelope from him. “Do you mind if I…?”
“By all means.” He was content to watch her as she checked the signatures on the document. Simon had barely set foot inside Stonehaven before Ros had shoved the contract under his nose, with an unequivocal instruction to sign on the dotted line.
“Everything seems to be in order. Given the timescale, I’ll start the ball rolling immediately. It’ll be our pleasure to provide Ros and Simon with a wedding day to remember.”
“Thank you. After you were kind enough to give us the guided tour, and go through all the options, she said it was no contest.”
“And what about the bridegroom? I assume he’s happy with the choice?”
Guy gave a wry smile. “He’s given her free rein and a blank cheque. He’s a wise man.”
Maddie raised her eyebrows. “I see. Even so, we’ll endeavour to keep costs reasonable.”
“Thank you. Ros did have one stipulation.”
“Yes?”
“At our original meeting, you mentioned the planner we were supposed to see wasn’t available.”
“I remember. She’s back at work now, and I’m sure her schedule could accommodate Ros and Simon.”
“That’s the thing. Ros would prefer you to handle the arrangements—if possible.”
Ros hadn’t said anything of the sort, but Guy had his own agenda for manipulating the truth. He was willing to use any remotely feasible excuse to remain on Maddie’s radar.
“I can assure you all members of my team are highly competent and experienced. Between them, over the last five years, they’ve handled some very high-profile weddings.”
“I don’t doubt it, but you impressed my niece so much, she’d like you to manage her big day.”
Maddie appeared to weigh up his words. At least she hadn’t refused outright… yet. Although he didn’t think it was the kind of decision that warranted quite this much consideration.
“It’s unusual, but I don’t see why not.” Her smile warmed him from the inside out. “I should probably keep my hand in occasionally, anyway.”
“Good. Now that we’ve settled that, I have a request of my own—have dinner with me.”
Whatever reaction he might have anticipated, Guy hadn’t expected her face to drain of all colour.
“I… I’m not sure it would be a good idea, Sir Guy.”
He noted the use of his title to put distance between them. He didn’t like it. His Dom side bristled. “Does the hotel have a policy of non-fraternisation with clients?”
“Not exactly—there’s nothing in the code of conduct, but…”
“But?” he pressed when she fell silent.
“I’m not sure it would be a good idea.”
“So you said—without much conviction, if I might add? Go on, admit it—you’re tempted.”
“Yes, but—”
“All you have to do is give me a definite no, and I won�
��t mention it again.”
It was a risky strategy, but he’d seen enough indecision in her expression to consider pushing her a little a chance worth taking. There were dozens of ways she could have declined the invitation, but she hadn’t flat out turned him down. Now he’d presented her with the perfect out—if she chose to take it.
“Thank you for the invitation, Guy. I… I think I would like to have dinner with you.”
The gamble paid off, in spite of the element of disbelief in her expression. She looked as if she couldn’t quite work out how much trouble her mouth had just got her into. Still, she’d accepted, and that was all that mattered. Not one to waste time congratulating himself, Guy struck while the iron was hot. “Excellent. What time shall I pick you up?”
“Er, when were you thinking of—”
“Ah, forgive me. This evening, unless you’re busy, in which case, when are you free? What’s up? Cat got your tongue?” The smile he gave her had been known to coax the shyest of willing subs into dropping their inhibitions as well as their clothing.
“You’re not one to let the grass grow under your feet, are you?”
“Not when I see something I want.”
“Something?”
“Dinner with you, of course. What did you think I meant?”
She’d relaxed enough to flirt with him a little, as much as he was flirting with her. God, it felt good, like exercising a muscle he hadn’t used in a while. Maybe it was a little whimsical, but he almost imagined Liz nodding in approval, satisfied that she could leave him to manage his own life. Maybe there was something to that afterlife business, after all.
He sent Maddie a look that dared her to answer.
“I think you’re a man who’s used to getting exactly what he wants.”
He shrugged. “We all like to get what we want. Don’t we?”
“Sometimes, Sir Guy, getting what we want is dangerous. Sometimes it’s better for us to get what we need.”
He leaned forward, pinning her with a gaze she wouldn’t be able to escape. “So tell me, sweet one—what is it you need?”
>>><<<
The memory of her expression when he’d asked that question still held him captivated some hours later, on his way back to the hotel to pick her up for dinner. As a passenger in the Rolls-Royce Phantom he’d recently acquired for his collection, at least he didn’t have to divide his concentration between that and driving.
For what he hoped would be the first of many dates, he’d chosen to go formal black tie, rather than the Hollywood version Ros had dared to suggest. The twinkle in her smile had given away the deliberate teasing behind the inflammatory remark. He was both glad and relieved to see the smile back on her face after her uncertainty of a few days ago. And he still wasn’t sure how he’d managed to keep the identity of his date from her.
As he’d tied the bow tie and fastened the immaculate black waistcoat, he’d done a final mental run-through of the arrangements for the evening. That they’d got this far without Maddie calling to cancel was promising. In the hours since she’d accepted his invitation to dinner, he’d been a little disconcerted to discover how much a successful outcome for the evening meant to him.
The flowers sitting beside him on the rear passenger seat were a minor triumph. Tracking down a florist who could supply a bouquet that emulated the colours of the flowers in Maddie’s office at such short notice had been an interesting mission.
The car pulled up outside Remington Grange half an hour ahead of their reservation at the Michelin-starred restaurant about five miles away. He’d been surprised to learn Maddie lived in the hotel’s staff wing, but in one way, he couldn’t blame her. His London pied-à-terre was close enough to his old office to be considered “living over the shop”. The convenience had been useful whenever a security crisis had arisen.
Not his circus, not his monkeys, not anymore. A different set of challenges awaited him in his new role, and he was more than ready to get his teeth into them.
He was accompanied to the staff wing this time, to a quiet hallway with four doors. The last on the left was Maddie’s. As his escort left, he knocked and waited.
The phrase “vision of loveliness” didn’t come close to doing her justice. She’d asked him where they were going for dinner, so she could dress appropriately. He hadn’t revealed the name of the restaurant, but her halter-neck evening gown was perfect, both the style and colour. Deep plum-red suited her down to the ground. When they reached the restaurant, heads would turn and jaws drop.
“Good evening, Si—Guy. Would you like to come in?”
“Good evening, Maddie. If I may say so, you look amazing.”
Pink tinted her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you for agreeing to join me.” He offered her the bouquet.
Her response was unexpected. Given that he’d matched the flowers to the colours of the ones in her office, he’d hoped for pleasure rather than shock. Strangely, her reaction reminded him of the kind that usually came with the exposure of a deep, dark secret. “Maddie?”
“I’m sorry. They’re beautiful, thank you. And my favourite colours, too. How did you know?”
Whatever had caused her unexpected reaction, she seemed to have recovered. She took the flowers from him and headed for the kitchen. Guy followed.
“I remembered seeing something similar in your office. Here, let me.”
She’d removed a crystal vase from one of the cupboards. Guy took it from her and filled it with water, then watched as she arranged the blooms to her satisfaction.
“Where would you like them?” He picked up the vase.
“Thank you. There’s a table in front of the window in the sitting room—they’d be perfect there.”
But not as perfect as you.
Guy carried the flowers to the designated spot. Maddie made a few minute adjustments to the positioning of the stems, then bent her head, and closed her eyes to inhale the scent.
“They’re wonderful.”
“I’m glad you like them. Are you ready to go?”
“I think so. I just need to collect my wrap from the bedroom.”
As she disappeared into the other room, Guy took the opportunity to assess his surroundings. Neat and tidy without being minimalist, feminine without being flowery, her apartments suited her, and were exactly what he would have expected.
“I can understand the convenience of living here, but why?” He offered Maddie his arm. “Isn’t it a little too convenient for the hotel’s management, having you on the doorstep, so to speak?”
She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Perhaps, but I like being here in case anything does go wrong with any of our events.”
“Does that happen often?”
“No, not often, but even with the best preparation in the world, unforeseen circumstances can lead to incidents you haven’t allowed for. When it does happen, we use whatever it is as a learning experience in the hope that it’ll improve our service. Do we need to call a taxi?”
“Not at all. I have a car waiting. Shall we?”
Together they retraced Guy’s route through the hotel. When they emerged from the building, Maddie gave him a puzzled look. He glanced in the direction of the Rolls-Royce, where the suited and booted driver was standing by the open rear door.
“You’re not serious? Guy, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”
She sounded almost horrified, which added to the mystery that was Maddie. Every interaction he had with her only attracted him more. Fortunately, her horror didn’t prevent her from accompanying him to the car and taking her place on the back seat.
“It’s no trouble. I like to make a good impression on a first date.”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Excuse me?” Her murmured words almost made it sound as if they’d been on a first date before, which wasn’t only ridiculous, it was impossible.
“From the last time I went on a first date. He tried so hard to impres
s me.”
That should have made sense, but Guy’s instincts sniffed hurried improvisation rather than truth in the words. Any suspicions he might have had, however, were crushed by his reaction to the concept of her dating another man. The mere thought made him want to snarl and growl and beat his chest, which was bloody uncivilised behaviour in a knight of the realm. And over a woman he’d only just met, to boot.
“And in case you’re wondering,” Maddie continued as she fastened her seatbelt, “my last first date was so long ago, I can only remember the edited highlights. It was also a last date.”
“Ah.” On the whole, fist-pumping wasn’t something he did on a regular basis—or any other basis, come to that. Just as well it remained a purely mental expression of satisfaction. “Where did he go wrong? So I know what not to do when I’m working on getting a second date with you.”
“Isn’t that a little presumptuous?”
“Not at all—it’s forward planning, and highly recommended for any campaign.”
“Oh, so I’m a campaign now?”
Damn it, but he was out of practice when it came to seducing the opposite sex. Take a breath, and next time you open your mouth, try not to put both feet in it.
“You’re the woman I’m planning to see again after tonight.”
“As I said, a little presumptuous. You may find you can’t wait for tonight to end.”
“I couldn’t wait for it to begin. And nothing I’ve seen so far leads me to believe I’ll be even remotely happy to see it end.”
“So when do you envisage it ending?”
After breakfast tomorrow. Guaranteed to freak her out. He’d save that for another time. “When I leave you at your door after a successful first date, with a firm commitment to a follow-up.”
“There’s nothing like confidence.”
“Maybe so, but that’s definitely a smile on your face, Ms. Scott.”
Over the course of dinner, Guy saw that smile an awful lot more, and the more he saw it, the more he liked it. He listened to Maddie’s stories about the weddings and other events she’d planned, and his enchantment with her flourished. At the end of the evening, it was with great reluctance that he returned her to Remington Grange.
No Going Back (Club Aegis Book 6) Page 4