by Taylor R. C.
- I was probably drunk when I agreed. What a waste!
- Mr. Anderson, tell him that caring for abandoned children is a noble act.
Pottes asked politely, Jack agreed, turning to James with a knowing look that made him want to throw up in mockery.
- You are a very noble person, not only for the title, but for your actions ...
- Is Ramires' corpse an example? Jack hid it with a gesture.
- Kindness has limits, doesn't it?
James sat back in his chair, resting his chin on his hand with his famous expression of boredom that was as common as his morbid mood.
- Patience too, and you two ... - He pointed to Pottes and Jack. - They're exhausting mine!
- It's all for the blazer ...
Pottes said leaving the room, he had time to dodge the empty silver inkstand that James hurled, Jack burst out laughing, while they were alone.
- I read something about it in the paper. - He said and got a sharp look. - Did it affect your sensitive nerves?
- Why don't you fuck yourself?
- James, we all know, I'm already fucked!
The Baron threw himself against the sofa just wishing to be alone, and everyone knew something, he was not a being who liked company.
- Do you want something or did you just come to dirty my rug?
The man looked at his boots, but shrugged, not caring whether he was destroying something that came from centuries ago or not.
- Always dirty the carpet, but I also want to warn you that I will have to leave the city for a few days, I need to know if you will need me ...
- Finally good news. James waved his hand dismissively. - Short, I will be grateful, if I need to know!
- Won't you even ask where I'm going?
- Not! His tone was dry and Jack snorted.
- How ungrateful ... - He jumped to his feet, continuing. - The body will show up this afternoon, if it were you, the pottes are right, that shit only worked until today because nobody would suspect the Blackcastle!
James looked at Jack contrite and with another hand gesture told him to leave. When he was alone he took a deep breath and let his defensive posture fall. He didn't need to be reminded of why it works and why he still kept it, that shit had cost him his life, left him dry, and deep down, desperate, because the only time he missed his all was lost.
Chapter 03
They had to go to [6]Kent County, on the outskirts of London, where a castle that now served as an orphanage for children, Gisele could not say that it was not a beautiful gesture, but she knew that it was all a superficial act.
- I'm tempted to roll on the grass with you and lift your dress!
Benett said as they walked towards the castle gardens where the reception was organized with several tents, and people impeccably dressed, and with no signs of children, that "interestingly" were the reason for that.
- What a pity for you that you will not succeed.
Gisele responded without much humor to jokes. It was really uncomfortable there, it didn't matter if she wore a beautiful Prada dress, floral and fluid, that made her look like the epitome of elegance, yet that place made her feel like the ragged and dirty girl abandoned from childhood . She sighed, fixing a loose lock of her hair that swayed in the wind, escaping the deconstructed bun she had made.
- Relax, everything will be fine!
He whispered in her ear, Gisele agreed, but serious. They went to a table in the back, because the invitations that Benett had obtained at the last minute were not the best, but it was discreet and still gave a view of the entire open space, so it would serve, God knows how he had arranged it, since there was practically no space in that place.
- You better find a reason for me to be here soon. - Gisele said.
- I will find ... - He pulled the chair for her to sit. - We are at the table with one or two old people, don't scare them, I'll be back with a drink soon!
Gisele sat at the table, still empty, casting an impatient look at Benett.
- I hate it when you tell me things at the last minute.
- If I say everything before you dismiss me!
His rascal smile almost cheered her up. He turned around mingling among those people while Gisele stood there praying that the “old men” had given up on coming. She threw her bag on the table without much elegance and opening it, looking for her cell phone, found the next minute, she had a message from an unknown number, which made her frown.
"You rascal, disappear and before the good news, I will get married" ...
Oliver!
She smiled. Little Oli had the perfect team, his message cheered her up, making her happy that he finally doubled the Italian for good, he already knew he would have to go to a wedding soon.
- God hates me!
The voice, in the beautiful British tone, and the phrase made her take her eyes off her cell phone immediately, her whole body tense with fright, followed by shock. The Baron, James Watts, who hovered above her, seemed to have come from the path of the garden maze, where there was clearly no movement, so it could not be noticed. He wore a gray suit, without a tie, wore retro sunglasses, looked very - not to mention stunning - well. Gisele tried to regain her placidity and put a smile on her face, putting away her cell phone.
- Should I take offense?
James wanted to look at the sky and curse that deity loud and clear. He didn't understand how he was before that woman again. She was sitting at her desk and at first she was startled, of course, but she soon recovered, pasting that mocking smile on her lips.
- Get off my table!
She raised her eyebrow, giving evidence to her eyes, outlined by a soft dark line of makeup.
- Oh, are you the old man who will share the table?
Gisele knew that she should follow the “good girl” line, but the “bad girl” was speaking louder, the man in front of her took off her glasses, staring at her with pure coldness.
- Do you happen to know who I am? - The creature bit his lip giving a smirk that made him want to grunt.
- Should? - She hid it.
- I'll have you thrown out ...
James decided to be short and thick. The woman crossed her arms and smiled in a way that disarmed him.
- But first tell me who it is!
The way he frowned was really funny.
- I won't say anything, just leave, before they send you away.
- I'm a guest!
- Obviously not mine!
He stared at that very perfect face like a doll, but smug and smiling, waiting for her to have the dignity to get up and leave, but the creature didn't seem to have the intention.
- I'm Gisele Linsey! - She said extending her hand in order to disarm him.
James didn't want to meet her or anything, so he ignored it, casting a look around the garden looking for someone who could get out of the way.
- James!
The call and recognition of whoever belonged to the voice almost made him dig a hole with his own hands to hide. Everything but that my God ... He asked mentally, but of course, he was not answered and had to face a nightmare in life, Cassandra Towler.
- Shit ...
He said, however, Gisele listened and could not help but be amused by the Baron's clear despair when he saw the redhead approach with her hands outstretched and ready to grab him. Moving quickly, he came around behind her chair, sitting beside her, putting on his glasses, clearly pretending not to have seen or heard anything.
- Beautiful arrangement of the tents, isn't it?
Gisele turned to him, arching an eyebrow and laughing, James tapped her on the knee with his under the table, hoping she would collaborate, actually, mentally begging.
- James?
Cassandra called again and looked at Gisele beside him. That red-haired woman was the nightmare becoming real in James's life, she was the daughter of one of her investors in a steel subsidiary in the USA and the more times he dissuaded that madwoman who wanted nothing to do with her, wo
rse thing he was, the last time he had practically been naked in front of her, in her father's office, which made him run like a devil from the cross.
- Oh, Miss. Towler, what a surprise to see you!
The redhead's eyes were on Gisele, she could feel the hatred, even though she was still staring at the Baron, took another nudge from him with her knee, gave a sigh and decided to move, deciding that it was much better to do him a favor than to laugh at your face ruining your escape plan.
"Aren't you going to introduce the girl to me, dear?"
James didn't know if he died or laughed at that falsehood of that Gisele, but he gave his best smile, placing his hand behind his back on the back of the chair, getting closer and looking at Cassandra, for a moment he was distracted by the sweet smell, with something of jasmine? I wasn't sure, but it was very good ... Of course the devil would smell good ... He continued to roll his eyes behind his glasses.
- This is the daughter of one of my investors, the one from the United States that I've been telling you about, sweetie ...
Gisele bit the inside of her cheek, wanting to give a "sweetie" right in the middle of Baronete's face, but she only kept the facade, but not the other woman.
- What the hell is that James? - Cassandra demanded to know. - Who is this bitch? Has no shame?
- Jesus, so many questions. - Gisele scorned. - Should he answer in alphabetical order or can it be random?
James choked on a laugh. That woman was perverse ... And she found that when all her debauchery wasn't aimed at him, it was really fun. Cassandra paled and it was uncertain whether it was out of disbelief or anger.
- Nobody spoke to the dog. - The redhead said and looked at James. - And you start to explain yourself!
- Explain what Cassandra? James sighed. - We have nothing, you are just a spoiled child wanting a new toy and I already told you that I am not interested in being one!
Even Gisele felt the blow of those words, however, Cassandra just laughed at them as if they were something she heard every day from him.
- I thought it was different ... What did you see in that one?
Cassandra's disdainful look was supposed to be deadly, but the woman beside him didn't even move, James was a little surprised.
- Do you really care? - he returned.
- Say it...
- You asked for it. - He pointed out. - Not a redhead!
A laugh erupted from Gisele, it cannot be contained, Cassandra looked at everything finally indignant and then taking some decency she stepped out of there stepping hard. James removed his arm from behind her and looked at the figure beside her who covered her lips in a hushed laugh, the sound was lovely, and for the first time in a while I found myself kind of laughing.
- How bad you are! - She said between the laughs she didn't hold.
- Desperate measures to get rid of her, she's crazy.
- Now you're finally going to introduce yourself? - Gisele shrugged as she continued. - I was very offended here.
He sighed, ran a hand over his beard, before taking off his glasses and finally staring.
- I'm James Watts, eighth Baron of Blackcastle if you prefer ...
Gisele raised her eyebrow, not bothering to look surprised, she had already adopted a line of treatment with him, shrinking now just for who he was would not match.
- Should I bow or something?
- Yes, I should get on my knees and kiss my hand!
James wasn't sure why he provoked it, or actually did, but he remained serious waiting for a reaction. A smile appeared on her lips, which was too perfect not to attract attention, then that gesture reached the figure's so striking eyes.
- You would love to see me on your knees wouldn't you? - She laughed. - Especially yesterday!
The sight of her on her knees took a second to materialize in James' head and this reflected directly in his groin, he didn't like that, not at all ... Don't even cheer up, because from this "bush" nothing will come out Watts ... He shrugged.
- Yesterday I wanted to strangle you!
- And now?
Gisele bit her lip waiting for an answer, but she already had an idea, he should be diverging between hating her or loving her.
- Deciding whether to put you out or not ...
- I will make a scandal! - She said very happy, James was not surprised.
- Should I thank you for the warning?
- No, you are not a gentleman for that.
- Touché!
She turned her face with a half smile, he cannot fail to assess her delicate countenance, seeing her so closely he could see the small freckles on her nose, she was a woman of soft constitution, but her personality had already been quite brusque, at least.
- What do you do here? She asked directly, staring at him.
- I'm the benefactor! - Said without modesty.
- It doesn't do more than the obligation, does it?
James arched a thick eyebrow and his blue eyes, which had been so serious in that handsome face, became more audacious. Gisele had already decided that being bland with him was not the way, because what caught his attention was precisely the lack of it, she was not foolish not to notice.
- Please tell me, because until today I didn't know I had such an obligation!
- You are clearly one of those privileged with an immense fortune, so for me, people like that have more than the obligation to try to improve the world ...
- Are you a communist? - Pretended disgust.
- Not even far. - Gisele rolled her eyes. - It's just a way of seeing the world!
- Why are you among those privileged? - He frowned. - The way I said it made it seem like it's not ...
- And I don't, I'm a restorer of masterpieces, but I took the time to just travel the world and not be stuck inside a room with rare things, as old as they are.
The lie flowed on her lips as easily as sucking on a candy, and a lot because it wasn't all a lie, Gisele studied to be a restorer, but she never worked in museums or anywhere legal, she worked for criminals identifying pieces, stealing some, it was a good weather, but it was too dangerous for your taste.
- How interesting and how did it get here?
- I have a friend here in London, who is at that table, but he disappeared a long time ago!
Everything was forwarded. Gisele smiled, had put Benett in the game, because it was more than obvious that he was on the prowl, he must have seen the Baron and let her act.
- Something is wrong, I ordered this table to be free for me, actually for an old couple. He made an exasperated sound. - My strategy of not being harassed didn't help, nobody respects the elderly anymore!
- Benett got the last minute invitations and dragged me because he didn't want to come alone, they must have thought that as they were elderly, there would be no problem in sharing the table!
James watched the woman in front of him with more curiosity than he wanted, he hadn't been interested in women or anyone in a long time, and he was fine with that.
- Heads will roll ... - Said sounding like a tyrant.
- I saved you, so I don't think so! - She gave his shoulder a little push. - You should thank me for being here ...
Her gesture was so natural that it left James a little disturbed as he watched her, trying to hide what was happening to him.
- Stop playing in the face!
Gisele laughed more than satisfied to play in his face, but decided to extend the conversation, she was already sure that she would not be expelled.
- So, did you give the castle?
- I was storing dust. - He shrugged. - And you can't even sell easily ...
- For me you show a very calculated apathy.
James looked at her face in a way that would make anyone back away, however, not Gisele Linsey, she was still waiting for an answer.
- And for me you are seeing hair in egg!
"Your puns look like a five-year-old's ..." She laughed.
- And to match your mental age ...
Gisele could not lie how good that sharp dispute was being, since the Baron had a dry, acidic sense of humor, and it seemed a little like her own mood.
- Do you always go around offending women? - Questioned curiously.
- No, just the irritants.
- The irritants and that save your skin from crazy redheads?
- Precisely ...
James minimized by looking away and hiding the urge to laugh. That afternoon was getting weirder and weirder, he couldn't say why he felt so comfortable with a stranger.
- Well, I think I'll go after my friend and stop pestering Your grace. - He said standing up.
- Your grace is the treatment given to dukes!
He said trying to disguise the immediate desire that came to him to ask the woman to remain there, but if he contained himself, he would not play that role and above all he knew he could not.
- Obviously I would love for you to explain the types of treatments given to bondholders, but it will be for the next one, or not! - Gisele winked. - Goodbye, Baron!
James watched her turn and actually go, he observed in disgust. He didn't want to keep his attention on her and as much as he tried to avoid it, it was inevitable, he even put his glasses back on, even though the afternoon light was already fading, but that way he would be able to look at Gisele Linsey longer without getting caught.
A smile crossed her lips, for she knew that this would not be the last time she would see the Baron and she also knew that he was very likely to find her first, she felt that she was being watched and was loving it. So she kept making her way as far as possible from him, because she wanted to make him curious, she went to the opposite side of the tent organization, digging the place with her eyes, behind Benett.
- Behind me charm?
The man asked propped up on a statue in the garden that was out of sight of where Gisele was previously, however, his view from there was privileged.
- I caught the Baron!
- Watching everything, but I confess, I thought it wouldn’t work, he seemed about to take it off the table ...
"And it really was ..." she laughed. - But I was going to get around the situation, however, the appearance of the redhead made things easier.
- What surname did you use?