As I left, my chest was hollow. I passed a coffee shop that smelled like peppermint and tears formed in my eyes.
Londoners made a wider path for me as my emotions were clear as day, well probably clearer as here it was gloomy a lot of the time.
I stepped back on the tube to head to my apartment. No one spoke to me but that was fine. Once I left my station though my phone rang. I glanced at the clock. Half the day was gone. She thought I was on my lunch break. I opened my apartment door and said, “Alexa… Merry Christmas.”
I trekked up the steps to my small space as she asked, “Is it? I’m hoping you and I can talk…”
Talk wasn’t our relationship, not since she’d turned eighteen. She’d been my only friend until she’d decided my boyfriend’s apartment was preferred over our father’s house. I let myself in the door and said, “I can’t talk right now Alexa. I have way too much… work.”
“Okay I’ll call you later then and hope you’ll forgive me.”
If I asked if this meant she left David, I’d get into a conversation I didn’t want to ever have. Besides if I didn’t solve my crisis, I’d be stuck in hell.
I locked the door behind me and booted up my computer.
I went to online boards and found marketing positions. I’d not move until I applied for three. I hate the online forms that don’t take resumes. Applying for more than three a day is exhausting.
I finished the third one and my phone rang. I stood to get a sip of water and saw one of my best friend’s number. I answered, “Amelia, hey.”
I’d never asked them for help, but my Americans who moved to London because we all love Jane Austen reenactments was a second family where we all understood each other.
Amelia quickly said, “Stephanie and Charlotte are on the line too.”
The team was all on then. I missed the two of them, especially Charlotte who I saw less because she’d married a Scottish Duke and moved to Scotland. I sighed and said, “Hey.”
She laughed and said, “So we’re excited to see you tonight.”
My mind raced. None of them had contacts in marketing and I was anxious as my stomach tightened. I tugged my ear and asked, “Tonight?”
Charlotte said, “It’s December first.”
My day had clearly now given me momentary amnesia. I circled back to my plans. Damn. My forehead cringed as I shook my head. “Maybe… no… I can’t make it.”
Stephanie said, “It won’t be the same without you.”
Every dime I spent now wasn’t being replaced. I stood taller as I said, “I know but I can’t afford it right now.”
Charlotte said, “Don’t worry. Remember, I’m paying for your ticket and your room with Amelia for the night so you two aren’t at some horrible hotel.”
Sweetheart still and yes I’d agreed to stay at the five star resort on her dime. I just had to get there. Tears formed in my eyes. “Still.”
“Your car will make it.” Amelia added.
At least she was like me. We’re living on our pennies to ensure we could do what we enjoyed. Jane Austen living as much as possible.
I let out a sigh. They were right. It was a two-hour drive and gas for my car would be cheaper than the hired car service I’d planned. I quickly grabbed my dress and said, “Right. I’d love to see you. Be there in a few hours.”
My dress took a little longer to pack than I wished. I packed my laptop since I’d need to continue the job hunt. Hopefully someone hired before immigration caught on.
Done, I tossed my stuff in the backseat. Amelia had gone to Bath a few days ago since her job gave her the time off. Stephanie was who knows where with her billionaire husband this week and Charlotte was flying in from her castle in Scotland.
Scotland had been nice when I’d visited. Charlotte’s neighbor Harris was hilarious and sexy in that kilt of his.
I turned the key of my old clunker and she didn’t start. My heart pounded and I closed my eyes. This needed to move now. I took a deep breath, opened my eyes and turned the key as I said, “Come on car…” The motor hummed. Yes. I stroked my steering wheel like my car was a pet and said, “Let’s go. Good girl.”
Once I got on the road, I found a station with Christmas music. I sang along and tried to relax. All would be well.
I left London and found the roads to Bath. My body even bounced to the happy cheerful songs.
Everything would be okay. I needed to believe that.
Driving the road with no one on it was not a problem.
Then my car stopped.
Damn.
I’d checked the gas so that wasn’t it.
I cringed. Okay this was turning out to be a horrible day. My eyes even misted though I screamed but no one could hear me. Then I tried to turn the key as I said, “Oh no, don’t die on me.”
Nothing. I swallowed and wished for a sign that all would be okay. I reached for my phone and the universe laughed at me as white flakes fell on my car. I yelled more then I said, “And it snows.”
I’m not sure what this meant but this was way too much.
I needed help. I picked up my phone and checked my email instead of calling a car and said, “Interview… in Scotland!”
I yelped out my relief and accepted. If I made it to Bath, then I’d hitch a ride with my friends and be there for an interview.
My heart raced. If I got a job there, I’d see Harris again.
He easily won the sexiest man I’d ever met award. I took a breather and tried my key again as lights of another car on the road blinked in the distance. I swallowed and said, “I need to get to this tea now.”
Again the car didn’t budge. Damn.
I sighed and then dialed for help. The headlights of the car behind me was getting close so I put my hand out to wave them around me. Car service answered and I asked fast, “How long for the tow truck?”
“Three hours.” He said.
Damn. My friends would be sleeping if I ever made it to Bath. And the repairs would pretty much take every cent I didn’t have. I choked as I said, “I…”
A knock on my window had me jump. I glanced into the blue eyes of Harris and rolled my window down. He said, “Tell them your car will be here waiting for them but you’re coming with me.”
I put my hand over the speaker and shook my head. “I can’t do that Harris. What are you even doing here?”
“It’s cold, lassie, and I was in London for business.” He shook his head at me and put his hand in my car. “You can get bossy with me later, but I’m not letting you freeze. So give me the phone.”
I blinked. No one ever spoke to me like that. He stood taller and said, “Hello, please pick up the car. The woman is coming with me, but I wanted you to have my number so we can discuss what needs repairs.”
I glanced down his muscular body and wished he wore his kilt, though it was cold today. The last thing I needed though was a man spending my money without giving me the final say. I yelled out. “Don’t. It’s my problem.”
He stepped back with my phone and said, “It’s mine now, too. So you call me with the estimates for the fix.”
Wait. He intended to pay. I opened my car door and jumped out. He’d already hung up. I crossed my arm and hugged myself as I wasn’t sure how to argue. “I shouldn’t Harris.”
He gave me my phone and pointed to his silver Aston Martin. “I’m assuming you’re on your way to Bath.”
I’d not seen or talked to him for long, since my friend’s wedding since last month. He’d checked on me weekly and said he’d been out of town, but the phone calls had only fed into my fantasies of having a decent guy in my life. I pushed my shoulder length hair behind my ears. “I was.”
He clicked his car and said, “Then get in. We’re both going to the same place.”
Okay the universe answered me. I opened the back seat to get my bag, but then he took it to carry it for me.
Harris was tall, muscular, looked manly in a kilt and today he was my hero. I walked next to him a
nd asked, “Why are you going to Bath? the Jane Austen Christmas Tea?”
He held my door for me. “For Jane Austen’s Christmas Tea, of course. Don’t look so flummoxed. Logan and Charlie will be there with their women, and we have business interests to discuss.”
“I see.” My heart hoped he was here for me too, but I’d never say that out loud.
He closed my door and the heat of his car cracked my dry skin. I reached out and let my hands melt as he put my stuff in his trunk. I licked my lips and said, “Well turns out you're my guardian angel.”
He opened his door at the end, and I glanced up. He jumped in his seat and said, “No one would call me an angel.”
This time I laughed. Today was like a giant slap me in the face kind of day. I sighed and said, “I suppose no one would.”
This time he chuckled as we drove the snowy road together. Then he said, “I’m glad to see your sense of humor is still intact.”
Hot Harris had been a guest at both weddings, and I’d been a busy bridesmaid. But both times, he’d twirled me around the dance floor. Otherwise I knew nothing about him, other than he’d heard me be myself and called to check in like we’d see each other when he returned. On the phone, he’d been nice. I turned the heat up in my seat to warm my bottom as I said, “Really? I’m a total disaster. I just lost my job, can’t afford the car fixes, and I’m probably going to have to leave soon and return to America to live in the extra bedroom of my father’s trailer or in a hotel until they kick me out as I spend my pennies on my apartment.”
He stared at the road and said, “That sounds dramatic.”
Probably true. I settled back in my chair and talked like he was in my circle of friends already. “I wish I was more like Europeans whose country don’t charge tuition as it’s a burden on their young to have debt.”
His gaze narrowed. “How much do you owe?”
Every one of my friends and I had this. I was on a payment plan for the rest of my life. I put my hands on my lap now that I was almost normal as I said, “Fifty thousand for my fancy degree and of course my rent, utilities, and to prove to immigration I’m not here to be a burden.”
He winked at me. “You’re not a burden. You’re far too pretty and smart for that which makes you a rare combination and quite endearing.”
Aww. Sweet guys were rare. No one thought I was beautiful, but endearing was nice. I shrugged and said, “Because you’re strange Harris.”
We passed a sign that said the kilometers to Bath, not that they actually computed in my head though I’d lived in London years now.
He kept his voice low when he said, “Only to you.”
Right. I channeled how my father would have corrected me and then shared the words, “Most rich, entitled men just want a piece of ass at his side, where he makes all the calls and she sits there all pretty.”
He chuckled and that sound filled my inside with desire I’d rather not feel. I had no job which meant no time for romance until I secured my position. He said, “Glad you’re sounding more like yourself again with those pert opinions about nobility and wealth.”
I unbuttoned my jacket, happy to breathe as I said, “It’s the heat in your fancy car. I’m de-thawing and it’s helping me think, cutie.”
His face turned beat red. “You’re probably the first woman that’s ever called me that.”
Cutie was an understatement, but the last thing hot men ever needed was to know they were hot. I settled in my seat and said, “Strange. Maybe that’s why you like being around me.”
He reached between us and then offered me a water. I took it and the brush of his hand on mine sent a shock in me I needed to forget. I lowered my head and said, “On a more serious note, thank you for being my hero today. I wasn’t expecting you.”
He stared at me and I swear he undressed me in that quick glance and then he said, “What are the odds that I would be in London, travelling toward Bath, that same night you would be. Sometimes business works in my favor. I’m just glad I saw your car.”
“Me, too. I would have frozen to death waiting for a tow for three hours.”
“You’d be a Sophie-cicle by now.”
“Thank God you had business in London.” Sophie chimed, feeling the warmth in the car like a gift.
“Don’t stress it, lassie.”
Today ended okay. Maybe if I ended up getting the job in Scotland, I’d see Harris more often. Normally I don’t crush on any guy, but he was my one exception.
I hope you enjoyed this unedited preview and order A Scot for Christmas.
Tori, Jane Austen and the Scots
Tori Pine writes way steamier than I do, but she wanted to learn how to plot a romance. And I realized just how much I ADORED writing the Scottish lords and billionaires men. Dividing stories was crazy hard as I wanted to keep them all. I was going to give all of Stephanie’s friend’s and be done. However Sophia went back into my pile. I loved how complicated she was.
And I worked with Tori to ensure Charlotte, Amelia and Alexa (you haven’t met her yet in this story) all find love with a sexy Scot.
And I have to say that the Jane Austen Festival in Bath absolutely inspired me and these women who all love Regency England and dressing for it.
https://www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk
Also by Victoria Pinder
Returning for Valentine’s (FREE if you go to my website)
The House of Morgan
Secret Crush
Secret Baby
Secret Bet
Secret Wish
Secret Dad
Secret Heir
Secret Tryst
Secret Date
Secret Romeo
Secret Caress
Secret Match
Secret Bridesmaid
Secret Admirer
Secret Cowboy
Secret Mistress
Secret Cinderella
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 1-3
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 4-6
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 7-9
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 10-12
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 13-15
Princes of Avce
Forbidden Crown
Forbidden Prince
Forbidden Royal
Forbidden Duke
Forbidden Earl
Forbidden Monsieur
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Forbidden Noble
Forbidden Lord
Princes of Avce 1-3
Princes of Avce 4-6
Princes of Avce 7-9
Steel Series
Rocking Player
Ruthless Financier
Wicked Cowboy
Powerful Prince
Cocky M.D.
Scottish Seducer
Legendary Rock Star
Cinder of Ashes
Playing for Keeps (Fierce Fighter)
Treasured (Look for announcement soon)
The Hawke Fortune
Tempting Gabe
Tempting James
Tempting Conner
Tempting Harry
Tempting Navid
Hawke Series
Brothers in Revenge
Irresistibly Lost
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Irresistibly Charming
Irresistibly Tough
Irresistibly Played
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Irresistibly Boxed Set 3-5
Irresistibly Boxed Set 4-6
Hidden Alphas
Hidden Gabriel
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Hidden Dane
Hidden Rocco
Hidden Alphas Boxed Set
The Marshall Family Saga
Favorite Crush
Favorite Mistake
Favorite Sin
Favorite
Scandal
The Collins Brothers
Sean
Daniel
Gerard
Liam
Eric
Then if you also like
Science Fiction/Fantasy Romance
Hidden Dragon Series
Call of the Dragon
Dawn of the Dragon
Escape of the Dragon (Coming Soon)
The Queen Gene
Whispers of a Throne
Storm of the Throne (coming soon)
Earthseekers Mission
Makeup May Change Your Life
The Zoastra Affair
Ancient Greek Heroes
Romancing Theseus
Mything the Throne
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author, Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston then moved to Miami. Eventually, found that writing is her passion. She always wrote stories to entertain herself. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, but when she sat down to see what she enjoyed doing, writing became obvious.
Visit my website and download a free novel
www.victoriapinder.com
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Scottish Seducer: Opposites Attract: Jane Austin fangirl and the Scottish Billionaire (Steel Series Book 6) Page 13
