When he emerged from the Maserati she wondered if she’d dreamed that this handsome, sexy man had told her he loved her. Unable to hold back, she darted out to hug him.
“Mmm, that feels good,” he said.
Pleased, she reached up and kissed him.
“So did you like being here on your own, without me?” His eyes twinkled.
He was teasing her, because she’d thrown herself into his arms. “I’m not answering that. I might incriminate myself.”
“It’s only fair. I didn’t like being here without you.”
“So you wanted me to know how that felt.”
“Yes.”
“You’re shameless.” She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. “Have you eaten? Can I make you something?”
“I’d like to go for a stroll around the grounds. I understand it’s something you always do when you return to Burlington Manor.” There was mischief in his eyes.
“Okay.”
He took the lead, first ushering her with his arm around her waist. When they walked along the gravel path at the rear of the building, he held her hand, meshing his fingers with hers. That simple act made her feel light-headed. He’d never held her hand like that before. Walking alongside him with their fingers clasped together felt deeply significant.
“I’ve done a lot of thinking about this place, about ways to make it work. Your fault.” He smiled her way. “You got me thinking with your proposals for renovating the stables and cottages.”
Carmen peered at him. “Why, Rex Carruthers, I do believe the shadow of mortmain has finally gone from your eyes.”
“Ah, well, that’s your fault, too. Although I’m not entirely sure that you’ll like my proposal, but it is negotiable.”
“Okay.”
“Some of the things you said really stuck with me. You want to see the place alive with people. I liked your proposal for the holiday lets, but that would be transient.”
“You’ve got a better idea?”
“Maybe. I was thinking of something more permanent.”
Permanent? “Go on, I’m fascinated.”
She was, although it was making her nervous that he was talking about his plans for Burlington. That familiar fretful feeling came upon her as she realized what that might mean for her—saying goodbye to the manor.
“I currently rent premises for Slipstream in South London, at a hefty cost to the business. We don’t really need to be based there, other than my team live there. It occurred to me that the disused stables could be used for the workshop and offices, and the old cottages restored for accommodation for the team.”
Carmen was shocked. If Rex was making plans on his own, was he already thinking past their time together? She clung to her role as a businesswoman and tried to address the proposal without letting her emotions get involved, difficult though it was.
However, when she looked out across the land where he was gesturing, she could picture it all. The businesswoman in her recognized it as an amazing idea. When she saw the light in his eyes as he talked about a miniracetrack and she knew what it meant—he was glad to have found a way to work with the responsibility that he’d walked away from so many years before. She was proud of him, but she barely had a hold on her emotions. When she forced herself to respond, she could hear the tremble in her own voice. “That’s an amazing plan. It would bring new life and that would be so positive for the estate.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
She saw relief in his eyes. He’d been worried about her reaction.
He studied her quietly for a moment, then squeezed her hand and they continued on their circuit around the house. “I tentatively proposed it to my team. I was dubious at first because the two lead engineers both have young families. I asked them to discuss it with their wives and they’re both keen. They see it as a positive move.”
Her stomach knotted. “It’s a done deal, then?”
“Not at all. It depends on you.”
“Because you want to buy me out?”
“No. I’m suggesting that you be part of it.”
She stopped dead in her tracks, confused. “You want me to support your business being run from here?”
“That would be nice.” He smiled.
How could he be so relaxed with this when her emotions were all over the place?
“I was hoping for more than that, though.” His expression grew serious. “Carmen, I want you to be my wife.”
She stared at him, astonished.
Rex laughed softly and took both her hands in his. “Carmen Shelby, will you marry me?”
She opened her mouth, but she was too stunned to speak.
“Hold that thought,” he said, and pulled his phone from his pocket. It was vibrating. He looked at the screen. “I need to answer this, it could be important.”
Carmen watched, bewildered by the turn of events as he took the call. She turned her face to the breeze coming up from the river, and tried to breathe evenly. When he ended his call, he looked concerned.
“That was Chris Montague with news for us.”
She tried to focus.
“Olivia Fordyce is currently giving a new statement to the police. It’s about your mother’s car crash.”
Carmen covered her mouth with her hand.
Rex nodded. “She was behind it. We’ll know the full story soon, but for now...it’s enough.”
“I always thought there was more to it....”
“You were right. I went to see her in prison, and it was obvious.”
“You did that...” Finally she had the truth about her mother’s death. It was upsetting, but it was a relief, too. “Rex, hold me,” she begged.
“Always.”
She clung to him, her face against his chest. She wept silently for her mum, the innocent victim, and emotion poured out of her.
He held her tightly to him all the while. “Come on, let’s go inside,” he encouraged eventually.
She wiped her face. “How did you get her to confess?”
“I offered her a deal, a new life for Jason in the Channel Islands, the property Dad left me there.”
“You did all that for me?”
“I told you, I love you. I’d give up everything I owned for you to be happy. I’d even give up Burlington Manor to make that happen.”
She shook her head and wiped her face with her hands. “You will not, ever!”
“Does that mean we’re going to share the playground, after all?”
That made her smile, but she lowered her eyelids. “Oh, you’ve got me all emotional and I can’t think straight.”
“Trying hard to think of an excuse, huh?” He raised his eyebrows and gave her a chastising stare.
“Rex!”
Their conversation was interrupted a second time by the sound of a car pulling into the driveway.
“Ah, we have a visitor.” He didn’t seem surprised.
“Is this another one of your women on the prowl?” Carmen asked when she caught sight of a blonde woman in the backseat of Andy Redmond’s taxi.
Rex glanced over. “Actually, yes, it is.”
When she looked at him for more of an explanation, he grinned at her.
Bemused, Carmen followed his gaze. “I don’t think I can deal with any more surprises today,” she murmured to herself.
A glamorous woman emerged from the car, and Rex strode over and embraced her.
“I’m so glad you could make the journey,” Rex said as he led the visitor over to Carmen.
“Well, I had to.” The woman beamed at Carmen and then glanced up at the house. “Swore I’d never come back here, but I had to meet my son’s fiancée, didn’t I?”
“Fiancée?” Carmen repeated, sta
ring at Rex in astonishment.
“Oh, dear, have I jumped the gun?” She stepped forward and grasped Carmen’s hands. “Ignore me, darling. It’s lovely to meet you at last. Now whatever you do don’t call me Mum, it’s Bea.”
Carmen mustered herself, and welcomed Rex’s mother, instantly fascinated by her.
“You were so sure I’d accept?” she asked Rex later when the three of them made their way inside.
“I was sure of me, the rest I could only hope for.”
That held great weight for Carmen and she nodded. “I’ve always loved you. You know that. But this is all a bit hard to take in.”
His eyes twinkled with pleasure. “Take your time.”
Bea wandered across the tiled entryway. “Never thought I’d stand here again. I vowed I wouldn’t. But my God, it’s a beautiful house.” She looked over her shoulder at them. “I always liked the place, deep down. I can admit that now your father isn’t here to hear me.” She chuckled and continued her exploration.
“Burlington Manor draws everyone back to it,” Carmen said.
Rex shook his head. “It was you that brought me back here.”
When she looked into his eyes she saw how much he loved her. “And you really think we can make it a happy place again?”
“If you marry me, yes, without a doubt.”
“Blackmail!”
Beyond them a squeal erupted, followed by another.
Carmen turned and saw Bea and Mrs. Amery embracing each other, both talking rapidly in excited voices and hugging several times over.
“There’s your proof...happy times ahead.” When he caught sight of her staring at Mrs. Amery, agog, he laughed. “They were close.”
“You’re not kidding. I’ve never seen Mrs. Amery so animated.”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
She shot him a look. “You already decided I was your fiancée, according to our visitor.”
“Planning ahead.”
“Just as well I’m playing along.”
“Is that a yes?”
Her heart brimmed. “I suppose it is.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “In that case we have the perfect ingredients to make sure Burlington Manor is always a happy place. You as its mistress, and the estate put to good use. Maybe children would help, too. What do you think?”
She gaped at him. “You’re rushing ahead. I’ve only just agreed to marry you.”
He shrugged. “I’ll give you some time to think about it. No running off and changing your mind, though.” He leaned in and whispered, “I’ve bought some new bondage toys that’ll help keep you tied up for a while.”
“Rex Carruthers, you’re shameless.”
“When it comes to you, yes, I am.”
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460328668
THE BURLINGTON MANOR AFFAIR
Copyright © 2014 by Saskia Walker
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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