The Burlington Manor Affair

That part had been Carmen’s plan. He paused as he wondered—and not for the first time—how she would react to the suggestion that they be for his guys and their families, rather than holiday lets. He couldn’t think too deeply right now. He had his goal, and soon enough he’d be discussing it with her in the same way he was putting out feelers with his men now.

“I’m not asking you to say anything right now. I know that you need to go away and think about it and discuss it with the people it will affect. However, if you could give me an initial response after you talk to your families I can either look into it as an option this weekend when I’m up there, or I can let the plan go. Trust me when I say I mean it—if it’s not the right thing for you guys, it’s not the right thing for me.”

Rex looked from one to the other of them, assessing their thoughtful expressions. If it wasn’t the way to go he would commute to Carmen and the manor at the weekends as he had been doing. “On that note, we’ll close up early today so you guys can go and give it some thought. But please let me know as soon as you decide. I’ve got another bottle for us to get through first, so let’s cheer the merger. I take the signed contracts to Rashid tomorrow and we’re in business!”

When the men made their way out later on, Lance lingered. “My Amy would bite your arm off for this if you make this offer for real. She’s always dreamed of a life in the country.”

“And you?”

Lance nodded. “I’m all for it. I hope you can make it happen.”

“Go talk to Amy. Be absolutely sure about it.”

It’s what he needed to do, too. Talk to Carmen about all of this. The task seemed immense, complicated as it was by history and the games he’d played in recent weeks, before he’d realized what he really wanted. The basic premise was simple enough. He wanted them to be together. That meant he had to exorcise the ghosts of the past, as well as make a working future viable. No matter how simply he spelled it out for himself, Rex knew that he was still on fragile ground with Carmen.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

ON FRIDAY EVENING Carmen stood in the center of the music room and stared up at the elaborate ceiling. The room had been closed up for a couple of years and she’d asked Leanne to open the shutters and take down the dust sheets earlier that day. Carmen planned to spend the evening there making notes on any restoration that was needed.

The room maintained many of its original features and was the most obviously Georgian in the house. The walls were covered in red damask and the white marble fireplace was large and beautifully carved. At the center of the ceiling, the molded plasterwork depicted a muse playing a lyre. Around the coving, a musical score had been inscribed into the plasterwork. The piano was a genuine eighteenth-century piece, but hadn’t been used for some years. Carmen made a mental note to have someone come up from London to tune and service it.

She was on her knees, examining the upholstery on the chairs, when Leanne entered. “You have a visitor.”

“Really? Who is it?”

Leanne rounded her eyes. “Didn’t give her name, but I think I’ve seen her in magazines.”

Carmen leaned forward and saw Kelly Brown standing there in the hallway. With an internal groan, she rose to her feet. When Leanne looked at her quizzically, she put the girl out of her misery. “Rex’s supermodel ex,” she murmured as she walked by.

As she approached, she noticed that Kelly was assessing the place with a half smile and a possessive look in her eyes. “Kelly, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Kelly replied as she turned to face Carmen, and flicked her long hair back over her shoulder. “Oh, it’s you.” She spoke with obvious disappointment.

“You were expecting Rex.” Carmen felt quite composed. Amanda’s comments earlier that day had hit home.

“I thought I’d stop by to see if he needed any help with anything.”

Carmen smiled. “We don’t need any help, but thanks for offering.”

Kelly pursed her lips, making no attempt to hide her dissatisfaction. “So, is he here?”

“No, but I’ll tell him you were here.”

Kelly looked really put out when she heard that.

She didn’t have a clue, Carmen decided. When she looked back on it, she recalled that Rex had given his ex no signs of encouragement that night at Raphael’s. In fact, he’d been quite distant with her, yet here she was. “Look, you’ve obviously come up here with good intentions.” That was debatable, but Carmen felt generous. Besides, as Amanda had so rightly pointed out, she was going to have to get used to women wanting him. “I should probably inform you that Rex is seeing someone else now.”

“Oh, right.” Kelly cursed and grimaced. “Who is the bitch?”

Nice. How different she was when Rex wasn’t around. “The bitch is me,” Carmen said calmly, and laughed. “Don’t look so shocked. I’m not his sister. That was an error on your part.”

Finally it seemed to dawn on the woman that she’d walked into their home on a misguided mission. Her perfect porcelain skin colored dramatically on the cheekbones. “Well, this is awkward.”

“No, of course it isn’t. You didn’t know. Can I offer you a drink before you leave?”

Kelly shook her head and reached into her shoulder bag. She pulled out a set of car keys. “No, thanks. I’ll get on my way.”

Carmen followed her to the door and watched as she climbed into a two-seater sports car and shot off down the drive at breakneck speed.