The Burlington Manor Affair

Would Carmen feel the same way about his proposal? He hoped so. She’d said she wanted the place to be alive with people again, and other than holiday lets, she had no specific plans of her own, unless that had changed. He took a few moments to compose himself before he picked up the phone and rang Carmen.

“I hope you’re pleased with yourself, Mr. Playboy Stud,” she said as she answered.

“Are you being cryptic?”

“Not in the least. I’ve been fending off women left, right and center here today.”

“Women?”

“First of all Amanda turned up.”

“I hope she apologized.”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, she did. We had a good talk.” Carmen paused for a moment before continuing. “Then your supermodel girlfriend turned up.”

“Kelly? What the hell was she doing at Burlington?”

“Looking for you. She seemed to think you were worth another go.”

“I hope you explained that I was otherwise committed.”

“That I did. I figured that even if this setup turned out to be a temporary whim on your behalf—”

“It’s not.”

“—well, I figured that she was intruding on my time and space with you and I fought my corner.”

Rex could hear the teasing tone in her voice. Less than a week ago she took flight at the very prospect of another woman turning up. Not anymore. “I’m glad you sent her on her way.”

“I’m glad you’re glad.” She laughed and the sound of it was too good.

Things couldn’t be turned back the other way, not now, surely? “I’ll show you how glad when I get there tomorrow.”

“When can

we expect you?”

“Sometime in the afternoon. I need to go over some paperwork with my new business partner.”

“The partnership is going ahead?”

“Yes, and I’ve got some other ideas I’d like to run by you—business—if you’re interested?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she replied.

It felt like a huge step forward, and she was taking it with him.

Rex closed his eyes, grateful for the hope that gave him. The next day, he would lay out his proposals for her—all of them.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

SATURDAY DRAGGED FOR Carmen because she was counting the minutes, waiting for Rex to arrive. Waiting for her man to come home. That’s what it felt like, although it made her nervous to even think it. Being in the manor wasn’t enough. Rex had to be there, too. She tried not to dwell on what that might mean for her long-term happiness and concentrated on thinking about what he’d said, the way he’d ask for a second chance.

In the morning, she visited with Bill Amery at their cottage. He was in good spirits, and itching to get back out on the grounds. A friend from the village called in, too, and Carmen noticed that Bill’s version of events the week before became more dramatic with each retelling. His spirit certainly hadn’t been diminished by the drama and injury, quite the contrary. She was glad of that.

At three o’clock Rex sent her a text saying he was on his way. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and it took her back to her teenage years when she’d been waiting for him to come home from university. For a moment, the intervening years vanished. She ran upstairs to check her appearance and then lingered at the viewing window on the upstairs landing, peering down at the driveway expectantly.

I can’t have him finding me this way, she thought. She stayed there, though, right until she saw his car on the drive, then she ran down the stairs and opened the door to greet him.