Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“You look beautiful,” Aria stated as we walked toward the dining room exit.
My cheeks grew hot. “Oh. Thank you. So do you.”
“I look effulgent, remember.”
I chuckled. “He’s trying.”
Her gaze turned assessing, but a group of people cut us off and we were separated before coming together again, just at the entrance to the great hall. Aria smoothed a hand over her hair. “It’s even busier this year than last.”
“It’s so festive.” And still so surreal to be here as a guest.
“Yeah.” Aria suddenly turned into me, concern marring her expression. “I know it’s none of my business, but I care about you and, although North assures me that Cavendish’s feelings for you are real … I just want to make sure that you’re good. That you’re happy? That Theo isn’t taking advantage of you in a time of grief?”
Gratitude moved me. I placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “Ms. Howard, thank you for worrying about me. But I’m fine. I’m better than fine. What happened between Theo and me was unexpected for both of us. But it happened. Neither of us can deny it. And I can handle whatever comes.”
She considered this. “You can, can’t you?”
“I can.”
“You seem different.”
“I am. And I’m not.”
Aria nodded like she understood. “I also want to congratulate you on all your success. And the reason I pulled you away is that someone else would like to congratulate you.” She took my arm and guided me through the crowds along the edge of the dancing.
When we came to a stop before Lachlan and Robyn Adair, those old butterflies fluttered to life.
Lachlan had a short but lucrative career as a Hollywood action star. When he returned to his family’s estate to develop it into the club, I’d been in awe of him. I knew the Adairs from growing up in the same village, but Lachlan was the eldest and twelve years older. He was already working in Hollywood by the time I came to live at Ardnoch.
I’d thought him the most rugged, handsome man I’d ever met. And he hired me despite the history between his family and mine. Grandpa had not been pleased when I took the job at Ardnoch, but he knew it paid better than anywhere else in the area and that I needed to make my own decisions about these things.
Every time I was around Lachlan, I blushed like a schoolgirl. It was mortifying. And I could sense all that past nervousness and embarrassment bubbling up.
Be brave, little darling. Show them who you really are. I stiffened at the sound of Theo’s voice in my head.
The reminder of him and everything we’d shared soothed me, and as Lachlan and Robyn turned to us, I let that calm take over.
Robyn Adair was a charismatic badass from Boston, Massachusetts. I’d looked up to her, even when she’d suspected me of stalking Lachlan. An ex-cop turned landscape photographer, rumor had it she’d also taught jiujitsu to every woman in the Adair family. She and my grandfather had saved Lachlan’s life.
Tall with an athletic figure and large breasts, she was almost like a real-life Lara Croft. Not classically beautiful, but she had a face that was hard to look away from. And she was intimidatingly cool. Robyn was more charismatic than half the people in Hollywood.
Now, the American offered a wide, happy smile that relaxed me. “Sarah!”
“Merry Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Adair,” I offered to husband and wife.
“Merry Christmas.” Lachlan bent his head to brush a kiss over my cheek and I felt my skin grow hot.
Laughing ruefully at the reaction, I almost rolled my eyes at myself.
He grinned a little smugly and Robyn nudged him not too gently. “Stop it.”
The cocky Scotsman just laughed, and his wife shook her head. Then Lachlan turned to me. “Call us Lachlan and Robyn,” he insisted. “I asked Aria to find you because Robyn and I are taking off early.”
“Oh.” It was my understanding as hosts they stayed until the end of the night.
Robyn patted her stomach, and I noted a slight swell. “The baby isn’t enjoying the dancing or the heat of all these bodies.”
My jaw dropped. “You’re pregnant?”
“Oh, yeah. I keep forgetting we just told the family yesterday.” Robyn let Lachlan pull her more deeply into his side, and recognition cut through me at the way he stared down at her so adoringly.
I realized … I’d seen Theo look at me that way.
Oh.
I suddenly felt a little breathless.
“Aye, Vivien is going to have a wee brother or sister.” Lachlan looked so damn pleased.
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Robyn nudged Lachlan again. “So …”
“Oh, right.” He dragged his gaze off his wife. “We heard about your writing career and all your success, and we just wanted you to know how happy we are for you and how proud. I know Collum would be so proud.”