“Since you don’t pay any consideration to gossip,” Granda snapped. “She’s been cozying as much as Stephano Sierra for the final 12 months.”

All amusement dropped from Ian’s face. “Sierra isn’t any joke.”

“I wasn’t kidding. When have you ever identified your little cousin to be wise? Do you see why I need her tied up with considered one of you? Higher than floating face down in some garbage-ridden canal.”

“Good God!” I protested. “I’ll have you already know I’m smarter in my selections than you suppose. And that’s an awfully exact approach to go. Which canal?”

“The identical one his final girlfriend was present in,” Granda stated triumphantly. “Did you break it off or did he?”

“It was mutual,” I stated, hoping I used to be proper. “He has nothing to do with something.”

“Then marry Marcus subsequent week.”

“No!” We have been obtrusive at one another, till I lastly seen that Granda was struggling for breath regardless of his flashing eyes.

“Relax, the 2 of you,” Ian stated in a bored tone. “I’m taking Bella away from you, Granda, so you may each work in your tempers. I need to say, Bella, I don’t bear in mind you being so argumentative.”

I hadn’t been. Neither had Bella, so I used to be comparatively secure at this level. She’d at all times managed to govern to get her personal approach I managed an edgy smile. “Sorry, Granda.”

“We will discuss this later,” he stated, waving a fragile hand in dismissal, and I bit again my demurral. Not even for Granda would I’m going by a faux marriage ceremony. If I’d had any sense, I might have stated sure to Ian, simply to look at him squirm.

A second later, I used to be ushered out of the sickroom, Ian’s hand on my arm. “It’s not good to rile the previous man up like that,” he stated evenly.

“It’s not good to count on me to get married to swimsuit his whims,” I replied.

“You already agreed to it. Why the delay?”

I appeared up at him, figuring out he had no concept that it was Kitty him by the green-tinted contact lenses. Questioning what he would really feel if he knew. Disgust, almost definitely.

The phrases got here out of my mouth…not Bella’s…as I appeared deep into his eyes. “Would you like me to marry him?”

The hallway was quiet, the silence nearly one other individual with us, and I noticed him hesitate, noticed the sudden depth in his darkish eyes. He had liked Bella, lengthy, way back. Perhaps he nonetheless had a few of that jealousy left behind.

After which the second handed. “It’s as much as you, sweetheart. You and my brother are made for one another—you’ll make beautiful youngsters. And I discovered way back to not covet my brother’s belongings.”

“I don’t belong to him.” I stated quietly, firmly.

“Certain you do, Bella. You belong wherever the grass is greenest, and belief me, so does Marcus. Neither of you’ll have to face any type of adversity, every thing will go your approach. I hope you’re very completely satisfied collectively.”

It was an ideal exit line and he made full use of it, strolling away so shortly I couldn’t even provide you with a response till he was out of sight.

I spent the remainder of the day avoiding Marcus, who appeared decided to get me alone in a nook. Protecting away from him was straightforward sufficient—I merely walked within the olive groves, respiratory within the deep wealthy scent of the earth, the sweetness of the bushes, the contemporary breeze carrying the scent of salt up from the deep blue ocean far beneath.

Within the cities, Spain had moved away from the obligatory siesta, however at Mariposa and the small city of Santa Maria de Fe, the previous methods dominated, and I stretched my afternoon nap to a strong 4 hours, decided to withstand if anybody got here to roust me out of my comfy perch. I had a blisteringly sexual historic romance to learn, a stack of vogue magazines that Bella insisted I carry and which me not one whit. It will have been an ideal time to get some work achieved, however in fact I hadn’t dared deliver any of Katharine Whitehead’s educational work. Settling into my comfy mattress, I dove into the story of Package and Bryony, solely to search out their searing kisses have been making me uncommonly edgy. As soon as they acquired into mattress, I needed to throw the ebook throughout the room. As an alternative of golden-haired Package I saved picturing Ian, imaging his palms, his mouth…

No, vogue magazines have been a safer alternative. The garments have been exquisitely stunning, the form of factor Bella would put on, the form of factor I used to be carrying. I wished my worn denims and T-shirts.

Eventually I slept, and I awoke with a begin, the room pitch-black with solely the very faintest glow lighting the inky darkness. Transferring to the window, I might see the acres and acres of olive groves protecting the hills round Mariposa, and much away, I might see previous the white buildings of the small city to the darkish blue of the night-time sea. Fumbling for my iPhone, I groaned once I noticed the time. It was nearly 9 o’clock, and dinner can be prepared except Mary Alice had as soon as once more ordained that it might be early.

Shoving myself from the mattress, I stripped off the rumpled linen sundress and went in search of one thing extra applicable. I took the quickest bathe on report, throwing on one of many easy silk attire that had break the bank. I twisted my hair right into a knot on the base of my neck and scrambled downstairs.

There was just one place set within the enormous eating room, and I seen it with aid and annoyance. No less than I wouldn’t be combating off Marcus’s advances this night, and I wouldn’t have to consider anybody else. The second I entered the huge room, Maldonado appeared, ushering me in and holding my chair for me, pouring me a glass of Spanish wine with silent deference earlier than disappearing again into the kitchens. I appeared round, down the lengthy expanse of empty desk, and a weight settled over me.

I scooped up my plate and headed upstairs, arriving at Granda’s room somewhat breathless and somewhat aggravated. Neither of these have been improved once I pushed open the door and noticed Ian seated by Granda’s aspect.

“Bella!” Granda greeted me cheerfully sufficient. “Come to hitch us for dinner?”

I glanced on the empty dishes on the tray. “Apparently, I’m too late.” I took the seat on the other aspect of the mattress, fastidiously not assembly Ian’s darkish, cynical eyes. “The place’s Marcus?”

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