An Affair To Remember: A Ludlow Hall Christmas (11 page)

"Anyway. The reason I'm here is to try to build bridges. You can torture Nico for as long as you like, God knows the big lug deserves it. But, Elena, Marc is crazy about you. He doesn't know I'm here. He'd be furious. But I've known him for a number of years and even after John died he wasn't in this state. Please listen to what he has to say. Please give him a chance. We're having a little get together tonight at The Dower House. If you don't already have plans, please consider dropping by and bring all the family. It would be lovely for Mary and Nina to meet new people. Please, Elena."

What could she say against the force of nature that was Bronte Ferranti?

The woman's heartfelt plea would bring a tear to a glass eye.

Elena realised she had no choice.

"Okay," she said, making up her mind for the whole family. "We'll be happy to come. What time?"

"Seven-thirty. Oscar's prepared a buffet, so he'll be there with Emma. Trust me, you'll all have a great time. Bring the dog, too."

"That's very kind of you, but Czar will be fine on his own doing guard duty. What do I wear? Is it casual?"

"Jeans and a sweater. No big deal." Bronte hugged her tight. When she eased back her eyes were too bright. "Wonderful! I'll see you then. And thank you, Elena. Thank you so much."

Elena sat on the sofa for at least five minutes after Bronte left. Her eyes rose to check the time on the old carriage clock on the mantelpiece. Six-thirty, not a lot of time to organise five men. Nothing like a challenge.

She marched into the kitchen, grabbed a saucepan and banged a wooden spoon on the base. That got their attention. Immediately all the chat stopped as five males stared at her.

"We're off to The Dower House for a Christmas Eve get together to welcome a couple of new arrivals to our community. I'm in the shower first. You have exactly sixty minutes to get showered, shaved and changed. Starting now."

She raced out the door and up the stair and into one of the two family bathrooms before they could start moaning and groaning.

But at precisely seven-fifteen her brothers and her father were standing all present and correct at the bottom of the stair. And every one of them looked amazing. My God, her brothers, and father, certainly cleaned up well. It wasn't their usual custom, as a family, to venture out on Christmas Eve, except to church. Elena knew they were doing it for her and for Marc.

As the guys argued who was driving, they crammed into her dad's Land Rover Defender and left for The Dower House.

Elena let the voices roll over her head.

Her stomach was in knots and she felt physically sick.

She just hoped to hell she was doing the right thing.

The last thing Marc wanted to do was spend Christmas Eve socialising at The Dower House.

He hadn't heard a peep from Elena.

His second in command, Steve, told him he'd seen her in a pub in town with a tall, dark haired guy. Apparently they looked really cosy drinking wine and beer, with their heads close together, with eyes only for each other.

It hadn't taken her long to find someone else, Marc thought savagely as jealousy, a lousy emotion, had chewed up his gut and spat it out.

He'd showered, and on his mother's strict instructions, shaved.

Two pairs of anxious eyes had watched him like a couple of hawks all fucking day.

Waiting for him to burst into tears or something fucking stupid like that.

As if!

He clattered down the wide staircase of Heron's Rest to find his mother and sister all wrapped up warm and raring to go. Nina was looking her usual fabulous self. Her dark hair hung down her back. Bright blue eyes sparkled into his. She'd painted her full mouth pillar box red. The colour matched her sweater. Her slim legs were encased in black skinny jeans and flat over the knee suede boots. Her black duck down coat kept her nice and snug. She was growing up too damned fast. She'd be twenty-one next month. An adult. Where the hell had the time gone?

His mother looked cute, too, in her slim tunic sweater of cashmere the colour of pewter, smart black pants and ankle boots. She'd done something different with her hair. It made her look years younger. Her grey eyes were still haunted, but her smile was genuine as she rose on her tip toes to press a kiss to his cheek.

"We'd better get going or we'll be late," she said.

His mother had never been late for an appointment in her life.

But he didn't argue.

Instead he saw them safely to his SUV.

When they arrived at The Dower House, Marc hadn't been sure what to expect.

Maybe a crowd of neighbours and friends.

What he found, after Nico took their coats and welcomed his mother and sister to his home, were Elena, her brothers and her father, Oscar Kamani (the famous chef) and Emma Ludlow, Bronte's cousin.

And Nico and Bronte and the kids.

That was the sum total.

His heart was in his mouth at he took his mother to meet Elena, the woman who held his heart in his hands.

"Mum, I'd like you to meet Elena Kennedy."

Mary Jones took both of Elena's hands in hers and held on tight.

"Lovely to meet you at last. Are you ready to forgive my son?"

Elena met his eyes and held.

"Do you think he deserves forgiveness, Mrs. Jones?"

"Oh yes, dear. Just don't go too easy on him. Start as you mean to go on that's what I always say."

And thank you, Mother.

Before he could open his mouth, Bronte took their arms and guided them through the sitting room doors, into the hall and into a small room, a study.

"I come here when I need a few minutes to myself. Take as long as you like. I imagine you two have a lot to talk about."

And with that, she walked out and closed the door.

"She's a smooth operator," Elena said, as she strolled around the pretty room, fingered the novels, heavy on romance and thrillers, on the shelves.

She didn't look at him and Marc's heart fell.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, Elena."

Now she turned to him, her gaze direct.

And once their eyes locked, he couldn't look away.

Taking it nice and easy, he moved into her to take her in his arms.

When she didn't push him away, he took it as a good sign.

She didn't touch him either.

Her chin had a stubborn edge to it as she leaned back to keep her eyes on his.

"You were just doing your job. I understand that now. It was a shame you had to flatten me to do it."

Not giving an inch.

Little devil.

He took her wrists, wound them around his neck and pulled her closer.

Soft breasts pressed against his chest and he could feel her heart beating fast, or was it his?

She smelled fabulous, flowers, shampoo and woman.

His woman.

"Do you want me on my knees, Elena? Is that what you want?"

Her eyes narrowed, but he didn't see any anger in them.

He didn't see any warmth either.

"It's a start. I was thinking more along the lines of you crawling on your hands and knees."

His brows rose as he took a chance and dropped a kiss on her nose.

She didn't blink.

"Forgive me?"

This time he pressed little kisses on her cheeks, her chin, at the side of her mouth.

"Is that the best you can do?" she murmured, watching his face through slitted eyes.

He smiled.

Her teeth sank into his chin.

And right there Marc knew that if she was taking bites out of him they were going to be okay.

"I love you. I've missed you so much."

Now his mouth was at her neck and he inhaled the scent of his woman.

"I missed you, too," she said and her arms came around his waist and held on tight.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

She eased back to look into his eyes and saw the strain around his mouth, around his eyes.

"Kiss me."

His smile lit up the room before he dipped his head and his mouth took hers.

His lips were cool and soft against hers. But Elena wanted more, so she took more. And he gave her everything she needed to heal a sore heart.

By the time they eased back they were both breathing heavily.

"We're guests," Elena said. "We'd better rejoin the party."

He took her hand before he opened the door to the sound of laughter and high voices that mingled with orchestral Christmas music.

"We'll have our own party later," he promised, as he tugged her down the hall.

"Marc..."

He stopped and turned to her face him.

"I still have the keys to the cottage. The log burner is on, the heating is on, the champagne is in the fridge. Your things are just where you left them."

"I always spend Christmas morning with my family," she said, not wanting to give too much, too soon.

"Me, too. Maybe we can get them together later in the day at Heron's Rest? But first I want you to myself tonight. I'm not waiting for you any longer, Elena." He placed a gentle kiss on her soft mouth. "Why don't you bring the food, the wine and we'll combine our turkeys? As my mother said, let's start as we mean to go on."

He moved to kiss her again when a voice interrupted.

"Elena. May I speak with you for a moment?"

She closed her eyes.

Nico.

"Give him a chance, baby," Marc whispered in her ear.

She nodded once.

Marc gave the hand he held to Nico and the Italian towed her into his study.

It appeared it was a night for studies.

This one was huge.

The antique desk was massive and there was a fire burning low in the grate behind an enclosed fire guard.

Nico shut the door, released her hand and moved to a low sofa made of butter soft leather the colour of mocha.

"Sit," he said.

She sat, looked into his face and lifted her chin in defiance.

His teeth tugged on his top lip.

"
Cara
, I am sorry that you had to go through the ordeal with the police, but..."

Elena held up her hand to stop another word.

"No buts. There's a formal disciplinary procedure for the company and you didn't follow it. I understand why you did it. But didn't it occur to you or James Bond out there that you might have recruited me? Don't you think that it sickened me to read what those emails said about you and Bronte?"

"
Si
, but I will do anything to protect
mia famiglia.
"

Nico's grey eyes were stormy now.

And Elena saw the love, saw the fear for that love, too.

She nodded.

The man was just trying to protect the people who mattered most.

Elena got that.

"What's happened to Jenny?"

His brow rose.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes."

"She has been dismissed."

"That's it?"

"What more would you have me do?"

Good question.

"She's very young, Nico. It's easy to make mistakes when we're young. She's a very good worker, good with the clients. I believe her boyfriend was the bad influence and used her. Perhaps she deserves another chance?"

"Not working in my hotels."

Fair enough.

The man was tough on people who let him down.

She stood. "I accept your apology."

Nico rose and went to hug her.

But Elena shook her head.

Nico studied her face.

Now his smooth brow creased.

"You are not coming back to Ludlow Hall?"

"I haven't decided yet. But at the moment I'm leaning towards a fresh start somewhere new. So, you deserve another chance, but not Jenny? Double standards, Nico."

A whole stream of Italian invective poured from his mouth as Nico paced to his desk and back again to stand in front of her.

"You drive a hard bargain, Elena Kennedy.
Si
, she can have a role in my organisation. But not at Ludlow Hall. I will find a place for her in the new Boutique Hotel in London, under the watchful eye of a very tough, very experienced manager. One more slip and she is out."

"Okay, I'll come back," Elena agreed with a nod. Then her eyes met his. "And I want a raise, fifteen percent. I'm worth every penny."

For a stunned moment, Nico simply stared. His mouth twitched. He threw back his head and roared with laughter.

She was caught in a big hug and both cheeks kissed.

"Ah,
Bella, bella
. You will drive Marc
pazzo
. He is a lucky man."

"You didn't agree. I didn't hear the word yes."

"
Si
, you may have a raise, it is the least I can do." He grabbed her hand and headed for the door. "Come, let us join our families."