The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 120: A gun and land (4)

"You are back in one piece, but you will lose favour with my mother for becoming my father’s drinking partner," Scarlet said, folding her arms. "How much did you two drink?" She asked, leaning forward to smell the scent of the wine. She knew which one it was now.

"Why would I lose her favour? She seems to love me," Ian said, looking at Samara tidying Leonard’s appearance.

"My mother doesn’t like my father drinking too much. Says it’s bad for his health and it smells like you have drank a bottle. All your hard work will disappear but that is a good thing. As well as you sending her a letter that you must turn down the invitation to meet my relatives," said Scarlet.

Ian didn’t have the slightest clue of what he was walking into. It would not only be the Collins that would be attending.

"Now, why would I do that when I have already accepted? That would be rude. I’m in too good of a happy mood for your pinching to hurt me," Ian said, feeling more tickled than in pain. "I’m in too much of a happy mood to be driving."

"You came with a driver. Florence has already informed me. Don’t lie to me," Scarlet warned.

"I wasn’t. I simply forgot. Perhaps I am too happy," Ian said as he couldn’t remember having someone wait outside.

Scarlet smacked her face. Why did her father have to create this mess? "Ian, you are going to go right home and sleep. Do not try to do anything else."

Ian leaned forward to whisper, "Wouldn’t it just be better if you strapped me to the bed here? I am still in my right mind for us to have fun."

"Have fun with the ghost," Scarlet replied, stepping back from Ian. "Danger looms near and you still want to be a flirt. Did my father not say anything to scare you? Please don’t tell me that the two of you bonded."

Scarlet wouldn’t be able to believe that her father and Ian had somehow managed to start to become close.

"I picked out a spot where he might bury me should I hurt you. Not like that will happen and we laughed over who would kill Jake first."

"Jack," Scarlet corrected. "He’s not here and you are still toying with his name. It is time to go," she said, reluctantly holding his hand. This was the only way she knew to get him out of there quickly before her parents wanted to speak to him again.

"Is the rule back off now?" Ian asked since she touched him. "I should start to make my body off limits to you."

’Just forget about the rule," Scarlet replied.

It was on and off from time to time with Ian getting his way most of it. As long as he stopped when she said to, she would get rid of the rule.

"Was it my hands on you earlier-" freёwebnovel.com

"Ian, I swear I will push you out the door if you are not quiet. I hope to never see you drunker because you are already too annoying when you are not," Scarlet muttered.

"I am not drunk. It only slipped my mind that I brought someone here," Ian answered.

"That is part of what happens when you are drunk. If you thought making yourself drunk with my father meant you could stay here, then you were wrong. Thank you," Scarlet said to the maid who opened the door for her. "Must I walk you down the stairs?"

"I am not drunk. Good night Scarlet," Ian said, kissing her cheek as a goodbye gesture. The biggest mistake she had ever made was getting rid of the rule. He would have loved her lips again but knew Leonard was still watching him. "Dream of me and if it gets frustrating that it is not real, call me."

"Goodbye," Scarlet said, gently pushing him back to get some space between them.

Ian smiled, backing away from Scarlet.

Scarlet panicked, reaching her hand out toward him. "You will fall- You fool," she muttered, angered that she was tricked by him.

Scarlet returned inside and closed the door, no longer interested in seeing him off.

"We won’t keep you up. Next time, come to us for dinner and bring Alana with you. Ian as well. I like him," Samara spoke softly so Leonard wouldn’t hear. "If Luke causes you any trouble, let us know. "

"I can handle Luke. Have a safe trip back, mother. You were more than welcome to spend the night here," Scarlet said, worrying about their trip back.

"Oh no," Samara declined the offer. "We have our plans for how to end the night and I don’t want to bother you for long. Next visit I will stay so we can have a longer talk. I would also love to have a day of going out to eat and spoiling you along with Alana. Let me know when you have time to spare."

"I am always free for you," Scarlet replied.

"Then I will come soon. Don’t go back to work," Samara said.

"We mean it. Take some time to rest," Leonard advised Scarlet as he hugged her. "No need to see us out. Goodbye. To you too, Alana."

Alana waved goodbye to the two as she walked to Scarlet’s side. "That went well."

"What?" Scarlet asked, turning to Alana.

"Your parents meeting your lover. Is that not what happened tonight?" Alana wondered.

"He is not my lover. You quite enjoyed yourself tonight," Scarlet said as Alana smiled through all of dinner.

"It is nice to have such a lively dinner and I never thought I would see the day that you are in denial. It is evident to those around you that something is happening between you and Ian. Why not give it a try before you lose out? It is perfectly fine for you to start seeing someone again," said Alana.

’Unless she’s afraid,’ Alana thought.

"Don’t you have something else to occupy your time with? Like going to bed?" Scarlet asked, leaving Alana’s side before the questions could continue.

"I am not ready for bed yet and I do not have a hobby to pass the time. Will you be at home tomorrow?" Alana questioned, wanting to spend time with Scarlet.

Alana was used to being off by herself but living with Scarlet, she wanted to be around someone.

"I have to visit the hotel but then I have time to spare for an hour or two. I am in a good mood to spoil you and I need a few things for upcoming parties. Would you like to come along with me-"

"Certainly!" Alana responded. She cleared her throat because her answer was a little too excited. "I mean, I would love to."

"You are not in the palace, Alana. I won’t scold you for the way you reply. Get some rest. I shall take you on a tour to see how the hotel runs. It should be a good lesson if you are still interested in having a business," said Scarlet.

If working was what Alana wanted to do, then she would help.

"Yes, thank you. You will not regret taking me tomorrow. Oh, I must look for what to wear," Alana realised.

Scarlet believed she felt a breeze as Alana ran by her. "I hope she doesn’t fall."