The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 20: Unlike myself (1)

"My parents will be concerned about where I have gone so I must leave now," Scarlet said, looking away from the garden to Ian who seemed to enjoy the view.

There was much for him to see for his first time here and though she was perhaps the best person to give him a tour as far as they were permitted to go, Scarlet could not stay.

"I will stay out here a little longer. Be safe on your way back and don’t fall into anyone’s traps," said Ian.

Though he wanted to escort Scarlet back to where he had found her, Ian had noticed someone waiting patiently to the side to have a word with him. It was best to get it over with now as the conversation was bound to happen.

Scarlet reluctantly left Ian’s side. It was surprising that he did not offer to walk her back, but she welcomed the time alone. The walk back alone would give her time to think about what happened not long ago with Beth’s trick.

As Scarlet walked away from where Ian stood, she noticed Layla Kingsley, Ian’s stepmother sneaking toward where Ian remained. Scarlet stopped, wondering if leaving the two alone was a good idea.

Scarlet knew little about the two’s relationship from what Layla said from time to time, but it wasn’t enough to turn back and disturb the two. Should something happen, there were palace guards all around to part it.

Outside, Ian listened carefully to the person approaching him from behind. He had noticed that he was being stalked before he went to get his dance with Scarlet. "You’ve turned to stalking me again."

Layla glared at her husband’s bastard. She thought her eyes were deceiving her when she saw him enter, but it was confirmed to be him when he went to dance with Scarlet. "How dare you walk back into this town again? Wasn’t my warning enough?"

Ian smiled. "I obeyed your warning by returning to town in a carriage instead of walking. You should be clearer next time."

Layla gritted her teeth. She had always hated how he spoke to her. A bastard should know his place. Ian should know to be quiet and be thankful she had not gotten rid of him. "You’ve come back to ruin us all. This is a time for Victor to shine. Leave now."

"No need to get so worked up. I’m not here to steal the spotlight from your precious son or take his position of heir away from him," said Ian.

Layla didn’t believe for a second that Ian wasn’t back to rival his brother to become the heir. Why after so many years was Ian here now when Victor was doing well? What if Ian’s arrival would send Victor back to being sick and then her husband would turn to Ian?

"How much money do you need? You certainly need some since you’re clinging to that woman. The Collins aren’t going to welcome you with open arms so tell me how much you need to leave," Layla said, prepared to offer her arm if it would get him to leave. freёwebnovel.com

Next thing she knew, Ian’s whoring mother might return to town to disturb her days.

Ian turned around to face the woman he had never regarded as any kind of mother. She had been cruel for as long as he could remember. Her hatred stemmed not from the fact he was a bastard, but from him being healthy while her birth son was oftentimes sick.

"I don’t need your money," Ian replied, declining the offer. "Perhaps getting on your knees to beg me might sway me to leave for a day."

"Have you no shame? You returned to Lockwood to be known as your father’s bastard? As Victor’s replacement?" Layla questioned.

There was nothing left for Ian here in Layla’s eyes. She had sent his mother away and Ian was not welcomed with open arms by the Kingsleys. Why return? What did Ian want now? It had to be more money.

Before her husband got any ideas of keeping Ian around should Victor fall sick again she had to get rid of him.

"Tell me how much you need so we can get this over with. I am close to calling the guards as this ball is by invitation only. Were you a fool to use your father or Victor’s name?" Layla wondered.

Which guard was slacking and allowed Ian where he did not belong? Surely, it couldn’t be that Ian was here with Scarlet? If he was, Scarlet was losing her mind as the rumours said.

"Leave or I shall chase you away again."

"How? You’ll spread lies using the paper to ruin me? That trick won’t work a second time," Ian replied.

The young boy she had pushed to leave Lockwood because of her lies had long grown up. Her words wouldn’t get him to think about leaving. At the moment, Ian was back for good. He would only leave should the town bore him.

Layla’s anger grew the more she looked at Ian. A cruel reminder of something that should have never happened. She could not allow him to ruin or take away the spotlight that was now on Victor. Her son was finally appearing healthy so why now did Ian have to show up? ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

’I should have killed him and his whore of a mother,’ Layla thought, regretting that she had let them off easy. She was partly to blame for allowing Ian to see the light of day.

"You will not take Victor’s spot as the heir. I shall see to it you are running out of town again. You’re nothing but a spare. An unwanted bastard," Layla spat.

"Yet your husband sought me out when your beloved son started coughing blood again," Ian said, revealing a secret as Layla responded like she wasn’t aware.

No longer able to take the disrespect, Layla marched over to Ian and raised her hand to slap him.

Ian caught her hand to stop her attempt from slapping him. He then grabbed her left hand she tried to use. "You shouldn’t try that. Not when I am at the age to hurt you. I’d hate to hurt you tonight when we are meant to be enjoying the ball. Do not," Ian warned.

Layla glared at Ian. He was still filth for touching her as he did now. "Unhand me," she commanded him. "You won’t last long in this town."

Ian didn’t give her any more promises that she was wrong. The fact that he would still be here after her schemes would be his answer.

The problem he faced now was getting away from her without her crying out that he had done something to her.

"You should have stayed in the hole your mother crawled into. At least the whore knows her place-"

Layla gasped as Ian pushed her towards the balcony. She almost tripped from the sudden gesture. For a moment, she feared for her life as Ian looked as though he would push her from it.

"Ian."

Ian tore his eyes away from Layla to Scarlet standing by the opening. Why was she back?