Free Web NovelChapter 204: Trust (4)
"We must hope that these rumours of another woman do not reach my grandfather’s ears now that you are meeting him for the first time. Or that my father does not hear of it and comes here. There will be a few people I have to reassure about this," said Scarlet.
Her parents wouldn’t be thrilled about this repeating and rather than call, they might be so angry that they come to visit her.
Now would be a good time to go away on a trip to a town far away from Lockwood to get away from hearing about this new gossip.
"Ian, would you like to go on a trip with me? I have a home that is outside of Lockwood. It is normally quite peaceful there since the town isn’t anything like this one," said Scarlet.
"Is this the trip where you are to meet with your relatives?" Ian asked as he already had an invitation for that one.
"No. Everyone has been saying that I need a break from work. I am thinking of going away for a few days. Now is a good time since we wouldn’t have to hear about you and this Monica woman. If you don’t want to join me, I can go with Alana or alone," Scarlet said, but it didn’t sound as fun to be alone.
"I must continue with my plan for my father and his wife first so I cannot go on a trip now. I must also find a way to make Victor better. We can go on a trip after if you still wish to," said Ian.
Scarlet moved her hands from Ian’s shoulders. "It is fine. By then, I might have to leave for the reunion with my relatives. I can do a quick trip alone or like I said, with Alana. I forgot that you must focus on Noelle. It is bad timing."
As much as Scarlet wanted Ian to come with her, she knew it would be wrong to pull him away from his plans now.
"Come with me. I will introduce you to my grandparents," Scarlet said, trying to move on from what she asked him.
Ian held her hand to stop her from leaving. "Scarlet, it is hard to miss the disappointment you feel now. I would love to go on a trip with just you and me. Can you give me a few days to finish up things on my end? Or must you go now because of the rumours?"
"It is only wanting to travel with you, but in the spur of the moment, I forgot there are things you need to do here. It is fine, Ian. I can hold it off a little longer or wait until I can travel to see my relatives. I won’t sulk over you not having time to do it now," Scarlet replied, honest with her response.
She was disappointed but not to the point she would think about this anymore.
"I can wait for you to be done with what you came back to Lockwood for so stop worrying. It might age you faster and I happen to like how you look now. Is that cleared up now?" Scarlet asked, not wanting him to regret his answer.
"It is," Ian replied, taking hold of her hand. He still couldn’t forget the disappointment he witnessed for a moment so he started to plan how he could make it up to her.
Ian now planned to move his plans up for his father so he wouldn’t miss out on any plans between him and Scarlet in the future. Noelle needed to be found as soon as possible so that he could then have his answers and finally move on. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"If we move fast, we should be able to meet up with them as soon as they pass the door. Follow me," Scarlet said, leading the way out.
She secretly enjoyed how easy it was for them to communicate and move on so this wouldn’t be a problem later on.
Scarlet took Ian to a door which led to outside. "Grandmother!" She called to get the other’s attention.
"Scarlet, you finally joined us outside and with a handsome fellow. It must be our lucky day to get you outside and to be introduced to the man courting you. You’re a Kingsley," Rue said, giving Ian a quick look over. She was used to the judgemental family so she was curious how this one caught Scarlet’s attention.
"Not for long. I am trying to get rid of the last name," Ian answered. "But for now, I am Ian Kingsley."
Rue smiled as it seemed Scarlet had found herself a little rebel. "Well, it’s nice to meet you, Ian. I am Rue Collins and this scary-looking man here is my husband, Elijah Collins. He looks scary but I assure you that he’s not that dangerous. Smile a little, Elijah."
"I will when there is something worth smiling for," Elijah answered. There was another one hovering around his granddaughter. What was he to be happy about? "Where is Leonard?"
"I do not know. Last I spoke to my parents, they were enjoying each other’s company. You said that you were going to see them which is why you are not spending the night here," Scarlet reminded them of their words.
"I have changed my mind. Walking around has brought me back memories from my youth and the years of raising your father here. I would like to spend the night so have your father called here for us to enjoy dinner. Join me for a walk," Elijah said, looking directly at Ian.
Rue kept her hold on Elijah’s arm. "Why should you get the fun of going off alone with him when I want to know more about him? I will join you."
Scarlet wanted to save Ian from the questioning so she said, "I will-"
"I’m sure you had plenty of time with him, Scarlet. Don’t be greedy now. We only want to talk with him and then we will bring him back in one piece. Wouldn’t you like to take a walk with us, Ian?" Rue asked.
"I would," Ian answered, letting go of Scarlet’s hand so he could go with the pair. As with her parents, Ian didn’t feel worried.
Scarlet’s grandfather just had a more deadlier glare than Leonard did and now he wondered if the glare was more dangerous looking the older the Collins was.
Rue led the way with Elijah by her side. She looked over her shoulder at Ian walking behind them. "What are you doing behind there? You remind me of my old guards when I was a child but they used to try to act like they weren’t following me. Come beside us, Ian. It would be rude for us to speak to you and you are back there."
Ian closed the space between them so he was standing beside Rue.
"You are quiet. Are you scared of us or scared that you might say something to give the wrong first impression?" Rue asked, trying to use a gentle approach with Ian. Should they scare him off, Scarlet might not speak to them for a while.
"It is neither. I know you must have plenty of questions for me so I am waiting for you to start. I am not afraid but rather interested in knowing more about you since you are a princess from the border," said Ian.
Rue laughed as it was some time since anyone called her a princess. "Princess? We don’t use such titles back at home and it’s been so long since I thought of myself as something like a princess. You know that Scarlet has great ties to the border. Some still find us to be strange so I am happy that you are curious. Hopefully, you are not pretending."
"I wouldn’t have made it this far in my relationship with her if I were pretending."
"Sometimes when you are at the start of loving someone, you fail to miss a few things. As smart as anyone could be, we all have our moments of making bad judgements. You’ve met Leonard already so we don’t have to give you any warnings. There is only one thing I am interested in. Can you use a sword?" Rue asked, hoping this one didn’t need others to protect him.
"Rue," Elijah sighed. How did it come to speak about swords?
"Oh, hush. You would be disappointed if you were to find out that he doesn’t know how to use a gun. Which would be fine with me. Those awful things need to be thrown out. So, do you know how to use a sword? Scarlet has plenty of guards but I can’t be fond of someone who doesn’t have a way to protect themselves or her," said Rue.
Elijah didn’t care to know about Ian using a sword. "Scarlet doesn’t need to be protected by anyone. She received almost the same training as Ryan."
"Well, he also needs to know how to protect himself so Scarlet wouldn’t worry about him. Could you imagine her having to fight off an intruder and worry about protecting the man in her life? Ridiculous. Answer me quickly as my patience runs thin," Rue said, hoping to hear a yes from Ian.
"I know how to use a sword and a gun. In a fight, Scarlet wouldn’t need to worry about me," Ian answered, trying to impress the two at the same time.
"Both? Well, that is a surprise. It is normally only my family who still uses swords. Where is Ryan? We must test if you are telling the truth," Rue said, excited to watch a duel.
