Free Web NovelChapter 23: Special relationship (2)
"This is the third time," Scarlet sighed, covering her eyes as the couple ran away. "And you are grinning ear to ear."
"Isn’t it entertaining to see the fear in their eyes when we walk by and then how they hurry to run away? Well, aside from the second couple as they continued as if we did not stumble upon them. The ball is full of excitement," Ian said, looking around for another hiding couple.
"They are not making good use of the queen’s garden. Children play here often. If we stumble upon anyone else, I am returning inside. I do not want to come across anyone with their pants down or dresses up. I don’t find the same enjoyment in it as you do," said Scarlet.
"You don’t want to be haunted by an ugly-looking penis?" Ian teased.
Scarlet glared at him for putting the thought in her head.
"It is dark so you will be fortunate to not get a detailed look. I also wish to sleep tonight so I hope we will avoid one. Have you ever fooled around in the dark?" Ian questioned, curious about her days before marriage.
"What reason would I have to fool around in the dark? If there was someone I wanted to be alone with, I made arrangements," Scarlet replied honestly.
Scarlet was not one to beat around the bush when it came to being with someone she liked. Those instances were mostly to share a kiss, but a quiet room was better than sneaking around the dark as if there was something more to be done.
Scarlet found that it was mostly those with forbidden relationships, engaging in affairs, or like a dog in heat were the ones to seek out the darkness. Should she desperately need to kiss someone she would pull them toward her carriage to go home.
"There are too many watchful gazes in the palace. I wouldn’t recommend sneaking out here to do anything though you think the dark would hide you," Scarlet advised Ian.
She had seen all too many times when someone’s secret rendezvous in the garden was passed around the palace the next day.
"Are you someone to engage in passionate moments in the dark?" Scarlet asked.
"I am more of a do it where it seems fitting. I don’t know what you have witnessed to scare you, but a bit of fooling around in the dark isn’t so bad," Ian replied. "There is nothing like the excitement of almost being caught. That’s why many are so daring to come here now. It adds to the moment." frёewebηovel.cѳm
"I am not given the freedom of doing such a thing. Not that I want to. Unlike the others, should I be caught doing something like that, my name would be in the papers. I must sound like a bore," Scarlet said as she wasn’t like the others willing to take the risk.
"Not at all. I can’t help but think you make up for it by being adventurous in a closed space," Ian replied, noting the small smile appearing on her lips before it disappeared. She was going to slowly kill him.
"You speak of things as if we have been friends for long. Some might find you a scoundrel for speaking of such a thing to me," said Scarlet.
"Such a thing? Being adventurous in a closed space could mean anything. I question what you thought of, Lady Collins," Ian replied, purposely using lady. "Does it bother you to already be referred to as Collins?"
"Not at all. I rather people refer to me as what seems fitting in their eyes. I am soon to be Collins again," Scarlet answered
"Good because I refuse to address you by another name. I think we are about to stumble upon our fourth couple. Come here," Ian said, taking Scarlet’s hand to lead her away. This pair sounded as if they were further than all the other couples.
Scarlet gladly accepted being stirred away from someone lost in passion. She allowed Ian to lead her away from it to a more quiet place. "It is nearing time for us to go back inside."
"It amazes me that you are eager to go back inside when he is there with that woman," Ian said, still holding her hand.
"We live in the same town. I was bound to see the two together and I’ve long come to terms with it to not want to run away. It is not some sudden shock that he has a woman," Scarlet replied. Even if they were still married and Jack showed up with a woman in his arms, she would not run. What did running accomplish?
"Hmm. I’m starting to fear that you never show your true feelings. Not saying that a lot of things don’t bother you, but at a time like this, it must hurt."
"It might have hurt if I was still in love with Jack. We fell out of love long before he revealed her. We should have been divorced months before this so I could avoid being tied to their mess. Why am I telling you this?" Scarlet muttered, now realising she shared something she hadn’t told her parents.
"Because I am a good listener. I deserve to be moved from the man who pours you tea to a friend," Ian said, letting go of her hand as they reached a quiet corner.
"You wish to move faster than many of the men I work with."
Ian inched closer to Scarlet to cage her between him and the tall bush behind her. "I am not like the men you work with. They don’t know how to go after what they want. Let’s make a little deal. Aside from the music, you don’t appear to be enjoying the ball."
"I’ll propose my offer again to make you any drink you want. Perhaps include food if it is within my talent or I have what is needed. I’ll offer myself to you for you to make use of. A man who wouldn’t bother you and only looks to let you have fun tonight. Are you adventurous enough to do something not within your plans for the night?" Ian asked.
"Are you already making fun of the fact that I live with a schedule?" Scarlet questioned, getting her answer when he smiled. "I don’t have my guards to go with me."
"Then tell your father who you are leaving with. I’m sure it wouldn’t be long before there be guards hunting me down or he might stalk me to see if you are safe," Ian answered.
"If my father stalks us, you’ll end up dead," Scarlet replied as her father would be travelling with a gun.
"I’m willing to take the risk. Are you? How adventurous can Scarlet Collins be?" Ian asked, daring her.
Scarlet smiled for the first time without hiding it from Ian. She glanced at the balcony where the light from the ball was coming out. If she were to go back inside, she would be standing around as she did not plan to dance with anyone.
Ian was surprisingly pleasant to be around. He had his secrets, but she had her own. For one night she could step away from her plans and do something unlike herself.
"Do not challenge me," Scarlet said, grabbing his shirt to pull him closer to him. "I know how to have fun," she said, then made a bold move to kiss him.
