The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 267: Second chance (3)

"It is lovely," Florence commented, impressed by the ring Ian made for Scarlet.

Scarlet stared at the ring which she quickly became accustomed to seeing every day. "You are meant to be taking a break, Florence. To see your family."

"I have seen them enough while you were away with your family. I must be present to help you with the party. It is a good day," Florence said, excited like the news to be shared was about her. "Your guests will be arriving soon. I have finished hiding Ian’s things."

"Good. It doesn’t need to be revealed right away that he is moving here. Let us get the engagement out first and then we can share that news. Keep an eye on Alana. She has not stopped jumping around since I told her the good news," said Scarlet.

Scarlet didn’t have any other choice but to let Alana know that Ian was going to start living on the estate. Alana was not yet aware that the reason was because he proposed. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"I will place a maid to circle the princess. The maids have already been warned not to speak of what they see tonight. You will have your peace," Florence promised. She would not have one of her maids ruin the night by speaking to other maids from other estates.

The town was not to know yet.

As long as tonight went smoothly then Florence could watch as a wedding was planned. Scarlet and Ian were already taking the big step to move in together.

The door opened, revealing Ian who was dressed to suit the occasion.

Florence backed away from Scarlet, silently leaving the two so they could talk. She would need to greet the guests in their absence.

"You look lovely. Finally, you don’t have to hide the ring anymore," Ian said, lifting her hand to get a good look at it.

For too many days Scarlet was only wearing the ring when they came to bed since Alana did not know about the engagement yet. Now Ian got to see Scarlet wearing it all the time. It wouldn’t be long before he got to see her wearing it outside the estate as after tonight they would start preparing for the wedding.

"We should get a portrait done of your hand with the ring on it," Ian suggested.

"Not before you sit for portraits of yourself. You must have some done to be shown off around the estate. We can have a big family portrait done with my parents and your family. I will make arrangements for it. We must go down," Scarlet said, standing up from her chair. "Nervous?"

"No. I’ve waited too long to share this news with someone. I am excited," Ian kissed her hand. "You must remember the story we came up with for our engagement. I don’t want it to ever be known to anyone else that I proposed during the height of our intimacy."

"I have memorised it well. I don’t want my parents to know the truth as well. Your mother is coming, right? You did not misplace her invitation? I won’t be happy with you if you did," Scarlet warned Ian.

Ivy lived with Victor so one couldn’t receive the invitation and the other did not. Scarlet already informed her mother that she would be meeting with Ivy for the first time.

"I think I hear someone arriving," Ian said, trying to leave to go out of the bedroom.

"We are on the second floor and far away from where you can hear them coming. What did you do?" Scarlet asked.

"Nothing. She will be here with Victor. I have convinced Florence to seat her away from me. I have done what you asked so what will be my reward? Alone time later on to celebrate our engagement?" Ian asked, pulling Scarlet close for a hug.

Scarlet smiled, leading Ian to think that he would get lucky. "You have guests to entertain you horny man. You are preventing us from revealing that we will wed. W-Wait," she stuttered, startled by Ian lifting her. "Put me down."

Ian didn’t listen to Scarlet’s request and carried her through the opened bedroom door. She was right that he was wasting time. They had good news to share so why make their guests wait a second longer?

Scarlet held onto Ian for dear life. He had proven before that he could easily lift her but she still feared falling each time.

"Scarlet?" She heard her father’s voice. "Did you injure yourself or did he?"

"Stop with the question, Leonard. They are being romantic, but Ian, please do not drop my daughter," Samara pleaded. She would not like to spend the night taking care of an injured Scarlet. "Ivy, isn’t your son wonderful?"

"He is. It is the first time I have ever seen him like this. Your daughter is special," Ivy commented, seeing a new side to her son thanks to Scarlet. She was still not believing that she was standing there as an invited guest.

Ivy planned to stay close to Victor all night since he was the one she was closest to. It was disappointing that Ian wasn’t the one she was close to but she would work her way there.

"You’re making us jealous by carrying her around. Back in my prime, I could lift Ian. Couldn’t I, Elijah?" Rue questioned, looking for praise from her husband.

Elijah nodded his head. He knew it from experience that she could lift a man as she had done it to him. The sudden attack when she thought he was getting engaged to someone else and flipped him.

’Oh, to be young and that strong," Rue said, jealous of the couple. "I could just- is that a ring on your finger, Scarlet?" Rue asked.

"A ring?!" Samara exclaimed, rushing to beat Rue to be the first one to see the ring up close.

Scarlet frantically patted Ian’s chest, wanting to be put down before the others reached them. "Put me down quickly," she pleaded.

Ian moved from the stairs before Rue or Samara got to them. He could not put down Scarlet yet since he was using her as protection against the two men who had not moved.

His mother, Victor, and Alana were too shocked to move but none of them were a threat to Ian.

"Oh, it is lovely," Samara complimented the ring. "Congratulations on your engagement. We have a wedding to plan."

"A good reason for us to stay in Lockwood for a while. It’s not too late for us to call upon Ryan to have a duel with Ian. I have not forgotten about that," Rue whispered to Ian.

"I am up for it as long as you help me," Ian replied, pointing to Leonard and Elijah.

"They’ll be fine. Leonard, why are you acting so surprised? Did he not ask for Scarlet’s hand?" Rue asked her attention back on Ian’s strength to lift Scarlet.

"No, he did not," Leonard answered, glaring at Ian. If it was going to be this soon, why hadn’t Ian told them two weeks ago? "Welcome to the family," he said in an unhappy tone. For Scarlet, he could play nice and celebrate now then he would interrogate Ian later. fгeewebnovёl.com

This was Scarlet’s second engagement but her second proposal should not have been done without any proper planning or thought put into it. If it wasn’t, Leonard would have Ian propose again.