The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 46: Conflict (1)

Hank studied his wife’s reaction to what Scarlet said. She was hiding something from him. "Incident? What incident?"

"Ah, it was nothing serious," Layla replied, letting go of Hank to search for her handkerchief. Her palms were starting to feel sweaty.

"Was it not serious? You wanted me to call for the guards," Scarlet continued.

Ian pretended to wipe something above his mouth with his right hand to hide his smile. He didn’t care to bring up the talk he had with Layla at the ball but why would he stop Scarlet when she was speaking on behalf of him?

Hank turned to Layla to get answers. "What incident called for you to need the guards? I was told that you left the ball early so I didn’t know you had met with my wife, Scarlet. I’m a little out of the loop right now."

"It was a small misunderstanding and I had overreacted. It is time we go say hello to our peers," Layla said, starting to walk off but Hank held her arm.

"I am not leaving until I hear of this incident," said Hank.

"It is a private matter so we should leave you to speak alone. Ready?" Scarlet asked Ian, ready to find another spot to be out of sight from guests.

Layla couldn’t believe that Scarlet had brought up a secret and was going to run away now. Hank didn’t need to know that she was well aware of Ian being back in town and did not share it with him.

At least there were two bright sides to Scarlet leaving. Layla didn’t have to look at Ian and she could lie about what the incident was.

"Ian," Victor said, stepping forward to make his presence known.

"Victor," Layla called, reaching for her son. There was nothing for Victor to discuss with Ian when there were men Victor should be getting close to and showing that he was getting better. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

"Leave him be. Let the two make up for lost time," Hank said, holding Layla’s hand to take her to meet with the peers she wanted to see. "We need to speak about this incident. Victor, come to us when you’re done. There is someone I want you to speak to."

"Yes father," Victor replied, smiling ear to ear as he was allowed to be near Ian. "Ian-"

"I am ready to go," Ian said, taking the empty glass from Scarlet’s hand.

Scarlet watched as the smile Victor wore disappeared for a moment but then came back like it never left. There was a sadness in Victor’s eyes that he could not get rid of. ’Did Victor hurt him too?’ She wondered. It was strange as Victor looked to be the most excited one to see Ian.

Scarlet didn’t budge as they should at least greet Victor before leaving. It was a bit rude to engage in a conversation with the parents, though it wasn’t the greatest, and not acknowledge Victor.

"Lady Collins. It is wonderful to see you again," Victor greeted Scarlet. He leaned forward and offered his hand for Scarlet to place her hand for him to greet her but received a tap from Ian. Victor moved his hand back and touched where he was hit.

"Do you want to die?" Ian asked, tempted to hold both of Scarlet’s hands so she couldn’t offer them for a kiss.

Victor chuckled as it was like Ian to give a threat. "It got you to speak to me. It seems everyone knew you had returned but me."

"Don’t feel so left out. I wasn’t sending letters to anyone to make my return known," Ian replied.

"I see. That does make me feel a little bit better," Victor said, his mood slowly changing. "Will you come back home- I mean. Where you grew up. I kept some of your things."

"Throw them out. Why would you keep old things for someone who doesn’t want them?" Ian asked.

Scarlet elbowed Ian in his side. She didn’t know the story between the brothers and though she knew from her own experience that looks were deceiving when it came to relatives, it was uncomfortable to be standing when Victor was trying to get attention from Ian.

"Oh, but they were all used when you were younger. It doesn’t feel good to throw them away. I won’t disturb you any longer. Excuse me," Victor said, his voice low as his sadness took over his excitement.

Victor was excited to see Ian and already knew Ian wouldn’t be excited to see him as it was because of him that Ian had been mistreated. His mother was the source of Ian’s pain when they were younger. Still, Victor hoped now that they were older they could finally act like brothers in peace.

Scarlet waited for Victor to be at a good distance away to then say, "That was a bit awkward for me. Do you hate your brother?"

’No."

"So why-"

"You’re prying a bit much right now. More than I anticipated you would. Is it because you want to be mindful of those who are my enemies? Please say that it is so," Ian requested.

"Here I am trying to understand you and you want to hear sweet things. I have my part to do so I should know who you don’t get along with. I will warn you about my relatives so return the favour. Must you stand so close?" Scarlet asked, examining the small space between them.

When had Ian gotten so close to her? Was it when Victor offered his hand?

Ian leaned forward slightly to whisper, "I have to do my part in showing that I am a man in love."

Scarlet wanted to glare at Ian but didn’t as it might look like they were fighting. "I know the closeness is for your interests. Had I known that you were so touchy I would have reconsidered all of this."

Ian smiled as it was fortunately too late to end the contract. "A kiss would make this party interesting, wouldn’t it?"

"It might. Hopefully, another couple will do it," Scarlet said, her hand lingering on his abdomen as she walked around him. "Didn’t you say you were ready to find another spot?"

"Ha." Ian licked his lips. "The chase, Scarlet. I am warning you that I am a man who enjoys it."

"Hmm," Scarlet replied, not the slightest bit worried about it. "I would love to enjoy a little quiet before the next conflict. "Would my partner be so kind to find me that peace?"

Ian caught up to Scarlet to hold her hand. "It is still a bit windy. I must say you are a sly woman for bringing up what you saw at the ball. Someone will be yelled at by the end of the day."

"Well, her scheme of wanting to say you attacked her for no reason shouldn’t go unpunished. It will be a nice listen to not keep secrets from your husband. You spoke so I wouldn’t need to address Jack so I had to return the favour to you. It is only fair," said Scarlet.

Scarlet looked around for a quiet space where there weren’t too many guests walking around.

"I would say the garden is a good spot but I already know how you feel about being alone in a garden. Not even a sunny day could protect you from seeing an ugly penis-"

"You!" Scarlet exclaimed, covering his mouth with her right hand. "That was well out of my head and you just had to bring it back now. Did you just lick...let go," she said, trying to move her hand but Ian held it to keep it on his mouth.

Ian moved her hand to turn it so he could kiss the back. "This should send a better message to your admirers that you are no longer a woman they can court. Is it the heat or embarrassment that makes your cheeks want to try matching your hair?"