Free Web NovelChapter 49: Jealousy (2)
"I need a glass of water and a platter of whatever treats you are serving today. I will be right here waiting for you to return,’ Ian told a servant he found.
The servant excused herself to get what Ian needed.
Ian turned to look at where Scarlet sat looking around the garden. He didn’t go too far away from her as he knew leaving her alone might be dangerous. Her fool of an ex might look to approach her or one of the men who had to be blind might try to court her.
Ian looked forward to seeing Layla furious as he knew his father must be off introducing him to his peers but Ian was quite ready to take Scarlet and leave the party. Having her by his side was changing up his plan but he didn’t mind it.
He found something that made this town tolerable.
"Hello. I don’t think we have ever met."
Ian kept his gaze on Scarlet a little longer before turning to the person interrupting his viewing time. He came face to face with the woman Scarlet said was her relative.
Ian resisted the urge to laugh at how fast she came to him the moment he left Scarlet’s side.
They were nosey little things.
"We haven’t," Ian replied. "Who are you?"
Naomi frowned as even a simple worker should know that she was part of the Collins family. Still, she forced a smile. "I am Naomi Collins, wife of Preston Collins." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
"You said his name as though it was meant to ring a bell in my head. Try again. Maybe the second time will cause some noise in my head," said Ian.
Naomi couldn’t believe how he spoke to her but she was on a mission so she ignored it. "He is part of the well-known Collins family and works for his father along with having a business of his own. Though his money is quite old so he doesn’t have to work too hard."
"He should work a little harder so you can boast. And what makes you special for me to remember your name?" Ian asked, thoroughly enjoying how she fought back her anger.
"I am his wife. For that, you should remember me but I already told you my name so you mustn’t forget it. I saw that you were sitting with Scarlet. I wasn’t aware that she had found someone after Jack. Who are you?" Naomi asked as she wanted to know all about the alleged lover Scarlet had.
It was once in the papers and now Scarlet had a man around her. It was unlike Scarlet.
"I don’t want to share," Ian replied.
Naomi stared at him in wonder. "But I introduced myself to you."
Ian shrugged his shoulders. "I didn’t ask you to. You came over to me and did it. What is it that you want to speak to me about? Be out of it. It would be rude of me to have a woman seated alone long."
"You," Naomi started but bit her lip. "I have not seen you around the town so you must be new. Then that means you have not heard what is being said about Scarlet. You are aware that she is now a divorced woman."
"I am aware," Ian replied, still uninterested in Scarlet’s status. "It would be a little awkward if I was courting a woman already taken, wouldn’t it?"
"Well yes but. Don’t you have any concerns as to why her husband divorced her-"
"I haven’t known Scarlet as long as you have but I would bet my carriage that she was the one to call for the divorce. How interesting that a relative would come trying to talk me out of being with Scarlet. You should do better at hiding how you don’t want her to be happy. Jealous?" Ian questioned, trying to figure out what was fueling her dislike for Scarlet.
Naomi scoffed. "Jealous of what? Her being with you? A man who must not have anything to his name? Don’t make me laugh."
"I’m insulted. Like you, I was personally given an invitation to this party and I wasn’t speaking about me. Are you jealous that your husband isn’t the one with real old wealth or that when she introduces herself, she doesn’t need a man’s name to make her sound worth something? Angry?" Ian asked teasingly as Naomi glared at him.
Naomi dug her nails into the purse she was holding. "I am not jealous of that woman. I don’t care about her."
"So why did you approach me? Why question me about someone you don’t care for? You’re not too smart," Ian concluded.
"Watch what you say as I can have it that you never attend a party like this again. Not even Scarlet would be able to save you," Naomi warned.
Ian welcomed the challenge. "How will you and your not-so-memorable husband do that?"
Naomi opened her mouth but didn’t know how to respond to him.
"Ha," Ian chuckled. "All talk and no show. Using the Collins name means nothing if you don’t have the power to do anything. Stay in your place."
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Naomi asked, insulted that he spoke to her as if she was a simple person. She looked around for Preston to have him put the man in his place. "Nothing will come out of being around Scarlet. As a woman, she is worth nothing. Besides, there are already other suitors lined up for her. Ones more suited for her."
Naomi couldn’t wait for the man she had convinced to court Scarlet to show up before her.
"It would be in your best interest to root for me and to get rid of your jealousy. Be it a man or a woman, anyone who looks to harm that woman will see me not long after. If you wish to keep that pretty necklace without any stains, stop speaking about her," Ian warned.
"You... love her?" Naomi questioned, finding it the only reason he would threaten someone over Scarlet, but why would he love Scarlet of all women? Was he trying to protect the money Scarlet might be giving him to be at her side?
Ian turned his attention back to Scarlet. "I wouldn’t say it’s that far but if I do ever love her in the future, you wouldn’t want to see me then if you hurt her. Haven’t you been away from Peter for too long?"
"It’s Preston," Naomi corrected him. There was something about knowing Scarlet had a handsome man ready to kill for her that didn’t sit well with her. She always had to push Preston to do something for her.
Naomi tried not to be jealous since this man was not worth much compared to Preston. He might have lied about receiving an invitation personally and came here as Scarlet’s partner.
"Right. I will try to remember the name in the future. Now if you will excuse me," Ian said, taking the things he ordered from the servant who returned. "I have a beautiful woman awaiting me. Oh, it only makes you look a fool to be getting so close to that man and his mistress. It was interesting meeting you, wife of a Collins."
