The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 79: Guards at the door (3)

"Did you kill him the same day as the party? Is that why you did not take me home?" Scarlet asked.

"I did kill him that night, but I sent you off with my carriage so I could visit your estate for it. He would have bothered you, Scarlet. It is-"

"Thank you," Scarlet thanked him, surprising Ian.

Scarlet thought back to her conversation with Alana about how she always had to be protecting herself. Ian had been doing it often and regardless of his intentions for doing it, it was nice to have someone make the move before she needed to.

Other than her close relatives, it was new for her to have someone go this far to protect her when Ian was almost a stranger to her. There were people she knew for years who would see the danger coming her way and not say a word.

"Did I hear wrong?" Ian wondered, staring at Scarlet as though she had grown a second head. "Say it again so I know that I heard you."

Scarlet looked away from Ian. "Though you sometimes don’t listen to me, your ears work well so I am not repeating myself. What I said is not that special."

"It is to me. Don’t be shy now and say it again Scarlet," Ian repeated.

"No," Scarlet replied. "I am finished with my tea so it is time for me to leave."

"Not so fast, Scarlet. What is it with you and running away from me? That will never work in your favour since I enjoy the chase," Ian said, then sat beside Scarlet. "I will be coming for my carriage tomorrow afternoon. I’m surprised you didn’t send it back to me to keep me from your estate. Is it that you want me to come?"

Scarlet turned to Ian, now noticing how close they were now thanks to Ian not missing the opportunity to sit beside her. A little closer and she could hit him with her head before he could react to move if she wanted. "I thought you would have found your way to my estate."

"So, you did want to see me. Forgive me for taking so long to go to you. Will you be home tomorrow?" Ian asked, his gaze going to the small smudge on her lips caused by drinking the tea.

He wanted to wipe it away but knew her claws would be quick to come out to scratch him. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"Or do you not want me to see the visitor you have?" He added.

"Princess Alana is staying with me. She might be there until she weds and I am not interested in sending her off any time soon. I would like for her to settle in well before it is known that she is staying with me. To not have her alone, I will be home then," Scarlet answered.

Scarlet wanted to slap herself for agreeing to let him come to her estate. Once was enough and more than she had offered to others. She had no reason to allow him back to the estate as she could simply send someone to return his carriage to his home.

Meeting at her home would have nothing to do with the contract and would cross the line she would like to keep between them, but it was already too late to take back now.

"Your secret is safe with me. Now, what can I buy that cat of yours to get her on my side?" Ian asked.

"You were serious?" Scarlet replied, surprised that he still thought Sunny was the way to get her to like him. After Ian nodded his head, Scarlet added, "I would give up. She is hard to please and I believe she only likes me because I had her from when she was a kitten. There’s a little understanding that I provide her shelter and food so she loves me."

Ian loved the way a different side of Scarlet appeared when she spoke about her demon cat. She smiled and didn’t try to hide it from him. "I will still do my best to get her on my side. And what would the princess like?"

"You cannot buy gifts for everyone that I like to attempt to get me to like you. It will not work well for you. Why do you seem to think I will let you stay long enough to give anyone gifts?" Scarlet asked.

Ian made a small step by touching her hair which fell perfectly over her shoulder. "You might not want to admit it but you enjoy my company. I look forward to the day that you can admit it. Should we make a bet for how long I will be there?"

"I will do no such thing," Scarlet replied, watching as Ian played with her hair as though it were a toy. He truly wasn’t any different from Sunny, but at least one of them grew bored of her sometimes and wandered around to find somewhere else to nap. "What can I do to end how touchy you are?"

"Nothing," Ian answered. "But I am willing to resist the urge for a few days if you would hug me once. It’s a good deal."

"How about I travel with my gun more often and place it on the table as a pretty warning?" Scarlet replied.

"Then I will place my gun beside your gun so it won’t be lonely. You should give up. Nothing you do will keep me away."

"So, I entered into a contract with a persistent stalker who has feelings for me. A mistake I might live to regret. Before I forget, I must apologise for the guard earlier. We’ve had terrible meetings over the years so he is not fond of me. He’s been right a few times about who my family has killed, but he never had proof so it has upset him," Scarlet explained.

She continued to say, "We’ve only killed those trying to harm us and my family has offered their time to help keep the kingdom safe. That stopped with my father because some people were never grateful. I have no interest in harming someone unless they tried to harm me first but Glenn doesn’t want to believe it."

"I think he likes you," said Ian.

Scarlet frowned, the mere thought of it upsetting her stomach. "I would hope not. He wants to bring down a big family and he thinks it will happen with me. There is nothing more. Do not try to kill him."

"As long as he doesn’t trouble you, I won’t touch a single hair on his head."

"I don’t need you to go around killing who I don’t like though I am thankful to not need to be cornered by Robert again. You have harassed my hair enough Ian. Please let go so that I can leave. I must get back to the princess," Scarlet said, hooked on Ian’s hand getting dangerously close to her face.

"I can’t ignore it any longer. There is a smudge," Ian spoke softly. He made a bold move to wipe away the smudge with his finger. He was ready for the attack but it did not come.

Scarlet thought of pushing him away, but her body wasn’t listening. She sat still, attentive to every touch from Ian’s finger.

"There," he ended, showing her what he rubbed away. "Now you are good to go."