The Actress and the Aristocrat by Katie Ashley
Chapter Twenty: Charlie
I’d only been back in London for a couple of days when it was time to pack up for a trip to the country. One of Rand’s annual summer excursion was a house party at his friend Alfie’s house in Kent. After playing Rowena, I was well versed in what a house party entailed. Of course, that was a 20th century house party, rather than a 21st.
I turned to Rand who was manning the Aston Martin we were zipping through the countryside in. Driving apparently suited him because he appeared so relaxed. Of course, he’d also seemed that way since I’d come back. It was like we’d picked up right where we left off in our relationship before that awful day at Ascot.
“So, what all can I expect this weekend?” I called over the roar of the engine.
“A lot of pretentious arseholes trying to outdo each other,” he replied with a smile.
Giggling, I said, “I’m serious. I mean, I know about the Elton John thing.” While I had originally envisioned a lot of stuffy conversation over drinks, Rand had blown my mind when he told me about the Saturday night themed party. For years, Elton had hosted a White Tie and Tiaras ball at his Windsor Estate. Apparently after Alfie got left off the prestigious guest list one year, he decided to have his house guests dress and perform as Elton. I’m not sure how that was exactly sticking it to him, but whatever floats your boat.
“Saturday morning will be the hunt.”
I jerked my gaze back over to his. “A hunt? Like the old fox hunts?” When Rand nodded, I gasped. “You actually participate in those?”
“It’s not one of my favorite things, so I only do it at Alfie’s.”
“But it’s barbaric.”
Rand momentarily took his gaze off the road to stare at me. “Don’t tell me the daughter of the man who has a wall of deer heads displayed is disparaging hunting.”
I shook my head. “That’s different. We always ate the meat Daddy killed.”
“One might argue he still glorified the hunt by having them stuffed.”
“Ugh, I guess you’re right,” I muttered.
He laughed. “Listen, you can keep your principles and not participate. Not everyone does.”
“I think I’ll take you up on the offer.”
“Pity that’ll I miss seeing you in riding breeches.”
“Are you flirting with me, sir?”
With a wink, he replied, “Perhaps.”
My heartbeat accelerated at his behavior. I liked flirty Rand. A lot. Oh, who was I kidding? I liked everything about him, even his pretentious side. I wasn’t a huge fan of having to pretend I liked him, rather than actually telling him I did. I didn’t know how long we were going to have to dance precariously around what I hoped was our feelings for each other.
When Rand pulled through the iron gates, I shielded my eyes from the sun to take in Alfie’s home, Elmsford Park. It sat on a large hill in the distance. While it was quite imposing, it didn’t hold a candle to Sutherlin House. Expensive cars lined the drive, but Rand pulled around to the front of the house. After putting the car in park, he turned to me. “What do you think?”
“It’s not as big as Sutherlin House.”
With a wink, Rand replied, “I’m glad to hear mine is bigger.”
I laughed. “Aren’t you cheeky today?”
“Speaking of cheeks,” he murmured as he reached over to slide his thumb across my cheekbone. At the sudden gesture and the contact of his fingers on my skin, I shuddered. He glanced up to catch my eye. “I’m sorry, but you had an eyelash on your cheek.”
“Oh,” I less than eloquently replied.
As he held up his pointer finger to show me the eyelash, the corners of his lips quirked in a half smile. “When you were little, did your mother ever tell you to make a wish on one of these?”
I smiled at the memory. “Yes, she did.”
“Did you know the tradition goes all the way back to the 19th century? In some folklore when you blow the eyelash away, you’re blowing away the devil.”
“Hmm, my mom seemed to leave that part out.”
“Yes, it certainly taints a sweet childhood moment, doesn’t it?” Pinching his finger and thumb together, Rand urged, “Make a wish, Charlie.”
“Eliza,” I corrected.
He rolled his eyes. “Just make a wish.”
I stared at him earnestly. “Seriously?”
“Why not?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I’m an adult, or there’s also the fact the valet is waiting on us to get out.” I jerked my head at man standing a few feet away from the car.
“Come on. Be a little impetuous.”
Now this was certainly a new development. Rand never struck me as the impetuous type. “Something has seriously come over you today.”
“It’s the car. I don’t feel truly free unless I’m driving myself.”
I laughed. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Good. Close your eyes.”
After answering his command, I tried to quiet my whirling mind. There were many things I could’ve wished for like stardom or money. But I found myself focusing on one in particular. Even with my eyelids shut, I could see him plainly before me.
If Rand truly has feelings for me, let him tell me this weekend.
Once I’d uttered the words in my mind, I opened my eyes. “Done.”
He nodded. “Now blow your wish into the universe.”
After leaning over in my seat, I dipped my head closer to Rand’s hand. Then I softly blew the eyelash off his hand. I smiled up at him. “Here’s to it coming true.”
“I don’t know of a more deserving person to have their wishes fulfilled,” he replied.
“That’s sweet.”
Rand’s gaze dropped from my own. He appeared to be eyeing my lips. “Yes, very sweet,” he murmured. A rush of warmth lit from my toes and filled my body. After my mouth went dry, I slid my tongue along my lips to wet them. The gesture caused Rand’s eyes to flare.
At the sound of another car pulling up behind us, the moment was broken, and Rand jerked back. “Right. We better get going.”
He motioned the valet over who opened the door for me. We walked in silence up the front walk. Of course, my mind was reeling from what had just happened. When we reached the front stoop, I turned the voices off in my head. It was go time.
We didn’t need to ring the doorbell since the front door was wide open. When we entered the front hall, people mingled all around. Most of them looked exactly like the type you’d imagine would be at a house party. A tall, balding man with bushy eyebrows came barreling at us. “Randall, what a pleasure to see you again!” he bellowed.
Rand pumped his hand in a shake. “It’s good seeing you as well. I gather you’re healing nicely?”
After a jet ski collision in Saint Tropez, Alfie had missed most of the season. Rand had informed me he’d only recently gotten out of his casts. “Yes, I’m finally back to myself. Of course, I swore I was still hosting my house party even if I had to be wheeled around.”
Rand laughed. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
It was then Alfie turned to me. “And this must be the lovely Eliza I keep hearing about.”
I stiffened at the thought of what he might’ve heard about me. “It’s nice to meet you,” I replied while extending my hand.
Instead of shaking it, Alfie kissed my hand. “It’s my pleasure.” With a wink, he added, “Don’t worry about what that lot is whispering about you. They’re all jealous sods. In the end, all that matters is how you’ve put a smile on this old grump’s face.”
While Rand grunted, I laughed. “It was my pleasure.”
Alfie motioned for a valet. “Take the Earl and Ms. Monroe’s things to the Bedford room.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You two get settled and then come down for some refreshment.”
“Thank you,” Rand replied.
Once the valet had gathered our suitcases, we followed him up the massive staircase. “Is everyone staying here tonight?”
“Only the most exclusive get invites to stay at the house,” Rand replied with a grin.
“Why am I not surprised?”
“The others will stay at the inn in town or at other homes close by.”
The valet led us to an enormous room with gorgeous views of the garden. After setting our luggage down, the valet started to go. “Excuse me, but where is my room?” Rand asked.
Furrowing his brows, the valet said, “I’m sorry, sir, but Mr. Jones said that you and Ms. Monroe were sharing this suite.”
Oh fucking hell. This couldn’t be happening. My gaze bounced from the valet over to what appeared to be a queen-sized bed and then back to Rand. He appeared apologetic. “Well, we’re not married, so I assumed we’d be in separate suites.”
The valet opened his mouth, but I waved my hand to silence him. “You’ll have to excuse him. He’s so very old school.” Patting Rand’s arm, I said, “I’m sure our reputations won’t be compromised if we stay together.”
Laughing, the valet replied, “It will be fine.”
I smiled up at Rand. “See, honey. You worried for nothing.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” he replied.
“Thanks again,” I called to the valet as he headed for the door.
Once we were alone, Rand demanded, “Why did you do that?”
“The last thing we want is to call attention to ourselves.”
“Good point.” Rand eyed the sofa. “I can sleep there.”
“You’re sleeping with me,” I blurted before ducking my head to hide behind my hair.
His eyebrows shot up into his hairline. “I am?”
At the same time, I was internally shouting, “HE IS?”
Tucking my hair behind my ears, I replied, “Let’s look at this practically, shall we? That’s a loveseat, not a couch. There’s no way with your legs you could possibly lie on it, least of all getting any sleep.”
“But won’t it be awkward sleeping together?”
“Do you mean will it sully my reputation?”
“No.”
I covered my mouth in mock horror. “Or perhaps I might fear for my virtue whilst sharing a bed with a rake?”
Rand crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m serious, Charlie.”
“Sorry. I was just trying to make the situation a little lighter.”
“I think that’s impossible,” Rand grumbled.
“Look, I know it isn’t ideal, but we can make it work. At the end of the day, what’s a bed shared between friends?” As soon as I said the word “friends”, a sour taste entered my mouth.
Tilting his head at me, Rand asked, “As long as you’re okay with it.”
“It’ll be fine.”
Yep, those were some famous last words!