Page 38 of Vengeful Princess

“Master Landon! You didnae tell me to expect you!”

Landon jumped out and quickly opened my door for me, giving me his hand like a gentleman. I tried not to swoon, but it was damn difficult.

“Florrie, I’m sorry, it was a last-minute decision. But I’d like you to meet Thea, my future wife.”

Florrie’s eyebrows shot up into her hairline and I wasn’t sure who was more shocked: her or me.

“He’s joking,” I told her with an embarrassed smile.

“No, I’m not.” The stupid asshole winked at me. “We’re here for your cock-a-leekie, Florrie, and I’m praying you made shortbread.” She pulled Landon into her arms with genuine affection, which was clearly reciprocated.

“Och, sweet boy, we’ve missed you! You should come back more often.” There was no further mention of me as the future Mrs Rothmore, which I was grateful for. Florrie shook her head and the awkward moment passed. “Master Landon,of coursethere’s shortbread. Come in and make yourselves comfortable.” She waited for us to enter the house before following. “Your parents are in London.”

Landon’s smile thinned. “I know.” I had a feeling we wouldn’t be here if they were in residence. From the tension at the mere mention of his parents, it was clear they didn’t have a warm and fuzzy relationship. A bit like me and my father.

If someone handed me a gun and told me to shoot my father in the head, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. The man deserved to die for all the things he’d done to me and Verity.

“Now, Landon, take your bonnie wee lassie and make yourselves comfortable in the garden room. I’ll be there in a jiffy to bring you some food.” She bustled off, whistling softly under her breath while I gazed up at the vaulted ceiling, admired the sweeping staircase, and took in the grandeur of the place.

It was a beautiful house. White wood paneling covered the walls, and each room we passed smelled faintly of polish and flowers. There were lots of old oil paintings hanging on walls, but alongside dour gentlemen and their horses, I spotted numerous vases of fresh flowers, pale blue and green sofas, pretty table lamps and glassware.

I was thoroughly charmed by the time Landon pushed open a pair of glazed doors into a huge Victorian glasshouse filled with greenery. Everywhere I looked, there were plants, fruit trees, and fragrant blooms.

Despite the high glass ceilings, the room was also warm, which surprised me, given it was cold outside.

“There are heaters,” Landon explained. “My mother is obsessed with growing things, and many of her favorite plants prefer warm temperatures.” He led me toward a table and chairs near the back of the room, which overlooked sweeping gardens and the loch beyond.

The clouds had thickened since we arrived, coating the water with a sense of foreboding. I shivered as a curtain of rain fell, obscuring the view.

“Cold?” Landon asked, misinterpreting my reaction. He edged his chair nearer mine, close enough that our legs touched, and rested his heavy palm on my thigh.

A sensible girl would have brushed him off and moved away, but I wasn’t thinking straight.

“No.”

“Shame,” he whispered in my ear as Florrie entered the garden room, pushing a small trolley piled high with refreshments. “I can think of a few ways to warm you up.”

“There’ll be no funny business, Master Landon,” Florrie scolded, taking note of his hand on my thigh. “This poor wee girl looks like she needs a hearty meal inside her, so leave her be.”

Landon chuckled, not at all abashed at Florrie’s insinuation. She placed a bowl of piping hot soup in front of me. “Help yourself to a cob, lassie. There’s butter in the dish.” The soup smelled amazing, and the bread was still warm. I was in food heaven.

Next, Florrie produced a pot of tea, some milk, sugar, and a plate of her famous shortbread on the table.

“Ring the bell if you need me, Master Landon.” Florrie smiled knowingly before leaving us to our food, closing the door behind her so we had some privacy.

I dived into my food with abandon, relishing the delicious flavors.

“That was so good,” I groaned once I’d demolished the soup, a bread roll, and some shortbread, all washed down with a cup of strong tea.

Landon grinned. “It’s one of the reasons I stay on campus. If I lived here and commuted, I’d weigh at least ten-stone more.”

My eyes slid down his chest, lingering on abs barely concealed beneath a tight shirt. There was no way this guy would ever be out of shape. I was fit, but he was next-level. Zero body fat. All cut muscles.

“Yeah, right,” I scoffed, enjoying the light-hearted banter between us, which was a surprise. I’d expected him to drag me to some restaurant, attempt to get into my pants, and piss me off in the process. But he’d done none of that.

Instead, he had brought me here, shown me heaven in a soup bowl, and made me feel like a queen. All while behaving like a gentleman.

Was I half in love with him already?

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