Page 31 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2
The identical expression of disbelief on their faces almost made me laugh but I managed to hold it in.
“Was the apology sincere?” Matt asked, holding a hand out to me.
I nodded in Grumps’s direction while taking Matt’s hand. “Yes, itwas.”
“Matthew, I have done as asked,” Grumps began but stopped when Matt held a hand up.
“Poppet, have you forgiven him for his previous reprehensible behaviour?”
I nodded again.
Matt cupped my chin with his free hand as he scrutinized my face. “Are you sure? He’s not made any threats to you, has he?”
“I never,” Grumps exploded in a low tone. “What sort of person do you take me for, Matthew?”
Matt scoffed at Grumps as he stroked under my chin. “You’ve definitely forgiven him, yes?”
“Yes, Matt, I have.” I narrowed my eyes at Grumps. “Well, until he does something else to offend me.”
Matt cupped my right cheek as he lightly caressed my skin with his thumb. Not raising his gaze from me, he addressed his grandfather. “Make sure you don’t do that, Grumps, for I will not be as understanding if it happens again.”
Grumps affected an insulted demeanour, but he did nod his head in agreement. “Now that unpleasantness is all behind us,” He was eager to draw a line under it. “My driver will be taking me to your residence tonight, Matthew. The trip back to Surrey at this time of night is not something I want to endure. Plus it will give us a chance to catch up.”
There were very few times I’d ever seen my knight at a loss for words. This was one of them. He opened his mouth, then closed it. Then he did it again while Grumps levelled him with a no-nonsense stare.
“Of course,” Matt murmured with a touch of reluctance. “You’re always welcome at my home, Grumps, but Madi and I are heading back to hers tonight as I don’t have my car with me. Adam is there though, so you’ll have company.”
What? We were going back to mine? That was news to me. Usually Matt insisted I stay over at his.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Matthew.” Grumps dismissed Matt’s words with a quick wave of hand. “Why on earth would you choose to stay in that small terrace when your Kensington property is much morecomfortable? I’ve seen the area Madison lives in and it’s not somewhere a man like you should be. No, my driver will ferry us to your place.”
I cleared my throat loudly and gave Grumps a look. How long had it taken before he made that dig? Two minutes,maybe? I didn’t think he was even aware of the insult. In fact, he was returning my incredulous stare with a blank one of his own. I lived in Greenwich, not Hackney or one of the other tough London boroughs; and why was he acting like Kensington didn’t have any crime? Huh, Grumps needed to read London’s crime statistics more often. Bradley men, crazy gazillionaires, every last one of them.
“Shall I make him apologize?” Matt asked with a rueful quirk of lips.
I shook my head as Grumps flashed indignant eyes at Matt, obviously not seeing why an apology would be needed.
“Come now,” Grumps ordered. “I’m tired and hungry, Matthew. These seats were most uncomfortable and there is quite a draft in here. Let us be on our way. We can discuss what happened in Russia on the drive to yours.”
Matt growled something out, sounded like ‘interfering old man’ to me. I remained silent and observed the battle of wills as Matt took a deep, calming breath.
“I would like to spend some time with my fiancée, Grumps,” he said, straightening up to his full height.
“Well, Madison can come along then,” The way Grumps spoke, I swore there was an unvoiced ‘duh’ at the end of his sentence. Ridiculous, of course, because Grumps was not one to butcher the English language with slang. I covered my mouth with my hand. It was best to hide my smile while watching the dominance play.
“I want to spend time with Madi,” Matt reiterated then crisply enunciated his final word. “Alone.”
Grumps narrowed his eyes. Matt did the same. I watched them both. My bet was on Grumps winning this showdown. I had seen Matt capitulate to the old man before. Why would this time be any different?
“You’ll have enough time to be alone when you’re married. Honestly! Young people today have no concept of the wordanticipation, or morals for that matter. In my time, a man courted a woman before proposing marriage and courting did not entail physical intimacy. That was left to the wedding night. Humph.”
Matt and I exchanged glances. His was just as uncomfortable as mine before the usual aloof mask settled into place. I still couldn’t fix my expression of horrified embarrassment.
“Be quiet, Grumps.” Matt hissed while tugging at his shirt collar.
I wondered if that was his only nervous habit, he did it so rarely. And I was glad no one was close enough to overhear our conversation.
“It’s ok, Matt.” I said. “Why don’t you get a lift with your grandfather and I’ll drive over to yours later? I’ll probably be here for a while before Dante and I lock up.”
