Page 32 of Finding Love at Roseford Blooms
Simon felt the lurch in his heart at the directness of her words. ‘Actually, Lizzie, I think that’s the last thing I did.’ He took a deep lungful of the night air to try to calm his thoughts.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said as he drew closer. ‘I was an idiot.’ He looked her straight in the eye, looking for signs that she was considering his words. He reached out and took one of her hands in his. ‘I suppose that so many years of feeling like everyone’s watching my every move as Lord Treloar has made me awfully cautious. Or maybe just awful,’ he added, as an afterthought.
‘You’re not awful, Simon,’ Lizzie replied. He felt a huge sense of relief when she didn’t withdraw her hand from his. ‘You just need to work out what you want.’
Simon laughed gently. ‘I’m getting there.’
‘And how do you feel?’ Lizzie asked. ‘I don’t want to be messed around, Simon. I had enough of that with Paul. It really felt as though we were making a connection, over the past few weeks. That’s why I took the risk and asked you if you wanted to spend the night with me.’ She paused. ‘I don’t say that to everyone I kiss, you know.’
Simon felt his cheeks starting to flame, both in embarrassment and with other, more wonderful thoughts. ‘I get that,’ he said. ‘And I’m flattered that you would be so direct with me.’
‘But you’re not interested,’ Lizzie cut in, pulling her hand away. ‘That’s fine. It was just a few kisses. No big deal.’
Simon saw her eyes glistening in the lamplight before she turned away from him, and he felt a thrum of frustration that she could so easily misunderstand him.
‘No, Lizzie,’ he said firmly. ‘That’s not it at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. I really,reallywant to spend the night with you. More than just one night, if I can. And I’m sorry that I pulled away from you and gave you completely the opposite impression.’ He paused, and gently raised a hand to her shoulder, until she turned back to look at him. ‘My best friend, Olivia, always used to say that I’d need a woman to shove a banner under my nose before I realised she was interested in me, and I’m afraid she’s right. So you did exactly the right thing by being direct, even though it took me by surprise.’
To his immense relief, Lizzie smiled. ‘Well, then,’ she murmured as she closed the gap between them, ‘consider this the direct approach.’ As her lips met his, this time he didn’t pull away, and felt a heady, reckless desire to do just the opposite. He wanted her in his arms for a much longer time than a park bench in the middle of Roseford would allow.
‘Is this clear enough?’ Lizzie murmured against his mouth.
Simon, lost for words, simply deepened the kiss, until he felt Lizzie’s arms around him, and they were both breathing heavily.
‘Come home with me,’ Simon said. ‘I don’t want you to go back to Bee’s tonight.’
Lizzie regarded him levelly. ‘And you’re absolutely sure this time?’
Simon nodded his head vehemently. ‘Yes, Lizzie. Yes, I am.’ His hand, slightly shakily, traced its way from Lizzie’s cheek to the nape of her neck as he pulled her towards him for another kiss. ‘I want you. If you want me… I’m here.’
‘Then we’d better get somewhere a little less public.’ Lizzie smiled as they pulled back from one another again.
Simon nodded, stood up and took Lizzie’s hand. ‘That sounds like a wonderful idea.’
28
The moon and stars overhead were the only observers as Lizzie and Simon made their way back to Roseford Hall. As if to remind them both that there were still some people around, though, a muffled cheer floated across from the marquee.
‘Serena and Montana must be heading back to their hotel,’ Simon said. ‘I suppose that means the party will wind down soon.’
They crossed the front lawn of the house, heading for the door to Simon’s quarters at the back of the house. Lizzie could sense Simon’s excitement and apprehension, which she suspected were as great as her own. His eyes sparkled as he turned to kiss her again, before putting his key in the lock to let them both into the house.
Simon pushed open the front door, and reached for the switch in the entrance hall. When the area was flooded with a bright, piercing light, Lizzie blinked to let her eyes adjust. As she was acclimatising, she felt Simon’s hand tighten in hers.
‘Elspeth!’ Simon exclaimed as the figure of a young girl was revealed, huddled in the wooden justice’s chair, a relic that Simon had rescued from another part of the house, that sat in the hallway. ‘What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Fleur and your mother?’
The girl, visibly upset, looked up at Simon. ‘Uncle Simon! I’m so glad you’re here!’ Struggling up from the chair, where she’d clearly been for some time, she ran over to Simon and threw her arms around him.
‘What’s wrong, sweetheart?’ Simon said, once she’d released him a little.
Elspeth gave a huge sniff. ‘Fleur’s been horrible to me all evening,’ she said, wiping away a stray tear. ‘She told me no one liked me, that I was just a little kid and I should go and play with Montana’s nieces. But they’re all loads younger than me and it was boring! Mum’s been too preoccupied chatting to some bloke from the BHF, and in the end I just got fed up and decided to come and wait for you to come back. I saw you leave the party, and thought I’d get you to make me some hot chocolate. I used the spare key under the flowerpot to let myself in. Can I stay here tonight?’
Lizzie saw Simon’s back stiffen, and wondered if it was the frustration of his romantic plans being thwarted by his niece, or the mention of Jago, whom they’d both assumed had buggered off home hours ago. Above Elspeth’s head, Simon gazed skywards, and then back at Lizzie. Lizzie gave him a small, understanding smile.
‘Come on, shrimp,’ Simon said to Elspeth. ‘I’ll sort out the hot chocolate and then I’ll get hold of your mother, wherever she might be.’
‘But can I stay here? I don’t want to go back home tonight.’
Simon paused, and in that moment Lizzie knew that he was doing battle with the two sides of himself: the part of him that was a loving, concerned uncle, wanting to do the best for his niece, and the part of him that desperately wanted to spend time with Lizzie.
