Page 21 of Scent of Desire
He had devoured the food, as if he hadn’t eaten a real meal for weeks, and spent his focus mostly on trying to guess Mrs. Walton’s recipe for filet mignon. Radcliff didn’t join us; I hadn’t seen him since he went to greet my uncle. I wasn’t surprised, though. He valued each second of his time, and he didn’t hold my uncle close in his heart.
“You look beautiful.” Uncle truly set his eyes upon me, caressing a strand of my hair. “Your hair looks darker.”
“Thank you. I’m so happy that you’re here.” I hooked an arm around his, leading him to the bench facing the greenhouse. I could finally share my excitement about my special place with someone.
“I’ve missed you.” Uncle narrowed his eyes in defiance at the manor. “How’s everything going with him and that… thing?”
“It’s a flower, Uncle, not a thing.” Thinking about Radcliff, a crimson blush tinted my cheeks, and a beam lit up my features. “Radcliff and I, we have gotten closer, and I—”
“You slept with him?” My uncle’s jaw ticked in disapproval as he removed my arm wrapped around his to take a seat on the bench. His gaze closed on the greenhouse, like a child sulking on my decision.
I ignored my thumping heart and switched the subject. He probably knew the answer anyway.
“I can’t believe you’d never told me about this greenhouse.” I sat next to him, searching for a flicker of happiness in his eyes. “It’s pure heaven. And the Devil’s Corpse? It’s something else entirely.”
“You definitely brightened the place from the last time I came here.”
Cerba sat at my feet and growled at Eugene. She showed her canines, her nose wrinkling. Her eyes darkened with defiance. She didn’t trust my uncle yet.
“Cerba doesn’t like strangers, I’m sorry.” I petted her, trying to reassure her, talking to her in a small voice. “He won’t hurt you, cutie, okay?”
“She has three legs.” Uncle frowned. “I’ve never seen that dog before.”
It seemed like the manor held many mysteries, as if a cloud of black smoke was hiding the truth. A cloud that could be crossed by only a selection of individuals that could seek its most hidden secrets.
Uncle took my hand, leaning forward. “Did you make his… demand?”
“Yes.” I nodded proudly with a thin smile. “I did it, Uncle. At least, I think I did. And the perfume I made, it’s like nothing else I’ve ever scented. It’s a masterpiece.”
“Congratulations, my Lily.” He hugged me tight before stroking my cheek with the kind of love a father has for his child. “Your mother would be so proud. You can come back home now.”
Sadness washed away my smile, a bad feeling twitching my stomach. “I don’t know, Uncle… I mean, yes, someday, but I—”
“You can have your dream.” His eyes sparkled, and he lowered his voice to a whisper, his stare shifting on every corner like someone about to tell a forbidden gossip. “I spoke to Christian Carmin. I’m trying to have him on our side.”
“What do you mean?” The hair on my skin raised in alert—that would explain why Adonis and my uncle had been close lately.
“Your perfume,” he continued eagerly. “We could sell it to him! He’ll be interested to meet with you about it. And in exchange, you could be a nose for Carmin. Think of all the gains we could make!”
There wasn’t a we.
There was only an I.
I made all of this happen. It was thanks to me. Not him. Not Christian. Not anyone.
My nostrils flared. I’d never dreamed of working for someone. I wanted to build my own kingdom, not live in someone else’s.
“That’s why you’re here?” I questioned, a feeling of bitterness like a corrosive liquid making my throat ache. I was hurt he would choose business and his personal gains over me.Again.
“Of course not. I’m trying to think about what’s good for you. For example, you should reconnect with Adonis. He’s been good to you. The poor kid misses you.”
“Because he’s a Carmin?” I raised an eyebrow and snorted, shaking my head in disbelief.
“No, Lily—”
Eugene tried to get closer, but Cerba stood up and barked at him angrily. She wanted to protect me as if she could feel the dark emotions building up inside of me.
“What is she doing?” Eugene slid back from the bench.
