Implicit, p.25
Implicit, page 25
“You remind me so much of your grandmother. Strong and fair. Always thinking of others.” Mrs Rosen sniffles and wipes her eyes.
“I don’t remember her,” I admit.
“Oh, Nellie. She adored you. And you look just like her.”
“Thank you.” I press my lips together and prepare myself to ask, “I have your blessing to sell?”
Nana speaks up first. “It’s yours, Nellie.”
“Thank you.” I won’t mention (just yet) that my potential buyer will likely make The Hall into a hotel to add to his portfolio.
***
Seth and I stand side by side on the front steps later that evening as we watch a sleek black Mercedes—carrying our potential buyer and one of our best angel investors—sail along the driveway towards us.
Seth moves closer, his arm snakes around my waist as we watch the driver climb out of the car and walk towards us while appraising his potential investment. “Eliza?”
“Hello.” I smile and offer my hand. As does Seth.
“It’s good to meet you in person.” He flashes me a smile that I’m sure has landed him in all kinds of trouble, before he introduces himself to Seth. “Will Hunter.”
Seth
I’m waiting for Eliza to finish in the bathroom, twisting the small blue velvet box in my hands whilst keeping an eye on the window for our cab, and stuff it into my pocket when I hear her approach.
“My God, you look beautiful,” I breathe as she saunters towards me in tight dark jeans, a leather jacket, and heels. Her hair a mass of loose ebony waves and her skin flawless. Glowing. Deep dark-red lipstick anchors my attention to her mouth.
“Thank you. So do you.” Her hungry eyes devour me and I’m wondering if we have time to do anything about that when the cab arrives.
Later.
“Let’s go.” I offer her my arm and she wraps her hand around my bicep.
When we arrive at the restaurant, my whole family is seated and waiting, along with Nana and Mr Beatie. Mum bounds up from the table the second she spots us and grabs us, in an arm each, in a huge hug.
“Hey, Mum.” I chuckle and lead both women over to their seats. “Hi, everyone.”
My dad stands and looks at Eliza before he holds out his arms, and she walks into them for a hug before I do. Nana’s sniffling catches both of our attention. Mr Beatie is patting her back awkwardly before Eliza pulls the woman in to a tight squeeze. Then everyone takes their seats and a menu.
Empty plates are carried off with regularity and replaced with more food. This family can put a lot away, no trouble at all, and I’m glad Eliza is more than keeping up. She really needs to eat.
When she looks across at my plate with the leftover chips, she says, “Are you eating those?”
I’ve barely uttered the no before she’s polished them off. “Hungry, honey?”
“Yup.” She sucks her thumb clean and reaches for her water.
“We’ll make a Carnell of you yet.” Someone laughs. I’m not sure who. I was busy thinking the same thing.
“Well, in that case...” I take the ring box from my pocket, pull Eliza’s chair around to face me, and kneel.
Her eyes go wide and she takes a big breath in but doesn’t let it out.
“Countess Elizabeth Georgiana Beaufort. Eliza. Will you marry me?”
There’s a collective intake of breath as Eliza continues to stare at me, laughs, and then flings her arms around my neck, amid a rolling cheer and a massive round of applause and deafening shouts. But I hear that whispered ‘yes’ on an exhale in my ear as clearly as if she’s yelled it over a megaphone.
I move her hair out of her face and kiss her before I slip the diamond on her finger amid more cheering. And I’m aware of harder stares. I glance over at the group of women who have just come in through the door. Abi among them. But I’m too high to care. They, however, turn around to leave, just as fast as they arrived.
And I call out, “Hey, Abi!” She stops to glare at me. “Did you ever wonder who I was imagining?”
The look on her face makes it all worth it. Every minute of hell. Now it’s her who’s feeling it. Shame. Embarrassment. And resentment. She glares at Eliza and she knows who the better woman is. And I feel vindicated.
“Don’t be late for court on Monday. The judge won’t like it,” Matt calls after her as she exits in a hurry. And Eliza turns my face to hers, her hands in my hair, and kisses me like there’s no one else in the room.
“So, when are you back to work, Eliza?” Joe asks over desert, and I look over at him, then at Eliza.
“Oh... um... I’m not going back for a while. Doctor’s orders. So, I’m going to need someone to run things. A new CEO. Do you know anyone who’s up for the challenge?” She quirks an eyebrow in my direction.
“Me? You’re not serious.”
“I am very serious. I can’t think of anyone better.”
“Me?” I ask again. “But why aren’t you going back? I thought you were going in on Monday to get things in order.” That’s what she said. Monday. “Are you sick? Shit, are there complications?”
Me? CEO?
“No...” she says, looking right at me, her eyes shining. And Mum gasps as her hand flies to her mouth.
And I get it. And CEO seems like a very insignificant detail in this conversation.
“You’re...” My eyes drop to her flat belly and drift back to hers. And she nods.
If a proposal was cause for celebration, a pregnancy announcement should be a public holiday. There are tears and smiles, hugs and squeezes, and when I finally get my girl back, I seal my mouth on hers, tasting her tears. Or mine. I’m not sure which.
The End.
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Did you love Implicit? Then you should read Code Name Alpha by L M Allen!
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Also by L M Allen
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About the Author
L M Allen lives in Northamptonshire, England with her husband, three kids and enough animals to fill a small zoo.
She loves the peace and quiet of the countryside but will hop on the train and take things up a gear in London whenever she gets the chance.
She is obsessed with romance, chocolate and dogs. Not necessarily in that order.
Read more at L M Allen’s site.
L M Allen, Implicit
