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When she’d spoken to everyone, she located Caleb, standing off to the side, an untouched champagne flute dangling from his long fingers.
He arched his brow in a wordless question. When she nodded, he set his glass down and followed her from the conference room.
She smiled at the taciturn man as they made their way out of the building to Caleb’s car. “If the threat to me is over, how come you’re still around?” His brow shot up, and she quickly added, “I mean, it’s not that I don’t enjoy having you around, it’s just…” Her words trailed off. She couldn’t quite bring herself to say she didn’t need him now that Liu was in British hands and Hadley was…dead.
“Ryder wants me to stay until he returns from London.”
“Why?”
Caleb’s dark eyes held a faint tinge of amusement. “Because it will make him feel better. Your contract with Dìleas is over, so the company is paying for my services. Lachlan approved it.” His lips curved in a rare smile. “Sophia told Ryder and Lachlan they were adorable alphaholes and Lachlan said she spends too much time with Emily.” He held open the passenger door of his car for her. “That’s Nathan’s fiancée.”
Nathalie bit back a laugh.“I know, I met her.”
Alphaholes. She’d let most of her female relationships fade away over the years, but she could see herself being friends with the other women in Ryder’s life.
After Caleb had left to return to his hotel, Nathalie turned on her security system and looked around. Her sanctuary already felt empty, Ryder’s absence a tangible void.
She trudged up the stairs to change into something more comfortable. Opening the door to her bedroom, she stopped short at the sight that greeted her.
I’ve left a surprise for you.
Her painting of the Autumn Border.
Somehow, Ryder had gotten it professionally mounted and framed, and now it hung over her bed. She stood on her mattress and ran a finger over the two-inch black metal floating frame. It surrounded the watercolor flowers, giving the piece definition without overwhelming it.
Perfect.
Her other surprise lay draped across her bedcover. She ran a finger over the yellow silk and lace teddy.
Wear something sexy, he’d said.
Her eyes misted. She opened her purse and took out the brochure her mother had given her for art school.
A fantasy.
Go live your own dreams.
She had Ryder. His love meant more to her than anything.
But could she dare to want more?
Chapter Twenty-Five
Arborleigh.
Ryder drove past the tennis courts and the sculpted English gardens with the statuesque Greek goddess on her perch in the middle of the grand fountain. He parked by the stables, around the back of the manor house.
He was early, deliberately, so he’d have time to wander the halls of his childhood home in solitude before dinner.
Stepping from his Range Rover, he inhaled the clean, crisp scent of air perfumed with fresh hay and horse. He’d learned to ride, but horses had always been Becca’s passion before running Arborleigh Holdings became her singular mission.
He withdrew the black garment bag from the back of the SUV and strolled to the back door leading into the kitchen. An entrance only the household staff were expected to use, but as a child he’d always come in this way, begging for pastries from Molly, their indulgent head cook.
Inside, he breathed in the aroma of roasting meat and the high-pitched chatter of two of the kitchen staff peeling potatoes. Their conversation ceased abruptly when they caught sight of him. Peelers clattered to the counter.
“Excuse me.” He strode through the kitchen and almost mowed down Charles, the family butler. Charles kept Arborleigh’s household running and had been doing so for as long as Ryder could remember.
Ryder grabbed the older man’s arm, making sure Charles was steady on his feet before dropping his hand. “Forgive me, Charles. I’m afraid I still haven’t learned to slow down.”