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"So," I cleared my throat, going for casual conversation. "Daphne mentioned you're a lawyer?"
"I am." He didn't elaborate.
"What kind of law?"
"Corporate. Mergers and acquisitions primarily."
"Sounds... lucrative."
Something shifted in his expression. "It has its benefits."
Another silence fell, heavier this time. The morning sun caught the highlights in his dark hair, it felt as soft as it looked. Would it curl around my fingers if I—
Stop it.
I was in the middle of taking a sip of tea when Edward's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his entire demeanor changed. The casual morning-paper reader was replaced by someone who looked like he was preparing for war.
"Excuse me," he murmured, stepping away from the table. "Pemberton," he answered, voice crisp. "Yes, I received your messages... No, I'm at the estate... The American acquisition?" Edward paced to the window, his free hand clasped behind his back.
I caught fragments that caught my attention: "American acquisition... timeline moved up... board approval..." Then, quieter but somehow more chilling: "Yes, I understand the sensitivity. The employee situation will be handled discreetly."
I focused very hard on my eggs, trying not to look like I was eavesdropping while straining to hear every word.
"I'll be back in London this afternoon," Edward continued. "Yes, we can move forward, but I want to see everything first. Every document, every contingency." A pause. "Because I don't like surprises, Malcolm. You know this."
He ended the call and stood at the window for a long moment, tension radiating from his shoulders. When he finally turned back, his mask was perfectly in place again.
"I apologize. I need to return to London earlier than planned."
"Work emergency?" I asked.
"Something like that." He moved to gather his things from the sideboard—briefcase, keys, that expensive watch he'd been wearing last night. "I trust you'll be comfortable here with Daphne."
"Of course." I hesitated, then added, "I hope everything's alright."
Our eyes met again, and for a heartbeat, the careful politeness cracked. I saw something raw flash across his features—desire mixed with frustration and something that looked like regret.
"It will be," he said finally. "Enjoy your stay at Grosvenor Manor, Miss Anderton."
The formality stung more than it should have. After what had nearly happened between us,Miss Andertonfelt like a slap.
"Thank you, Mr. Grosvenor."
Two could play at that game.
He gathered his newspaper and coffee, pausing at the door. "I should mention—the library is at your disposal if you enjoy reading. Daphne mentioned you might appreciate the garden design section."
"That's... thoughtful."
He nodded curtly and left, leaving me alone with my half-eaten breakfast and a room that still held the faint scent of his cologne—bergamot and cedar and something uniquely him.
I slumped in my chair, suddenly exhausted despite having been awake for less than an hour. This was going to be harder than I'd thought.
American acquisition.The phrase kept echoing in my head.
Whatever it was, it had put that hard, business look back on Edward's face. The same look he'd worn when he'd first found me—before the heat had flared between us.
The library at Grosvenor Manor was exactly what I'd expected from a four-hundred-year-old estate—floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, rolling ladders, leather-bound volumes that probably cost more than my car. What I hadn't expected was the cozy reading nook with overstuffed cushions, modern lighting, and an entire section dedicated to contemporary gardening.