Page 15

There, camped outside of her aunt’s home, were dozens of cameras. Television anchors practiced their stories, lighting was adjusted, and people everywhere were on cell phones.

“It’s no better at your flat,” Emma said softly, glancing at the TV again. Ellie’s building was on prominent display; one of her neighbors was giving an interview.

Ellie looked at her aunt with horror. “Not again,” she whispered. “Oh, God…”

Winnie straightened. “We need another plan. I promised Eleanor this wouldn’t become a spectacle, yet here we are. We need time for this to settle, for a scandal or some newsworthy event to take its place. Until then, you need to lay low.”

“What about your house in Ireland?” Gwen asked.

“That’s the first place they’ll look,” Winnie replied with a frown. “It’s not a widely-known fact that I have a home there, but it’s not exactly private knowledge, either.”

Ellie shook her head vehemently. “I have to work. I have to stay in London.”

“Where your every move will be recorded, photographed, and discussed at length?” Winnie scoffed, then softened her tone.

“It’s your decision, dear. But, based on the past, I think it best if you retreat somewhere for the time being.

” She sent a pointed stare at Colin. “Perhaps a month ought to do. It’s not safe here for you right now. ”

Ellie thought back to that morning, when she’d first rolled out of bed.

(Very well. She fell out, but Gwen was in the shower, so there wasn’t anyone to witness it, so she could call it what she liked.) The keys to her bookshop lay on the table, next to her cup of half-drunk coffee and mostly gone oatmeal.

Her latest read, a brilliant historical by an as-yet-unknown writer, sat next to the dishes, a hair elastic used as a bookmark.

She expected to return home. She expected to have a couple of dates .

She stared at the growing circus outside her aunt’s home and covered her face.

She expected to return to her normal life.

Colin gently pulled her hands from her face, then leaned his elbows on his knees, his chiseled chin resting in his hands.

His muscles were tense, straining his sleeves.

His eyebrows slashed downwards—in concern or annoyance, Ellie couldn’t tell—and his mouth formed a slight frown.

He was watching her, and she felt his gaze all the way to the depths of her soul.

She groaned.

“I am leaving for the States tonight,” Colin said.

At Ellie’s raised eyebrow, he added in a low, steady voice, “I have a business meeting tomorrow to soothe the nerves of my investors. There, at least, I can promise to keep you safe from the cameras. But your aunt is right. This has to be your decision.”

“I also give you my word to keep you safe,” Reilly added.

“My life isn’t in jeopardy,” Ellie grumbled, surprised at the intensity of Reilly’s words.

“No,” her aunt agreed. “But perhaps your peace of mind is.”

“A month, though? I don’t have my passport, or clothes, or…”

“Leave that to me,” Gwen replied. “Let me out up here and I’ll grab an Uber back to the apartment. I’ll get everything you need and then I can meet you somewhere.”

“I’m staying at the Four Seasons, down by the office,” Colin informed her. “You can meet us there.”

“I’ll go with you, Gwendolyn.” Reilly crossed his arms. “Getting through there will be something of a challenge for a wee thing like you.”

Gwen’s brows formed a V and she glared at him. “I am not a wee thing . I’ve taken on crowds much larger than that, thank you very much.”

Reilly raised a brow. “Really? When? ”

She opened her mouth, then snapped it shut. “None of your business.”

“Traveling without permission again, are we?”

“ We’re not privy to other people’s business,” she sniffed.

Ellie could’ve sworn she saw a wistful expression cross Reilly’s face, but it was gone before she could be sure. Gwen looked mutinous, which was wholly unlike her. And Reilly…he was staring at Gwen as though he would make her talk using just his eyes.

Interesting.

“Traveling? Where?” Winnie demanded. “Do your parents know?”

“He’s trying to ruffle my feathers,” Gwen muttered.

“Successfully, too,” Winnie noted. “Well, children, I believe this is where you leave us.” To Ellie, she said, “I’ll travel with you to the hotel and have my driver pick me up there.

Call me once you’ve landed, and I’ll see what I can do to calm things on this end for you.

A month seems quite sufficient for them to move on to some other scandal. ”

The limo pulled to a stop, and Gwen gave a wave as she hopped out. Reilly followed at a more sedate pace, then closed the door. The limo pulled into traffic again.

Colin caught Ellie’s eyes, and she felt a jolt in her heart. She felt a brief peace settle over her.

It’ll be okay. And if not…

She halted her thoughts and tried to think positively. A month away from her bookstore would be difficult, but she trusted her employee. He could handle it.

Sliding a glance at Colin, she wondered if she was up for the challenge of being in the company of this man when, every time their eyes met, a tiny bolt of lightning zipped across her skin.