14
Upstairs in the house was a lot less grandeur and old fashioned. It was more modern and tasteful, like Hollywood celebrity homes. Unexpected and airy above the noise and chaos below; Abby dragged her along a long row of doors to her own and unlocked it.
‘Rob made us all get locks on the doors to our personal rooms last year.’ She smiled, shaking her key so that it jingled, that dazzling beautiful smile aimed at Rose.’ When people get a bit drunk they tend to go wandering, and although nothing has ever been taken from here, it’s the thought of old drunk people having nookie in my room that bothered him.’ she laughed and led the way into a pink and cream decorated boudoir. Rose smiled in response, but she was far from feeling like it.
The cool, calm exterior was quick at having a soothing effect on her, providing her with a much-needed breathing space. Abby’s room was everything Rose had imagined it would be. Frilly, girly, almost princess-like in a childish way. Yet surprisingly, a bookcase full of trashy novels and Jackie Collins books. In a way showcased the innocent, naïve side of Abby perfectly, while hinting at the naughty unseen side too. A girl stuck somewhere between childhood and womanhood, with a foot firmly planted on both sides.
The huge four poster bed layered with fluffy throws, pink sheets and satin cushions was draped in white voiles, dotted with fairy lights and the floor was scattered with the contents of her makeup drawer on a plush white fluffy rug.
Her bathroom was white and modern with the odd hints of pinks in towels and accessories, matching the room and Rose immediately fell in love again, with this girl, and her layers of personality. They were more alike than she could ever imagine.
The girls sponged off Rose’s dress, easily removing the champagne and patting it dry with thick fluffy towels in the large bathroom. Rose was beginning to regain her control and smooth away the craziness of being in his presence, rationalising internally that she was being stupid, and it was nothing more than a silly school girl crush. She had no reason to feel upset about Morag, it was obvious that someone like him would be with someone like that. Rose was no competition at all, not that he had implied she could be.
It did not take long with the help of a hair dryer to remove all evidence of the mishap and Abby teased Rose for her clumsiness. Something inside held her back from telling Abby exactly what had caused her clumsiness, and although she was longing to ask about Morag, something stopped her. The quietness up here was a welcome break and gave Rose enough time to pull herself back together again.
She was being so stupid. She barely knew him at all, and what did she know? They couldn’t stand each other’s company for more than forty seconds without arguing! Five Seconds of him whispering compliments and she was suddenly a bowl of goo!
She did not need this drama or craziness in her first month of her new home and he was the Laird for goodness sakes. If anything, it could make living here impossible, not to mention drive away her new best friend and that would break Rose’s heart. It would be a disaster and such a mess if she couldn’t stop fixating on him in such a childish manner.
Giving herself an internal talking too, while the girls touched up their hair and makeup, she pulled on the normal Rose persona and straightened her back. A new resolve to get a bloody grip on herself and have an enjoyable time. No Rob drama for her tonight, she would just have to wear blinkers and close her eyes, anytime he passed with his overly sexual date!
* * *
Back down in the hall, the room was alive with dancing and laughter. The sounds competing with the orchestra and everything was in full swing. There was to be an auction soon, selling donated items from local businesses and then afterwards, there was to be a human raffle! Rose found this hilarious; many men and women in the community had put their names forward, offering to be slaves for a day and everyone had bought tickets at the door. Rose herself, caught by the women with the tickets, bought a few strips in the name of raising money then tucked them into her bag for safe keeping. She had scrawled her name quickly across the book, telling herself it was pointless. She never won anything in raffles or tombola’s.
Abby dragged her up a few times to dance. Sometimes young men intervened, pulling them off to dance beside each other and Rose soon brushed off her school Scottish dancing skills and joined in screaming with laughter. Rose soon forgot about her earlier mental breakdown and was so lost in having a great time, dancing, eating and sipping bubbly that she really got lost in the atmosphere.
When a familiar blonde haired hotty pulled her over to dance, she almost didn’t recognise him. At first, the tailored suit and cut hair, threw her, but that southern drawl immediately brought her back to reality. Matt looked so different with his newly spiked hair.
‘What do you think Miss Rose?’ He bent and ran a hand across his hair, Rose felt obliged to do the same, considering he was leaning in her face, running her fingers across the jaggy surface as he bent down like a school kid, showing off his new toy.
‘Very nice. A little bit of a makeover?’ She smiled and pulled back, feeling a little too claustrophobic with how close he was to her. It was obvious he had been on the whisky already, he was very merry and seemed to have a lot less inhibitions than there meeting at the museum.
‘Fancied a change; all you Scots seem to prefer short hair over here.’
He winked at her and moved a little closer, sliding arms around her waist rather forwardly. Rose squirmed and tried for a smile, giggle and wriggle to get loose, but he only pulled her against him.
‘Dance with me Miss Rose.’ His mouth came a little too near her face and she leaned back to gain some space.
‘Doesn’t look like you’re giving me any choice in the matter.’ She smiled through gritted teeth, trying again to loosen his hold but he seemed oblivious to her discomfort.
‘I can’t pass up having the prettiest girl in the room in my arms, can I?’ He again pulled her hard against him and Rose realised this was futile. She didn’t want to be rude and cause a scene, despite not really wanting to be stuck in this American Thor’s overly muscular arms, she knew a dance was harmless.
He swung her around the floor to a fast-paced jig as soon as the music started, despite her protests to dance, and dragged her heaving and panting back up to him when she tried to escape. Abby was wrapped in the arms of a hefty younger lad with strawberry blonde hair and farmer’s rosy cheeks and offered no salvation for poor Rose. Abby was practically nose to nose with him as he was telling her something so obviously interesting, her eyes were locked with his. A sizzle of chemistry between them that signaled Abby would be no help for a while and Rose felt completely out of her depth.
