The Wedding Deal by Marie Kelly Page A

of his touches and kisses, as she had scolded herself wondering what had gotten into her.
    That night as she had sank into the soft bed; her mind had been full of Alexis. So like her grandfather, and yet so different she had thought to herself, once more remembering how he had kissed her, groaning softly at the memories as she had slipped into a sleep full of dreams of the tall handsome man who was to be her husband.
    The next morning she had woken, frowning at the time, seeing that it was nearly 9 in the morning. She was not one to sleep longer than 8 usually, so quickly moving to the shower Tessa had gotten ready as quickly as possible, before moving down the stairs. The previous day Alexis had taken her on a tour of the large house, as Tessa had been in awe of the sheer size of it, hoping that she would be able to remember the many different rooms and their uses. Now stood at the base of the stairs she had frowned, trying to remember the way to the kitchen as moving down one of the corridors she had been rewarded, hearing the sound of dishes being moved. Slipping gently into the large fully fitted kitchen, she had seen the housekeeper stood before a long work top making what looked like a pie. As the door had softly clicked closed behind her, the other woman had turned, looking at Tessa with surprise.
    “Good morning Madam” she had said respectfully, her eyes holding a touch of confusion in them.
    “Can I help you?”
    Seeing as the younger woman had stood shyly before her.
    “I was just hoping to make a cup of coffee” she had answered with a small smile.
    “I didn’t mean to interrupt”
    The house keeper had given a small smile back, both women so unsure of the other.
    “I will make that for you right away”
    She had said adding,
    “Mr Demitri did not show you the intercom?”
    Tessa had remembered the previous day, how Alexis had indeed shown her the intercom, telling her that if she needed anything that she had only to pick up the phone and order what she wanted. This had not sat well with Tessa, not happy with being waited on hand and foot, preferring to make her own coffee.
    “Yes…yes he did, but honestly I really would just rather make it myself” she had said nervously.
    “I promise I won’t get in your way”
    The house keeper had looked at her with surprise, pointing to the kettle.
    “It really would not be any trouble Madam” she had said, the surprise and wariness evident in her voice. With a small nod Tessa had moved forward lifting the kettle to ensure that there was enough water in it.
    “Thank you” she had replied “But really you must be busy enough………..can I get you one too?”
    The other woman had raised an eyebrow in complete surprise, before nodding a wider smile covering her face.
    “Thank you Madam……that is very nice of you”
    Tessa had flashed the other woman a large grin, feeling as the air between the two had seemed somehow less cool.
    “Please Mrs Lowe “she had smiled “Call me Tessa”
    The other woman had put down her knife, quickly wiping her hands before moving forward a smile lighting her eyes.
    “I was just about to have some toast Tessa, would you like some too?”
    Tessa had looked back her face showing her thanks, as each had busied themselves before meeting at the large table in the centre of the room. Mrs Lowe carrying a large plate of buttered toast, with a variety of jam pots precariously balanced on the edge of the plate, while she had placed down the two steaming mugs of coffee.
    Tessa had made an appreciative noise as she had bitten down into the first slice, her eyes closing as she had made a small sound of pleasure.
    “Now that is nice toast” she had chuckled as the other woman had grinned back, before looking warily at her.
    “I hear congratulations are in order” seeing as the younger woman had flushed slightly, her head nodding as she had looked down at the ring on her finger.
    “Thank you” she had said softly as the older woman