The Wedding Deal by Marie Kelly Page B

had continued, her body becoming strangely rigid.
    “Alexis has not yet informed me of your plans” she had said a small nervous edge to her voice, as Tessa had looked at her in surprise.
    “Will you be planning on bringing your own staff to the estate?”
    Tessa had continued to look at her in confusion.
    “My own………” she had began, frowning slightly “I’m sorry I don’t know what you mean”
    She could see as the house keeper had tugged at her fingers.
    “Well as the head of the house, I imagine that there will need to be changes” she had finally managed, her eyes a little harder, as realisation had come on Tessa.
    “Oh………..oh no” she had cried.
    “Please Mrs Lowe…………I hope that you don’t think that I will get in your way………….I will try not to make your work any harder……..in fact” she had continued, her eyes holding the other woman’s,
    “If there is anything I can do to help…………then I will……….Please just let me know what needs done”
    Mrs Lowes whole body had seemed to relax as she had smiled carefully over at Tessa.
    “So…….you don’t want me to go”
    Tessa had looked at her with shock.
    “Absolutely not” she had managed “In fact………..I kind of hoped you might be able to help me to settle in………I have no idea what to do” she had finished, as Mrs Lowe had smiled warmly at her.
    “That I can do” she had grinned picking up her cup and taking a sip before looking at Tessa’s hand, and admiring the ring that the other girl had held out for her to see. In a tone which held real warmth she had smiled.
    “Congratulations Tessa, I am truly happy for you and Alexis”
    Before the two women had relaxed in each other’s company, talking for over an hour as they had finished their breakfast, Mrs Lowe describing what happened in the house as Tessa had listened attentively.
    Later that day she had received a phone call from Alexis, who had mysteriously informed her that he was on his way to pick her up and “to dress casual” making Tessa laugh, her interest piqued.
    Exactly on time, she had moved out of the house, to see his car pulling up, as he had stepped out of the large luxury vehicle flashing her one of his dazzling smiles, opening the door to let her slide inside. Tessa reminded of the first time they had met as he had driven her home from her showdown with her grandfather.
    “OK……so where are we going?” she had chuckled looking over and seeing that he wore jeans and a t-shirt which accentuated his muscular body, feeling the heat fill her once more, swallowing hard as she had looked away, once more not understanding the way she reacted whenever she saw him.
    “Well……..I figured that since we had already had our first date, that I would go cheap on you”
    His eyes looking over at her full of humour, still in his mind seeing the way the soft blue Capri’s she wore showed off her perfect bottom as he had watched her getting into the car, his eyes raised heavenward at the longing that flooded him.
    Beside him Tessa had laughed.
    “Ah…..phew, I thought our relationship was going to be weird” as he had laughed back. They had not gone far, before she had recognised that they were heading to the harbour, and soon his car was swinging into one of the preferred reserved parking bays. With a grin he had moved quickly to open her door, Tessa smiling in thanks at his chivalry, before he had opened up the boot, pulling a hamper from within its depth.
    “A picnic” she had grinned, “and on the dock………very cheap……….I approve” she had giggled as he had moved beside her, grabbing her hand and pulling her forward.
    “Well maybe not quite that cheap” he had grinned, as they were buzzed into the docking area by the security guard who had given a respectful nod to Alexis. She had walked beside him, as he continued to hold her hand, admiring the wonderful yachts which were tied up, “ooohing” and “ahing”