Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,111

have to find a way to tell him she no longer needed his help.

“Bring him in, Parslip. We have not had a man in the house for weeks. It’s most exciting.” Aunt Bea clapped her hands. “And have fresh tea and food brought in. Young men are always ravenous.”

“Perhaps I should see what he wants. He may have called to drop something off. I did ask about a book he had,” Ivy lied.

“We know what he wants, dear.” Aunt Bea winked at her.

Ivy’s stomach plunged to her toes. Her aunt thought Mr. Haddon was interested in her, which of course could not be further from the truth.

“Oh no, he’s not interested in me, I assure you.”

“Of course he is, and who would not be considering how beautiful and intelligent you are,” her aunt said, loyal as always.

“Mr. Haddon,” Parslip said, which caused Ivy’s tummy to flutter.

“Good morning.” He stepped through the door and bowed, appearing larger and even more vital than he had last night. Dressed in a midnight blue jacket and waistcoat, he looked calm and almost like he was just paying Ivy a call, as her aunt had hoped he was.

“Mr. Haddon, we had not expected you.” Ivy needed to play this game carefully to ensure her aunt was not alerted to what was really going on.

“You’ll forgive me for not sending word of my intention to call.” He smiled, which set her aunt tittering. Ivy was made of sterner stuff than that, even if the smile did something special to his chocolate-brown eyes and showed up the laughter lines around his mouth.

“No apology needed at all, Mr. Haddon.” Aunt Bea was beaming. “We welcome a visit from you at any time. Don’t we, Ivy?”

Dear Lord. Her aunt’s jaw would be stuck in that position if her smile grew any wider.

“Of course.”

What was she to do now? She couldn’t very well tell him she no longer needed his assistance in front of their aunt, but if not now, when? What if he brought the matter up in front of Aunt Bea? Panic gripped her.

“As an old school friend of Jackson’s I also insist you call me Aunt Bea.”

“Thank you I would be honored.” He sent her aunt tittering again with another smile before turning his eyes on Ivy. “Why are you holding a doll, Miss Redfern?”

Looking down, she found Herbertina in her hands, and mortification had her cheeks turning a fiery red.

“That’s Herbertina, Mr. Haddon. My niece has not been parted from that doll since my nephew gave it to her many years ago,” Aunt Bea said.

“That’s an interesting name.” He came to stand before her to inspect the doll. Was he close enough to whisper what she needed to say?

“My brother wanted her called Herbert, and I wanted Clementina; this was the compromise.” Ivy walked around him and put the doll on the table. “She needs attention, and my aunt will take care of that. In fact, she is in constant need of repair.”

Shut up, you silly woman, he has no wish to hear about your doll.

“I shall see why the tea is taking so long.” Before Ivy could stop her, Aunt Bea had left the room, but thankfully not closed the door behind her.

“You did not receive my note, Mr. Haddon?”

He moved to her side, so close she could smell the outside on him. A cool, crisp day awaited her beyond the doorstep.

“I did not. What did it say?”

“That I no longer need your help, as the matter is resolving itself.” Not exactly a lie, but not the truth either.

His eyes studied hers, and it took all of Ivy’s skill to keep hers steady. She’d never been a good liar, but she would need to be now.

“Has Jackson returned?”

“No, but I believe he will shortly. So there is no need for you to concern yourself further, Mr. Haddon. Thank you for your kindness. I shall see you out.”

“The thing about telling a convincing lie, Miss Redfern, is that you need to keep your eyes steady. Yours just lowered to my feet.”

Chapter Six

“I beg your pardon, but I am not lying.”

“That was also a lie,” Rory said, watching the color in her face darken.

He’d woken early, and his first thought had been for this woman, which was odd for Rory, as his first thought was usually how soon he could eat. He’d washed, dressed, and eaten, and the entire time he’d wondered what Miss Redfern was up to.

Her actions had made him uneasy. She’d entered Bastil’s, and