Heaven And Hell novel Chapter 100

"No."

I sure wasn't the one who said that. I'd be more polite, at least. We both turned to look at the infuriatingly calm Colton behind me, who stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.

"No?" his grandaunt queried lightly, lifting her eyebrows.

He walked over to his desk and sat behind it, going back to his papers. "It's either your hearing has gone completely impaired, Aunt Marge, or you're as stubborn as a bloody mule." His eyes grazed over her face. "And definitely as sly as a fox," he muttered. "Or a wolf."

Despite the casual insult, the woman merely sniffed and turned back to me. Without looking at Colton, she said, "I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter, dear boy, for this young lady's necklace is being cleaned thoroughly in the washroom by one of the servants because that odious feline did its business on it. God only knows what type of germs it's sheltering." She visibly shuddered. "And it is also being fed in the stables. Don't forget you've quite insulted this young woman" -- she flicked an elegant wrist toward me -- "for thinking she's one of the desperate females who so wants to meet your friendly acquaintance."

I found myself snorting derisively.

The lady's icy blue eyes scintillated, but she didn't stare at me, and continued talking to Colton. "You have wronged her and so you must make up for that."

Colton's pen slammed onto his desk and he looked up with cold animosity toward the two of us. I was starting to believe he hated meddling senior citizens and females in general. But I didn't feel bad; I was kind of enjoying this. I snickered inwardly.

"You know I loathe being told what to do," he told his grandaunt conversationally. "But I admit my mistakes." His cold eyes swivelled to me. "I'm sorry."

"S'okay," I muttered. And it wasn't like I'd ever see him again after all of this, so I felt okay forgiving him, even if he was acting like an insufferable bear.

He went back to work.

"I'll see you at dinner?" the lady inquired, as we started walking out of the room. "It will be at seven. You may have your necklace back till then, and your cat will be returned to you in a moment. Do you live nearby?"

"Uh..."

"I could have a chauffeur take you home, if you'd like."

I flicked a glance over at the marquess. He didn't look up, thank God. The lady and I started walking away. "Um, no. We're neighbours, actually. I just walked..."

"I see. What's your name?"

"So he likes his privacy?" I asked, taking a bite of my mashed potatoes.

"Looks like it. Rarely shows up in the telly. Last time I saw him there, he was at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, and then at Prince George's christening along with the other Cuttings."

I believed my uncle. Based on my early encounter with the marquess, Colton Cutting was a cranky, impatient dude who seemed to value his privacy among all else. He also didn't seem easily amused and --

Oh God. I suddenly remembered the first time he saw me. Hugging a tree. All because of stupid Garfield.

I groaned, stabbing my chicken with more brutality than was normal that would probably get me beaten up by PETA.

"What did he say to you?" Aunt Mary suddenly chirped, plopping her chin in her palm as her elbow rested on top of their small, round dinner table.

"He thought I was one of those desperate girls vying for his attention," I scoffed, "and then he called me foolish and a liar!"

"No," she gasped, her eyes and lips rounding in sync.