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"How crazy can it get?"
She took a sip as she turned to look at hi to help me?"
Alec slass on the Maltese table and rushed over to hied him and kissed him three times on the cheek
Alec could srape fro Dior rose perfu
"I don't know if it ork, but you've seen her"
"Go on"
"I just want to separate them, Alec I want Brian to stay withto know each other Then he ht find that he still loves me after all; and eventually believe that I can still be a perfect wife for him"
"How do you propose we do that?"
"Well, I was thinking that if I were to go to his castle in Scotland, instead of that girl, then--" She hesitated, staring at his blue shirt collar
"You're saying you will switch places with this girl?" he asked, nodding at the picture on the screen of the BlackBerry "And what about the girl?"
"Well," she started, touching his dark brown hair that was long overdue for a cut "That's where you come in"
"Me?" He raised his shapely eyebrows
"Mm"
"How?"
"You will have to take her far away, somewhere that Brian would never think to look for her, or worry that shefor her if she goes "
"I'm sure her fa"
"Oh no, that would never happen"
"Oh? Why not?"
"Because she's alone We were talking at the restaurant She said she's from the south island of some country She's here on holiday She doesn't know anybody, except for Brian So you see? It will be all right"
"If this plan of yours is to succeed, where do you suppose I should take her?"
She raised her eyebrows, deep in thought for a moment Then she said, "To one of your estates, of course What about Hasting Manor in Scotland?"
"You wantManor? Brian will be in Scotland"
"But he would never think to look for her there, would he? I mean, it's not like she knows Scotland"
"Susan, I just want you to be happy Are you sure you want to do this?"
Susan smiled and said, "Of course"
Alec nodded Again, he glanced at the photo, a half smile on his face
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Ruby was thrilled at the very thought she'd be staying in a castle that was hundreds of years old Just iine, and all thanks to the handsome Brian McArthur--thelike an idiot, she started iether Suddenly, a silly scene conjured i, after their wonderful breakfast, they'd be going out for long walks in the woods, enjoying the breeze, the sun, and the beautiful scenery She'd sprain her ankle in due course, and he'd carry her back to the castle Ruby had to giggle at that thought, just i her s, they'd have a private dinner under the candlelight, chatting about stupid things and getting to know each other The next day, they'd have a picnic in the large garden, while chatting and laughing The possibilities were endless, and she shivered deliciously
She bolted up suddenly as a very irabbed her suitcase
What should she hen she arrives? A dress, perhaps? Gosh, she wanted to look good for him She hardly ever wore dresses because of the unpredictable weather back in Dunedin, New Zealand Four seasons in a day, they always say; as it would be sunny in the , and then sunny again with a bitter, cold wind
She unzipped the suitcase and raided the contents Suddenly, her cell phone did a ding-dang-dong
"Wonder who it is," she rabbed the phone She flipped it open and saw she had aOE so far? U free? Can we chat on fb?
Ruby bit her lip in excitement Finally, she was able to have a wee chat with her friend She quickly texted back an emphatic "yes" and jumped on the computer that caed onto Facebook and started chatting
RUBY: Hey, Alex, how's things? You're not having a great deal ofsickness, are you?
ALEX: Hey, you Nah, not really Aren't I lucky?
RUBY: Well, good for you
ALEX: LOL! I knw So who's the guy?
RUBY: Wot guy?!
ALEX: The guy you're seeing in the UK?
RUBY: Oh that Nikita! She just can't keep her mouth shut Don't be silly He's just a friend who is kind enough to show me around
ALEX: OohlalaHe's British, eh? Very nice Hope to meet him e're there
RUBY: Maybe LOL! Anyways, I'rand castle tomorrow
ALEX: Lucky you I knw u really like that type of stuff so enjoy, aye?
RUBY: I will So ill you be here?
ALEX: In three weeks froht?
RUBY: Yes Staying in Scotland for one week then to Ireland, France and Ro home Just in time to see you, eh?
ALEX: Very good Anyways, got to go Jay is nagging me
RUBY: LOL! Bye then
ALEX: Bye, see ya soon
Ruby logged off, grinning from ear to ear She just couldn't believe it Alexandra Stewart--that shy girl--et herself a real hunky man and now there was a baby in tow
She threw herself on the large bed and laughed She just couldn't believe it Suddenly, she bolted up, realizing she had so a cute dress to wear
She scrambled toward the suitcase and continued her search until she found one she thought ht be perfect It was the one Brian helped her pick out in one of those stores on Bond Street It looked wonderful on her when she tried it on Brian himself even whistled as she reluctantly and shyly caing No man ever whistled at her before, and when he did so, he meant it as a compliment, which caused her heart to soar with happiness
The dress, however, was too expensive for her She was about to walk ahen Brian insisted that he buy it for her She refused at first, but he persisted and said if she wanted to repay him, she could allow him to entertain her at his castle in Scotland
She nearly fainted then Such a grand invitation was hard to refuse It would be stupid and unthinkable on her part to spend a large portion of her savings co to stay in a castle--especially of the type she always dreairl, and her childhood friend, Alec, described and drew his mansion for her
Ruby picked up the day dress and excitedly rushed into the bathroo the touch of the cool fabric After sht she looked rather nice The olive-green empire dress had short sleeves with a round neckline, and the length of the skirt reached down to just above her knees, showing off her shapely legs Perfect! To coloss before brushing her long, dark tresses
One thing about Ruby was her lack of concern when it caed to look quite pretty in her oay She thought it was quite a in love with a half-Asian woman like her To be honest, she looked almost pure Cambodian except for her very fair skin Her hair was shiny black, her nose straight, her lips plump, just like her mother and four other sisters Her dark eyebroere thick, and perfectly arched above her slightly slanted dark brown eyes, and her cheeks were always rosy
She studied herself in the mirror, i
ht when he saw her
The sudden, loud ringing of the motel phone jolted her back to reality
Oh damn! Who could that be?
She rushed back to the bedroo"
"'Allo, this is r'ception Yer ride's 'ere"