Page 89 of Unwritten Rules

MILA

“Are you absolutely sure this is the right way to go about it?”

I roll my eyes good-naturedly. “Vivienne said all he needs is a little push. What better way than to attend the event he invited me to? It’s hardly like I’m gate-crashing, Els!”

It’s Tuesday, three days after the night when everything changed.

Since the night when I’d not only realised that Nathaniel may have genuine feelings for me, but I’d also been told by Vivienne that his resolve is close enough to the edge to just require a push – and, well, I can’t pretend that I’ve not been in action mode since.

I’d not been surprised following his no-show for lunch on Sunday, seeing as it’s become apparent that running is his go-to when creating distance from a problem.

Instead of hanging around, I’d hit Josie up for a quick shopping trip, grabbing the most perfect dress from a boutique she swore was a new score in preparation for Wednesday evening’s ball in honour of the newest wing, Hawthorne Hall, at Walden-Forbes.

I’d had all manner of treatments at Josie’s beauty salon, The Menagerie, and having been preened to within an inch of my life, I felt ready for the battle of my life.

And I am going to win, no matter what. I may be young, as Nate obviously needs to keep reminding me, but when it comes to knowing what I want and knowing now that he wants me in return, I’m more than willing to be utterly shameless.

As I’d said in the Shakespearean debate all those weeks ago, I’m willing and able to burn the world – our world – to experience the type of love that I know this man is capable of.

The love Zara threw away that makes me want to slap her so fucking hard right across her stupid fucking face.

The Surrey countryside whizzes past in a blur of green the more ground my tactical red-coloured Corvette Stingray covers, and Eliza speaks again over the hands-free.

“I only ask, Mils, because honesty is really the best policy…”

I snort a laugh. “Already tried it, Els. He’s said he’s being honest, but he’s lying by omission – I’m not fucking having it. Why can’t we be together if we both have feelings for one another? Why should I settle for someone else when they can never hold my whole heart? Why is he the one who gets to make the decisions when it’s not just his future on the line? Don’t I deserve the same choice as him…”

I break off suddenly, realising that my words came out in one long, irate jumble. “I’m sorry, Els. I didn’t mean—”

“No, don’t you dare.” She cuts me off. “You are allowed to feel how you feel. No questions asked. I’m only playing the devil’s advocate here, trying to give you an outside view, if you will.”

I turn onto the now-familiar gravelled driveway leading from the main road to Hawthorne House, just as the sun begins to dip in the sky. Knowing Nate, he’s probably gone for a jog right about now.

My stomach flips in anticipation of seeing him.

“I appreciate all you do, my love. Now get practising so you can graduate early, become an award-winning stage actress, and move back to London, because I miss your ass!”

Bidding me goodnight, which always sounds odd, considering it’s only just past lunchtime where she is, she hangs up as I notice Nate’s SUV is missing from the driveway.

I furrow my brow and put the car in park before Phillippe strides around the side of the house, a broad smile on his face.

“Miss DeMarco, it’s wonderful to see you back. Lord Hawthorne never said you were coming.”

Lord Hawthorne. So fucking weird.

“Firstly, Phillippe – please? Call me Mila.”

He dips his head, nodding as Roland, his assistant, begins to lift my bags from the car.

“And secondly, Nathaniel wouldn’t have known about my arrival, so don’t worry about it. Is he here?”

I glance around me as though he’s going to pop up from behind a shrub or duck his head out one of the upstairs windows, but all I find is the encroaching evening.

“Nathaniel is at Walden-Forbes, my dear.”

An unknown deep voice rings through the air, and Phillippe steps to one side to unveil the newcomer.

He’s tall, and once upon a time, he would have been very broad-shouldered, but now his impeccable black suit is slightly loose over his frame.