Chapter Eleven

Living with the Rothschilds took some time for Hailey to adjust to. She no longer had to wake up early or do chores. She was pampered and the maids treated her kindly. Mika slept in an adjoining room, ready to assist Hailey if needed at night, although such instances were rare. Nolan made sure to speak to her at least once a day, and that brought her contentment.

 

"Mika!" Hailey called one day while she was in the garden, enjoying the delightful scent of the flowers. Rows upon rows of them stretched out before her, some with complicated names that Mika had once told her, but she had long forgotten. After spending two weeks with the Rothschilds, Hailey had come to understand that things were never simple.

 

"I'm in the garden!" Hailey responded, counting the flowers she had plucked from the abundant bunches. She had found the prettiest vase in the attic and wanted to decorate her room with some flowers. Her room was already beautiful, but flowers symbolized beauty and life. Mika came running, her hair flying in all directions.

 

"Miss Lincoln, what are you doing? Master Nolan will be furious, and Grandfather Gareth would have a fit if he sees that I let you work in the garden alone."

 

Hailey brushed off her dress and got up, laughing at the horrified expression on Mika's face. "I wasn't working, Mika. I was simply picking flowers for my room. Did you need me for something?"

 

Distressed by her mistress's appearance, Mika removed thorns and weeds from Hailey's dress. Luckily, the dress wasn't long enough to get caught in branches and thorny stems. Mika slapped her hands away as Hailey revealed her bare feet. The sight of the dirty feet, which Mika had scrubbed just hours ago in the bathtub, nearly made her faint. The woman waiting for her mistress could wait a few more minutes; she couldn't attend to her visitor in such an untidy state.

 

"Is something wrong, Mika?"

 

"Your wedding planner is here to discuss some details with you. You can't go in there like... like that," she gestured at Hailey's appearance. Hailey saw nothing wrong with her dress and scowled in confusion. The maid rolled her eyes and coaxed her mistress upstairs to her room. She made her change into a pink suit and washed her feet, preparing them for soft suede boots. After an hour, the garden elf was transformed into a pink princess.

 

"What about my flowers?" Hailey pouted, eyeing her empty vase.

 

"I'll fetch them while you are with Miss Pepple. When you return, your room will have flowers."

 

Hailey assumed her character; in her past life, she had been a successful novelist and remembered wearing suits for book conferences and signings. She wasn't new to a life of luxury, but this time around, she wanted to enjoy herself more than she had in her previous life. Miss Pepple sat in the visitors' sitting room, her nude purse on her lap. She was an attractive woman, undoubtedly, and she also favored a suit—hers was a spicy red one that matched the rosy lipstick she generously applied to her lips. Her hair was styled in a long single French braid. Everything about her exuded expense, and she had a model-like aura.

 

When she noticed her client approaching, she met Hailey halfway, taking her hand in a friendly handshake and exchanging cheek kisses. Her cologne was overpowering, and Hailey's eyes watered from the intensity of the scent.

 

"Hello, darling," the wedding planner greeted, her smile so dazzling it was almost blinding. "It's so nice to finally meet

 

 you. Your fiancé has told me so little about you, increasing my curiosity. Pardon my manners," she quickly apologized, her words carrying a hint of an accent. "My name is Rosalinda Pepple, but you can call me Lynn to keep things short and sweet."

 

Hailey was overwhelmed by Lynn's effervescent energy and had to blink twice to compose herself. "I am..."

 

"Hailey Lincoln," Lynn interrupted, her smile growing even brighter. When she saw Hailey's surprised expression, she shrugged confidently. "It would be unprofessional of me not to know the name of my client."

 

Hailey formed an "O" shape with her lips and relaxed further into her chair. Lynn did the same, causing the lapel of her jacket to reveal the curve of her bust. Just as Hailey managed to relax, a familiar male figure glided in on his wheelchair. Two pairs of eyes fixed on him as his chair silently moved until he joined them.

 

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Nolan asked, his expression as blank as a clean slate.

 

"Not at all!" Lynn exclaimed, leaving her seat to offer him a handshake. He graciously accepted it, and when her back was turned, he discreetly wiped his hands with a handkerchief.

 

Hailey wasn't expecting him, or she would have asked Mika to tone down the makeup. Nolan knew how to surprise people, and while it was an important tool in business, it wasn't welcome between them.

 

"Please, do join us, Master Nolan. It's your wedding too."

 

Hailey suddenly wished she had sunglasses to shield her eyes from Lynn's radiant smile. It had increased in intensity since Nolan's arrival, and the gap created by her lapel now seemed even more noticeable. Nolan turned his gaze to Hailey, and the icy blue of his eyes warmed up. She looked more her age in that suit, and Mika had managed to pull her hair away from her face, allowing him to admire her smooth jawline. Uncomfortable under his gaze, Hailey focused on her trembling hands, patiently waiting for him to look away.

 

"Shall we begin?" Lynn suggested, oblivious to the tension between the couple. Nolan moved closer to where Hailey sat and lovingly took her hand in his. Her breath caught, and her heart raced, making it suddenly difficult to breathe. Nolan felt her pulse quicken and suppressed an unusual grin.

 

"We may," he said, giving her hand a gentle tug. "Hailey?"

 

"We may begin."