He's Captured My Heart (Captured Series Book 1) (18 page)

I finally find Kieran in the hall putting the finishing touches on the room. It looks
spectacular
in a black, white, and silver theme. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen these colours all together in this room. Striking.

“There you are.”

“What do you think? Lovely, isn’t it?” he asks, super-excited.

“It is, but—”

He cuts me off. “But what?”

“No, it’s perfect. You’ve done a fantastic job,” I say. “I presume you’ve not seen outside? Come on—let’s go get something to eat and drink, and then we’ll head outside.”

“I knew we wouldn’t eat if we missed breakfast. I told you so, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you were right. Come on then. Because I
am
hungry,” I say, grabbing his hand.

“How is it possible that you manage to stay so slim? I’ve seen the amount you can put away. Me, I
look
at food and put on weight,” Kieran says with a laugh. He’s being silly. His body is perfect.

“I just find time to burn off the extra calories.”

“Yeah, after seeing Alex in your room this morning, I know exactly
how
you burn off those extra calories too,” he says, giggling.

“Jealous?” I ask, perhaps a little smugly.

“Hell yeah! What I wouldn’t do for a piece of that right now.”

We head to the canteen, where the chefs have been organised, not just for the number of staff in the building today but for the restaurant and the wedding feast. Bottles of water and juice have been set out, along with fresh fruit and trays of wrapped sandwiches. On days like today, no one has time for proper breaks; it’s just a case of grabbing something on the go. We each take some water and sandwiches.
I promise Kieran we’ll sit down for five minutes outside.

We head through the building, straight to reception, where we find Sally busy with some guests. She looks rushed off her feet. I am so glad I got someone else in to give her a hand today. I give her a wave when she looks up on my way past.

“Miss Stewart, could I have a minute? Please?” she calls after me.

I nod. Kieran and I wait until she has finished with her guests. Kieran is tapping his hand against the bottle impatiently. I mouth at him,
Stop it
.

“Libby, we have a bit of a problem,” she starts to say. She has our full attention. The last time Sally had a problem, it was Alex. Why do I get the feeling he’s involved again?

“Go on,” I say.

“Stephen has gone with security to the main entrance of the estate. It seems we’ve attracted some journalists who have been…let’s say…making it difficult for people to get in or out.” She pauses before continuing. “I’ve also taken a lot of calls for you asking about your relationship with Mr. Mathews.”

I bloody knew it
.

“Shit, I thought my father would have dealt with this by now.” I’d better call him. “Sally, have Stephen call me as soon as he has a moment.”

“Yes. What do you want me to do about the calls?” she asks.

“Tell them a press release will be issued later on today, but if anyone is insistent, call me, and I will deal with it.”

“Will do,” she replies before dealing with her next guest.

Kieran and I head outside. I am desperate for him to see it. Fraser is busy with more guests, all of whom look as if they are here for the wedding. We both give him a wave when he glances up. I love days like this here at the hotel. There is a real buzz in the air. Excitement.

“
Oh my god! Libby bloody Stewart, you have excelled yourself this time!
” Kieran shrieks. “It’s stunning! You’ve done good, girl!”

“Do you think so?”

I think it looks great. I just hope the happy couple likes it. I’ve kept to their colours—black, silver, and white—and I’m really pleased with the outcome. I must admit, when I was told about the colours, I was a bit worried about how it would look outside. I needn’t have worried. The focal point is the stunning silver arch by the lochside. It’s entwined with white flowers and black ribbon. Everything is perfect. Picture perfect. We’ve created a temporary aisle with grey stones trailing from the road all the way down to the arch. The white chairs on either side have silver ribbons on one side of the aisle and black ribbons on the other. The floral arrangements are exquisite: white lilies, black roses (flown in especially
from Turkey), and dried heather sprayed silver, all in shiny silver vases on white columns.

“Oh, Libby, it’s perfect! I’m sure they will love it.”

We sit down on the lawn to eat while we have the chance. God, my feet ache. Actually, I ache everywhere now that I’ve stopped moving, although remembering the reason for it makes me smile. Alex.
I miss him. How is this possible?
I wonder what he’s doing just now.

“I can take a guess who you’re thinking about. Is he tall, dark, and handsome with an awesome accent?” Kieran teases me.

“How can you tell?”

“Libby, sweetie. You’re a million miles away. I’ve seen the look before. Granted, not on you, but I know it well enough. You have it bad,” Kieran says.

He’s right. I do have it bad. Now that I’ve paused, I’m thinking of Alex and realising that I probably won’t see him today at all, what with the wedding, then the flat, and then dinner with my parents.
Shite
. Three days ago he wasn’t even in my life, and in about three weeks, he will be gone back out of my life. I was so looking forward to seeing him later too.
Ah well, I suppose I had better get used to it
.

We are just finishing our lunch when I see Stephen walking towards us. I can only guess what he thought if he saw the papers today. He looks happy enough now, though, so maybe he’s not too mad.

“Well, Libby, the problem at the main entrance has been taken care of. Although you could have given us a bit of warning about the papers so we could have stepped up security for today,” he says. “The guests are all worked up about having to show their wedding invitations or reservations to get past the gates today.”

“Thanks, Stephen. If I’d known about the story, I would have warned you—especially with this wedding today—but it was all news to me too. I had no idea I was in a serious relationship,” I said jokingly. I wink at Kieran. “I wonder if I’m getting married?”

“Yeah, I get it. So you’re all right?” Stephen waits for me to reply. He knows my history with Tony and the media and I am sure he will be just as concerned as Ethan will be. I nod. “But I know that there’s
something
going on with you two. Remember—I had the pleasure of spending the day with the two of you yesterday?”

Kieran looks between Stephen and me. “So what did I miss? Stephen do tell, because a certain young lady is revealing absolutely nothing.”

“Nothing. Nothing at all,” I reply.

“Seriously, Libby. Talk to me,” says Stephen.

“Thanks, but honestly, I’m fine. Now I’m sure we all have work to be done. After all, there is a
real
wedding here soon.” I stand up.

Kieran and Stephen glance at each other, then at me. I have a rough idea what they are thinking, but
I am far too busy to discuss it anymore today. It will have to wait. We only have a short time before the ceremony takes place, and I need to check on Karl and the rest of the kitchen.

We all head back inside. Stephen heads towards the leisure centre, and Kieran goes to check in with the events team. I head for the kitchen.

My phone buzzes with an incoming text from Dad:

Phil: I will be at hotel shortly. We can leave together from there.

Libby: Ok. See you soon but I am still busy x

Phil: That’s fine. I have things to do in the office.

Everything in the kitchen is going according to plan. The restaurant expects to be busy tonight as well, and with a four-course meal for the wedding, the chefs all have to be at the top of their games. It helps that we have a great staff. Let’s hope the team doesn’t let Karl down.

At twenty minutes before three, Kieran and I head back outside. There’s a sense of excitement in the air. Guests are starting to take their seats. The minister is speaking with the groom and best man, who both look very dashing in their matching MacFarlane tartan kilts. There are a few staff members outdoors to make sure everything runs smoothly; the rest should
be inside ensuring that everything is perfect. The wedding photographer is taking a few shots of some kids running around. All we need now is the bride.

Jack, the photographer we recommend to all the wedding couples, makes his way over to Kieran and me. Jack’s work is stunning. Even the posed pictures look so natural.

“Hi, Jack,” I say as he gets close. “What a great day it is.”

“Kieran, Libby. It’s perfect. You couldn’t wish for a better day. I always worry when it’s an outdoor wedding, especially this late on in the year.” He pauses, and a concerned look crosses his face. “And how are
you
, Libby?”

“I’m well, Jack.” I’m puzzled by the tone of his question.

“Well, I will say, that was one hell of a picture of you in the papers today. I’ve been trying to get one like that of you for years.”

Ah, so
that’s
where he was going with the question. Well, in all fairness, everyone in the country must have seen it by now, so his curiosity shouldn’t surprise me.

“Ah, there’s the bride waiting just over there. I’ll catch up with you both later,” Jack says as he heads in her direction.

“Libby, look at her. She looks splendid!” Kieran says with a look of awe in his eyes. “Although she doesn’t outshine my current company.”

“Smooth…real smooth,” I say, slapping his arm.

Kieran and I stand back under an old oak tree to watch the proceedings. Two bridesmaids and two beautiful little flower girls walk down the aisle, followed by the bride’s father walking her down the aisle. He looks handsome in his kilt. The bride’s dress is an elegant, slim, off-the-shoulder gown with a small train. The bridesmaids’ dresses are black, and boy, do they look good, which really surprises me. And the little girls are adorable in their white dresses with matching black sashes around their waists.

While we’re watching the procession, Kieran’s phone vibrates. Stephen tells him that there is a problem at the gym, something about the ventilation, and Kieran heads back inside to sort it out. I offer to go, but I am told to stay put.

A small crowd of other hotel guests gathers at the edge of the lawn to watch the happy couple. I smile to myself as my thoughts wander off. I find myself thinking of Ethan’s wedding. So many things have happened since then to turn his world upside down. How I wish things were different for him. As I stand watching, I hear someone approach me. Arms curl round my waist. I know its Alex. He leans down and rests his head on my shoulder, and I turn slightly to look at him. God, I have missed him today. He gives me a quick kiss on the lips.

“You look tired,” Alex says, watching me closely.

“If someone hadn’t, how shall I put it, taken so much out of me last night, I would be fine,” I answer, slightly embarrassed. “So should I assume that Dad is here now?”

“Yeah, he went straight to the office. Said he had a few calls to make. How’s your day been?”

“Do you really want to know?” I say. I sigh, thinking about how busy it’s been.

“I wouldn’t ask if I weren’t interested.”

“Well, then…it’s been hectic here, but seeing this beautiful wedding, it’s all been worth it,” I say. “My feet are killing me, though. Kieran and I only sat down for about ten minutes all day. If you want me to be honest, yes, I’m shattered. There have also been a few other things preying on my mind as well.”

“What other things?” he asks, placing a kiss on my cheek.

“Sally has taken a lot of calls from journalists about our
relationship
, and Stephen and security have had to deal with problems at the gates—media camping at the main entrance.”

“Are you okay, though?” he asks, sounding concerned.

“Yes, I’m fine. I just don’t like being the centre of attention. And I don’t want anything that’s in the papers to affect things here. So I think I will have to look at my marketing for the hotel. The hotel has a good reputation, and I won’t allow my personal life to interfere with my job here.”

“Sorry. I feel bad about this. It’s my fault,” he says. “If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be getting all this attention.”

“That may be so, but you staying at the hotel would still be of media interest, so I am just going to think of it as extra PR for here.”

Alex has a point about it being his fault. And I won’t be the focus of attention for long, as soon enough they’ll move on to someone else. Or Alex will move on. I try to push that thought to the back of my head. I want to enjoy the rest of the time I have with him instead of thinking about what will happen when he goes home. My mind starts to wander again, but I try to focus on the ceremony that’s taking place in front of me.

“Hey, you’re a million miles away, Libby.” His arms tighten round my waist.

I hate to admit it, but I do feel comfortable with him. Maybe that’s what he does—makes women want him, then tosses them aside. Part of me keeps wondering about the actress, Katherine Hunter.

“Sorry. I’m fine.” I smile at him.

Jack is walking towards us. I wriggle out of Alex’s arms.

“Hi, Jack. Jack? Alex. Alex? Jack,” I say, introducing them. “Jack is a photographer.”

“I would never have guessed, Libby.” He smirks. “I thought he was just carrying all those cameras to sell to the tourists.”