Lies and Weddings(104)
“What a great idea. You’ve never set any of your art projects at Greshamsbury!” Eden said excitedly.
“Actually, I wasn’t thinking of myself but of other artists. We have so much land, so many derelict buildings on the estate that could be revived and reimagined by artists. There are so many brilliant people I know who are struggling to get noticed and who can’t seem to break through. Artists of color, especially, who are totally sidelined because their work is too experimental or uncomfortable or just not fashionable enough for the art mafia. Like my friend Kiana, who you met in Hawaii. Her sculptures are so original and fresh but she’s obviously not sleeping with the right art dealers—she can’t get a solo show to save her life. I want to provide her with a stipend she can actually live on, and give her a place to create and showcase her art in all its glory. And this idea extends beyond Greshamsbury. We could showcase amazing art installations at all the Bella resorts around the world—Antwerp, Hong Kong, Hawaii. The resorts could all become art destinations. Think of the amazing things that could be created in all these places, and how great it would be for the local communities. I think that’s the way to save all the resorts, to save everything.”
Eden loved seeing the way Rufus’s eyes lit up as he spoke. “I think you’re really onto something here!”
“You don’t think I’ve gone stark raving mad?”
“Not at all,” Eden said, her mind flashing back to Luis Felipe and how different his motives were from Rufus’s. Rufus cared so ardently about nurturing other artists, while Luis Felipe only used them for his own amusement and profit. “It’s the most exciting plan I’ve heard for Greshamsbury in years. Much better than putting in that giant Tesco by the roundabout.”
Rufus smiled at her, feeling relieved. “You’re the only person that’s always believed in me, in my art and all my wild schemes and ideas. Why do you do it? Why do you put up with me?”
Because I love you. The words came straight to Eden’s head but she found herself unable to say them. What if he’d come to his senses and realized that they were better off as friends? Did she want to destroy the most important relationship in her life? “Habit, I suppose,” she finally answered.
“I hope it’s a habit you’ll never be able to quit,” Rufus replied, before immediately thinking, Fuck me, what a bloody idiotic thing to say, so cliché and juvenile. He shook off his embarrassment and leaned against the cool concrete wall.
Eden gazed at him, and he flashed her a quick smile, that same gorgeous, conspiratorial smile she saw whenever she poked her head into his bedroom and he looked up from his desk, or when he first caught sight of her on their morning runs, or the times his mother said something outrageous at the dinner table, or the millions of other times that smile had made her heart skip a beat. Now she could feel her heart pounding in her ears, pounding out of her chest. Carpe diem, she thought.
Before he had time to process what was occurring, Rufus felt soft lips brush against his. Eden’s lips. Was this really happening? Was he hallucinating from the heat? Eden was kissing him, fondling the hair on the back of his neck, pressing into him. He reached around to stroke the small of her back and felt her tremble.
Martha’s words suddenly came into his head. You need to woo a woman slowly. He pulled back for a moment. “I don’t want to make the same mistake that I did in the forest. I don’t want to rush things—”
Eden cut him off. “You’re not rushing. I’m in love with you, silly rabbit.”
“You are?” Rufus could hardly believe his ears. He was about to respond when Eden kissed him even more forcefully, quickly getting up and straddling him. As she wrapped her legs around him, he could feel his jeans tighten in agony. He slid his hand under her blouse and just as he began to tease the tip of her—
“Er…excuse me, might one of you happen to be Rufus?” said a voice out of nowhere.
Rufus and Eden froze, turning to see the Swedish lad from the museum office standing at the corner bashfully.
“Yah, that’s me,” Rufus said, mortified, as he let go of Eden’s breast.
“There is a telephone call for you at the office. I believe it is an emergency,” the Swede said.
Rufus got up from the bench, wondering how anyone could have possibly found him here, when it dawned on him—Bloody Instagram. He had been live streaming video and posting pictures when they first arrived and there was still a spot of decent Wi-Fi.
They made their way back to the office and Rufus grabbed the cordless phone anxiously. “Hello?”
“Rufus? Is that you?” It was his mother.
“Yes,” Rufus replied gruffly.
“Oh thank god I found you! The worst thing has happened, the worst. Your poor sister,” Arabella sobbed hysterically.
“What happened to Bea?” Rufus asked in a panic.
“No, it’s Augie. Poor Augie!” his mother cried.
XI
Greshamsbury Hall
GRESHAMSBURY, ENGLAND ? THE NEXT DAY
(IN THE GREAT HALL…)
Rufus had just arrived home from Marfa and was rushing up the stairs when Hemsworth intercepted him. “Hey, Rufus! Bea wanted me to tell you that she’s in the boathouse.”