Lady and the bastard (3)

"Yes, my business. Why does that surprise you so much?" Ian asked.

"You having a business does not surprise me. The fact it was never mentioned in the papers does," Scarlet answered. 

Ian wasn't seen much in town as far as she knew. When Scarlet attended parties, it was always Lord Kingsley, his wife, and the younger son. The Kingsley family had a bit of attention to it because of past drama and Ian's business was something Scarlet thought the town would talk about.

"I came back in secret to avoid those little pests. I wouldn't be able to get work done with them lingering outside for answers. Pick a seat of your liking while I prepare you tea," Ian said, giving Scarlet the freedom to sit where she wanted. 

She was welcome to sit in his private room if she wanted. 

"It is a kind offer, but I must go," Scarlet answered. She had low expectations for any tea he could make as this was a place to serve drinks with alcohol. Not fine tea of her liking. "You are closed so we mustn't disturb you."

"We are normally open at this time for early drinkers, but we had a bit of cleaning to do. As an apology for walking in, take a seat. One cup of tea is all that I ask you to have," said Ian.

"Very well. Prepare a cup of your best tea," Scarlet said, walking to the nearest seat to sit. She did come in at the wrong time and to never hear of this again, she would have one cup.

Scarlet was curious how Ian had set up a business in town and nothing was said about it. Her every move was spoken of in town long before her divorce. What secret did he have to get around the papers and how could she get a hold of it?

"My apologies," Harry apologised. "I was told that it was open at this time."

"We see now what you are told was correct. It was just bad timing. Don't think about it too much," Scarlet said, not angry with Harry bringing her here. 

There wasn't a single customer here besides herself so she did not need to hear about the divorce or the unborn child. Scarlet enjoyed that the only chatter was coming from the employees as they worked.

Behind the bar, one of the employees was confused to see Ian putting on a pot for hot water. "Uh, boss. What are you doing?"

Ian didn't answer as it was obvious what he was doing. He didn't spare a glance at the idiot beside him.

"Making tea, yes. I mean, why are you making tea when you hate it?" Asked Owen, a worker and a self-proclaimed friend of Ian. "And should we let that woman be seen here with all the noise that is around her these days? You wanted to lie low until the big reveal."

Ian smiled, amused. "Why wouldn't I let her in? Isn't she the victim in that mess?"

"Well yes, but-"

"Then it is fine," Ian replied. "She is a welcomed customer so treat her well and don't speak of what is in the papers."

Like everyone else, Ian saw the paper with the pitiful story of Beth crying like she wasn't the one to go after a married man. The tears and pleas did not move Ian. Instead, he laughed. 

"I'm sure the others won't. You already have the rule of not speaking of outside gossip to customers. It's a shame that such a beautiful woman has to be involved in something like this. Almost every day I see her name in the papers," said Owen.

Ian thought it was just like Lockwood to make the wife in this situation the villain. The town was strange and showed no signs of getting better. Scarlet was in no different position than he was years ago. 

Painted to be ruining someone's happiness. 

"Wait, didn't her husband come here before? If she becomes a customer too, what if they come here at the same time?" Owen asked, worried about the conflict. 

Ian continued to make the tea, ignoring Owen getting worked up over nothing. Scarlet was more of a priority over her husband. Her name was mentioned all over the town and Ian liked it. She was just the person he needed nearby to ruffle a few feathers. 

Owen watched Ian from the sidelines, still confused about Ian making tea when he hated it. It was more than not liking the taste of tea as it had something to do with his mother and family drama. Scarlet waltz in here and all of a sudden Ian was liking tea again. Did Ian plan on courting the soon-divorced woman?

Ian finished up the tea for Scarlet, placing the pot, cup, and other items on a tray to take to her.

"At least button your shirt up in front of the lady," Owen said, attempting to do it for Ian.

"Why do such a thing when the lady is enjoying the view?" Ian asked.

Ian personally carried the tray to Scarlet, something he never did for other customers. She had the pleasure of this treatment since they were alike. 

Scarlet was surprised to see that he was going out of his way to serve her himself when there were so many employees around. "What do you want from me?" She asked as the treatment was suspicious.

"To try the tea. Should I call for a doctor to treat your memory loss?" Ian questioned jokingly.

Scarlet didn't care for the joke. "This isn't the first time this has happened. For an owner to personally serve me, they always want something in return. The answer is no."

"Sweetheart, I don't want anything from you other than for you to try the tea and become a future customer. I am serving you to see the surprise when you taste my tea. Nothing more unless you wish for me to serve you something else," Ian said, taking a seat before Scarlett.

Scarlet inspected the tea before her. The smell was pleasant, but it was all about the taste.

"I happen to have a bit of interest in you, Scarlet."

Scarlet looked back up to Ian. "I have no interest in men at the moment."

Ian chuckled. "While I have an interest in you that way, I was trying to be a gentleman by not mentioning it at the first meeting. I meant that I have an interest in you because we are similar. The papers are trying to ruin us when it is others deserving of ridicule."

Scarlet couldn't recall any news about Ian recently or for the last few years so he had to be referring to the drama long ago before he disappeared. It wasn't something to forget since his stepmother trashed him every time his name was brought up. 

"I sympathise with you and it isn't to get something from you. You remind me of myself years ago. You should try the tea before it gets cold. It tastes better when a little hot," Ian said, eagerly awaiting her review.

Scarlet poured herself tea into the small glass cup to give it a taste. Scarlet took a small sip to test and to her surprise, it was delightful. A bit better than the teahouse she frequented before. "It is good," she complimented him effort.

"It could be better but I have not made tea in over ten years. I will do my best to make it better so I hope you will come again to try the improved tea. If privacy is something you need, I have a private room for you to use," said Ian.

Ian's offer was exactly what Scarlet was looking for, but it wouldn't be long before it was revealed that he owned the business and his name would be in the papers. Scarlet didn't want to be around all that attention. 

"Is a kind offer, but I must decline," Scarlet replied, putting the cup down. 

"That's a shame, but I will always be here to serve you when you are ready. Should you need to speak with someone who once experienced the town having fun with your problems, I am always here-"

"Ian!" A woman's loud cry ruined the conversation.