The clip-clop of horses’ hooves beat the pavement then stopped in front of Kellie Flannigan’s family’s home. Ethan noted the nice trees in the yard and the way the grass was kept neat and the hedges were trimmed.

Climbing out of the carriage he’d rented for the day, Ethan called out to the driver of the two horses that pulled the pristine white carriage, “I’ll get her and be right back. No need to get down.”

“Yes, sir,” the driver said.

Ethan was dressed in a tan linen suit. He’d instructed Kel to wear something romantically comfortable. Curious to see what she’d come up with, he rapped on the door, then waited for someone to answer it.

A man opened the door. “And you’re the Scot.”

“Ethan Southern, sir. You must me Master Flannigan.” Ethan saw a woman behind the man who peered over his shoulder. “And you must be the mistress of the manor.” Neither greeted him with a smile of any kind.

The door was opened and behind them stood Kel. She was glowing in a flowing pale pink dress made of cotton and lace. Made in two tiered levels, the cotton portion covered her to just above the knees, and the lace went to the ground. Tan sandals let her pretty pink toenails show. She’d straightened her blonde hair and looked radiant.

“I like your romantic, comfortable style choice,” Ethan said as Kel walked to the door.

“And I like yours,” she said as she stepped out the door and saw the carriage. “I saw that from my bedroom window. I must admit I’m impressed, Ethan.”

She took his arm, and he led her down the walkway. Her mother called out to them, “Dinner’s at eight, Ethan. I hope you decide to join us.”

He stopped and asked Kel, “Would you like that, my love?” She nodded and he looked back at her mother. “I’d like that, Mrs. Flannigan. Thank you.”

Kel was in a dream-like state with the romantic gesture Ethan was making. She knew it was all an act to get into her pants but she was still impressed.

Ethan opened the carriage door, allowing Kel to get inside of it. White leather covered the comfortable seats that ran along each side. He took the side opposite from hers. “You’re not going to sit next to me?” she asked.

“I want to take in the lovely scenery that is you, love.” He reached out to take her hands in his as the horses moved the carriage forward. “Today is only about you.”

With a nod, Kel looked out the window and tried hard to remind herself the whole thing was fake. All of it was planned to get her into bed. Her heart ached as she tried not to cry.

“The weather’s lovely today, don’t you agree?” Ethan asked as he trailed his fingers along the top of her hand.

“I have to agree with you. Would you like to tell me what we’ll be doing today?” She watched his fingers as they moved over her skin. As hard as she tried to ignore the heat it caused her, she couldn’t.

“Tell, me, love,” he said as they pulled to a stop at the edge of a park. “Do you like plays?”

“Um, I’m not sure. I mean, I was in one in my high school days, and it was fun. But I’ve never been to a real play,” Kel answered.

Ethan got out of the carriage and turned to help her out. “Who’s your favorite actor?”

“Leo DeCaprio. I just loved him in that Titanic movie. He and Kate Winslet are my favorite on-screen couple,” Kel said as she let Ethan take her hand and lead her down a path nearly obscured by large bushes.

“Oh, and your favorite comedic actor?” Ethan asked as he lifted her hand and kissed it then tucked it back into his.

“Rebel Wilson can make me laugh even when I don’t want to,” Kel told him as they walked along the pathway. They came to a small clearing where a red and white checkered blanket was neatly placed on the green carpet grass. A giant oak tree sprawled over it. “Is this us?”

Ethen gave her a nod and helped her take a seat on the blanket. A basket was sitting at one corner. He sat down and pulled it over to him, taking out a bottle of Champagne along with a couple of flutes. “Bubbly?”

Kel had to smile at him. “Please.”

The bottle had been opened already, letting Kel know someone was helping the man who was trying his best to impress her. He filled the glasses then pulled out a covered silver tray. When he pulled the top off, she found the silver platter covered in little delights.

“Fancy a nibble?” he asked her as he picked up a bite-sized strawberry that’d been dipped in white chocolate. There were crackers with caviar on them, some truffles, and red grapes.

Kel let Ethan place the fruit in her mouth and had to admit to herself that he was quite adept at the romance thing. When someone cleared their throat, she looked up to find a man standing at the edge of their blanket.

A man she recognized but he couldn’t be who she was thinking. A couple of women came out from behind a large bush and Kel nearly choked on the strawberry. “No!”

“Hi, Kel, allow me to introduce myself,” the man said.

“Leo DeCaprio!” she said in a whisper. Kel’s eyes moved to the woman who stood on the right of him. “And you’re Kate Winslet!” The woman on the other side of him bowed. “And you’re Rebel…”

“Wilson, at your service, madam,” the woman finished Kel’s sentence.

“I hired these three to perform a play for you, my love,” Ethan said as he took her in his arms then leaned back against the large tree’s trunk.

“Ethan!” Kel gasped.

“We’ll be performing an F. Scott Fitzgerald play for you today, Kel,” Leo said. “Porcelain and Pink.”

All Kel could do was nod. Her throat was swollen shut. Her brain had gone numb. She gripped Ethan’s arms as he pulled her back to lean against him. “Thank you all for this, guys,” Ethan said. “I think she’s ready to watch you all work your magic.”

All three bowed then stepped away to ready the area for the play. Kel turned her head as Ethan leaned up and kissed her cheek. “How?” is all she could get out.

“Never mind that, love. Just enjoy the play.” He held her tight as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

Although she knew Ethan was doing it all just for a roll in the hay, Kel had to admit the man was beyond anything she’d ever imagined. “Thank you, Ethan.”

“This is just a taste of what you and I can have,” he whispered. “Just a bit of icing, on a monstrous cake.”

Kel was inclined to believe him. He was blowing her away.