Billionaires Runaway Bride (A Standalone British Billionaire Romance Novel) Read online

“I’d like to think I just avoided the biggest mistake of my life because of your great observational skills.”

  “I’ve been known to be a great spy,” she whispered and then giggled when I nudged her in the arm. She looked back across the green acreage in front of her. Dark clouds were starting to roll in over the horizon. “I’m glad you showed me around here. It’s beautiful. I can see why you came back.”

  Guilt filled me then, thinking of half the family and friends who had saved up for this trip. Flying to England was not cheap, and it was a rather long trip across the ocean.

  “I’m sorry you came out here for nothing,” I said.

  Peyton looked at me in surprise. “I came out here to see you, so I wouldn’t say any of my time was wasted. I’m just sorry that I have to fly back to the States tonight.” She made a face at me. “Work wouldn’t let me take another day off, so I’ve gotta be back by Sunday.”

  “I know. Work never sleeps or takes a vacation.”

  “In your case, it should.” I looked away from the landscape at her suggestive tone. “I have plenty of miles racked up now. Come back with me. We can find you a hot American to have a rebound with who’ll instantly make Harry jealous.”

  I laughed at the thought. Harry hated American men. He claimed they were arrogant and rude. I didn’t see a difference between them; besides that. Harry was worse at the moment.

  “I have to stay here,” I said. “We didn’t book a honeymoon until this summer, so I have to work on Monday.”

  “You need to take some time to yourself, Molly. This isn’t something any of us expect you to power through like it was not a big deal.”

  “I know. I’ll just work from wherever I go.” I honestly had no idea where I was going to go. Harry and I shared a flat. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing him now. He was going to be furious at me for calling the wedding off.

  “What about coming back to the hotel with me?” Peyton asked, reading the expression on my face. “That way, you don’t have to face him again. It’d really piss him off if you just left here without saying a word.”

  “It would,” I agreed, but I couldn’t bring myself to get up just yet. “I just want some time alone out here to think before I do anything. No one knows we are out here, anyway.”

  Peyton stood up from the stone bench we had been seated on. The fabric of her magenta dress shimmered in the sunlight. She looked beautiful, her blonde and fair locks pulled back in a matching braid to my own hair.

  “I suppose I will find the wedding planner,” she said. “Then, I’ll make a quick getaway before anyone can question what happened or if I know where you are.”

  She winked playfully at me before heading back across the field to the church parking lot. A few wedding guests were congregated outside. I leaned across the bench to peer around the stone wall Peyton had led me to for privacy. I bit the inside of my cheek to contain my laughter when those guests, friends of Harry’s, inquired what was going on. Peyton ignored them. She walked into the church without sparing them a glance.

  I leaned back over to sink against the stone wall, not caring if the rough edges snagged the delicate lace and fabric. Three years of my life had gone to complete waste it seemed. I was twenty-seven years old. I was beyond my prime for dating. A part of me even recoiled at the thought of it. My time and energy had been drained by trying to keep Harry in my life.

  The town of Ashburton peeked through a valley of hills. I could walk down the road, find a nice place to live, and hide out for the rest of my life while Harry returned to London to an empty flat. Not that he would obviously let it go empty. He’d soon find another woman to bring into the bed we had shared together for years.

  Unwanted tears filled my eyes as I gazed down at the quiet town that I had grown to love over the past few months of visiting the venue. I didn’t dare think of what was being said back in the church. There was no doubt that everyone knew that something had happened, but I imagined they were trying to figure it out.

  Where’s Molly? What happened, Harry? Why did we come all the way out here for a wedding that no one intended to have?

  Footsteps approached from behind. I froze at the sound of them. I couldn’t bring myself to look over my shoulder as the footsteps drew near. My heart pounded as I closed my eyes. Please don’t be Harry. I’ll punch his damn nose in if it’s him.

  “Molly?”

  I blinked in surprise to hear that voice. Wiping my eyes dry quickly, I looked up to find the last man I expected to see standing there behind the stone wall with one hand resting above my head. My heart did a small start as it always did when I saw him.

  It was Alfie, taking a seat next to me—Harry’s best man.

  Chapter Three

  Alfie

  I had no idea what to say to Molly exactly. I’m sorry that my former best mate is a fucking prick? I took a seat next to her gingerly on the small rock bench she was seated on. Mindful of the miles of white and lace, I made sure to not step on the fabric pooling near her feet. Sunlight glittered off the sparkles and jewels on her dress. Her gorgeous black locks of hair were pulled up in an elegant braid with flower pins holding strands in.

  There were faint tear lines on the curves of her cheeks, but Molly’s eyes were guarded from whatever emotions that had driven her to sit out here in the chilly wind. I couldn’t read the expression on her face no matter how hard I tried.

  “I know,” she said, softly.

  I sighed inwardly at the simple statement.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, and that was all I could think to say. “I don’t know what happened last night, but the man standing in that church isn’t the man either one of us know anymore.”

  Molly’s lips curved up in a humorless smile. “Isn’t that the truth?”

  “Unfortunately,” I said, grimly. “I can’t get over it myself. I just want you to know, Molly, that I had tried to stop it and—”

  Soft fingers rested on my forearm. Heat shot up through my arm when I looked up at Molly as she stared at me through the fragile and thin material of her veil.

  “You don’t have to defend yourself,” she said. “None of this situation is on you. Harry has changed over the years, whether or not we like it.”

  “I don’t even recognize who he is anymore.” Disappointment swelled in me. “You know, I used to look at him as one of my best mates who had his life together. I now know the only reason why he has it together is you.”

  Molly lifted her hand away from my arm. I resisted the urge to reach out and grab it as her hand rested back in her lap. “You’re awfully kind, Alfie. My mother always told me that I had too much of a golden heart for people. I tend to take care of everything for everyone.”

  “It sounds like we are both cursed with that gift,” I said.

  “It certainly feels like a curse,” Molly said. She looked up at me with a long sigh. “I know this isn’t the first time he has cheated on me either. It’s happened a few times over the years.”

  “Why didn’t you leave then?”

  She shrugged her shoulders helplessly. “What’s that cliché saying? We take the love we think we deserve?”

  “You don’t deserve that,” I said, firmly. “I don’t care what you think. Harry is behaving like a prick who has no idea what he has. That is the truth of the matter.”

  Our eyes met. Something in my chest burned before Molly looked away with an exhausted sigh. Her petite shoulders slumped a bit.

  “Thanks,” she said. “I don’t know how I’m going to get out of here without someone seeing me, or where I’m honestly going to go.” She laughed darkly. “I share a flat with Harry back in London.”

  “Here,” I said, and dug through my pocket to hand her my house and car key. “I have a house in Devon about thirty minutes away from here. You can stay there as long as you need.”

  Molly’s eyes widened in surprise. I was a bit surprised myself for the generous offer, but I couldn’t stand the man that Harry had become. A woman like M
olly was a jewel, and if Harry couldn’t see it, then it was his loss.

  “Alfie, I can’t. I—”

  “You really don’t have any options at this point,” I said. “I don’t think you really want to face the disaster back at the church, do you?”

  Her face scrunched up unpleasantly. “No. Not really.”

  “Well, here’s your key to get out of here. Get in the car and drive to the house.” When she still hesitated, I added, “I’m not expecting anything from this if you are wondering about that.”

  “I wasn’t thinking that at all,” she said, shaking her head. “Someone has to tell Harry that the wedding is off.”

  “Ah.” I rubbed at my chin in thought. Molly had a valid point there, but I knew of the one thing that would bother Harry the most in a situation like this. “Sometimes, silence is the best answer when it comes to Harry.”

  “Come again?”

  “I mean, Harry hates the cold shoulder,” I clarified with a small smile. “If you want to give him a loud and clear answer, walk away. Get in the car and drive without saying a word.”

  Molly fiddled with the sleeve of her wedding dress as she contemplated those words. A small smile graced her face a moment later.

  “You’re right,” she said. “He hates being made the ass in front of people—especially his family.”

  I nodded. “Exactly.”

  Gathering the fabric of her dress, Molly clutched my house and car key tightly in her hand. Fresh tears filled her eyes as she smiled down at me gratefully. “Thank you, Alfie. You are a wonderful man.”

  “That’s the first time someone has said something like that to me,” I said, wryly, and motioned a hand for her to hurry before wedding guests poured out into the afternoon. “Go on, now. I’ll gladly let Harry know that you have left.”

  “My bag—” Molly started.

  “I’ll grab it for you,” I said. “I’ll bring it to you tomorrow morning.”

  A chilly breeze blasted us both. The fabric of Molly’s wedding dress flapped up against my knees as I stared up at her.

  “Where will you go tonight?” she asked.

  “Don’t you worry about me,” I said, waving her concern away. “I have connections around here. I grew up here. I know my way around.”

  She opened her mouth but closed it a few seconds later. She slipped by me without another word. I watched her petite figure hurry over to where my car was parked before I rose from the bench to make my way back to the church to face the chaos there.

  I spotted Peyton lingering in the doorway of the church when I walked in. She hurried up to me in a rush of magenta fabric.

  “Is Molly gone?” she whispered.

  “Yes,” I said, quietly. “She’s in my car on the way to my house for the evening.”

  “Oh, good. I’m glad that she has somewhere to go.” Peyton glanced over her shoulder at the door that led into the church. Loud and confused chatter echoed in there. “I told everyone that Molly was sick. I didn’t know what else to say until I knew she was gone.”

  “It’s not up to you to say,” I said. “I’m going to tell Harry myself, so if you want to skip the fireworks, I suggest you grab your things and leave.”

  Peyton laughed. “I’d rather stay behind to see how the selfish bastard takes the news before I leave.”

  “Suit yourself then,” I said, shrugging. “Would you grab Molly’s bag from the bride’s room? I promised to get that to her tomorrow morning.”

  “Yes. Of course.”

  I left Peyton to scamper down the hallway in the direction of the bride’s room while I found Harry and his groomsmen in the room we had readied ourselves in. The smell of whiskey filled my nose when I stepped inside.

  Harry looked up at me. Despite Molly missing, he appeared carefree. He didn’t think Molly would ever leave him. He was that confident in himself.

  A cold anger filled me as I closed the door.

  “Did you find her?” he asked, and glanced at his wrist watch in irritation. “I mean, we have a flight to catch here soon.”

  “She’s not coming,” I said and caught Harry’s startled eyes. “She knows about last night. I found her after finding Peyton.”

  The room went silent. Harry stared at me as in sheer disbelief as I unbuttoned my jacket to toss it carelessly on a chair.

  “What do you mean she’s not coming?” he asked.

  I gave him a chilly gaze. “I mean, she said the wedding is off. She knows what happened last night.”

  Anger filled Harry’s face as he stood up to pace about the small room. His cheeks burned bright red as he swore underneath his breath. It was Jacob who spoke first.

  “How the hell did she find this out, mate?” he asked, icily. “There’s only one person who left last night who knew about it.”

  “Everyone knows Harry here,” I answered, sharply. “You should’ve thought that before sneaking off with some whore who was hired to have sex with you lot. It was only a matter of time before someone told her.”

  “Inconsiderate bitch,” Harry muttered, angrily. “We have guests from the United States here, including members of our families, and she decides to call the wedding off just like that? She’s going to make me look like the piece of shit here.”

  “You cheated on her,” I said, flatly. “Apparently, numerous times too from what she suspects.”

  Harry pointed a finger directly at me. “Don’t lecture me on loyalty, Alfie. You were no saint back in our Uni days.”

  “I was young and stupid, Harry. I never claimed to be an innocent saint.”

  “Where’s Molly at now?” Harry demanded. “I need to speak with her about this decision. Is she with the bridesmaids or—”

  I stepped into his line of path when Harry started to the door. Holding my hands up, I shook my head at him in a mixture sadness and anger.

  “She’s getting on a plane to go back to America tonight,” I said. The lie slipped out easily to my relief. “That’s all I know, but I wanted to let you know that the wedding is off, so you can tell your guests what happened.”

  I grabbed a hold of my bag that was next to Jacob on the chairs. He glowered at me as I slipped the strap over my shoulder. “I guess you know who your true friends are now, Harry.”

  “That’s right,” I said, and turned to look at Harry who had a small bit of decency to look ashamed. “You know who the true friends are around you. Not too sure about how true they are, but whatever makes you happy. Excuse me. I have somewhere to be tonight.”

  It was Harry’s parents standing on the other side of the door when I opened it. They looked relieved to see me as I stepped out with a sinking stomach.

  “What is going on, Alfie?” Harry’s mum asked. “Someone said that Molly left in your rental car?”

  I glanced over my shoulder at Harry as he ran a hand through his hair, visibly distraught with what was about to come. Harry’s mum was not afraid to whoop her adult son for misbehaving. She was a force to be reckoned with.

  “Yes,” I said. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. Feel free to ask your son and his groomsmen why the wedding is off.”

  Pressing a quick kiss to her powdery cheek, I sidestepped her to head down the hallway in the direction of the church doors. I found Peyton waiting there with her own bag, along with what I assumed were Molly’s bags.

  She held up car keys to me wordlessly when I approached. “I’ll let you drive to wherever you need to go since you don’t have a car.” She glanced into the church where everyone was gathered together. “I don’t want to stick around for this shit show. Do you?”

  “No,” I said, and took the keys. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter Four

  Molly

  Devon, England

  I stared up at the iron gates that protected a long stretch of driveway that curved behind a long line of shrubs. It seemed impossible that one man could own such an estate on a hundred acres of green land, but Alfie owned it clear and free. That much I
remembered when Harry spoke of Alfie with a sense of pride and envy.

  And he’s incredibly generous. I had thought for a horrible second all of this was some sort cruel ploy since Alfie was Harry’s best man for the wedding. Nothing in Alfie’s demeanor had suggested otherwise. He looked horrified, irritated, confused, and worn out over the entire situation, too. Not once did he stick up for Harry as a close friend would do. He didn’t seem to understand it as much as I did.

  Rolling the window down, I leaned out to press a button on the small metal box with a speaker that sat outside the gates.

  “Conner Estate,” a male spoke briskly. “What can I help you with?”

  “Um.” I bit my lip, unsure of what to say exactly. I had no idea if Alfie had told any of his staff around his estate to expect a fleeing bride. “My name is Molly. I’m sort of a friend of Alfie who gave me perm—”

  “Come inside, love. Mr. Conner called us about ten minutes ago.”

  Buzz.

  I stared at the box in surprise. The gates swung open a second later as I rolled the window up to slowly drive up the curve of the driveway. A butler stood proudly on the front steps in front of a large oak door when I parked next to what appeared to be a detached sort of garage and shop. There was a buzz of energy around the estate when I climbed nervously out of the car to stand in front of the butler who didn’t seem to be phased by anything

  “My name is William,” he said, nodding as I approached. “I am Alfie’s personal butler and assistant when he needs it.”

  “Molly,” I said, gathering the skirts of my dress. “So, Alfie told you I was coming?”

  “Yes. He explained the situation over the phone.”

  He didn’t say anything else on the matter. I looked up at the four-story stone house with a wraparound porch filled with freshly potted flowers. It was beautiful, with arched windows and a sloped roof.

  I followed William in through the front door into the spacious foyer. It smelled clean and fresh as I caught a glance of a maid walking upstairs before disappearing into a hallway with folded towels. There were various antiques and paintings throughout the foyer while William led me to the stairs.