by K E O'Connor
Still, I recognized the vehicle, and my stomach tightened. It was driven by the castle’s private security team.
Of course, I should have expected them to be nearby. Whenever any member of the household left the castle, they were accompanied by a discreet security presence to ensure their safety. It was a shame they hadn’t been close enough to stop this unfortunate accident.
The driver’s door opened. Campbell Milligan slid out of his seat. He was usually assigned to protect Princess Alice, but it looked like he was also covering Lord Rupert’s back today.
Campbell was forty-five, clean shaven with dark hair, and had an air about him that reminded me of James Bond. He was tall, broad, and very terrifying.
He strode over, his eyes hidden behind wraparound black sunglasses. “What happened?”
I stood back, clutching Meatball. “Lord Rupert got in the way of my bike.”
He knelt over him and checked his pulse. “You hit him?”
“We sort of hit each other.” I gestured to my abandoned bicycle. “I came around the corner and he appeared from out of the trees. He was right in front of me.”
“Saracen, call for an ambulance,” Campbell said to a member of his team who had stepped out of the vehicle.
“There’s no need,” I said.
“There’s every need,” Campbell said.
“No, I mean, Jenny’s already called for an ambulance.”
Campbell glanced at Jenny before running his hands over Rupert’s arms and legs. “Nothing’s broken.”
“I ... erm, I did land on him rather hard,” I said.
His eyebrows rose over the top of his sunglasses. “This just gets better.”
I bristled at his tone. “I didn’t do it deliberately. Lord Rupert was reading that book when he stepped out from the trees. I couldn’t stop in time, and he didn’t even see me. Before I knew it, I was pitching over the handles of the bike and slammed into him. He must have hit his head when he fell.”
“He wouldn’t have hit his head at all if you’d been in proper control of your bike.”
I scowled at Campbell. “You know what Rupert’s like.”
“That’s Lord Rupert to you.”
I gritted my teeth and tried to keep my cool. There were dungeons in the castle. I wouldn’t put it past Campbell to shove me down there for doing this. “All I’m saying is that it was an accident.”
“So you claim.” He stood. “I’ll have to run a more thorough background check on you if you’re going to start assaulting members of the household.”
I jammed a hand on one hip. “There’s nothing dodgy about me.” I’d had a security check before joining the royal household, yet Campbell was looking at me as if I’d just announced I’d planned to blow up the castle.
Jenny inched closer. “How is he?”
“Alive,” Campbell said.
“I was in my kitchen, looking out the window. I saw you smash into him,” Jenny said.
“By mistake! I hit Lord Rupert by mistake. Better that I land on him than the bike.” I felt like I was being ganged up on.
“Didn’t you have your feet off the pedals?” Jenny asked. “You didn’t look in control of the bike.”
I deliberately didn’t meet Campbell’s gaze. “I don’t remember.”
“Not only have you injured a member of the household, you also damaged their property by your reckless behavior,” Campbell said.
I sighed and pressed my lips together. There was no use trying to reason with Campbell. It was like talking to a brick wall when he was in official security mode. Even when he wasn’t, he barely spoke to me. The man was an island. A big, scary, dangerous island I tried to avoid.
Lord Rupert groaned and his blue eyes flickered open. “Oh dear! I appear to be on the ground.”
“Stay where you are, sir,” Campbell said. “You may have hit your head.”
Rupert completely ignored him and tried to sit up. “Holly! That was you! I only saw you at the very last second.”
Ignoring the death stare Campbell sent me, I knelt next to Rupert. “I’m so sorry for hitting you.”
“That was entirely my fault.” Rupert brushed down his dusty dark pants. “I was immersed in the wonders of Wordsworth. Have I ever read you one of his poems?”
I suppressed a smile. “Once or twice.”
He ran a hand through his messy blond hair. “Of course. You’re always kind enough to spare me a few moments to listen.”
I’d met Rupert on my first day at Audley Castle. I’d noticed a tall, blond-haired man wandering around the gardens waving his arms in the air. My curiosity had gotten the better of me and I’d gone to investigate. I’d discovered him reciting poetry to himself.
Rupert had the most wonderful, deep voice, and his pronunciation of every word was perfect. I could listen to that voice for hours; it was mesmerizing, as were his bright blue eyes.
He’d caught me listening and introduced himself. Since then, whenever we bumped into each other and he was reading poetry, he’d often read me a few lines.
“Let me help you up.” I extended a hand.
“I’ll do that,” Campbell said. “And you shouldn’t move, sir. You could have a head injury.”
Rupert waved a hand at Campbell. “Nonsense. I feel fine.” He touched the back of his head and winced. “I’ve received bigger bumps playing rugby with my friends. This is nothing.”
Reluctantly, Campbell helped him to his feet. “Do you feel dizzy or sick?”
“I’m perfectly well. There’s no need to worry.” Rupert looked at me. “And once again, this is all my fault. You weren’t hurt, were you? You landed quite heavily on me.”
My cheeks grew warm. “No! You were the perfect cushion to land on.”
Campbell snorted and looked away.
“I’m happy to be of service.” Rupert rubbed the back of his neck and grinned. “You have permission to land on me any time you like.”
I bit my bottom lip and looked away. Rupert wasn’t a natural flirt, but I sometimes wondered if he attempted it on me.
“Sir, we need to get you medical attention,” Campbell said. “The ambulance is taking too long. I will take you to the family doctor.”
“There’s no need,” he said. “I feel fine. I’m glad I literally bumped into you, Holly.”
“You are?” I asked.
“I’ve got a small private party joining me tonight for a long weekend. Some of the Eton boys are getting together to reminisce about the good old school days. I know it’s horribly short notice, but would you be able to cater for us?”
I sucked in a breath. We had a full schedule of work booked in the kitchen already, but I didn’t like to refuse him. “Perhaps you should speak to Chef Heston. I’m sure he can provide everything you need.”
“I’ve no doubt he’ll come up trumps when it comes to the savories, but you always do something magical with your desserts. I insist you cater the sweet treats. Of course, only if you have time. I’ve been meaning to speak to you for days, but I’ve been distracted.”
No doubt by the recent delivery of a large crate of new poetry books that had arrived at the castle just a week ago. “Of course, I’m sure we can work something out.”
“That would be excellent,” he said. “I’ve told my friends how incredible your baking is. It’s only fair they try it for themselves. It’s a small party. There will be me, Anthony, Simon, Christian, and Kendal. Five in total, and they love a good spread. I know they’ll enjoy your desserts.”
“I’m happy to help,” I said.
Campbell cleared his throat. “Sir, we really do need to get you to the doctor.”
Rupert sighed. “Is that really necessary?”
“It is, sir.”
Rupert shrugged at me. “Very well. We should take Holly too. She didn’t half fly off her bike.”
I shook my head. “There’s no need. Other than a scraped knee, I got off lightly.”
“Oh! Well, if you’re sure. Promise
me you weren’t injured.”
“I promise.”
Rupert looked me over before nodding and being led to the back of the black SUV.
“I’ll see you later with the food,” I said.
Rupert raised a hand before he slid into the vehicle. The door was shut behind him by Saracen.
I placed Meatball on the ground and lifted the bike. “I don’t suppose there’s a chance of a ride back?” I asked Campbell.
He glanced at the twisted bike wheel and a smirk slid across his face. “You can’t ride with a member of the family. You’ll have to make your own way back to the castle.” He climbed in the SUV with Saracen, spun the vehicle around, and drove off.
“Thanks so much for your help!” I scowled at the retreating vehicle.
Jenny, who’d been standing to one side watching the show, raised a hand. “I’m glad no one was killed. Maybe you should slow down, though.”
I sighed. I had no doubt this little drama would be all over Audley St. Mary by the end of the day. Small places like this had wickedly good gossip grapevines. “Thanks for the advice. Come on, Meatball. We need to get back to work. We’ve got baking to do.”
Chapter 3
“Are you certain Lord Rupert said he wanted you to make all the desserts?” Chef Heston fluttered around me, peering down his long nose and pressing his lips together as he stared into my mixing bowl.
“He did.” I mixed up the chocolate sponge cake batter and poured it into individual paper cases.
“Why you?” He looked almost green with envy, his chin jutting out and his dark eyes narrowed.
I hurried to the oven and slid the cakes in before shutting the door and setting the timer. “Lord Rupert likes my desserts. But you’re in charge of everything else. That’s most of the meal we’ll serve tonight. I’m only doing the pudding.”
His top lip curled. “You seem to forget yourself. I’m in charge of this whole kitchen, including the hiring and firing of staff who don’t toe the line.”
I gulped and hurriedly tidied my workstation. “I’m only following Lord Rupert’s instructions.”
Chef Heston glowered at me for several seconds before sighing. “Very well. I can make his favorite dinner. Don’t mess up the cakes.”
I opened my mouth to protest. I never messed up the cakes. Then I thought better about challenging him. Chef Heston had been furious about the damaged bike when I’d gotten back to the castle that afternoon and had made me take it to the nearby repair store. I didn’t need to give him another reason to be angry at me.
I put my head down, cleaned up, and then looked at the work schedule for tomorrow.
Audley Castle was popular all year round, with visitors arriving from all over the world to wonder at the stunning grounds and beautiful architecture.
Most days, we had several coachloads of tourists visiting the gardens and having a look around the rooms that were open to the public.
The Duke and Duchess still lived in the castle, along with their nephew, Lord Rupert, and their niece, Princess Alice, along with Lady Philippa Carnegie, the Duchess’s mom. They opened certain rooms so visitors could delight in the architecture and priceless decor. Most rooms had velvet roped off areas so the expensive antiques couldn’t be damaged. Room attendants walked around keeping an eye out for anyone foolish enough to jump over a rope to try to grab a selfie on a Louis the Fourteenth chaise lounge.
All those visitors always needed feeding. We had a large, popular café on site, and I was in the kitchen almost every day, baking and preparing treats.
The back door to the kitchen opened. Half a dozen mud-spattered gardeners trooped in, thumping their boots on the mat and rubbing their hands together.
“Get out!” Chef Heston roared, his face turning bright red as he glared at them.
I recognized Meredith Jones in the group. She was an assistant gardener and had joined the castle’s large staff team at the same time as me.
She blinked rapidly at Chef Heston. “We’re supposed to be here.”
“This is my kitchen. I say who can come in.” Chef Heston stomped over to the group and pointed a finger at the door. “Out! You’re all filthy.”
“Princess Alice sent us in for tea,” Meredith said. “She said it would be fine.”
“That’s right,” another gardener, Jacob, said. “She told us we’d all worked so hard today that we deserved a treat.”
“Not in my kitchen,” Chef Heston growled out. “I won’t have mud stamped around my pristine working environment. Outside, all of you, now.”
I bit my bottom lip to stop from chuckling. It was so typical of Princess Alice. She was such a sweet person and was always looking out for the members of staff who helped keep Audley Castle running so smoothly. She wouldn’t have thought twice about suggesting the gardeners come inside and make themselves hot drinks and get some food.
The group of gardeners glowered at Chef Heston before turning and stomping out the door.
“Unbelievable!” he said as the door slammed behind the last one. “That’ll need to be cleared up.” He hurried out of the kitchen, yelling at Louise Atkins, our fabulous new junior sous chef, to grab a broom.
She rolled her eyes at me as she dashed to the cleaning closet. “He’s such a jerk.”
I nodded. “He’s determined not to lose his five stars for hygiene.”
“Then he should clean up the mud.” Louise grabbed a broom and made swift work of making it look like the gardeners had never been there.
I waited until Chef Heston had gone to the supply store before hurriedly heaping a pile of iced fairy cakes and miniature Battenberg cakes on a tray and walking out after the gardeners.
They were only a short distance away, packing their tools into the back of their cars and vans. Several of the team were volunteers and brought their own equipment with them.
They did amazing things with the gardens, including providing some herbs I used in my cooking. I wanted to stay on their good side.
“Wait up!” I hurried over with the cakes.
They all gathered around, hungrily eyeing the treats.
“Help yourselves,” I said. “Don’t worry about Chef Heston. He’s been in a bad mood all day.”
Meredith nodded a thanks as she took a cake. “Isn’t that his default setting? Every time I see him, he’s yelling at somebody.”
“It’s how he likes to keep order. Although I’m beginning to figure out his bark is a lot worse than his bite, but I still try to keep out of his way.”
“Good idea,” she said. “This is delicious. Did you make these fairy cakes?”
I smiled. “Yes, it’s my own recipe. Elderflower and orange with an orange zest buttercream.”
“You’re a genius in the kitchen,” Meredith said. “Thanks so much.”
The other gardeners also said thanks as they hurriedly polished off the tray of cakes. Working long hours in the grounds definitely worked up an appetite.
I lifted my head as two cars rumbled across the gravel driveway to the door used exclusively by members of the household. A Porsche and a Ferrari slid to a stop.
That must be Rupert’s friends arriving for their old school get-together. “I’d better go. I’m catering for a party tonight.” I waved goodbye to the gardeners and hurried back to the kitchen to finish up my desserts.
I’d planned three different desserts for this evening, all Rupert’s favorites. Mini fresh cream and berry pavlovas, tiny Italian lemon glazed tarts with a fresh lemon drizzle, and triple chocolate brownie bites with a warm ganache filling.
With the treats laid out in front of me, I picked up the bag of icing and set to work on the decorations for the brownies. I loved to add little finishing touches and flourishes to show it was my own work. Nothing over the top, not lots of glitter or stick on edible decorations, just delicate flowers or little swirls of lemon zest to finish things off. It was the tiny touches that made my cakes stand out.
I was icing the last row of brownies whe
n the kitchen door opened. Rupert hurried in, fiddling with the gray silk cravat he wore.
“I won’t be long with the desserts,” I said.
He nodded, his gaze flickering around the kitchen. “Jolly good. I’m looking forward to them.”
“Is everything okay?” I lowered the icing bag. I could feel the nerves radiating off Rupert as he strode around the kitchen.
“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just that, well, I want to make a good impression.”
“I’m sure you will. They’re your friends. You don’t need to impress them. They already like you.”
His smile was rueful. “Well, it’s the old school network, you see. I wouldn’t say they’re my best friends, but we grew up together. There’s always a bit of one-upmanship at these events. We take it in turns to hold them. Last year, Kendal hired this enormous yacht and took us out for the day. I was horribly seasick and everyone laughed at me.”
My forehead wrinkled, not liking that idea one bit. “They’re not very good friends if they don’t take care of you when you’re not well.”
He shrugged as he continued to fiddle with his cravat.
“How’s your head after our little ... encounter?” I asked.
“Campbell was worrying about nothing. I’m fine. Just a little lump, that’s all. And are you sure you’re okay? I didn’t like to abandon you, but Campbell can be very persuasive.”
“I’m just perfect,” I said. “It takes a lot to stop me from baking.”
A smile lit his face as his blue eyes sparkled. Rupert was classically handsome with a wide mouth and perfect teeth. “Which is good news. And those look delicious.”
“You can have one if you like. You need to make sure they’re good enough for your friends.”
“I trust you, Holly.” He glanced at the door and his hands twisted together. He paced around, inspected the knives on the chopping board, and then walked to the back door.
I needed to distract him. His anxiety was making me sweat. “Would you like to ice a brownie?” I asked.
Rupert turned and stared at me. “Oh! I’m not good at that kind of thing. Not very dexterous.” He wiggled his fingers in the air.
