Heired Lines

by Magan Vernon

  “Thank you, Natalie,” I said, quickly walking toward my office and trying my damned hardest not to stare back at the first woman I spent the night with in a very long time.

  Chapter Five

  Natalie

  “You what with Lord Hotty Pants?” my sister, Madison, screeched from the computer. Her eyes widened and her face was redder than the freckles dotting her nose.

  “Can you not?” I hissed, causing her to flutter her naturally long lashes.

  Damn her and those cute features. She always had a way of getting out of trouble with our mom, and sometimes even me, when she did that. Then I’d see her as the little freckle-faced girl and not my pain-in-the-ass college-aged sister, who should have been helping my mom instead of torturing me.

  I was technically at lunch break, since I spent all morning cataloging dining room pieces, trying not to think about the fact that I woke up to Gavin in my bed.

  True, he was sleeping sitting up and I was on the other side of the bed. We didn’t do anything more than spend all night streaming comedy videos. But that didn’t stop me from curling up and pretending to sleep to avoid an early morning conversation.

  But then he found me again in the hallway. When he looked at me, as if I was no better than a speck of dust on one of his family heirlooms, my entire body deflated like an old balloon.

  I thought maybe we were connecting. At least friendly. But maybe that was only behind closed doors.

  Maybe he just saw me as “the help.”

  Letting out a breath, I shook my head, looking at my sister’s wide eyes gaping back at me from the screen.

  “He fell asleep. I fell asleep. It’s stupid.”

  “But you stayed up with a guy all night, watching comedy specials. You haven’t even done that with me or Mom. Or any other guy that I’ve known of, for that matter.”

  She had a point. Madison was intuitive like that. But I wasn’t about to let my younger sister know she was right.

  I sat up straighter, trying to ignore the heavy beating of my heart at her words.

  “I fall asleep all the time watching comedy stuff. He just happened to walk in at the right moment. I’m sure that’s happened with you and Chris more than once. Especially since you two are living together at school.”

  She sputtered, twisting a strand of her strawberry blonde waves around her finger. “He lives at his fraternity house and I have the apartment with Charli and Brennley for next semester.”

  “Uh-huh, and how often will Chris just happen to be over and you two fall asleep together?” I used air quotes, watching my sister glare.

  “Yeah, but Chris is my boyfriend, so what’s this Lord Gavin to you?”

  “My boss,” I spat back.

  She put her hands up, shaking her head. “Whoa, okay, no need to get so testy.”

  My shoulders slumped as I sighed. Maybe I shouldn’t have messaged her on my lunch break, but I needed to tell someone, to figure out if I was just being crazy. And by my sister’s reaction, it did mean more than I wanted to admit out loud.

  “Okay. Okay. Subject change, how’s Mom doing?” I asked, since Madison was home for the summer, supposedly taking care of Mom, and hopefully staying at home and not Chris’s place.

  The guy gave me the creeps, and I still had no idea what my sister saw in him. He always wore a backward hat, Converse, and always had one of those mini disposable toothbrushes in his mouth. How did she find that attractive?

  Madison smacked her lips. “She’s doing better. Her energy is up, but she’s still wearing that dang wig even though it’s like one hundred degrees out. I told her nobody cares about her peach fuzz and we could get her a head scarf at Dollar Tree or something. But she won’t even leave the house.”

  Madison bit at the corner of her lip like she always did when she was nervous.

  “I think with all the bills, she’s afraid to go out and spend any money. Even if it’s just a dollar on a scarf. Or even ordering a pizza for dinner.”

  Closing my eyes, I took a few deep breaths, reminding myself that I wasn’t here to care about a sitting lord. I was here to help pay off our medical debt.

  “My first paycheck should be deposited next Friday. Take some money out for pizza and maybe I’ll go into town here to find her a nice scarf.”

  When I opened my eyes, Madison was beaming back at me. “You’re the best, you know that?”

  “Hey, someone has to be.”

  …

  Things went on as normally as they could in the castle. Or manor. Or whatever Gavin wanted to call it. To me, though, with its limestone structure and beautiful circular towers, it looked like something straight out of a fairy tale castle. And in my mind, it was pretty darn cool to think, I work in a castle.

  I spent most of my time cataloging pieces, and Gavin went on ignoring me. No more late-night stops to my room or lunches. Nothing more than a friendly nod when we passed each other in the massive hallways.

  I wish it didn’t leave me with a longing feeling that was made worse by the fact that it was Saturday morning and I actually had to ask him for something.

  This wouldn’t be awkward at all.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I let it out slowly before I tapped on the office door, praying he was in there.

  I’m sure I could have just asked one of the many staff walking around the castle, but something was pulling me to Gavin to ask.

  Maybe it was because I felt obligated to him as my boss. Or maybe it was because my heart did a teeny-weeny little jump when I pictured seeing and talking to him.

  “Come in,” his deep voice bellowed through the door.

  I wiped my sweaty palms on my shorts.

  Why was I nervous?

  I’d seen him dozens of times and asked for clarification on some items. But this was the first time I was flat-out asking him for something. And I’d been working there only a week.

  “What’s the worst that could happen?” I whispered to myself before pushing the door open.

  He didn’t even look up from his computer.

  The massive silver monitor sat on a Gothic revival pedestal desk that was refinished beautifully to match the bookcases behind him. Light flooded in from floor to ceiling windows, highlighting Gavin’s tousled sandy blond hair that looked like he had been mindlessly running his hands through it.

  Dammit, Natalie, stop checking him out.

  “Hey, um, just a quick question,” I sputtered, my feet not making a sound as I crossed from the old hardwood floor to an Oriental rug.

  His eyes were the first thing to move, the rest of his body still as he sized me up from my ballet flats, to my shorts and T-shirt.

  Then he turned that leather chair toward me, his hands steepled together over the buttons of his blue Oxford shirt.

  “Natalie? We did agree you didn’t have to work on the weekends, correct?”

  “Yes, which is why I’m here,” I said, mustering all the confidence I could, tilting my head up, standing a bit straighter.

  What the hell? I could banter with this guy all day and talk about history, but asking him for something was like pulling teeth.

  He slightly arched a brow. “Are you already wanting more time off?”

  I shook my head, some loose curls falling out of my bun and into my face. “No, not at all. I was just going to see if I could get a ride into town from someone, or if I’d need to call a taxi or something. Do y’all have LYFT or Uber here? I think I may be able to re-download my account from college.”

  He frowned, standing up and adjusting his collar. “Is there something you need for work? I can send one of the drivers or maids into town for you, not a problem.”

  I smiled, pushing my hair behind my ears as I let out a breath. I was being completely ridiculous and now just needed to come out and say it. “I wanted to go shopping to see if I
could find something to send to my mom. A scarf, actually.”

  I shut my mouth quickly before I went into a big spiel about my mom’s condition. Not that I wasn’t sure if Gavin would be sympathetic, but I wasn’t sure I could repeat it all without my emotions getting the best of me.

  He nodded curtly. “That’s fine. I can send someone out for you. Just tell me what you’re looking for.”

  It took everything I had not to roll my eyes. “I want to walk around. I haven’t seen much of the town, aside from the pub and the train station. It could give me more insight into the pieces and their value as well, if I got to know a little more about what was around here.”

  I blinked, waiting for his response and wishing I had a more eloquent argument. But really, I just expected him to call me a driver and let that be that.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets then nodded. “Okay, let me finish this up. I’ll grab my keys and have Alfred get the car ready.”

  My heart thudded hard against my chest as I gulped. “I don’t need you to take me. That’s not what I meant when I asked.”

  He leaned over the computer, pressing a few things on the screen. “No, you didn’t ask, but I’m offering. I have some business to take care of anyway and it might be better done in person.”

  “Really? So magically I ask, and you decide you need to go.”

  That cockeyed smirk returned to his face. “Yes.”

  What the hell could I say to that?

  Especially when my heart and stomach now did flip-flops at that smirk.

  “I’ll grab my purse, then, if you insist on being my guide,” I said coolly.

  He shook his head slightly. “I said I have business in town, not that I’d be showing you all of the sites.”

  “Well, even better then.” I tried to keep the deflation out of my voice.

  Not that I would enjoy an afternoon out with the guy. He would probably be recognized like a celebrity and would need security to escort him everywhere.

  Totally not what I’d want.

  At least that’s what I told myself so that sinking feeling would stop.

  …

  I don’t know what I expected with the ride into town. But it wasn’t to get into Gavin’s Range Rover and another small black sedan following behind us slowly.

  “Those your guards?” I asked, hitching a thumb in the direction of the car.

  He nodded dismissively. “Same men who were there the night I picked you up.”

  I blinked twice then leaned into the rearview mirror, trying to get a better view of the drivers.

  “They were there? I never saw a car or two scary looking men in black suits and Ray-Bans.”

  He smirked, leaning back into his seat. “They were. Maybe just not dressed like the secret service, but Hitchcock and Sully go everywhere that I go. You may not always see them, but they’re there.”

  “So, when you were in my bedroom the other night,” I blurted without even thinking what I was saying.

  His lip twitched slightly but no other reaction.

  “They’re with me only when I leave Webley,” he said, letting the silence drift between us.

  Way to make an already uncomfortable ride even worse, Natalie.

  So, I didn’t try to make small talk. I just stared out the window, taking in the lush green landscapes that I couldn’t see that first day in the torrential downpour.

  Coming into the village was like something straight out of a fairy tale with cobblestone streets. Old limestone buildings lined with brightly colored small canopies hung over arrays of fresh baked breads and other goods that shops were selling.

  Mom would really like it here.

  She was the one from whom I got my love of antiques and old whimsical charm. After my father died, money wasn’t the same. So, for fun, she would take us out around the old towns of North Carolina, giving us tours via what she read from history books checked out of the library. My fondest memories were of walking downtown Charlotte and discovering how many condominiums were actually renovated hospitals and cotton mills from the 1800s.

  I sighed, imagining her sitting back home, probably in her rocking chair, doing nothing but staring at some mindless local news program. Probably eating peanut butter and jelly so she wasn’t a burden.

  Mom deserved this adventure, too, and someday I’d have the funds and the job to give it to her.

  But I guess sending her a scarf to wear so she might venture out of the house would be a start.

  “What is it you’re looking for?” Gavin asked after we parked and got out of the car.

  I squinted behind me as two men in blue suits walked a casual distance behind us.

  No black suits, but still a little obvious.

  “I thought you had work to do?” I asked, trying to hide my smile as we walked in step down a cobblestone path.

  “I’ll get to that but figured you might need someone to help you find where you’re going.”

  I glanced at the people milling around the streets, buying items from little shops or sipping coffee in front of cafes.

  Not a single teen with a cell phone running toward us and screaming.

  “Aren’t you worried about being recognized?”

  He shook his head, his lips slightly quirked but nowhere near a smile. “It’s not like I’m the prince. Most people have no idea who I am or what I look like. Except for the few I regularly do business with.”

  “Oh,” I muttered, wishing I did a little more research on the Webley noble family.

  Though, it wasn’t for lack of trying. The family was very private. Barely a footprint online. It was as if they planned it that way.

  Stupid me was just excited to get a job that was real, paid, and involved history. But not the entire history of whom I was working for.

  “Are we walking in the right direction of your business meeting? Or should I leave you here so I can find a boutique or something?”

  I quickly glanced around and wondered what the prices were at the quaint little shops.

  “It’s just right up here,” he replied gesturing toward a row of bright blue canopies ahead of us.

  I squinted, reading the different signs.

  “Um, the tailor? Or is that a baker next door?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “Not a bakery, at least not for humans.”

  As if there was some invisible tether connecting us, I followed him toward the shop. I looked closely at the sign with a hand-painted white bone and the words Pet Centre scrawled underneath.

  Instead of the overwhelming smell of pet dander and bleach, highlighted by the fluorescent lighting of usual pet stores, this place was a welcome breath of fresh air.

  Literally.

  The place smelled like freshly washed cotton and lemon wood cleaner that radiated from the shelves neatly stacked with different dog foods and toys.

  I didn’t follow Gavin toward the friendly woman behind a large granite counter. I immediately gravitated toward the small folding table. Right next to it stood a woman, holding the leashes of two little black dogs that looked like pocket Labs.

  I crouched down, the pups wagging their tails as they looked up at me with big brown eyes.

  “Can I pet them?” I asked the older woman with a tight grip on the leash.

  “Definitely.”

  I put my hand out, both little ones fighting for my attention, pawing at my hand.

  “I have two arms to give two puppy pets,” I said with a laugh, scratching the other one behind the ears.

  There was something about petting an animal that had my entire body relaxing, and I could let out the breath I was holding in.

  Two other dogs whined from inside a pair of cages and then a third let out a halfhearted ruff.

  “Are these all yours?”

  She shook her head. “
Well, Darcy and Bennett are my fosters, but they’re all adoptable. We’re with English Street Dogs. Usually we do more events in the city, but one of our volunteers said this is a pretty dog-friendly area, so I figured we’d bring some of the herd out for the event.”

  “They’re awfully sweet,” I said, scratching the dogs on their soft little bellies.

  “These two were born after their mother was surrendered to a shelter. They couldn’t take a pregnant dog, so she gave birth in the back of my car on the way home,” another woman said, approaching with another small dog on a leather leash.

  I blinked hard, covering my hand with my mouth quickly so I didn’t gasp. “Seriously? Oh wow, that must have been a shock.”

  “Unfortunately, not the first time it’s happened. We have about eleven in our program now that we’ve saved from various situations like overcrowded shelters, dumping on the side of the road, and just owner carelessness.”

  “I’d love to be able to adopt one. Or all of them,” I said softly, wishing I could take all of them home with me.

  True, I had a soft spot for all animals. But seeing these two with their little wandering eyes made me wish I could take them back to America with me. Maybe I could just ship them to my mom?

  My mom.

  My heart dropped to the bottom of my chest.

  Shit.

  I stood up slowly, all the dogs’ eyes following me.

  I was supposed to be finding a gift for her, not following my boss into a pet shop and talking to some woman about adopting animals.

  I didn’t know what to even say to these women in front of me, either.

  Sorry, I’m working for a lord in a castle with a bunch of dogs? Maybe he’ll adopt some though?

  No, that was stupid.

  Who would even take care of them?

  Would they just run with the Pyrenees?

  Before I could come up with a good exit, Gavin’s voice boomed from behind me.

  My shoulders stiffened as I found my feet stuck to the ground.

  “You said you have eleven dogs?”

  The woman looked up and nodded toward Gavin.

  “Yes, if you know anyone looking for a dog…” The woman held out a black-and-white pamphlet.