by Magan Vernon
“Are you shivering?” Gavin asked as we walked down the path toward the barn.
“What? No, just got a little cold spot from the wind,” I lied, shoving my hands deeper in my pockets and resisting the urge to rub my arms with my palms for some heat.
“You’re a terrible liar.” He quickly shrugged off his coat. Before I could protest, he slung the sports jacket around me. His hands rested on the fabric between my body and his, yet the warmth from his body still danced along my skin.
His fingers brushed the soft material of his jacket as if he wished they could be against me and not this coat.
Holy butterflies Batman.
I should have stopped myself. But I looked up to meet his eyes. The ones that were always calculating. Thinking of ways to take over the world or whatever it is he did in his office all day.
But today there was a slight spark in them. Something I would have explored further if his siblings weren’t right there and he wasn’t my boss.
As if the dogs knew I needed a break, Grizzly came barreling up the hill, followed by another one of his puppy brothers.
“Hello boys,” I cooed.
I ignored Gavin’s touch and quickly dropped to my knees. The puppies weren’t so little anymore now that they were at least forty pounds at four months old.
“Wow, I don’t remember there being this many animals here,” Cecily said, appearing beside me as she crouched down.
I welcomed the distraction so I could try to calm down my rapidly beating heart that begged to leap out of my chest and tackle the sexy lord in front of me.
I cleared my throat. “There are at least thirty on the property from my last count. From what I’ve read in my research of the family and what Gavin’s told me, the first few Great Pyrs brought here were meant to guard the animal flocks. Then more and more were adopted, along with some stray Pyrs, and the dog family just kept blossoming.”
As if he knew we were talking about strays, the bobblehead, brindle bulldog mix, Ponce, trotted toward us, snorting right in Cecily’s face.
I held my breath, hoping she wouldn’t curse the dog.
She laughed, scratching behind his ears until he lay down on his back, thwapping his tail until she pet his belly.
I laughed as well, my shoulders relaxing. Thank goodness.
“They do all seem very comfortable here, don’t they?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, they are.”
Cecily looked up and I followed suit. Her brothers were standing in front of the barn. Gavin animatedly moved his hands as he spoke.
“Like how you and my brother seem so comfortable here together at the manor,” she quipped, bringing me back to reality.
I looked down at the dog as heat flushed my face and hoped she didn’t notice.
The same sister who said everyone was looking at me at the polo match was now making another bold statement. One I didn’t know how to respond to.
“Gavin has been very good to me as a boss, and I always feel more at home when I’m around history.”
“I don’t think it’s the antique vases or armoires that are making you blush.”
Willing my face to not heat up, or to stutter, I sat up a little straighter, licking my lips.
“It’s hard not to blush when someone says you’re blushing. Now I’m probably doing it even more.” I waved, trying to laugh it off.
But Cecily wasn’t going to let this go.
She shook her head, not even the trace of a smile on her face. “The crush is cute and all, but you do know that he is a sitting lord. When Mother and Father come in, and if they see whatever this is going on between you two, they’re going to have a hissy fit.”
I scoffed, trying to add some confidence, but my hands shook. “There’s nothing going on.”
“Please. I saw the flirting at dinner, and my brother punched an old friend for you. There’s definitely something.” Cecily inched closer, lowering her voice.
“Look, I like you. You’re a lovely girl, but I don’t want to see you get hurt. I know the way you look at my brother. Everyone would be blind not to see the chemistry in the way you two banter. But if I were you, I’d nip that in the bud before the Iris Festival. Easier for me to tell you than to have the conversation with Mother dismissing your services.”
I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my gut.
I couldn’t deny that I was feeling something for Gavin, but if Cecily was right about her mother, what if I lost this job?
Then I’d never pay off Mom’s medical bills and never see Gavin, all in one flick of a noblewoman’s wrist.
All of the heat that had rushed to my face was now gone as a cold chill sprang up the back of my neck. None of that could happen.
“I understand,” I said as calmly as my strained voice would allow.
“Do you?” she asked sharply.
I shook my head as a prickle of fear ran down my back. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
She sighed before pushing her long blonde hair behind her ears. “William and Hallie may be first-rate sods, but they were right about my brother’s past exploits and to tell you about them.”
She cleared her throat, lazily running her fingers down Ponce’s back, the dog giving a snort in response.
“Gavin had his fun with random girls when he was younger and is probably not proud of those facts. But now that he’s officially a lord, owning his own land and castle in Webley, the heat is on for him to get married and married to someone of the same stature. Maybe not exactly nobility or royalty, but someone who is familiar with everything that goes along with Gavin’s lifestyle.”
My mouth went dry as I croaked, “Someone like Hallie?”
She shook her head. “Bloody hell, I hope not that bugger.”
I didn’t know if that was a joke or not, so I stayed silent, running my hands behind Grizzly’s and Teddy’s ears as they each begged for my attention.
“I see the way you look at my brother and know it wouldn’t be just some summer fling in your mind. But he’s not a forever for you. I’m not trying to say it to be harsh. I’m just trying to tell you the truth, if you are going to act on these feelings. And bloody hell, if you two do decide to shag, get it over with before Mother arrives.”
If I wasn’t already blushing again, now my face had to be for sure on fire with her words. I couldn’t even think of a good comeback for that.
“Now, if you are looking for a fling, I know Hitchcock and Sully are both single. From what I’ve heard the maids say when they didn’t think we weren’t listening, they might be older, but they are experienced in the best ways possible.”
I almost choked on my own spit.
I didn’t want to think about the older gentlemen naked.
Or which maids they hooked up with.
Luckily, before I had to rub my eyes because of the imaginary view, a silhouette started barreling down the hill.
I bolted upright, thankful for the interruption, until I saw the wild look in Meredith’s eyes as she came into view.
I didn’t even notice Gavin was at my side until he spoke. “Meredith? Is everything okay?”
She sucked in a few deep breaths, letting them out quickly. “Lady Helena and Lord Edwin have arrived.”
“What the bloody hell are they doing here? They aren’t supposed to arrive for another week.” The anger rolled off his tongue and chilled the air around us.
The cold bite of realization hit me like a sucker punch.
They were there because of my interaction with William.
It was my fault I bent his hand, then Gavin punched a family friend.
Cecily’s warning about falling for her brother seemed like a distant memory. Because now I had to worry about what his parents would do.
And if I’d get to keep my job at Webley.
Ch
apter Fourteen
Lord Gavin
Out of all of the people in the world to show up at the house, it had to be my parents.
How soon after leaving had William and Hallie called their mother who probably made a scene with my mother?
I could just see it now: Hallie with her whiny voice and a pout while William tried to make it seem like he’d probably won the fight and got a few jabs in. When really the man fell to the floor, sniffling in tears as soon as I punched him.
Hallie and William were nuts, but having my parents come to check up on me afterward was a whole new level of asinine.
My fists clenched at my side as I let out a short breath, looking down at Meredith, whose shoulders shook as if she were waiting for the final blow.
“You can tell them we are in the barn right now and we’ll be in soon. If they plan on staying, have one of the maids get the Thistle room ready.”
Meredith opened her mouth then closed it tightly. “Yes, sir.”
Then, almost as fast as she barreled down the hill, she trudged back up toward the manor that loomed ahead of us like a dark cloud.
Turning toward my sister, I saw a conspiratorial look in her dark stare. Was she the one who called Mother and Father and not the demonic siblings?
Surely she wouldn’t do that, but why was she smirking, and why was Natalie’s head down as she slowly stood up and approached me?
There went that dipping feeling, like I was on a roller coaster, in the back of my neck again. I scratched at the back of my head, willing the feeling to go away.
“You’re probably going to want this back or your parents may question why the curator is wearing your jacket.” Natalie gingerly removed the coat from her shoulders, holding it out toward me as if the garment that was just wrapped around her was now as easy to discard as a tissue.
I shook my head, my jaw in a permanent clenched state as I gritted, “No, you keep it. Still a little windy out.”
“Please, just take it.”
Our eyes met; her wide stare told me everything words couldn’t.
The woman I’d gotten to know, who was strong-willed and full of life when it came to history, was now petrified, her lip quivering and even a slight shake of her hand.
I wanted to tell her that she had nothing to be scared of. That it was just my parents. No matter what they said or did, I was ultimately her boss and master of the estate. They couldn’t get rid of her or hold her pay or whatever else she was afraid of them doing.
But none of that came out as I tried to unclench my jaw to no avail. Then I nodded before taking the jacket and throwing it over my shoulder.
I wasn’t going to fight with her in the middle of the yard with Cecily and Hugh watching. But we would talk later. After I dealt with the two people who had just shown up unexpectedly.
Mum’s shrill voice carried all the way from the house and through the French doors as we approached the terrace. Father’s voice was softer, but his booming tone and presence could always be heard.
“Where is my son? He should be greeting us at the door like a proper gentleman,” Mother snapped.
Her words pierced my ears, and I had to close my eyes and open them slowly as I let out a deep breath. Telling her she was being childish wasn’t going accomplish anything. Neither would trying to argue or reason with the woman.
“Mother, Father, what an unexpected surprise,” I said casually as I crossed the threshold into the first-floor parlor.
The poor, young maid’s shoulders finally relaxed. But the woman next to her had anything but relief on her mind. That woman was my mother.
She stood at almost five foot nine, covered from neck to feet in a long dark purple jacquard gown that probably cost more than most people made in a year. She may have been approaching her sixties, but that didn’t stop the English heiress from dressing well and keeping her silver-blonde hair styled in a tight, modern bob. Not a wrinkle or hint of a laugh line dotted her angular face, probably because the only emotion she ever displayed was annoyance.
My father stood next to her in a three-piece suit that stretched over his barrel of a body. The man was tall, like my brother and me, but next to my mother, he was more of a shadow, even if he had the higher title.
But when the man smiled, stretching his graying mustache across his chubby cheeks, I finally let some of the tension loose from my neck and back.
“Look at that, Helena, all of our children are here together. And you were worried. Psh.”
Father’s leather loafers barely made a sound as he crossed the marble floor, giving Hugh and me a hardy handshake then a brief kiss on the cheek to Cecily.
Finally, his gaze drew behind us with a slight raise of his thinning eyebrow.
“And you, miss, must be the now infamous Natalie Reeder, curator of Webley.”
Her cheeks tinged as red as her hair as she put a hand out to my father. “Yes. I’m not sure about infamous, but I’m Natalie.”
I kept my face neutral, but my heart dropped down to my stomach, and I held my breath as I waited for my father’s reaction.
He shook her hand, the smile still on his face as he patted her fingers then turned toward me. “Gavin, I would have thought you’d have one of the more opulent suites ready for us by now. That’s what your mother is concerned about. Especially since you’ve had this wonderful curator here.”
I let out a deep breath then slowly sucked it in again.
Of course they wouldn’t be going back to London at this hour, but staying? All of us? I was usually never at a loss for words but waited for the eventual outburst.
Though that wasn’t the Webley style. At least not Father’s. He was the one who would sneakily find a passive way to insult someone. While Mother would just come right out with it.
I didn’t know if my curator sensed that little jab, but I wasn’t going to let him get away with it.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Natalie was there first.
If she was as uncomfortable as I was down to my bones, she didn’t show it. Her shoulders were still straight as she smiled sweetly. “Sir, if I may, I don’t think Lord Gavin realized the extent of history and items there were here. It’s been fascinating to go through each and every item your family has passed down and your aunt, Lady Sarah, collected.”
Mother laughed, but it was humorless, her hand to her chest as if the words offended her down to her core. “Great Aunt Sarah was a hoarder; you can call it what it is. And my dear son should have called in the historical society to help you long ago. Luckily, I reached out, and you should have a crew to assist you in the morning.”
“Mother, I told you I have this handled, and everything will be ready for the Iris Festival.” I tried not to grit my teeth as I met her glare.
She blinked hard as if I’d offended her. “Gavin, I’m just trying to help you out. The Iris Festival is next weekend. Surely, as much as you seem to think of your American curator, you don’t think she will have the proper quarters cleared by then.”
Before I could respond, Mother’s cold hand gripped my wrist. “Don’t worry. Your father and I will be here for the week as well to help oversee everything. You don’t have to worry. Everything will be ready for the festival. We’ve even made sure that your guest list has been updated to include the Bilingsleys, which, since they’ve already visited, as their mother told me, shouldn’t be a problem, correct?”
Her entire body stiffened in challenge, her back curling like a cat that was about to pounce.
Father wasn’t going to come to my rescue on this one, but there was no way in hell I wanted either of them at my home again, especially if they were going to continue to behave the way they had.
“We’ll see if we have room for them, Mother. I’ve reached out to some of our Scottish relatives about making an appearance.” I smirked, waiting for her reaction.
&
nbsp; All of the color drained from both of my parents’ faces.
They didn’t know that my words had no real threat behind them, since I hadn’t actually done what I said. But mentioning the Scottish lineage was the way to get them to stop talking.
“You know, it’s getting so late,” Father said, clearing his throat, then turning to one of the young maids who visibly shook so her knees knocked together. “We’ll get a tour to see what you’ve done to the place tomorrow, but for now, show us to the Thistle Room. Then we’ll have another suite cleared for us.”
Mother stared at him wide-eyed but didn’t say a thing as they followed the young woman. A drove of maids and butlers trailed behind them, trolleying their luggage.
Hugh’s hand clasped my shoulder. “I think the worst-case scenario just happened.”
“We’ll be fine.” I nodded, though my words held no truth to them, the rage and worry still coursing through me.
With my parents’ watchful eyes, there was no way I’d be able to see Natalie as often. It was probably better that way, yet looking at her downcast eyes, all I wanted to do was wrap her in my arms. To tell her that everything was going to be okay.
Like I had the night she found out about her mother.
Everything did turn out better then, but this was different.
This was my mother, the one who would do whatever she could to get what she wanted.
And I had a feeling that included getting rid of Natalie.
Only over my dead body was that going to happen.
…
I lay in bed for what felt like hours, watching at the clock every few seconds, wishing the hands would move quicker.
Finally, when I couldn’t take it anymore, I jumped out of bed and quickly put on the first clothes I could find. Then I opened my door slowly, making sure that no one was waiting outside my room. I let out a deep breath, trying to relax my shoulders as I slowly crept out.
With each step I took on the wooden floor, loud creaks echoed throughout the hallway, and I winced with each little noise.
The Thistle Room as well as the Rose and Thorn Rooms were on my way to the other end of the guest quarters. All three had their lights out, not a sound from any of the closed doors. That didn’t mean Mother wouldn’t burst out if she sensed exactly where I was going.
