Heired Lines

by Magan Vernon

  The door at the end of the hall had a small blue light glowing from underneath it. One that I found so familiar that it had me relaxing my shoulders.

  The wooden door vibrated on its hinges as I lightly tapped on it, hoping she’d hear me.

  A muffled voice paused before the wooden floors creaked. A shadow of movement blurred against the blue light.

  Slowly she opened the door just a bit, her eyes wide as they found me.

  “Gavin, what are you doing here?” Natalie whispered.

  I couldn’t see anything but the crazy mess of her red hair surrounding her pale face like a lion’s mane, and those dark brown eyes. But even just seeing that little bit of her had my heart beating faster.

  “May I come in?” I asked softly, swallowing hard as I tried to figure out the right words to say that wouldn’t make me come out as an arsehole.

  She blinked, staring at the ceiling before taking a step back and opening the door.

  I quickly crossed the threshold then she shut the door behind me, ignoring the rapid beating of my pulse as I tucked my hands into my pockets.

  “Hi,” I said quickly, turning toward her. Keeping my cool. Even though I had a plan about coming to her room, that was as far as I got with my thoughts.

  She raised an eyebrow, pushing off the door as she took one slow step toward me. “Um, hi?”

  I let out a slow breath, raking my fingers through my hair before I stood up straight, brushing off any negative thoughts I had. Or tried to. I needed to exude the confidence I always had, even if there was something about this girl that always took me off my game.

  “We need to talk.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her head. She was dressed in a dark purple oversize T-shirt and a pair of worn plaid shorts, showing off the length of her legs. The ones I’d dreamed about having wrapped around me. How badly I wanted to rip off those shorts and press into her, forgetting about everything else around us.

  Dammit, stop checking her out and fantasizing about the woman while you’re trying to have a serious conversation. Her voice broke through my fantasy, bringing me back to reality. “About what? Your parents? The historical society? That we shouldn’t see each other? That I should stop assaulting your guests? That I need to stop sneaking treats to the dogs?”

  A crook of a smile came to my lips, though there was nothing funny about the situation. I closed the distance between us, pushing a stray strand of her hair behind her ears before running my fingers down the line of her jaw.

  She drew in a breath that had goose bumps prickling the back of my hand, and a warm rush flooded my chest.

  She tilted her head, her eyes at half-mast as a soft breath escaped her lips.

  I shouldn’t have done any of that.

  I should have kept my distance, especially with my family so close by.

  But it was getting harder and harder to resist the beautiful woman in front of me.

  And she had to know, she did nothing wrong.

  “I’m sorry about all of that, Natalie.”

  There were so many things I was sorry for, but couldn’t name all of them, or hell, even just one, once I met her doe-eyed stare.

  All I wanted to do was press my mouth to hers. To not stop when our tongues met. I wanted more of this woman than I bloody knew what to do with.

  Why was I holding back?

  Who the hell cared what my mother thought?

  But then I looked at the way her entire body deflated.

  That she was the one who was really holding back. That we couldn’t be together.

  Somehow, I had to prove that it wasn’t true. We were both adults, and even if it was one small moment, I wanted to spend it with her.

  But reality, of course, came crashing into my brain.

  She didn’t want to ruin her chances of keeping this job. She needed the money for her mother. I couldn’t do that to her.

  And that was what had my heart sinking into my chest as I looked down at her beautiful face.

  “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have hurt that guy and made your parents so upset they had to come here,” she whispered.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about. William deserved what he got and more.”

  She sighed, looking down to the small bit of space between us. “Not just about William, but I probably should have been working harder. I just, well, with everything going on with my mom, and other things, I guess I should have been more focused.”

  I shook my head and tilted her chin up, so our eyes met again. Something warm crept across my chest as my rapidly beating heart went into overdrive. I couldn’t hold this back anymore. She had to know how amazing she really was.

  “You’ve been working your arse off. You’ve taught me more about the objects in this manor and the town than anyone could. I couldn’t care less if it took you three months or three years to get everything done.”

  “Well, it may be quicker with the historical society coming in tomorrow,” she muttered, biting at her bottom lip. The one I was just imagining pressing against my mouth.

  “Nothing will be done without you telling them. You’re still heading up this project and everything else in the manor. You should probably get a new title and a raise to go along with that.”

  She let out a soft breath through her nose before shaking her head. “You don’t need to do any of that.”

  “But I want to. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll have it done,” I whispered, leaning in closer to those soft lips of hers. The ones I wanted to taste again so badly.

  She closed her eyes, but instead of pushing her body against me, she stepped back, hanging her head low. “You shouldn’t be here right now. We shouldn’t… We can’t.”

  My heart continued to sink deeper into my stomach, but I wasn’t going to let her know that.

  I straightened my shoulders, clearing my throat. “What are you talking about?”

  She opened her eyes but kept them down as she fiddled with a strand of her hair. “I know that your parents are here because they’re afraid of our relationship. Just like your sister is.”

  I rolled my eyes, that twisting feeling still in my gut. “Bollocks, what did Cecily say to you?”

  “Nothing that isn’t true. I know that we’d probably have some fun, well, more than fun, but I’m here to do a job. And I will get it done.”

  Her words cut me like a knife, and I held back a wince. I should have told her that she was more than just an employee. That something else was definitely going on between us.

  But could I?

  What would she think if I just blew a bunch of dribble?

  Especially if she didn’t actually feel the same way?

  Bloody hell, I was sounding like a whiny little girl and had to keep it together.

  I needed to just spit it out already and tell her to ignore Cecily.

  But before I could do any of that, she had her hand on the door. “I think you should go.”

  “Natalie, please.”

  I wasn’t one to beg, but I made my voice known. Stern. It wasn’t a command. It wasn’t a question. But it hung there between us.

  She opened the door, her eyes still on the floor. “I’ll be working in the ballroom tomorrow and need an early start, so I’m going to bed.”

  What more could I say to her?

  Part of me wanted to shut the door, to press my lips to hers, to let go of everything I was holding back and give in to passion.

  But the other part, the one who always followed the rules of Webley, was the one who pushed me forward. Even though each step was like going through wet cement.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow then, but please don’t forget what I said.”

  I turned toward her, standing in the threshold as I took her hand, squeezing it gently as an electric current flowed throug
h us.

  “You’re amazing, Natalie. Don’t let anyone make you feel any different.”

  She nodded in the silence between us before finally letting go of my hand as she closed the door, separating us once again.

  I leaned against the wall, catching my breath as I tried to slow my heartbeat.

  What the bloody hell was I going to do now that I was going to be under the watchful eyes of everyone?

  “Please don’t tell me you’re doing what I think you’re doing.”

  I turned to see Hugh walking down the hallway, a cup of tea in his hand.

  Pushing off the wall as if it were on fire, I stormed closer to his door. “And what is that?”

  “These may be pretty thick walls, but I’m sure Mother has her ear to them if you were planning on shagging the curator.”

  “Don’t talk about her like that.”

  He chuckled. “Bugger, it’s worse than I thought. You have it bad for the girl.”

  I scoffed but also couldn’t ignore the pounding of my heart at his words. “You’re mad.”

  He shook his head, a slight smile crossing his lips as he looked at the closed door down the hall. “She’s a great girl, Gavin. I won’t deny that. But now that Mother’s here, she’s going to be watching everyone like a hawk, and the first thing she’s going to do is try to run the girl off.”

  “That’s not going to happen. This is still my home. I rightfully inherited it.”

  “Better make sure Mother knows that one.”

  I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

  “I will. She can pretend all she likes that she has control, but the staff answers to me. This is my home. If she doesn’t like how things are run, she can go back to London.”

  He laughed then let out a low breath. “We both know once Mother has her sights set on something, she’s not stopping until it happens. I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t have a half dozen baronesses coming and expecting an engagement during the Iris Festival.”

  My jaw stiffened as I pulled at the sleeves of my Oxford. Of course she’d do that. But this shite had to stop.

  “She’s just going to have to finally realize that I’m a grown man and that things are going to be done how I want them done.”

  “Well, good luck to you on that one. You’re going to need it.”

  I nodded, but deep down in my gut I knew he was right.

  I had to make sure that Mother stayed far away from Natalie.

  I’d let her have her say with the historical society coming in, because the manor did need to be ready for the Iris Festival. But I wouldn’t let her, or Father, make the curator feel inferior.

  That’s when the idea hit me and I turned away from the door, making my way down to the maids’ quarters before stopping at Meredith’s door and rapping on it lightly.

  A scuffle came from the other side, before she poked a wild head of gray hair out. “Lord Gavin? Is everything all right?”

  She pulled a robe close over her chest.

  “Yes, yes, it is. Well, it will be.”

  “How can I help you, sir?”

  She didn’t question what time it was, just went right to work.

  And that’s what I loved about this woman. She needed a raise as well. I made a mental note of that for when this was all over.

  “I need another invitation for the Iris Festival and the evening dance extended.”

  She nodded. “Ah, I can do that in the morning. Where do you want it sent?”

  “To Miss Natalie’s room.”

  Her eyes widened slightly. “The curator?”

  “Yes. I want her to be an honored guest. Make sure that she knows that.”

  Before I let her go back to bed, I added a few other instructions, ones to which there was no way Natalie would be able to decline.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Natalie

  True to his word, the historical society was under my command. Checking with me before they marked off or carried an item and put it in one of their vans.

  But I’d never led a team before. So I was answering questions all day trying to make sure things were in particular order, instead of actually working.

  And to top it all off, spending my days doing that, meant that I didn’t see Gavin, and a part of me twanged with guilt at that thought.

  I shouldn’t have been pining after the guy, yet every time I finally retired to my room at night, I found myself staring at the door for far too long, waiting for him to knock. Thinking maybe this time I wouldn’t turn him away so quickly.

  When a late-night knock finally did come, I almost got tangled in the covers as I pushed myself off the bed. I checked my reflection in the mirror, running a quick brush through my hair and making sure I didn’t have bad breath, before opening the door.

  A cold chill prickled my body when I found Meredith standing there with a silver tray in her hands.

  “Meredith? Hi. Is everything all right?”

  She nodded, that bright smile on her face. “Yes, miss, you’ve been a hard one to catch, but I wanted to make sure you got your invitation personally instead of just sliding it under the door.”

  “Invitation?” I asked, trying to get the words out that seemed to catch in my throat.

  She nodded as she held the tray closer.

  A folded parchment with the Webley estate seal sat in the middle of the plate.

  I gingerly picked it up as if the soft paper would evaporate in my fingers.

  Slowly I opened the seal and read over the words.

  Lord Gavin would like to formally invite you to the 150th annual Iris Festival ball.

  “A ball?” I whispered, my breath catching in my throat.

  “Ah. It’s the night before the official start of the festival, in the ballroom. He wanted to make sure you knew that you were an honored guest.”

  I opened my mouth then closed it again, shaking my head as words failed me.

  Then I glanced over at my wardrobe that held my clothes, and it was as if all the air and elation whooshed from my lungs.

  Sure, I packed a sundress or two, but the cotton, spaghetti-strap pieces didn’t feel right for being a guest at an event with so many nobility in attendance.

  Maybe I could just wear the outfit that I wore to the polo match?

  No, that didn’t sound right either.

  And I’d already donated it.

  But it wasn’t just the appropriate attire that had a nervous bead of sweat crossing my brow.

  Was I really a guest or was Gavin just asking me to go, since I was staying at the castle and working for him?

  My chest deflated as I looked down at the floor.

  Maybe it was just a holiday and everyone in the castle would be there.

  “Miss Natalie?” Meredith asked.

  I forced a smile. It wasn’t her fault I was a stupid girl who may or may not have feelings for her employer.

  “Yes, Meredith? Is everything okay?”

  She nodded, pushing the door open the rest of the way before stepping inside.

  My eyes zoned in on the black garment bag she had draped over her arm.

  How did I not notice that before? Maybe because I was focusing on the silver tray holding the invitation.

  Or maybe because I hoped someone else was at the door when I opened it.

  “A piece for the historical society? Or just on your way to drop it off to Lord Gavin?” I asked, tilting my head and wondering what on earth she would have the bag for.

  Her smile tightened as she sat the bag across one of the wingback chairs near the fireplace. “Lord Gavin had this laundered for you, miss.”

  “For me?” I put my hand to my chest, trying to contain the heavy thumping against my chest.

  Maybe it was just a maid’s uniform and I was getting my
hopes up. But deep down, the little fluttering in my belly said it was definitely something else.

  She nodded, unzipping the bag as she spoke. “Yes, he said you were fond of this piece of Lady Sarah’s and wanted you to wear it to tomorrow’s festivities.”

  I stepped closer, taking in the fresh laundered smell.

  The lace, whalebone corset dress was a one-of-a-kind piece. One I’d seen only in the photo of Gavin as a little boy.

  And had a particularly wonderful dream about me wearing this exact same gown.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to push back the idea of fairy tales and dreams come true.

  But they could in this outfit.

  “Oh, Meredith, this seems like too much,” I whispered, running my hand along the delicate sweetheart neckline, letting the lace fall between my fingers.

  “He wanted you to wear it for the event.”

  I looked up to her wide smile. She didn’t have to tell me who “he” was or that the certain “he” was the one I was missing terribly.

  We may have been living under the same roof, but it was an almost twenty-thousand-square-foot roof where a bunch of historical society members and Lady Helena were right in between.

  As soon as Gavin’s parents had walked into the castle it was as if the air changed. Like a room that had all of the windows shut on a beautiful spring day and suffocated you to not be able to open any of them and let the light or air in.

  I guess trying to cross the boundaries and joke around with Gavin was what the closed window prevented in this situation. Or the way his parents looked at me.

  Hell, I think even Meredith got more fake smiles than I did.

  But with this dress and this one night, maybe I’d get the chance to show everyone that I was more than just the curator in the castle.

  Maybe his parents would see me in a new light, and maybe this was a sign that Gavin was seeing me in a new way, too.

  Maybe my dreams were really coming true.

  “Thank you,” I whispered, running my fingers again over the soft material.