“Christmas at an English manor house? Hell yeah, that’s totally my scene.”
He was quiet for a while. She wondered if he was going to say something about hating all the Christmas things they’d done in Toronto.
“It’s funny, though,” he finally said. “When I think back to that day at Chatsworth, my first thought isn’t the gaudy decorations, or the conspicuous wealth gained from the exploitation of others. I remember my family. Jasmine was here with the girls. They were toddlers then, and the look of awe on their faces when they saw that light show outside was priceless. Ayesha brought a date—a woman she’d met at the gym. And Jasmine and I caught Mum googling the cost of an Indian wedding with two brides. Everyone teased me about being the only single one, and Mum said she would never pressure me to get married, but also told me about all their kids who’d started online dating and even offered to make a profile for me. Dad rolled his eyes while the rest of us all talked over each other. He said he had no idea how he’d ended up with such a ridiculous family.”
Ruby smiled. “Your family is wonderful.”
He nodded as he turned into the car park for Chatsworth House. “I know they are. I took them for granted. I always had them, so it never occurred to me that the reason people love the holiday season so much is because those memories, thosemoments, are rare for some people. I never thought about how hard it would be if I didn’t have my family.”
Ruby gave him a sad smile. “For some of us, the season reminds us of the moments we’ve never even had. Or will never have.”
He didn’t say anything. She half expected him to say that shewouldhave those memories one day—that she would find someone on the right continent to grow old with and open her inn with and create all the holiday memories she wanted with. She didn’t say anything, either, because she didn’t know if she’d ever find that. She unbuckled her seat belt. “C’mon, let’s go see how the exploitive nobility lived.”
As they walked toward the enormous house, Ruby literally squealed and grabbed Rashid’s arm. “Oh my god, it’s the staircase that Darcy climbed down to chase Elizabeth! Come on, I can’t wait to see the marble room.”
Chatsworth House was way more opulent than Lyme Park. Ruby excitedly moved from room to room, pointing out places where the 2005 film was shot and soaking in the splendor of the house. Rashid probably wasn’t wowed, but kept himself busy reading the historical placards without once mentioning the unethical way these noblemen acquired their wealth. They had afternoon tea—complete with little sandwiches, cakes, and Bakewell tarts in the tearoom. After lunch, they finally saw the marble room, and the exquisitely carved busts even put a look of awe on Rashid’s face.
“I can’t believe these were made with a chisel and hammer. I don’t know why, but I always assumed they were cast. Like bronzes.”
Ruby gave him an incredulous look. “Seriously? Cast out of what, liquid marble?”
“Okay, but if it’s done with a chisel, why is it so smooth?”
“Skill? Sandpaper?” She inspected a beautiful statue of a woman reading. Her skin was so, so smooth—as smooth as… well, Rashid’s skin.
“She’s beautiful,” Rashid said.
“I know. I can’t imagine looking that great just reading a book.”
He looked at Ruby, tilting his head. She expected him to say she looked that great, but he didn’t. “Red, can I ask you something?”
“Um, of course.”
“You’ve… changed. Your hair is different, and longer, but also, you’re not wearing any red. You have pink lipstick on, and your nails are pink, too.”
“It’s spring, so I’m wearing spring colors.”
He chuckled. “Okay, but do I need to find you a new nickname?”
Ruby smiled. She didn’t think she’d changed since moving here. She took his arm in hers. “Nah, I’m still me. C’mon, let’s go to the gardens. There are apparently carved topiaries!”
On the drive back to the inn, Ruby expected Rashid to be silent like normal. But as soon as they got on the main highway with stunning vistas on either side of them, he spoke quietly without looking at her.
“That was nice,” he said.
She wanted to make a snarky comment about how muchhe’dchanged, because a few months ago he wouldn’t have gone through a house like that without complaining about something, but she couldn’t. It didn’t feel right now. “Itwasnice,” she said.
“I missed that. I mean, I missed doing things like that with you. Touristy things.” He smiled. “I don’t know how you manage to make the things I normally hate… fun.”
Ruby exhaled. She meant what she’d said to Ayesha yesterday—she really did feel like she was over Rashid. She’d missed him so much at first. She’d thought about turning around and going back to him so many times when she first got to London. But she was settled here now. She had a great job. And she was so much closer to her and her mother’s dream.
This whole weekend in the country, plus that call from Veronica on Friday night, had solidified something for Ruby: this dream, her goal, was more important than ever. This was a magical place, a place that felt so right for Ruby. It felt like it could be her home—the home she’d been looking for since her mom passed. After learning what those women had done for her mother, Ruby knew she had to fulfil the dream. She had to see this plan through.
“I missed it, too,” Ruby said. “I’vemissedyou. But, Rashid, I’m happy here.” He’d understand what she meant, that missing him wasn’t enough of a reason to give up on her dream. And it was the truth. Especially since the lawsuit was no longer hanging over her head, Ruby honestly had never felt better about her future.
He nodded, not looking at her. “I know. Youlookhappy here. More content. I’m glad.”
There was something in his voice then, like he was both sad and satisfied. Which made her wonder—could it have been Rashid who gave Neelam Premji Ruby’s lawyer’s information?
