A place in history? That was a big ask. “I’ll do what I can.” She couldn’t keep the note of doubt out of her voice.
“You’ll do better than that.” He reached over and took her hand in his old but still strong one. “I know you have so much more inside that colourful head of yours. Do this for me and I promise I won’t ask you for anything else. Consider it a special wedding gift to me.” He squeezed her hand.
“I’ll do my bestest best, I promise.” She leaned towards him and kissed his cheek. But inside she couldn’t help worrying. Why wouldn’t he have any more jobs for her after the wedding?
“Don’t think you can get round me with a little kiss, young lady,” he mock-growled at her. “And find that chap something useful to do before his fiancée bursts into flame.”
She couldn’t help laughing at the image.
“I’m relying on you to smooth any ruffled feathers.”
Did he mean between Nicole and Laura? She dragged in a deep breath that filled her lungs. Wasn’t this turning out to be the day of impossible jobs. And she had been so looking forward to a long meander around the bookshop. She let her breath out in a big exhale.
“My dear Persephone,” Lord M said in fatherly tone. “When you have lived as long as I have and governed people, you learn that everyone has flaws, and everyone is greedy for something. The trick is to channel people’s greed towards good instead of harm. I am greedy for a legacy to leave when I’m gone, and I’m greedy for my past mistakes not to ruin my son’s life. Nicole Barber is greedy for success and status. She wants this job to speed her to greater heights. For that reason, she will make sure the wedding is a resounding success. It means far too much for her not to. Her flaws, now…” He quirked an eyebrow. “If you’re careful, we’ll never see her flaws.”
“Me?” If Lord M was joking, she couldn’t see it.
“I’ve known people who never show their flaws,” he explained. “As long as they are happy, you never see their other side. People like that, in my experience, can’t handle not getting their own way, and I suspect, our perfect Nicole can’t handle failure either. So that’s where you come in. You will help her get the cooperation she needs. Be a friend to her. Is that too high a price?” he asked.
“Of course not. I’ll do my very best.”
Eight
Nicole stood at the bottom of the stairs, either by coincidence or she was waiting for her.
“Pierre, hon! Thank you for being nice to Emmet. I don’t know what we’d do without you here.”
There was no sign of her brief flash of insecurity. Her cool was firmly back in place.
“New Wellington boots?” Nicole asked, looking at Pierre’s feet. “I love them. You really are so talented. And they go so well with your new hair colour.”
Pierre felt a rush of guilt; it was hard not to like Nicole when she was being so charming. “I’ll make you a pair if you like,” Pierre offered.
“Really?” She beamed. “I’d love that. Ideal for days out on the beach. I wish we could all get away with painting things in our jobs. You’re so lucky.”
There it was again, that odd discomfort, as if Nicole had said something unkind. Pierre glanced around the downstairs hall for Gabriel. They should go soon if she was going to be able to fit in a trip to Margo’s Arch before she went to the bookshop. Was he in the kitchen?
The smell of baking drifted out. Pies for lunch, she hoped. Probably pheasant and mushrooms judging by the ingredients on the kitchen counter that morning. If she and Gabriel went to Margo’s Arch this morning, they’d be back by lunchtime. Then the afternoon would be hers.
“Pierre?” Nicole dragged her attention back. “I need a favour, hon. Can you please take Emmet to St Mary’s church? I want him to take pictures of the ancient Du Montfort monuments and the coats of arms…I think it would add a wonderful sense of tradition because the Du Montforts go back at least three hundred years. Can I rely on you to take him, as soon as possible please?”
“I can take him tomorrow or Monday because Lord M also wanted us to go to Margo’s Arch and I have a few errands in the village—”
“Oh gosh no, I need the church photos ASAP.” She pronounced itaisap, like a word. “We have to upload them to the website, and I already have the web developer booked and on standby. These people charge a fortune. Can you please go to the church first? I wouldn’t ask but it really is urgent.”
Pierre paused, trying to choose her words carefully. The church was a long way in the opposite direction from the arch, an hour’s detour to go there first. But Nicole didn’t wait for an answer.
“Emmet’s outside waiting for you,” she urged. “Can you hurry up, please? He’s been waiting a while.”
Swallowing her unspoken objections, Pierre grabbed her coat from the hall cupboard and turned towards the front door. Old fashioned children’s books with their gorgeous colourful illustrations would have to wait until next week. She’d never been good at negotiating. At least she’d be keeping Nicole happy as Lord M had asked.
______
Gabriel was outside by the bicycle rack, pulling on a navy duffle coat with wooden toggles in place of buttons. No scarf or gloves. She thought about telling him to get some but that would delay them even more.
“Shall we?” She took a bicycle from the rack and placed one foot in the stirrup.
“Is it far?” He shouldered his bag.
