As the waiter hurries off, I lean down to Julian's ear to murmur, "Mr. C, this is a bad idea."
He just gives an irritated shrug of his shoulder.
I sigh and straighten up, and that's how I'm standing when Darian comes into view. He's walking alongside the waiter, who seems pretty agitated, but Darian isn't. He's cool, calm and collected, wearing another suit that makes him look even better than he did at Redwood. Even when he looks over and takes in Julian, it doesn't faze him for a second.
But then he looks at me. Something close to alarm crosses his face, quickly smothered, and for the first time, he actually looks flustered. But by the time he reaches the table, that cool mask is back in place.
"Mr. Castellani," he greets Julian. "I'm told you have a complaint."
"Darian Thornfield-Hayes," Julian purrs, gesturing to the empty chair across from him. "So good of you to join me."
Darian's gaze flickers over to me again, and I try to hide my smile. I'm worried, sure, but it's still nice to see him again.
He doesn't sit down. "How can I assist you, Mr. Castellani?" he asks evenly.
Julian leans back in his chair. "Actually, I'm afraid this was just a ploy to get a little more time from you. I have a second proposal for you. But please—do sit down."
Darian stays very still, very silent. And then he takes the seat Julian is gesturing to.
"Double the salary I first offered," Julian says, "plus two million dollars for each year you work for us, payable on your resignation. And I will personally give you a reference that will open any door you might care to knock on."
Darian, to his credit, doesn't look nearly as surprised as I feel. But I can just about see the wheels turning in his head. This is a huge decision, and I pray to God he'll have the sense to walk away.
He looks at me again.
I give a subtle shake of the head.Don't do it.
It's the wrong move, I see that straight away. Darian Thornfield-Hayes doesnotlike being told what to do. He stiffens up, brows pulling together dangerously, and ostentatiously turns his gaze back to Julian.
"Very well, Mr. Castellani. I accept your offer. I will come and work for you…and your Family."
CHAPTER 5
DARIAN
SEVERAL WEEKS LATER
A rippleof expectation passes through the kitchen staff as I come in from the garden patio, and they pause in their preparations, all turning to me.
"I have asked Mr. Castellani and Mr. Bernardi to attend to our visitor," I tell them calmly. "Elise, please arrange tea and coffee to be ready on hand. Some chilled still and sparkling water as well. And Chef—appropriate finger foods, just in case."
The staff in the kitchen exchange glances, eyes wide with curiosity, but I simply raise an eyebrow in a silent reminder: we do our jobs and we do not speculate. As butler, it's my duty to remain composed and to model appropriate behavior to the rest of the house staff, even with the arrival of a very unexpected guest.
Even if I'm intensely curious about that guest myself.
"Bien sûr, Monsieur Darian," Chef Laurent replies, already setting to work. "Where is my knife, my good knife?" he calls out. "Who has taken it?"
"Next to your elbow, Chef," Elise points out as she bustles by to the coffee maker.
Anna-Vittoria Esposito might have turned up on our doorstep unannounced, but she will not find Redwood Manor wanting. I check my appearance in the mirror near the exit closest to the salon, straightening my tie and smoothing my hair before going back into the salon with a bottle of chilled sparkling water and an ice-filled crystal tumbler on a silver platter.
In my time here so far, I've never known such an unannounced arrival. But I reacted appropriately at the door, showing Anna-Vittoria immediately to the grand salon, indicating a velvet armchair near the empty fireplace.
"Would you like anything while you wait, ma'am? Tea, coffee?"
"Sparkling water would be lovely. And your name?"
"Darian Thornfield-Hayes, ma'am. I'm the butler here at Redwood."
