“I’m a butler, sir. It sounds like you need a secretary or estate manager.”
“Yes, one of those. How did my uncle manage?”
“I believe he did most of it himself, but then, he had a degree from Oxford,”
“Whereas I’m an actor who barely scraped an A-level in theatre studies,” I say drily.
“That’s not what I meant, sir. What I’m trying to say is that he had a background in it and was taught by his father as well. He knew about the estate’s affairs all his life.”
“Oh, okay, if you put it like that.” I feel marginally less offended now.
“If I could make a suggestion?” Jones asks.
“Of course, as long as it’s not to suggest I go to university to get properly educated,” I say, and I swear Jones gives a little snort. I look at him but his face is as impassive as always.
“No sir, I think I can safely say that your talents lie elsewhere.” I have no doubt he’s referring to all the evidence in the otherroom, but I don’t say anything. I’ll deal with that when I have the energy, and right now I just want to hear his suggestion. “I have a niece who might be suitable for the position. She’s just finished business management and is studying for her masters. She’s looking for a part time job for a few months and this would suit her.”
Part time? Of course, they all think I’m set on selling the house, which I may still have to do, so I go along with it.
“Is she trustworthy?”
“She’s family, sir!” Jones’s level of affront is quite amusing.
“Okay, then. Have her come to see me in a few days.” I plan to be out of bed by then. Tomorrow, if possible. Jones leaves, taking the tray with him, and I close my eyes again. As I drift off I think of what I can tell the staff to explain what they found, and more importantly... What will Jason think of me now?
CHAPTER 13
JASON
My phone buzzes at the same time Jordan’s does, which means one thing, a message into one of our chat groups. I pull out my phone to check them. It’s not the family or footie groups. It’s the staff one. A message from Bob that Kai wants to see us.
“What do you think that’s about?” Jordan asks, pocketing his phone again and loading the spades and trugs into the ATV. It’s going to take us a few minutes to drive back to the hall.
“I have no idea. Maybe it’s an update on the sale. Perhaps there’s a buyer.” Jordan pulls a face and I hope it’s not that too. I want to see Kai again, at the very least to check with my own eyes he’s okay. Bob had sent us a message on Sunday when he’d woken up, and the knot that had been in my chest since I saw him on Friday eased. But also, I’m kind of dreading seeing him right now. I know who he is now and I’m certain that as soon as he looks at me he’s going to know my secrets as sure as if I had “LegacyinLace follower” tattooed across my forehead. That’sbeen worrying me as much as Kai’s health, enough that a couple of my friends over the weekend remarked on how I was quieter than normal.
Damon had pulled me to one side while Finn, Kyle, and Jordan had taken the younger children to the nets adventure area for soft play in the sky.
“What’s up, mate?” he’d asked, steering me towards a picnic table.
“Nothing.”
“I don’t believe that. You’re never one for high drama, but you’re never this withdrawn either. So what gives?”
“Just some work stuff on my mind. The uncertainty of it all.” He knew enough to know that the hall is up for sale and that this was as close as I could get to the truth. And it is the truth, in a way.
“Yeah, Jordan says he’s worried he might have to find a new job too.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that.” I didn’t add that I might have to find a new job, not because the hall will be sold but because I’ve been using an adult site that my boss is on. Surely there are protocols about that sort of thing. I’m not sure which is worse, him knowing I used the site and followed his account, or being sacked for it. I decide it’s the first one that’s eating me up.
So coming face to face with Kai has been in the forefront of my mind all weekend and yesterday. Now it’s happening, it’ll almost be a relief to get it over with.
Jordan parks the ATV and I follow him into the kitchen. I’d half expected for us to be called up to one of the drawing rooms, but when I see Kai in the kitchen, I know it’s going to be here. Ilook over at him talking to Bob. He’s still paler than normal, but he’s lost the grey look. There are dark circles under his eyes, and he looks tired, but other than that he looks alright health wise and still breathtakingly beautiful, which makes this even harder. I look away before he catches me staring at him. He sits at the head of the table and I take a seat as far away as I can, letting the others sit closer to him. He takes a deep breath.
“First of all, I want to thank you for coming to my aid last week. Simone for finding me and Jason for putting me to bed.” I feel him look my way and I quickly glance at him, give him a quick nod of acknowledgement, and return to looking down at my hands.
“And of course to Bob for calling the doctor and for helping me recover for the last few days. I am nearly back to normal. I just need to have a few tests later this week.” I twitch as his words squeeze my chest. Tests, for what? I look at him then, trying to see what’s wrong with him. “It’s just a precautionary measure related to an old childhood infection.” I release a breath and focus on my hands again.
“What I’ve gathered you here for is to tell you what I’ve been doing and why. I know you’re all exceptional at keeping secrets and I value that as much as my uncle did. Today I’m going to ask you to keep my secret. I know I said I was going to sell the hall; I couldn’t see another option. Then I came to live here. Being here, not only have I come to know all of you...” I feel his gaze linger on me, but I daren’t look at him, and after a few seconds it passes on again. “But I’ve also learned a lot about my uncle. What he stood for and what his place meant to him and those who gathered here.”
