He shifts slightly, turning towards me on the bench and drawing one knee up and wrapping his arms around it. “This time last week I was running late for my shift working behind the bar in a pub. An audition for a part I didn’t get went on longer than it should. The only thought in my head was that I can’t lose my job. Whilst I knew of my uncle, I had no idea about all this.” He pauses and gestures with his hand towards the house. When he speaks again his voice is softer and tinged with a sadness that ruffles me to my core. “I’m no earl. I don’t think it’s a part I can play.”
“Is that why you’re selling the hall?” I ask, immediately regretting my words when his shoulders slump. He rests his chin on his knee and stares out over the view across the lake.
“It’s partly the reason, but the main one is that I don’t have the money to pay the inheritance tax that comes with this place. Not unless you know of a few million stuffed down the back of one of those antique sofas.”
Shit, that is a lot of money. Well, that seems like a good enough reason to sell up to me. “If there was, Simone and Courtney would’ve found it,” I reply and he chuckles slightly, the sound lightening the mood.
“Tell me about my uncle,” he asks, changing the subject. “I never knew him and my father refused to speak of him.”
“He was always friendly to me,” I start, not sure what I can tell him. “He loved this place and used to spend a lot of time in the gardens. This was one of his favourite spots, actually,” I offer and he nods.
“Did he have any friends? I noticed there was no one except me, Mr Nagle, and the staff at the funeral. I would’ve thought there might have been at least a couple of friends. Unless he was a recluse. Was he?”
He wasn’t exactly a recluse, but it wouldn’t have been appropriate for the company he did keep to attend. The one person who would have been there passed away himself a year ago. But I don’t feel I’m the best person to give away his uncle’s secrets, so I answer carefully.
“I’m not going to say anything that’s only gossip. There are those more knowledgeable who can help you.” That will do. It’s suitably vague but also not a lie. He gives me an appraising lookand then smiles slightly. I don’t know if it was a test but I feel like I’ve passed something.
“So, if I ask you again, will you give me a truthful answer?” he asks and I hold my breath, hoping it’s not going to be about his uncle again. “Do you like it here?” I relax, I can answer that.
“Yes, I do. I enjoy working outdoors. The work can be hard but it’s not stressful. I love seeing this place kept beautiful, especially in summer when the gardens start to bloom and everything is colourful. I also feel like I’m preserving a piece of history. There are plans that go back to when the hall was built a few hundred years ago. Many of the trees on the estate date back to then, and many of the plants and flowers are descendants of those that were grown by our ancestors.” I stop, realising I’m prattling on. But it is my truthful answer, and even though I know it won’t make a difference to him selling the hall as he’s stated he has to, he did at least ask.
“Thank you, Jason.” He breaks out into a broad smile. It’s like the brightest sunbeam and its heat burns through to my core. His iridescent golden eyes transcend any earthly qualities. My own cheeks widen in an instant response. He stands and stretches, raising his arms. His hoodie rides up and I catch a flash of his pale skin, a narrow waist leading to slim hips. I look away before my eyes travel lower and he catches me staring at him. I shouldn’t be ogling my boss!
“I have to go,” he says suddenly and starts walking towards the house. I stare after him for a few minutes. He is certainly a curious guy, and it’s several minutes before I remember what I was doing before I came across him. I stand too and resume my path down to the lake.
CHAPTER 5
KAI
Ishiver as I walk back to the house. I should’ve worn a coat outside even though I was only planning on a quick walk, but the view distracted me enough to sit for a while and then the gardener guy came along. Jason. He was also very distracting, with his broad shoulders and strong arms, brown hair just long enough to sink your fingers into, and warm brown eyes. Yeah, I noticed his eyes. They were kind and friendly. Sitting next to him was calming after the turmoil of the last few days. He probably has a gorgeous wife and brood of children, though. The good ones always do.
Entering the hall straight from the garden, I turn towards where I think the kitchen is. I should spend some time learning my way around. I still haven’t counted all the bedrooms. I only arrived back last night, much to the surprise of Jones when he discovered me banging on the door after finding it locked.
When he said that I should’ve called them and he could have had a room ready for me, I realised I didn’t even know how to contactmy own house, my own staff. It had never occurred to me, never having any of those before and not needing to. I told him I was fine, found the first room with a bed in it, and fell asleep straight away. Then I was awake early this morning and headed out into the gardens. Jason was the first person I’ve seen so far. But now I need coffee.
I find the kitchen from the delicious aroma alone... something smells good. When I open the door, Mr Jones jumps up like the chair had scalded him, and the older lady spins round from the counter with a mixing bowl in her hand, her mouth forming a little O.
“Did you need anything, sir?” Jones asks a little sharply. “If you’d buzzed, I’d have brought you anything you needed.”
“Buzzed?” I have no idea what he’s talking about. He points to a panel on the wall where there’s a series of lights, all with names of rooms against them. “They are very um... old-fashioned.”
“I believe it was the sixth earl who had these installed, and before that there would have been bell-pulls. They’re very effective in a house this size. The seventh earl, god rest his soul, didn’t think they needed upgrading.” He bristles slightly and I feel like I’ve said something wrong.
“Neither do I,” I say and he unwinds a miniscule amount. I don’t add that there’s no point as the house is for sale. But even then, I don’t like the idea of having someone coming running at my beck and call.
“Then how may I help you?” he asks.
“I came in search of a coffee.”
“Of course, and where will you be for me to bring it to you?”
“I thought I’d have it here, in the kitchen,” I reply and see a look pass between him and the lady. I’ve seen enough period dramas set in large country houses to know about the upstairs and downstairs divide, but this is the twenty-first century, surely none of that actually exists nowadays. Though maybe it does, with the whole buzzer thing. As soon as the house is sold, I’ll be back to living by myself, or with Tate. I won’t be waited on then, so I’m not going to start now.
“Look, I don’t want to spend the next month, or however long, not being able to walk into my own kitchen for a coffee, so I’m staying here.”
“Very good, sir,” he says, and I can practically hear his teeth grind as he heads over to a kettle and starts the process.
“What can I smell, it’s amazing?” I ask as I take a seat at the kitchen table.
