The tractor travelled along the High Street before following the winding lane through the woodlands, manoeuvring past the gatehouse and approaching the tree-lined driveway—the trees dressed with twinkly fairy lights—leading to the impressive, elegant Starcross Manor.
‘This place takes my breath away every time.’
Libby gave a tiny gasp, pointed, then put her hands on her heart. The lake was frozen over and the secluded snowy wood was the perfect sanctuary for the herd of red deer that had suddenly appeared and lolloped across the snow-covered ground before just as swiftly disappearing amongst the trees.
The Georgian manor house standing in front of the tractor was magnificent, set in a hundred acres of lush green grass that included formal gardens, a deer park, woodlands and a wildflower meadow. The driveway leading to the entrance was grand, sweeping into a wide circle with an ornate fountain in the centre that wouldn’t look out of place in the grounds of a royal palace. Huge stone steps led to the large double oak doors and a broad porch of stone pillars that housed the most beautiful Christmas trees Libby had ever seen.
‘This place is just magical and those Christmas trees put mine to shame,’ Libby confided.
‘In the next couple of weeks, I’ll take Isla and the boys to choose ours from the forest. We go through the same rigmarole every year. Isla always chooses a tree way too big and I have to saw most of it off to fit it in the living room. Isla will be ordering me about throughout the whole ordeal and then we’ll bicker … but I wouldn’t have it any other way.’
Libby laughed.
‘Here we are. Safe and sound.’ Drew parked the tractor at the bottom of the stone steps. After helping down Libby, he grabbed her case.
‘Thank you for collecting me. I’m not sure how I’d have got here in this weather.’
‘It’s my pleasure. You get yourself in the warmth and I’ll bring your case up.’
‘Thank you, and please tell Isla I’ll be in touch as soon as I’ve settled in.’
The stone steps had been gritted but all around her the landscape glistened with snow. Already imagining the bride walking up the steps towards the entrance on Christmas Eve, Libby began to feel even more excited about the upcoming wedding.
Admiring the Christmas trees, she approached the entrance and a doorman dressed in a smartly cut black suit, top hat and gloves opened the door and officially welcomed her to Starcross Manor. Libby stepped onto the red carpet inside and did everything in her power not to gasp out loud. It was decorated to perfection with such class. The foyer was grand and to the side of the reception a beautiful winter wonderland scene had been created, the floor laden with fake snow and another enormous Christmas tree towering and sparkling over the scene. The grand staircase was wrapped in holly and crimson garlands with fairy lights tumbling all around them.
She was just about to make her way to the reception desk when she heard her name being called from the top of the grand staircase. Glancing upwards, she saw Flynn was racing down the stairs towards her with a huge grin on his face.
‘You’re here!’
‘I am,’ she said, hugging him tight when he reached the bottom.
Drew appeared with the suitcase just then and Flynn immediately shook his hand. ‘Thanks for collecting Lib.’
‘Not a problem. It was either me or a sledge and alpacas. I’ll catch you later and good luck for the coming weeks,’ Drew said, looking towards Libby.
‘Thanks.’
As soon as Drew disappeared, Flynn picked up Libby’s suitcase. ‘You must be hungry and in need of a drink. Do you want to eat first or…’
‘Can I settle into my room first and freshen up, and then we can grab something to eat and drink?’
‘No problem,’ Flynn said as he walked towards the reception desk.
The receptionist hung up her call and smiled at them both. ‘Welcome back to Starcross Manor, Miss Carter.’
‘Please, call me Libby.’
The receptionist smiled and opened the desk drawer, handing a bunch of keys to Libby. ‘Anything you need, just ask.’
‘Thanks so much.’ Libby turned towards Flynn. ‘I could get used to this.’
‘I’m just grateful you’re here. Let’s get you settled in, fed and watered, then I can show you the studio you will be working from.’
‘Sounds like a great plan.’ Libby held up the bunch of keys. ‘Why have I got keys and not one of those fiddly card things that I can never open the door with?’
‘Because you’re not staying in the main hotel.’
Libby looked at him quizzically. ‘Where am I staying then?’
