“You wear formal attire well,” he said approvingly, distracting me from asking how he’d known I was back.
Miriam probably told him, actually.
“This is a real culture shock,” I admitted, grinning at him and deciding to go along with it since he seemed to be enjoying himself so much. “I’ve been dressing myself for thirty-one years and I’ve never known there’s aproper orderfor it.”
He let a smile slip before he caught himself and schooled his features. “You’ll get used to it, sir.”
“I’m not sure I will.”
After sweeping a critical eye over me, he took a step forward again and adjusted the collar slightly. “His Lordship doesn’t host guests very often. It’s something of a rare occasion, so perhaps you’re correct and you won’t have to get used it.”
I frowned. “Really? It kind of feels like the kind of thing that should happen pretty often around here.”
Aaron turned me to face the mirror and glanced at me in the reflection. “No, sir. It’s not often anymore at all.”
“Okay.” I held his gaze, not wanting to pry so much that he would get in trouble, but he was my guide as well as my insider. I needed him right now. “In that case, what kind of events do you usually host here? Everyone seems way too practiced at this whole getting the place ready thing for people who never do it.”
“Lady Elizabeth brings in producers sometimes.”
“Producers?”
“Yes, sir. For period pieces. Films or television shows. They like to use the grounds.” After smoothing one of my sleeves, he stepped back again. “We also host hunting parties for exclusive guests during the season.”
“She runs those too?” I asked before I could stop myself. “Damn.”
“Yes, sir.”
I watched him carefully in the reflection, trying to gauge whether I should push my luck any further than I already had. But fuck it. Aaron was clearly feeling chatty tonight and I—I mean, Jesse—should have all the information I get could get.
“Does she ever take breaks?”
He didn’t even hesitate before he shook his head. “No, sir.”
As soon as he said it, I was thinking about the old rectory again. About the way Eliza had leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. How she’d looked so peaceful this morning. Like those walks might be the only chance she’d get to breathe all day.
Something about that memory tried to rewire a small part of my brain, but since I couldn’t allow that to happen, I refocused on Aaron and frowned. “I still can’t believe James doesn’t host much. I honestly thought they’d be having galas in the ballroom every weekend.”
“No, sir,” he said immediately. “His Lordship isn’t even here every weekend. He spends most of his time in London, actually.”
My eyebrows shot up, shock trickling through me. “Are you serious?”
Aaron nodded. “I believe he has a second residence there, sir. Some years ago, he relocated and we’ve not seen him back here often since.”
“So it’s just Eliza here, then,” I murmured, more to myself than to him, but he obviously heard me anyway.
“Yes, sir.”
It was almost impossible to comprehend, her living here by herself full-time, running the estate and managing the land while simultaneously hosting productions, coordinating hunting parties, and keeping the old property from collapsing under its own weight.
Aaron thankfully didn’t seem to notice how stunned I was. He just stepped back again, a much more satisfied expression on his face now. “There we are.”
I glanced down at the tux, not even really sure what all he’d done or fixed since the last time he’d admired his handiwork, but I smiled anyway. “Thanks, Aaron.”
“My pleasure, sir,” he said, looking genuinely pleased with the outcome. “Dinner will be served shortly.”
Right. Dinner. The dinner that would end with me—actually, Jesse—becoming an engaged man.
“Awesome.” I doubted he’d heard my sarcasm, or maybe he had, but he hung around anyway until I headed downstairs a few minutes later.
