Twenty-two
Jemma was like a child in a toy shop as she and Hanna walked through the open, ornate gates of Betancourt, and up the half-mile long, sweeping curved drive. She didn’t know what to look at first.
Wide green lawns, mowed to perfection, and with the letter B – for Betancourt – traced out in the centre of each, bordered the drive. The only other greenery between the gates and the house were the rows of shrubs and trees lining the walls surrounding the estate.
‘They were planted to conceal the stonework which you could see from the house,’ said Hanna. ‘I think it’s a shame because the natural stone is beautiful.’
The façade of the house was beautiful too, being impressive but understated, as Jemma had seen from her searches online.
There were imposing double front doors which led into the spacious Great Hall, where a large, stunning chandelier glinted and glowed in the fading early evening sunshine. The house keeper, whom Hanna introduced to Jemma as Tabby, let themin and she seemed extremely friendly. In an odd way, she reminded Jemma of her beloved gran, Esme.
‘I’ll let Griff and Grace know you’re here, Hanna,’ Tabby said.
Clearly the family didn’t believe in being overly formal.
‘This is where the annual, Mistletoe Dance is held,’ Hanna informed her. ‘It’s the event of the year around these parts and everyone wants an invite. All the residents of the village get one and even the invitations are impressive. They’re made from stylish, gold edged and gold embossed, white and green card and people put them on display for months before and after the dance, which is held on Christmas Eve. I’ll show you some photos another time. Refreshments are served in the dining room. As you’ll see, both this Great Hall and the dining room have exceptionally high ceilings and are very grand. Come with me and I’ll show you my favourite room in the house. It’s also Grace’s favourite. Apart from the bedroom she now shares with Griff, of course, and you’ll understand why that’s her favourite when you see him. And I do mean the man, not the room.’ Hanna winked and sighed.
‘Shouldn’t we wait for the owners?’ Jemma didn’t want to put a foot wrong and have the tour cancelled.
‘Nah. Griff won’t mind.’
She dashed to the left and Jemma followed her somewhat hesitantly as Hanna threw open a large door and spun around in one of the most beautiful rooms Jemma had seen.
‘This is the morning room, and it looks even better in the mornings, oddly enough. Sunlight filters through the branches of those tall trees close to this side of the house and it literally dances across the pale lemon and white walls. It’s so restful in here isn’t it? It’s as if all your troubles are sucked up the chimney via that intricately carved white marble fireplace.’
‘It’s amazing,’ Jemma said, spinning slowly around to take it all in.
The furniture was mostly antique yew and elm wood, but the exceedingly expensive looking pale lemon sofa and two matching chairs placed in front of the fireplace were clearly modern.
‘As well as The Mistletoe Dance,’ Hanna said, sounding remarkably like a tour guide, ‘there’s an annual Summer Fayre. Most of the stalls are set up on the front lawns, but afternoon tea is taken in the beautiful gardens at the rear of the house. They’re always resplendent and brimming with colour as you’ll soon see.’
‘Hanna?’ a man’s voice called out. ‘Are you stealing the family silver?’
Hanna laughed and yelled back, ‘Yeah. Just give me a minute.’ Then she grinned at Jemma. ‘That’s Griff.’
A moment later a tall, agile, and exceedingly handsome man in his mid to late thirties stood in the doorway and Jemma gasped because he could have stepped out of one of her novels. He had lustrous yet unruly ebony hair, and intense dark eyes, and although Jemma had thought Greg’s smile was dazzling, this man’s took her breath away.
‘Hello, Hanna.’
‘Hi, Griff.’
‘You must be Jemma,’ he said, closing the distance between them in three long and powerful strides. His voice was as gorgeously seductive as the rest of him and his handshake was firm and cool and yet a tingle or two ran up Jemma’s arm. ‘It’s such a pleasure to meet you. My fiancée, Grace, tells me you’re a famous author so I must apologise for my ignorance. I do read a great deal but I haven’t had a chance to read your books. Grace has promised to read a chapter or two to me in bed tonight.’
There was a mischievous glint in those dark eyes and Jemma could picture quite clearly how that would end. This man oozed sex appeal and she was sure his fiancée would enjoy a nightof unbridled passion. For a second, Greg Bishop was almost forgotten.
‘Thank you so much for allowing me to join you this evening. Your home is magnificent. I’ve visited several stately homes over the years for research for my novels, and I’m not just saying this, but Betancourt is up there with the best of them. Some are truly over the top but this is grand, imposing and impressive and yet warm and welcoming, and it feels like a home from what I’ve seen so far. You’d better make sure you lock those front doors or I might just try and hide here for ever.’
He raised one brow and the smile on his lips sent a little ripple of warmth through her.
‘We like it. Thank you for saying such kind things about our home. I’m sure Grace, and my brother, Russell, and my father, Archie will agree when I say you are most welcome to visit us any time.’
Jemma beamed at him. ‘You might regret saying that. I’ve come to Betancourt Bay to write the final book in my current series and I’m struggling rather a lot. This house would give me endless inspiration, so you might see me peering through the gates each day.’
‘Please don’t do that. Come up to the house. Tabby will let you in if we’re not here. My father, Archie is often pottering in the garden or with his chickens. My brother, Russell is presently in London. He won’t be here until later this month. But this house is large enough for us not to be in each other’s way. For example, I have no idea where my beautiful fiancée is right now.’
‘I’m here, darling.’
A very pretty woman appeared at the door and the look she and Griff exchanged made it clear how much in love they were.
