“She’s being modest.” William interjected. “She’s an incredible illustrator. You should show Poppy some of your stuff.”
I blushed and pulled out my phone, bringing up a few drawings and my recent mural.
“Oh my god. You are beyond talented.” She slapped William’s arm. “Jesus, Will. You don’t date anyone for years, and then you bring home the perfect girl?”
I was liking Poppy more and more.
“That was the plan.” He smiled down at me.
We talked to Poppy for a few more minutes, and William led me to the dining room to get some breakfast while he went to the office to check up on some things.
I filled my plate with a little bit of everything. I was curious about the meat pies, and the freshly baked rosemary bread made my mouth water. I took a seat closest to the window and looked out at the view, taking a sip of tea. When I looked back, a group of people stoodin front of me. I startled, and the tea I was holding spilled onto my hand.
The man closest to me was older, wearing a tweed hat and a tool belt.
He immediately grabbed a napkin and started blotting my hand. “Apologies, miss. Didn’t mean to frighten you. We just heard the news from Poppy and had to see for ourselves.”
I turned to see if she was nearby. “Poppy? I just met her two minutes ago. You guys already heard?”
The man’s kind green eyes twinkled. “Word travels fast, especially if Poppy is the messenger. I’m Hamish, the handyman.”
He stuck out his hand, and I shook it.
A woman stood to his left. She was short, stocky, and middle-aged with ruddy cheeks and brown hair tucked into a braid. “I’m Winnie, the head housekeeper.”
The man next to her was wearing an apron and had a stoic look on his face. He was bald, tall, and very intimidating. “I’m Phillip, the chef.”
I shook all of their hands and asked them to join me. They sat and surveyed me like I was an animal in a zoo.
I cleared my throat to break the awkwardness. “So, I take it you’re all surprised to see William with a girlfriend.”
Winnie chirped, “Aye, we had to see for ourselves. The man is a mystery. Never talks about his personal life to anyone except Sarah, but that doesn’t count since she’s his mum.”
“Right, well, I’m happy to meet all of you.”
Winnie smiled eagerly. “Yes, we’re happy to meet you too. William deserves a nice lass. He’s been throughthe wringer with that harpy years ago.”
I winced. I knew William’s ex cheated on him with his brother, but that was the extent of it. I wondered what else that woman did.
“I hope I live up to all your expectations. I love William very much, and I hope to stay here as long as I can.”
Each of them raised their eyebrows, and Winnie spoke first. “Did you say you loved him?”
Hamish coughed. “Aye, she said love.”
Phillip remained silent, assessing me with piqued interest.
I laughed awkwardly. “Yes, I’ve kind of been in love with him since we were kids. But we just recently connected...”
William cleared his throat from behind me, and I looked up at him as he scowled at his employees. “Don’t you all have work to do?”
Hamish clutched his tool belt and scurried off.
Winnie got up and squeezed William’s arm as she walked by, saying, “I like her.”
Phillip just stared at William before silently returning to the kitchen. William sat across from me and sipped the coffee he was holding.
I grabbed my mug to warm my fingers, which were now clammy from anxiety. “I’m sorry, was I not supposed to tell them anything? They just crowded me, and I kind of blacked out and started talking.”
