Page 108 of The Betrothal

Ben stopped as he ascended the stairs to the front door, swinging around to face us. “Come on, Alex. It’s freezing.”

Alex startled into motion, crossing to them in a few steps and unlocking the door. He had to shove it several times for it to swing inward, allowing us all inside.

“It needs to be planed,” he grumbled, closing it behind us.

Killer was looking around in awe. The door opened into a large hall, a huge, curved fireplace on the wall opposite, stone stairs disappearing around the side to the galleried landing.

“How much of the house did you actually see?” I asked her, taking up a position on her other side.

“The orangery, the hall, the kitchen and stairs, but not these stairs.” She looked upward. “I guess some of this landing?” Her last words were a question to Alex who nodded. “And the bedroom.”

“Singular?” I asked and she looked surprised.

“Alex said there was only one room finished?” she replied.

“Tut, tut, Alex.” I grinned at the realisation. “That’s not strictly true, is it?”

He glared at me. “It’s exactly true, that room is the only one with heat and ready for someone to sleep in.”

My jaw hung open, my surprise turning to glee. “You aren’t able to make a bed, Mr Cavendish?”

He growled in warning.

“Alex here wasn’t strictly honest with you, Killer.” I looked down at her, her confusion evident. “There are what? A dozen bedroom suites on the main gallery?” I asked Ben who nodded.

She swung her head this way and that, looking between all of us. I noted Alex quietening.

“While several are still requiring repairs, and yes they can be a little cold, numerous are fully restored. The only thing standing between them and use is the new heating system being connected and started up – something Benji here is keen to do – the pristine generator being switched on. Both of which Alex is refusing to do because he doesn’t want to waste the fuel running the house. And a change of sheets.”

I watched her jaw drop.

“It’s not quite as simple as that, Sebastian.” Alex snarled my name like a curse and I grinned.

“So, there were more beds?” Izzy pinned him with a stare I couldn’t quite read.

Alex lifted a shoulder. “Unmade and without heat, yes.”

“Not for long,” Ben interjected and Alex tilted his head in question. “We’re testing the generator today, Alex. And the boiler system.”

Alex went to argue but Ben cut him off.

“We will leave the wings disconnected for now, but we decided to give Sugar the tour.” He gripped her as he spoke and she glowed at his nickname for her. “We can test run the systems.”

Alex gawked but didn’t argue.

“I’ll be right back.” Ben placed a soft kiss on Killer’s head and grinned at me in our victory, disappearing across the hall.

Izzy wrapped her hand around my waist, eyes watching Alex cautiously. “Seb?” she asked.

“Mm-hmm?” I watched Alex too, enjoying ganging up on him.

“Show me these ‘unusable rooms’?” she requested.

I barked out a laugh. “I’d love to. And we will even take the main stairs, not the staff access.”

She chuckled at me, letting me lead her across the flagstone hall and up the stone staircase to the landing.

“This room was the one you used?” I walked with her to the far end of the hall.