13. Chapter Thirteen #3
Ted turned off the engine and looked at Felicity. “My sister Pansy was in your year, so my parents always made sure we supported each other.”
“Ah! I remember her well. That makes sense.” Felicity was already half out of the door in her haste to escape.
As she came around the side of the truck Mabel noticed that Ted was trying not to smile. But then Felicity almost tripped and she ended up dropping her bag. The contents scattered on the ground, and she fell to her knees with a groan. Ted was out of the truck and around to help her in seconds.
“You don’t have to do that, I can—” Felicity looked up just as he bent down and they cracked heads. “Ouch! I mean.”
Ted hastily straightened up, rubbing his forehead. “Sorry, I was trying to help.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I can manage.” Felicity stuffed everything into her bag and stood up with it clutched to her chest, her cheeks still bright red. “Thank you for the ride. I have to go now.”
She practically sprinted to the backdoor, leaving Mabel and Ted staring after her.
“She’s a little shy,” Mabel offered.
“She’s always been like that.” Ted smiled. “But she was very kind to my sister, Pansy, who found school difficult, and I’ve always been grateful.”
Ted retrieved his toolbox from the back of the truck, and they walked toward the coach house while he talked her though his plan of action.
Mabel nodded along, even though half the terms were the kind of engineering speak she didn’t have a clue about.
He sounded both competent and trustworthy, which was inspiring.
During a pause in conversation, Mabel looked up to see Felicity emerging from the house.
“I brought you both coffees,” Felicity said, approaching them with a tray. “And chocolate biscuits.”
“I’m honored,” Ted said gravely as he took a mug. “Colin usually brings out the boring plain ones.”
“He would,” Mabel agreed. “He’s always hiding the chocolate cookies.”
“That’s viscounts for you.” Ted winked. “One rule for them.”
Felicity lingered, the tray in her hands. “Actually, we were wondering whether you’d like to have lunch with us, Ted? Grandmother hasn’t seen you for ages.”
Mabel wanted to mention that they’d pretty much just had lunch at the tea shop but thought better of it. If Felicity was trying to engage with Ted, she was all for it.
“That would be lovely,” Ted said. “What time?”
“In about an hour,” Felicity said. “If that’s all right.”
“Perfect.” Ted nodded. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Mabel noticed that the longer he talked to Felicity the more upper class his accent became, which was interesting. She’d noticed that Colin, Freddy, and Ted all made an effort not to sound too posh; whereas some of the older aristocrats she’d met seemed unaware of their privileged tones.
Mabel took the opportunity to text Colin as Felicity and Ted chatted.
Slight change of plans. Ted is here. Can we meet now so he can lunch with Felicity at one?
He replied instantly.
??? I’m on my way.
He came into the courtyard five minutes later wearing an old blue sweater with holes in it, jeans that were patched in a way that did not seem fashion-conscious, and a broad smile that was directed just at her.
She smiled back, enjoying the sight of him as he strode over to drop a kiss on her forehead.
“You’ve got plaster in your hair.” She dislodged a chunk, and a cloud of dust flew up.
“I made the mistake of investigating a leak in the back parlour.” He grimaced. “And the next thing I knew half a cornice had come down because the damp was everywhere.”
“I’m sorry.” She patted his cheek.
“It’s okay. I knew it was going to be hard. I’ll just add it to the thousands of items on the must-repair list.” He glanced over at Ted who was engrossed in his plans. “What’s this about lunch with Flicka?”
“She’s definitely got a thing for Ted,” Mabel whispered. “And I’m all for encouraging it.”
“But what about Ted?” Colin asked. “He was practically engaged to a very famous three-day eventer who competes at Badminton every year.”
Mabel blinked at him. “What, now?”
He took her hand. “I’ll explain later. Now, let’s have this meeting, so that the path of true love won’t get derailed by the drainage trenches.”
Ted looked up as they approached. “Colin, thanks for the email. I’ve made allowances for that listed structure you mentioned and we’re good to proceed.”
“Nice!” Colin peered at the plans. “When do you think you’ll be able to start?”
“Next week if the weather cooperates.” Ted glanced up at the sky. “I’ve got all the local permits lined up, plus permission from every government department involved in listed buildings in the hemisphere to proceed.”
“Then we might as well make a start.” Colin looked at Mabel. “If we can get the stable café and visitors centre up and running along with the house tours before the end of the summer, I’ll be thrilled.”
“Amen to that,” Mabel said.
Ted picked up his plans and handed them to Colin. “Now, if I can just walk you through what we intend to do first, and spray some provisional lines for the initial trenches, I’ll be ready for lunch at one.”