Chapter 13
They were crossing the foyer when Anna burst in the front door.
“I’m sorry, Lady Bell, to interrupt, but it’s bad out there. If Harper is going to make it home, we have to go now. I need to shut down the manor road before the wind hits its peak.”
Harper could hear the wind howling outside the door.
“Well, I am sorry to hear that, but I imagine Boston would not be thrilled to hear you were stranded at Bell Manor instead of safe in their lab.” Lady Bell smiled as Nigel appeared with Harper’s jacket.
“Thank you, for everything. It’s been … I don’t have words … overwhelming,” Harper stuttered.
“When the weather is behaving I’ll send Nigel with another invitation, we have much to discuss.” Lady Bell nodded without any further explanation.
“We need to roll, unless you’re planning to stay,” Anna said urgently.
“No, I need to get back. Thank you again,” Harper said to Lady Bell and Nigel, who stood next to each other, both were regarding her with an expression that said they knew far more than they would ever say aloud.
Harper pulled her jacket tight around her as she exited out the grand front doors and into the golf cart. Anna pulled out, following the curving entryway back to the main road toward the gates.
“That was … wow.” Harper breathed, wondering if she’d imagined the whole experience.
“Wow is a good word for it,” Anna said, her voice distracted as the wind pulled on the golf cart. “I should have started out earlier. We close the manor road during high winds. This cart is built for the weather, but it’s tipped the delivery carts before.”
“Do you live at the manor?” Harper asked.
“I do. I’m sure Lady Bell will show you on a nicer day, but there’s a whole back to that place that will knock you on your ass. I live in the caretaker cottage.” Anna pulled onto the twisting path and began her descent to the village.
Harper looked out the window at the darkness. The lights from the village were scattered, the water farther out was inky black, but Harper could see the whitecaps even now.
“I don’t think we’ll be setting out tomorrow morning,” Harper said as she watched the water’s pull and surge.
“No, I cannot imagine you will. Murphy told me as much. I do imagine that Lady Bell will be calling you back sooner than later. She likes you.” Anna cast a quick glance at Harper.
“She’s not at all what I thought. I used to watch Upstairs, Downstairs when I was in undergrad, it’s …” Harper lost the words.
“Not quite the same, is it?” Anna finished her thought. “I thought the same. Not every Lady Bell has been the same, but this one is not particularly formal. Unless the Brits are coming and then we all stand on attention. Nigel even wears a tux, can you imagine?”
Harper laughed softly. “Actually, yes. Who are the Brits?”
“Some society folk. I don’t have anything to do with them. Nigel carts them around, I stay out of the way.” Anna pulled onto the flat stretch that led to the village and Harper felt herself breathe a sigh of relief as the village lights grew nearer.
“Will you be okay getting back up? It seems like it’s worse?” Harper watched a skinny tree bend over double in the wind.
“I’ll be fine, but the road is officially closed as soon as I’m back.” Anna navigated down Main Street. Only the market was open. Harper could see Hedy at the counter reading a magazine. “You’re not quite what I thought, either.”
Harper felt herself flush and was glad for the darkness. “What do you mean?”
“We get scientists out here from time to time and there’s always drama. They look down on us, or we’re side-show characters. But I can see why Lady Bell wanted an audience.” Anna pulled into the driveway and stopped.
“You’re a lot nicer on the way down than the way up,” Harper said with a small smile.
Anna fixed her light blue eyes on Harper’s. “Aren’t we all?” She nodded to the door. “Now get, I have to go home. But I’ll see you soon.”
“Good,” Harper said softly.