Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
LUKE
I feel bad. Very bad and I’m not sure why. It must be because I admitted defeat and caught a cab to join the others at the hotel soon after Jessy left. The lure of a hot bath and a decent meal was too great, and I joined them in time for dinner, over which we drew up plans to make this stay a little more comfortable.
Morgana’s idea was to operate from the five-star country hotel that Steven secured for us. Jasper was also keen, but I had other ideas.
Now Jasper and Morgana are discussing interiors and renovations, leaving me to think about what happened yesterday.
I’m experiencing an emotion I’ve never had before.
Guilt.
I’m not sure what happened, but one minute I was enjoying the company of a woman who intrigued me and the next she stormed out of Granthaven Manor, minus the very thing she went there for. I only said I was selling up and I’m surprised at her reaction. Who wouldn’t sell up? The place is a crumbling ruin and I’m not about to lose any sleep over it.
But I did.
Images of her freezing in the uncared for cottage that I now own, played on my mind while I enjoyed the comforts only five-star living can bring you. I pictured her shivering under her duvet while she thought up ways to kill me by drowning me in the frozen lake, probably.
Images of her beautiful, innocent eyes, shrouded in disbelief that changed from soft interest to downright hatred in a nanosecond, kept me awake and even now I am unaware of the reason.
“What do you say, Luke?”
Morgana’s shrill voice drags my mind back to the present, and I shrug. “About?”
“Honestly, Luke, weren’t you even listening?”
She shakes her head in disappointment and I’m kind of getting used to that reaction since coming here.
“The renovations. Jasper knows of a company who kit out rooms for television. They could do the same for the manor house and make it appear like a scene out of Downton Abbey. It might work and nobody would discover the real state of the place.”
“Is it expensive?”
I’m loathe to spend any money on a place that would probably absorb it quicker than water on a dry sponge, and Steven pipes up, “Early estimates are one hundred thousand pounds.”
“Then no.”
I’m blunt, causing Morgana to throw up her hands in exasperation.
“Honestly, Luke. That money would be an investment that will reap huge rewards. Just think about it, hun. Sponsorship deals, advertising revenue, potential visitors – I mean, we could open the house to the public when we’ve finished and open a tea room and everything. One hundred thousand is the tip of the iceberg with the revenue you may claw back in return.”
I must admit she has a point, but then again, Morgana always has had an eye for business, which returns my attention to another business major with long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes.
I finish up my breakfast and experience a sudden urge to return to Granthaven. It began as a dull ache inside me when I opened my eyes this morning and has been gaining in momentum ever since. I want to go back. To take another look at the place and this time wander away from the manor and into a world where a woman like Jessy lives.
I check my phone, but she hasn’t called. There are many other calls, but none from her. When she left, I went in search of her and discovered her phone on the vanity unit in the bathroom on the first floor and even the pink unicorn on the case made me smile.
I tried to gain access to the phone to call one of her contacts, but all I managed to do was to remove the case, noting the number scrawled inside as a reminder to her. I smiled because it’s a practical thing to do and doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. She gave me that impression and so I programmed it into my phone under her name and slipped the note inside for her to call me.
I did consider keeping the phone so she would have to collect it from me, but decided it was a little obsessive, even for me.
She hasn’t called and I hate the despair I’m experiencing as I glance at the phone, wishing her number would flash up with a text or anything.
Another woman does call me and as I answer the phone, the cool tones of the housekeeper, Karen, remind me of my responsibilities.
“Mr Adams. It’s Karen Sims from Granthaven.”
“Ah, yes, good morning.”
“Will you be returning today? If so, I will instruct Bert to light the fires.”
“Um, yes, thanks.”
Once again, I feel bad because I am causing these people work that they probably can do without, and she asks quickly, “What about food?” I could organise some supplies from the local supermarket. Do you have a list?”
“Please, um, whatever you think will be fine.”
I glance across at Steven, who is busy texting, and say quickly, “I’ll pass you over to my agent. He will arrange payment and discuss our requirements.”
Steven glances up and I roll my eyes and yet just before I hand him the phone, I say quickly, “I, um, don’t suppose we had any visitors this morning.”
“Well, yes, as it happens.”
She sounds surprised and my heart strangely starts racing as I wait for her next words.
“One of the women who helped make the house ready yesterday left her phone behind and her friend came to retrieve it this morning.”
My heart falls. “I see.”
I’m not certain why I feel so bad but it won’t go away and I even surprise myself by saying quickly, “Mrs Sims, um, how do I go about arranging a village meeting?”
Steven peers at me sharply as Morgana and Jasper continue their conversation, oblivious to anything other than mood boards.
“That would be through the chair of the resident’s association, Mr Spalding.” She says quickly and I take a deep breath and say decisively, “Please can you call him on my behalf and ask him to schedule it for one pm?”
“That’s short notice, Mr Adams. I don’t–”
I interrupt. “I know and I’m sorry, but I’m sure the villagers have many questions and I would like to address them.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
I hand the phone to Steven, who pointedly raises his eyes and I shrug, concealing my grin at the impatience in his expression as he says with an air of resignation, “Steven Chambers, Mrs Sims. Now about those supplies.”
As the people surrounding me discuss spending my money, my thoughts turn to a pretty face that is sure to be my downfall. I glance across at Morgana chatting with animation to Jasper, and my heart sinks. Yes, Jessy of the beautiful blue eyes who now hates me with a passion, is trouble I can definitely do without but for some reason it is now the most important thing in my life to stare into them once again and change her opinion of me.