13. Chapter Thirteen #2
“I did wonder if I should approach Colin about helping to fund the house restoration, but then I’d have to tell him how I earned the money.”
“He wouldn’t judge you for that,” Mabel said. “And it is your home, too.”
“I suppose it never feels that way for a female in an aristocratic family,” Felicity said. “We’re expected to get married, help the family connections, and move out as soon as possible.”
Mabel didn’t know what to say about that incredibly narrow view of the world and settled for something more obvious.
“Colin is a mite touchy about finances.”
“That’s because Eric was such a spendthrift. Father let him get away with it until it severely impacted his capital. It was galling because Father always insisted we lived within our means.”
“Apart from Eric,” Mabel said. “Because he was the heir.”
“Yes.” Felicity sighed. “It’s ridiculous really, isn’t it?” She finished the last of her tea and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “We should get back. Grandmother will be wondering where I am.”
“Sure.” Mabel licked the last bit of cream frosting off her plate of carrot cake. “I’m meeting with Ted after lunch to go over the plans for the foundations.”
Felicity went slightly pink. “Ted Bevin?”
“Yes. He’s such a nice guy.” Mabel rose to her feet. “You should come and say hi.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to be a nuisance,” Felicity dusted cake crumbs from her sweater. “It’s not as though he doesn’t know who I am. We attended the same school.”
“You went to Marlborough, too?” Mabel asked, proud that she was pronouncing it British style rather than extending the ending the American way.
“Yes, I enjoyed it.”
“Probably because you didn’t have to deal with your brothers.” Mabel put on her jacket and made sure she didn’t leave her small backpack behind.
They exited the shop into bright sunshine and Mabel put on her sunglasses.
Felicity touched her arm. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Listening to me. Sometimes I feel invisible.”
“You’re welcome, and I promise to keep your secrets.” Mabel held her gaze. “I think you should tell Colin what you do. He’ll be thrilled for you.”
“Maybe.” Felicity’s smile was hesitant. “But I think I’ll wait until he’s sorted out this horrendous family business before I drop that on him.”
“You don’t think he’s going to leave, do you?”
“No, I think he’s committed to saving the house.” Felicity frowned. “Why are you asking?”
“Because certain members of your family think he doesn’t have the staying power.”
“Grandmother, for one.” Felicity sighed as they started walking. “I keep trying to persuade her otherwise, but she refuses to listen to me.”
“Maybe she’ll only get it when Colin’s been around for a couple of years,” Mabel commented.
“One can only hope.”
Mabel’s cell buzzed and she took it out of her pocket to see a text from Dale.
You around?
Sure!
Mabel texted back before glancing over at Felicity.
“I have to take this call, but I can talk and still walk if that’s okay with you?”
“Absolutely,” Felicity said. “I promise not to eavesdrop.”
Mabel’s phone rang and she raised it to her ear. “Hey!”
“Hey! I’m in London doing some scouting for a new series next week. Any chance I can come and see you and this amazing unspoiled village street?”
“That would be great!” Mabel said. “I’ll text you the address. You can stay at the pub, they have rooms, so you’ll be right in the middle of everything.”
“Sounds cool! How are you, by the way?”
“I’m good.” Mabel kept it brief. “You?”
“Loving my life and my job right now,” Dale said. “Can’t wait to see you to catch up.” There was the beep of a cab and the sound of voices. “Gotta go and check out some Regency house with my team. I’ll be in touch!”
Mabel ended the call with a smile on her face and put her phone away.
“That was my friend, Dale. She works as a location scout for a production company in L.A. and she’s always looking for unspoiled historical settings over here.”
Felicity glanced back. “Our village is quite untouched and there are certain areas of the home park that look as if they haven’t been disturbed for centuries.”
“Exactly. And her company pays well,” Mabel added. “I’ll be interested to see what she thinks and then see if Colin would be up for it.”
“Up for what?” Felicity’s nose wrinkled.
“Earning some money,” Mabel said patiently. “For allowing a film crew to shoot at the home park, as you call it.”
“Ah, I see. Sometimes your language choices can be quite confusing,” Felicity confessed. “I feel like grandmother asking me what the internet is for.”
“You’ll catch up.” Mabel elbowed her in the side. “I’m surprised no one has asked to make your books into movies.”
“Well, actually, that’s something I’ve been talking to my agent about,” Felicity said. “But I’m not sure if I want to give up that amount of control to a movie company.”
“You should talk to Dale when she’s here,” Mabel suggested. “She knows all about that stuff.”
“Perhaps I will.”
Felicity was looking far more cheerful by the time they reached the drive up to the house. As they crossed the path to take advantage of the shade trees, a truck drove up and slowed beside them.
“Morning, ladies.” Ted Bevin leaned out his truck’s window. “May I offer you a lift up to the house?”
Mabel looked over at Felicity and was surprised to see she’d turned an alarming shade of red and had her lips pressed tightly together, as though incapable of speech.
“Sure!” Mabel said. “That would be awesome. We’ve just been down to the village.” Mabel quickly hopped into the back seat leaving the front passenger seat for Felicity who scrambled in without a word. “I wasn’t expecting you until one.”
“I just came early to do some measuring up,” Ted said as he began to drive. “How are you, Flicka?”
“Quite well, thank you.” Felicity stared straight ahead, her fingers gripped together in her lap.
“Felicity’s been a great help getting me up to speed on the house and the family,” Mabel said after the silence lengthened.
Ted glanced at Felicity. “She was always the clever one in the family.”
“That’s right. You went to the same school, didn’t you?” Mabel asked.
“Yes,” Felicity said.
“She was a good hockey player,” Ted commented as he went around the side of the house and slowed down to enter through the stone arch leading to the stables. “Captain, I think.”
“You remember that?” Felicity blurted out. “I always enjoyed watching the cricket and rugby, but I never thought the boys showed much interest in our sporting achievements.”