Page 19 of Halstead House

“My apologies. Nice chi-non, or whatever you called it.”

“Thank you. I think it’s one of my best yet.” I ran a hand lightly over my flyaway-free hair.

“Oh my gosh, I have so much work to do with you.” She sighed theatrically.

Eliza appeared directly in front of us before I could reply, slipping gracefully through one side of the French doors.

“Ladies, good, you’re ready.” Eliza gave us both a once over. “Your super suit, I presume?” She tipped her head toward me with a smile.

“The very one.” I lifted a corner of my mouth.

“Then I expect your very best work today,” she stated.

“Ma’am.” I nodded once.

“She wore her extra special power bun too,” Ana supplied cheerfully, which made Eliza chuckle and me roll my eyes.

It also made me pause for a moment to watch the two women together. It was clear that Ana respected Eliza and understood her position in the household, but it was also clear that their relationship was warm and friendly. I wondered if I could build that camaraderie with my staff when I went home. I was certainly willing to try.

Eliza transitioned briskly back to business mode. “The guests are arriving, and my nephew is at the door greeting them. I’ll be here in the room when they arrive. You two know what’s expected of you?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ana said.

I nodded vaguely, startled at the news that the elusive John Lucas was greeting guests. There had been no mention of him regarding this luncheon. In fact, I’d been living in the house for a solid week and Eliza had yet to introduce us or really speak of him to me at all.

The first cluster of women entered the room just then, and Eliza turned, flashing her bright smile on them as she exited the conservatory and walked to where they were. I stepped into the doorway but didn’t fully enter the room, at attention and ready if I was needed. I was surprised by what I saw. The three women began to flush a bit and appeared to lose their cool, polished exteriors as Eliza took their hands one-by-one in her own.

“They sure seem in awe of Eliza,” I whispered in amazement to Ana who was still hidden behind the door.

“Of course, they do. Everyone is in awe of Eliza,” Ana said plainly.

“No one around the house seems to be,” I replied.

“You can’t spend every day cleaning a person’s toilet, cooking all their meals, fixing their broken items, and washing their sheets, and still be in awe of them.”

I nodded at the truth of Ana’s statement. “Well, it’ll be interesting to actually see John Lucas doing the hosting thing,” I mumbled distractedly as I glanced around the room. “I’ve only seen him twice, and he wasn’t very friendly, but I’ve heard about him for years.”

“What do you mean, you’ve heard about him for years?”

“What?” I was only half listening.

“Are you stalking him or something? Is that why you really came here?” Ana’s tone became oddly cool.

I turned to face her. “What? Stalking?” As the words sank in, I let a full natural smile fill my face. Ana blinked. People always blinked at my megawatt smile. “No. Not at all. His Aunt Mary used to tell me about him and what he was up to, that’s all.”

“Aunt Mary?”

“Oh, you don’t know? I guess I thought Eliza would have told you. Her great Aunt Mary Halstead Reed is my adopted grandmother. Her and my actual grandmother were best friends, and she acted as an aunt to my father. My grandmother passed away before I was born, so Mary stepped in.”

“Really?” Ana pinched her face up as she focused closer on mine.

“Really.” I let my smile linger as I nodded.

“Huh. That is a detail that I should have known. Any self-respecting house manager knows all the dirty laundry.” She looked back to the ballroom and pointed through the entryway we were standing to the side of. “Here he comes now.”

I had understood the concept of having your breath leave your body due to a surprise, but this was the first time I’d actually experienced it. It came with a rush of lightheadedness and a feeling that my knees were about to give way. I had met John Lucas already, but he’d been a dressed down version of himself. This version was wearing a tailored suit with his hair cropped close, his beard short and expertly trimmed, and shoes that were as shiny as his bright, white smile. It was the first time I’d seen him smile, and even though it looked a little fake to me, it was no less attractive. Ooh, boy. The tingles were back and they weren’t welcome. This was bad. So bad. Why him and why now? I’d met many wealthy, self-assured men in my life and not found a single one even remotely interesting. If I’d thought the Garage Guy version was unapproachable, this side of John Lucas Halstead looked to me like manicured ice. Here was a man full of drive and control with no discernible softness.

“Careful, Grace, or I’ll think you’re ogling him.” Ana elbowed me lightly in the side.

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