Page 30 of Halstead House

“Be less curious,” Marshall replied sternly.

Jonathan met my eyes and raised a side of his mouth in apparent amusement. I felt a return smile raise the corner of my mouth, more as a result of Marshall’s reaction than Jonathan’s behavior, before I realized it was happening. Jonathan saw it, misinterpreted it, and grinned. Rats.

I turned away as the other two men Marshall had hired entered the room rolling round tables, grateful for the distraction.

“That large table should go up against that wall, please.” I gestured to Marshall and Jonathan. “I’m going to the parlor to start decorating. I’ll leave you men to begin setting up the tables and chairs in here. Marshall knows the layout we need.”

“Anything for you,” Jonathan replied, straightening up after releasing his end of the table.

I didn’t respond but turned and began walking out of the dining room toward the front parlor, where the wedding ceremony itself would take place.

“Really, man?” I heard Marshall state flatly. “You leave Grace alone. She’s too good for you.”

The front formal parlor was one of my favorite rooms, perfect to host a wedding ceremony. It was open and light, with a high ceiling and gauzy draperies in the large bay windows that took up two of the walls. The glitzy sea green and gold silk wallpaper made the room feel elegant and timeless. Its swirling patterns brought images of afternoon tea and ladies come to call in their finest. Each time I entered the room I felt the brush of history like a shot through my veins. I absolutely loved it.

The bride and groom had only been able to invite immediate family because the parlor was one of the smaller rooms in the mansion. Afterward there would be closer to one hundred guests for a luncheon and reception to be held in the large dining and ballrooms.

I was grateful that Eliza had talked the bride into dropping her personal color choice for the ceremony itself. The rust and fuchsia would have been a color-clashing eyesore in such a graceful room. Instead, the bride had wisely chosen to highlight the colors of the wallpaper by bringing in gold chair covers, sea green highlights, and some well-placed greenery.

“It looks marvelous in here, dear.” Eliza’s voice interrupted my thoughts, causing me to jump. “I’m so glad our bride saw the wisdom in making use of the decor of this room.”

Eliza entered wearing slacks and canvas slip-on shoes with a boat-necked striped shirt. She looked relaxed and breezy, her smile warm and big.

I stood from where I’d been tying a sea green bow around one of the chair covers. “I totally agree. This is one of my favorite rooms in the house.”

“My parents and grandparents were married in this room.” Eliza’s eyes were dreamy as her gaze roamed the room.

“Really?” My smile bloomed. “How romantic.” I was practically swooning over the very thought.

“Lucas’s parents were married here as well. It’s something of a family tradition.” Eliza sighed. “If I’d ever been married, I’d have loved to do it here too.”

Having met her, I could honestly say I was stumped as to why she had never married. However, I kept my mouth closed and my thoughts to myself. Eliza must have sensed them anyhow.

“I had opportunity, Grace. Don’t doubt that. With my name, my money, my family... well, there were certainly men willing enough to offer. I was chased for many years. The problem was that I could see through all of them. They weren’t chasing Eliza. They were chasing Halstead. I’m afraid there is a big difference between the two.” She smiled softly.

I came to stand next to her. “Their loss.”

Eliza reached out and squeezed my hand. “You’re a doll to say that. At this point I’m too set in my ways and wouldn’t be interested even if Prince Charming showed up on my doorstep.” She grinned a little devilishly. “And far too demanding for one poor man to handle.” She was quiet for one more short moment before she shook her head and released my hand, ending that topic of conversation. “I’ve been to check on the food. Everything is coming along nicely. How is setup going?”

I verbally ran through the list I kept in my head and updated Eliza on the status of preparations. She seemed pleased with the progress and left to check in with Marshall in the dining room.

I opted to take my sandwich out to the garden when lunch eventually rolled around. I found a bench under a palm tree and let out a deep sigh of contentment. I couldn’t get over the feeling of the island. The warm, soft, steady breeze and salty floral scents were so different from the region I’d grown up in. I did miss some things about home, but I reveled in the sound of waves nearby, lulling in their steadiness. Perhaps best of all, no sounds of traffic interrupted the lazy afternoon.

A shadow fell over my shoulder, quickly followed by the appearance of Jonathan. “Mind if I join you?” He beamed down at me. His shadow blocked out the sun and left him highlighted from behind.

Cue the dreaded and mortifying blushes. I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to join me or not, but I nodded.

“Thanks.” Jonathan sat on the grass near the bench.

I relaxed at the distance he’d put between us. Slightly.

“How long have you worked at Halstead House?” he asked around a bite of his own sandwich. He kept his gaze forward, as though taking in the same view I was so interested in, yet it still felt like his eyes were on me.

“A few weeks,” I replied.

“I thought so. I’ve worked some events here for Marshall and never seen you before.” I simply nodded, having nothing to add. He pressed on. “I’m kind of afraid to ask, since Marshall wasn’t happy about me bothering you, but where are you from? I haven’t seen you around the island before. I’d remember.”

“I’m guessing it’s my accent that gave me away.”

---