Page 33 of Not Exactly Mr. Darcy
For a moment he didn’t know what she meant. Then realized she was sympathizing about his loss of employment. He was strangely touched. “I was fine,” he said gruffly. A separate clause in the will meant he’d always have an income. Even if it wasn’t nearly what the Hall needed to stay afloat.
“But it did affect the villagers,” Veronica said. “One of the reasons school numbers are so low is because many of the parents who used to have employment here had to move away.”
Fresh regrets filled him. So much loss in the village could directly be attributed to his own inaction. He ducked his head.
“Liam’s done the best he can,” George said, as if recognizing his inability to speak. “But you can see it’s a lot for one person.”
“One person?” Liv’s attention swivelled back to him. “You mean you’ve been doing this by yourself?”
He dipped his chin.
Her eyes widened, her lips forming a silent O.
He pressed his own together.
“So what we need is someone who loves history, who has some time on their hands, who just might have some ideas on how we could reopen the Hall again,” Veronica said.
“You want me to do this?” Liv asked.
She was met with a round of nods.
“Well?” George asked. “What do you say?”
“I, uh …” She glanced at him briefly before her gaze veered away to Veronica.
Tobias finally spoke. “It would be a real blessing to our village.”
“We are prepared to help any way we can.” Marge nodded. “There’s a café—”
“There is?” Liv asked.
“You didn’t show her?” Marge said to George.
“We ran out of time.”
“I’m sure you can show her next time,” Veronica said.
“This place has so much potential, it just needs someone to care,” George pleaded. “And look, you can use me for the next few weeks until I have to return to the city.”
“And I’m happy to see about getting the café working again,” Marge said. “It was all refurbished not so long ago. Just needs a few of its permits renewed and a council inspection, and I know a few people who can make it so.” She winked.
Like Marge’s son, who worked in the local council. Liam’s lips twisted. The woman was at times unscrupulous. But effective.
“And I’d be happy to help in whatever way I can,” Tobias said. “And I could make an announcement in church this Sunday. See if there are some volunteers. I’m sure there would be numbers of people happy to do a spot of weeding or cleaning, seeing it’s for a good cause.”
“Come on, Liv,” George begged. “You hear that? It’s a good cause.”
“I know it is. And of course I’m flattered—extremely flattered—to be asked. I can’t believe you haven’t asked anyone until now.”
That was because, despite Tobias’ assertions to the contrary, many people didn’t like the wordvolunteer.The amount of work required to get the Hall up and running again was definitely worthy of payment. If only there was money to pay them.
“That’s because the time hasn’t been right until now. Until you came.” Veronica patted Liv’s knee.
Liv bit her lip. Met his eyes again. Seemed to search his soul for veracity.
A ripple of …somethingrolled through him.
“Are you sure?” she asked him.
