Page 57 of Not Exactly Mr. Darcy
Then Liv had rushed to help him, and in that moment when she’d leaned close and touched him, he’d inhaled a sweet something. Something soft, that offered a gentle reminder of orange blossoms, perhaps. Her essence, maybe. Whatever it was, it had caused another of those strange moments when he’d imagined her doing something. Like kissing him. A thought he’d shoved firmly from his mind, and one further tamped down by her desire to be friends. Only friends.
And now he had to face her again.
Knock knock.
He braced and opened the door.
She jumped. “Oh! I wasn’t expecting you to open up. You’re up early.”
“As are you.”
“Touché.” She rubbed her hands together. “I wanted to make sure I got all the things done. I don’t think Marge was very happy with me yesterday, so I’m trying to make amends.”
“Is Veronica here?”
She shook her head. “She’s coming at nine. I got a lift with Tobias.”
He noticed the man was examining a nearby rose. “Hi, Tobias.”
“Liam, do you think this rose has powdery mildew?”
“Uh …” He really didn’t want to be talking about powdery mildew right now. “I’m not sure. Would you two like a cup of tea?”
“I don’t think the kitchen is open yet,” Liv said.
Huh? Oh. “I think you’ll find that George has got the kettle on. Follow me.”
He led the way through the Entrance Hall, noting again how much better it looked having had a good clean. Then he led Liv into the Lady’s Parlour, right to the end, where another cunning door was hidden by a faux bookcase. He watched her expression as he pressed the button, then stifled a smile as—sure enough—her jaw dropped.
“That is amazing!”
“We like how it’s a secret, and keeps the public part of the house separate from the family quarters.”
He led them past a staircase that led upstairs to the family’s bedrooms. He and George both had their bedrooms there, along with the grand front bedchamber that had been his parents’. After their deaths he’d occupied it for a year until his wife had run away. He’d barely stepped in it since. He’d given Toni permission to redecorate what she wished; then when she’d left him, he’d locked the door and hadn’t looked in there since. One other bedroom remained, that they used for the occasional guest. Very occasional, as it might’ve been used a handful of times in living memory. The main and guest rooms had en suites, and this private side of the Hall was completed with a family bathroom and separate WC. He didn’t love sharing the bathroom with his sister, but as she’d basically commandeered the guest en suite as hers, he didn’t have to encounter her too often, especially when she spent so much time in London these days.
He pushed open the door to the kitchen, which contained the dining table. George, wrapped in a dressing gown, peered across from where she was making tea, then nearly dropped her mug.
“Surprise,” Liv said.
“Liam!” George cried. “What are you doing not letting me know we have company? Oh my goodness. Hi, and bye. I’m getting changed then I’ll be back.”
“You don’t need …” Liv called, then shrugged as George left the room.
“How about I make that tea?” Liam gestured to the table. “Please, take a seat.”
“You live here?” she asked, moving aside one of George’s medical textbooks.
The dog flap opened and CeeCee sped through, growling.
Without missing a beat, Liv clicked her fingers and pointed to the floor. CeeCee instantly sat, wriggling in excitement. Only after she’d waited for ten seconds did Liv turn to look at her and pat her.
“You’ve got her sorted,” Tobias said.
“Gran showed me what to do.” She glanced up as Liam placed a cup of tea in front of her. “That was fast. Thank you.”
It might be George’s tea, but she wasn’t here. “You’re welcome. I’ll be right back with yours, Tobias.”
“I’m in no hurry. After the rush of yesterday, it’s nice to have a quiet moment.”
