Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 142801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“Who wouldn’t?” I answer, taking it all in. “Imagine living in a house so grand, you have a staircase that goes in two directions but leads to the same place.”
“Imperial.”
“It must feel it,” I agree with a nod.
“No.” Oliver’s lips twitch. “That’s what it’s called. An imperial staircase.”
“It’s what I call over the top. Do you think Mandy would mind if I dashed up there so I could swan my way down? I have the dress for it.” I demonstrate a little swing of my hips, which Oliver seems to appreciate.
“You’d have to ask him.”
It’s cordoned off with a velvet rope, so I decide to wait.
“It’s just so . . . historic,” I say, trying not to look like a hick as I stare at the paneling, the rococo ceiling, and that chandelier.
We’re served champagne, and we begin to mingle, Oliver stopping to exchange small talk with people here and there. I flush with pleasure as he introduces me as his girlfriend, his better half, and once simply as “the woman I love.”
Swoon!
Given that I’ve already seen bits of the place, I’m happy to pay attention to the canapés. Grilled scallops with lobster sauce and herb-crusted tuna on seaweed. Mm-mm! I make it my mission to sample at least one of everything on the passing sweet trays too. Tarte au citron, tiny brownies, and lavender-and-lemon meringue. Just delicious!
It isn’t long before Mandy finds us, looking very dapper in a tuxedo jacket of claret-colored velvet.
“Don’t you look handsome.” I try very hard not to let Oliver catch my eye, as I recently threatened him with a red crushed-velvet jacket and matching bow tie. But at least Mandy isn’t wearing leather pants.
Oof. Quick, someone hand me the brain bleach.
“Likewise, my dear. Your beauty is outstanding.” Lifting my hand, he presses a kiss to the back of it.
“Mortimer,” Oliver playfully chastises, lifting it away. “Stop trying to steal my girl with your flattery.” My skin flushes with pleasure. It’s such a tiny reference, but it feels like a huge statement.
“Flattery is all I have left these days, old boy.” He glances at the pretty ceiling for effect. “Oh, but it’s grand getting old.”
“Better than the alternative,” I offer.
“Yes, that’s true. I’m not ready to push up daisies yet.” He hooks his elbow out. “Care to allow an old man to steal you for a while?” He looks to Oliver. “I’ll have her back before the auction starts. Why don’t you go and spend some of that money of yours?”
“Subtlety isn’t your strong point, my lord.”
“Can’t take it with you,” I put in, my hand lifting unconsciously to my tiara. “But don’t buy anything for me.”
“My dear,” Mandy chastises, “that’s a gentleman’s prerogative. Indeed, some would say it’s the only thing he’s good for.”
“Oliver has his uses,” I demur, instantly aware of how that might be taken, and a blush creeps up my neck.
I slip my arm into Mandy’s as Oliver politely coughs.
We commence our grand tour—it’s not my first, but I don’t care. I could spend a year wandering the halls and still not know the place. We stroll through elegant drawing rooms filled with landscape art and portraits, a long saloon (with tapestries), an octagonal one (with ornate plaster and blue silk walls), an immense library, and parlors for every occasion. And everywhere we tread, Mandy has a wealth of information to share.
“This part of the house was modernized in the Palladian style in 1630 by Inigo Jones.”
“So modern.”
“And in the following century, the gardens were redesigned by the famed Capability Brown.”
“Mandy, are you making up people’s names just to impress me?”
“Silly girl.” This earns me a slap to the wrist and a chastising tsk. “Of course you’re impressed.”
“The origins of the house go back farther than that, right?”
“Four centuries,” he confirms as we step out onto the terrace through a set of outsize French doors.
“I am so beyond impressed. Not everyone has a safari park in their backyard. Are those kangaroos in the distance?” I squint through the oncoming darkness.
“We do have them, wallabies, too, but no. The marsupials should be in their enclosure. Unless they’ve escaped. Though I hope not. The bucks have a lethal kick, and I could do without being sued this evening.”
In the cooling air, we stand in silence for a beat before Mandy speaks.
“Not everyone would be suited to a safari park in their backyard, as you say, but I believe it would you.”
I smile his way. “Sadly, I don’t have the cash.”
“But you know someone who does,” he says softly.
Someone who has trouble sharing his space with a dog. Though Oliver objects mainly to sharing pillow space with Bo. Pillow-butt space?
“Someone who is very in love with you.”
I glance his way, wondering where he’s going with this. “You’re sure I can’t see the tigers?”
“Another day.” He pats my hand fondly. “Summer is at an end, and the evening is already too dark to be wandering about in a safari park. Unless you want to be dinner.”