“Apparently with good reason!” I bolted from his lap, smoothing my hands over my new gown. The dress had cost me a small fortune, but now, I wasn’t sure I’d spent enough. The mansion rising in front of me demanded the finest silk, not middle-of-the-road velvet purchased from a market stall—on sale.
“Do I look okay? Should I do a quick spell? Maybe add some rhinestones?”
“Stop.” Derrick snagged my hands before I could summon my magic. “You don’t need an illusion. You look perfect. All you have to do is be yourself.”
“That’s terrible advice,” I snapped as we came to a stop in front of the house.
Seconds later, the driver opened the door, and a blast of wintry air entered the enclosed space. I shivered and tugged the hood of my cloak over my head.
My nerves jangled as I took Derrick’s hand and stepped onto the cobblestone drive. Tilting my head back, I stared in awe at the intricate stone detailing in the eaves. Even the roof was fancy, with terra-cotta tiles and a domed area made of glass.
“How many rooms?” I asked, losing count of the windows.
“Forty, including the main living area and servants’ quarters. Six guest rooms and then the family wing. Over there are the stables.” Derrick pointed to a large gabled building. “There’s also a pond around back and my mother’s famous gardens. Beyond that is the forest and a walking trail leading to the nearest neighbor.”
“How far?” My neck ached from its angled position.
“A mile, at least.” A man approached, and Derrick ushered me forward. “Tessa, this is Gerard. He manages the estate.”
I nodded at the man wearing a cropped black jacket and vest with a crisp white shirt underneath. His polished boots crunched over the drive until he paused and bent at the waist in introduction.
“Miss Daniels, welcome to Fairwood Manor.”
Forcing a smile, I hoped to see a crack in the austere man’s armor, but he stood rigid, eyes focused on a point in the distance. If he was on the welcoming committee, I was officially doomed.
“May I take your bags?” He moved toward the carriage, where the driver had unloaded our luggage.
Derrick pointed to a basket containing my mincemeat pie. “Everything can go up to the rooms but bring that one to the kitchen.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Tessa made something to share at dinner.”
“Right away, sir.” Gerard claimed the basket, and it disappeared inside with the rest of our bags.
I fought the urge to run after it. What was the worst that could happen? I chewed on a thumbnail. It probably wouldn’t kill anyone…I hoped.
Derrick looped an arm through mine and tugged me up the stone staircase, oblivious to my internal pie-poisoning dilemma. He leaned in, breath coming in freezing puffs, and said, “Are you ready for this?”
I glanced over my shoulder at the carriage, but it was already making its way down the drive, leaving me with no escape.
Traitorous vehicle.
My smile turned brittle. “Ready for anything.”
Before we could reach the top step, the front door swung open, and an older man opened his arms to the chilly air.
“There you are, my boy!”
“Grandpa?”
The man grinned, flashing his teeth. Tufts of white hair protruded around his ears, and his wide nose was already turning red from the cold. A pair of spectacles hung from a chain around his neck, and as he crossed the threshold, he lifted them, blew hot air onto the glass, and rubbed them clean.
“Let me have a look at you. It’s been too long—I hardly recognize you.”
“It’s only been a few months since my last visit,” Derrick said, shaking his head.
“Well, it feels like years.” The man squinted through his glasses then shifted his gaze to me. If possible, his grin widened. “Forget you, my boy, introduce me to the pretty lady you’ve brought with you.” Leaning heavily on a wooden cane, he bowed his head. “Forgive my grandson’s poor manners. Please, call me Edward.”
“Grandpa, this is Tessa Daniels. I wrote to all of you and mentioned I was bringing a guest.”
“You did?” He scratched a patch of soft hair behind his ear with a gnarled finger. “Your mother mentioned guests, but they’re already here—oh!” His rheumy eyes bulged, and he snapped his mouth shut. A look of guilt filtered across his face.
