“What do you mean, they’re already here?” Derrick asked, wariness in his tone.
Edward cleared his throat. “You know what, son? Why don’t you go inside and have a word with your mother? I’ll watch after this lovely young lady of yours and arrange for a warm cup of tea.”
“Actually, Grandpa, I’d rather get Tessa settled and show her around.”
Edward shook his head, sending his spectacles swinging. “I’m afraid I must insist.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice to just above a whisper. “The Snows are here.”
I strained to make out Edward’s words. The Snows? Who were they, and why was Derrick’s mood dropping by the second?
There was a noticeable tic in Derrick’s jaw as he clenched his teeth. A look passed between him and Edward, and a nervous ache coiled in my stomach.
Something was wrong.
“Stay with my grandpa, Tessa. It looks like I need to have a talk with my mother before I give you the tour.” He scrubbed a hand over his chin and let out a heavy sigh. Before I could ask what was wrong, he’d bounded up the last step and stalked inside the house.
Edward reached for my hand and gave it a gentle pat. “Now, my dear, let’s go inside and have a cup of tea. My old bones are frozen from standing on this stoop.” He pointed his cane toward the foyer, and I swallowed around the lump in my throat. The house had seemed intimidating before, but now, it felt downright ominous.
All I wanted was to make a good impression. Was that too much to ask? As much as I hated to admit it, I desperately wanted Derrick’s family to accept me. I slipped my arm around Edward’s elbow, thankful he seemed willing to give me a chance.
Inside, I cast my gaze around the great hall. A monstrous marble staircase stood front and center. Plush red carpet lined the steps, disappearing under a stone archway that led to the second floor. Overhead, a pair of ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and their flames flickered behind glass globes, shedding light on potted ferns and the gleaming tile floor.
I was definitely nauseous, and it had nothing to do with the fresh scent of pine infused in the air—that was delightful. No, it was because I didn’t belong here. Not even a little bit.
“Follow me, my dear.”
Edward led me into a room with a roaring fire. Comfortable but expensive-looking furniture had been arranged around the blaze to provide guests with maximum warmth. An expansive, multitoned rug muffled my footsteps, and I paused on its lavish surface to hand Edward my cloak. He laid it over his arm, and his brow creased with worry.
“If you’ll wait here, I’ll go see about scrounging us up something warm to drink. A snack too. You must be starving after your long journey.” Edward paused in the doorway, looking as if he wanted to say more, but he changed his mind. He slipped into the hall and gently closed the door, shutting me inside the small parlor.
A gold-plated clock on the mantel ticked away the minutes, each rhythmic sound echoing in my ears. I stood awkwardly by the fireplace, unsure whether I should make myself comfortable or stay alert in case I needed to make a quick getaway.
Coming here was such a bad idea, and as my time alone lengthened, I wondered if I’d been placed here not to wait for tea, but to be kept hidden. Which sounded ridiculous! But I couldn’t banish the troubled look Derrick had shared with Edward. It was a look that said all wasn’t well at Fairwood Manor, and I suspected that what wasn’t well was me.
“I knew he didn’t tell them about me,” I grumbled, glaring out the window at the overcast sky.
The parlor door opened, and I turned, expecting Edward. Instead, a stunning, raven-haired beauty stood in the doorway, a gown of shimmering teal silk draped across her body accentuating curves I could only dream of. Her lips were blood red, and her skin was as flawless as the snow-covered landscape on the other side of the window.
The remnants of my smile withered, turning into an odd lip curl that was more snarl than anything else.
She swept into the room, her beaded slippers soundless as if she walked on air. “You must be Tessa. I’m Isabelle Snow.”
I managed a nod, my voice lodged somewhere in my throat.
“It is such a pleasure to meet Derrick’s assistant.”
“Partner,” I said dumbly, finding my voice.
The woman blinked, bemused by my correction. “Well, whichever it is, I’m thrilled to finally meet you. I know we’re going to be fast friends, and I’m sure you’ll be a great help with all the planning.”
My thoughts swam, and I tried to make sense of her words. “All the planning?”
“For the wedding, of course.”
The room became overly warm, and I tugged at the neckline of my gown. “I’m sorry, what wedding?”
Isabelle beamed, and it lit her face with blinding perfection. “He didn’t tell you? Derrick and I are getting married.”
Chapter 2
