Page 57 of Not So Very Sensible

And while she wasn’t jealous of Liv, going to live in a big house one day, she knew it wasn’t all as easy as Mum made out. Both Liam and Liv worked incredibly hard to make sure the Hall generated a self-sustaining income. Things were definitely easier now than when Liv had first moved to England and helped reopen Hartbury Hall, but it was still a huge responsibility. One Ellie wouldn’t want to have.

Most of the country properties owned by rich city dwellers around here would have their own staff—or at least cleaners—to help maintain things, but those kinds of properties always seemed too large to her.

If she had to live in the country, she’d prefer something like a small cottage on about an acre, with gardens and a tranquil view. Or in the city, something like Great-Aunt Marion’s flat with its art deco style would be nice. But large houses for the sake of impressing the neighbours seemed a waste to her. Why have so many bedrooms and so much space that needed to be cleaned? Unless one planned on having seven children. Or having house parties every weekend. Houses that sat empty for weeks on end seemed problematic. Surely people knew that ordinary people couldn’t afford to buy houses here anymore, thanks to all the Airbnb owners. As for first homeowners wanting to get a toehold in the market, well, good luck. Her only hope for ever buying a house was probably in a smudge of a town ten hours west. If any of the latest batch of job applications she’d sent out ever found success.

“You sound like a whinger,” she muttered to herself, and refocused on the task she’d been given. Getting the plans drawn up. Making the correct measurements. Joining the dots and dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. At least it was work. She had some uni friends who pulled pints at pubs or worked at other jobs that had nothing to do with their degree.

Her phone flashed with a notification, and her heart thudded as she glanced at the name. But no. Only Emma-Jane. Not the E-named person she was getting desperate to hear from.

Why hadn’t he messaged back? What if he didn’t? What if she truly had been just a Christian equivalent of a one-night stand, except it was only a one-night conversation and one high tea?

She bit the inside of her bottom lip to stop a sudden quiver. She wouldn’t be the woman who wore her heart on her sleeve. Katie did that enough for both of them. And, knowing her sister and mother, they’d make all kids of fuss about how Ellie was okay and shouldn’t feel embarrassed, and it would be awkward and hard, and no way would she let anyone pity her.

So, if he didn’t come, she’d just have to pretend it was okay. That she was relieved he hadn’t come. Or at least understanding as to why he hadn’t.

Even if she didn’t understand at all.

“What’s this I hear about you and Lucinda?” His father’s demand bounced around the penthouse office with its chrome and expensive furnishings. The space was designed to intimidate—Dad had long ago admitted as much—so it said a lot that his father had insisted on meeting Ethan here.

He studied his father as he wondered how to answer. When his dad was in a bullish mood, like now, he could be impossible to work with. Which was why he’d survived in politics as long as he had. If Neville John Ferris got an idea in his head, nothing short of a miracle was going to dislodge it.

“Well?”

He had about five seconds to answer before his dad blew his fuse. “I don’t know what you’ve heard,” he said carefully.

“I received a message from Don about Christine.” Dad’s heavy brows lowered as his face softened. “I can’t believe she’s dying. And so soon after your poor mother too.”

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate.”

“Hmm.” The rare pensive mood lifted as Dad frowned at Ethan again. “It was a shock to get Don’s message. Then an even worse one to hear what happened next.”

Uh-oh. He wouldn’t bite. Wouldn’t bite. Wouldn’t—

“That you refused to marry Lucinda.”

“I didn’t think you believed in arranged marriages.”

“I don’t. But this is different. You have known Lucinda all your life. She’d be the perfect wife for you. She knows how to look good, make conversation, and when to shut up.”

“Dad!”

His father shrugged. “It’s true. You know I don’t beat around the bush. Which is why I want you to go back to her and say you’ve changed your mind.”

“Are you serious?”

His dad’s glacial blue eyes fixed on him. “Deadly.”

Ethan shivered. When his dad looked like that, he was in peak intense mode, which meant an argument was coming that would be hard to withstand. Lord, give me strength.

He braced internally. “Dad, I know you mean well, but I am not going to marry someone I don’t love and can’t see a future with.”

“Love? What’s that got to do with anything?”

Ethan’s mouth dropped open. “Are you saying you didn’t love Mum?”

“That was different.”

Ethan eyeballed his father. There had been rumours about his father’s close association with various women over the years, but he’d always dismissed them as a pack of lies. But was there more to them than that?