Page 32 of The Mad Marchams

“I do hope not. Your grandmother said she is a pleasant young woman and that she doesn’t seem to be after your title or your money.”

“Which is good, because, as we both know, I don’t have any money and titles aren’t important to free-thinking Californian software designers like Mabel.” Colin hesitated. “It’s nice to have someone in my corner for once.” He took the tray off his father’s lap. “Are you finished with this, or do you want more tea?”

“No thank you.” His father picked up the remote. “I have had quite enough. Bartle and I intend to watch a baking show on the television with Mrs. Mary Berry at seven. She is a remarkably good cook, has excellent ankles, and reminds me very much of my old nanny.”

“Then I’ll leave you to it, sir. And I’ll report back after I’ve seen the bank.”

“I’d appreciate that.” His father put on his reading glasses. “Please tell Bartle to hurry up so that we don’t miss the beginning.”

“Will do.” Colin headed for the door, the tray balanced in one hand. Even though his father was actually listening to him for the first time in years he still refused to share how he was feeling about anything. Colin was beginning to think he’d never have the kind of relationship with the earl as his elder brother and Freddy had.

He clattered down two flights of stairs that led directly to the kitchens and went in to find Bartle sitting at the table with Mrs. Reynolds sharing a pot of tea.

“All done then, sir?” Bartle got to his feet and took the tray. He grimaced. “His lordship’s not eating enough to keep a bird alive.”

“Which is absolutely no reflection on your fabulous cooking, Mrs. Reynolds,” Colin reassured her. “That chicken pie you sent up to the dower house yesterday was amazing.”

“Oh, I don’t take it personally.” Mrs. Reynolds offered him a mug of tea as Bartle put the plates in the dishwasher and washed off the tray. “His lordship’s just not very well.”

Colin looked over at his father’s valet. “The earl did say to ask you to hurry upstairs so you don’t miss the fabulous Mary Berry.”

Bartle grinned. “Oh, don’t worry. I know all about that, sir. I think his lordship would marry that woman if she was free.”

“Like my father needs a fourth wife. Mary Berry would wipe the floor with him,” Colin murmured as he sipped his tea and Bartle headed up the stairs. “The family finances would be far better if he hadn’t had to pay out for all those divorces.”

“He never really got over your mother dying,” Mrs. Reynolds said thoughtfully. “All the others after that were just his attempts to regain the impossible.”

“You think so?” Colin sat opposite her at the huge pine table where twenty indoor staff had used to gather to eat their meals together. “At least we got the twins out of the last debacle.”

The cook smiled. “Little devils. Your father could save some money if they came home and went to the local school rather than that fancy public one.”

“Agreed,” Colin said. “Maybe I’ll broach that subject when they return for the holidays. Every penny counts.” He sighed. “I’m beginning to sound like Mr. Scrooge, aren’t I?”

Mrs. Reynolds patted his hand. “You’re doing fine, young Colin. We’re all very proud of the way you’re handling everything.”

“Who’s we?” Colin asked. “All I get are shitty comments, passive aggressive arguments, and complaints. And that’s just from my grandmother.”

“A lot of people struggle with change.”

“I get that, but you’d think that if it means the difference between a place surviving or falling down, that a lot more ‘people’ would get with the program.” Colin grimaced. “Sorry to dump all my woes on you, Mrs. Reynolds, but I think Mabel’s getting tired of hearing them.”

“She’s a nice girl, that. A real breath of fresh air.”

Colin smiled. “She is, isn’t she?”

“And she’s very fond of you.” Mrs. Reynolds winked at him. “She’d make a lovely viscountess.”

“Perish the thought.” Colin sat back. “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”

Behind the kitchen door she’d just pushed open in time for her to hear Colin insist she wouldn’t make a good viscountess; Mabel paused and loudly cleared her throat.

“Hi!” She offered her most brilliant smile as she sauntered into the room. “Did I hear my name?”

“Only spoken in terms of reverence and wonder, my darling.” Colin said hastily.

“Weird, because I thought you were dissing my chances of being a good peer of the realm.”

“I was saying that anyone who took that on would be nuts. The last two women who held the title ran for the hills as soon as they could manage it.” Colin set his mug on the table and stood up. “And I thought America ditched the king and all that class stuff for a reason.”