Page 47 of The Mad Marchams

“Me?”

“You’ve got to love yourself, sweetie, or why would anyone else bother?” Olivia laughed. “I’ll be in touch, okay?”

“Thanks for everything you’re doing,” Colin called after her. “I appreciate you.”

She waved as she moved off and he stared after her, the smile disappearing. If he was in a movie, he’d suddenly discover a Grinling Gibbons carving or a lost Van Dyke stuck in a cupboard, but real life meant that was unlikely, and he’d have to make do with what he had. Olivia’s words about happiness starting with himself wouldn’t leave his head. He needed to find the courage to believe them and to find a way to keep Mabel by his side.

His gaze wandered from the terrace to the drawing room. He couldn’t remember the last time the house had been so full of people. It seemed to bask in the attention and for the first time since his brother’s death, it felt more of a home than a mausoleum.

Could he ask Mabel to stay with him here permanently?

The question hung in his mind as he entered the house and seemed to expand into the painted dome above his head as he looked up.

“I wish Michelangelo had painted that,” he muttered. “We’d make a fortune.”

“Wrong century.” Mabel joined him, following his gaze upward. “I think.”

“You’re right as usual.” He put his arm around her. “Thanks for doing all this.”

“It’s been my pleasure. I know it’s just a start, but I truly believe you will get this old house back on its feet without having to sell it.”

“Not sure if I could actually sell it, what with entails and all that,” Coin confessed. “The place is loaded down with legalities designed to make sure it passes along the male line whatever happens in the world. Death taxes, capital gains, wars, you name it, we’re in for the long haul.” He drew her even closer. “After the Second World War a lot of people left their country houses to rot or tore them down because they couldn’t afford to live in them but couldn’t legally sell them.”

“That’s terribly sad,” Mabel murmured.

“I guess that’s life. Nothing goes on forever and a lot of people were probably quite glad to see the back of those of us who own these places.” He found a smile. “I’m supposed to be celebrating, not bemoaning my fate.”

She went on tiptoe and kissed him very gently on the mouth. “You’re allowed to feel all of it, you know.”

“Only when I’m with you. It’s not a very British thing to do.”

Her smile was slow in coming but made something inside him go still as if recognizing the truth of his own words.

“Then I guess I’d better hang around for a while and make sure you keep feeling that way.”

“Will you?” He held her gaze.

“Hang out with you?”

“Yes, please.”

She cupped his chin. “I’ll stay for as long as I’m wanted, okay? I really want this place to be a success.”

He wanted to ask her to stick around purely for him, but didn’t want to push his luck, and reluctantly let her go.

After the experts and committee members departed, Colin gathered the inhabitants of the house in the drawing room. “I wanted to share some good news with you all,” he announced.

“Makes a change,” someone muttered from the back.

“I think we’re going to raise enough capital to repair the roof, plumbing, and electricity, put in a proper damp course, and prevent any further flooding in the cellars.”

He waited for the outpouring of support and applause but there was none. Although a couple of his nicer relatives were almost smiling at him.

“I’d still like you all to consider ways in which you might help the future prosperity of the house. We’ll be investing in the home farm and rehabilitating the gardens, so if any of you have an interest in that, please speak to Freddy.”

A hand went up.

“Yes?” he asked.