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“No, um, that was me.” I laughed, but it was hollow. “Saw a spider.”
“You’re not scared of spiders,” Alex pointed out. “You like them.”
Like was a strong word. I wasn’t afraid of them, but we were hardly friends.
“It came out of nowhere. Spooked me,” I lied.
“Why are you lying?” Dad looked me up and down. “And why do you look like that?”
Laughing nervously, I pulled my dress back up over my shoulder again. “Look like what? I look fine.”
“Your hair is messed up.”
“I was gardening.”
“And your dress is half unbuttoned.”
“I was changing.”
Alex raised his eyebrows.
“No, go, quickly!”
I drew in a sharp breath at the sound of Aunt Cat’s voice. Her room was at the other end of the very long hallway, and there was every chance she hadn’t heard Dad shout.
Arthur quickly stepped out of her room without his tie and jacket and with his shirt only half buttoned.
Dad stepped forward. “Arthur? What are you doing in there?”
“Oh, shit,” Alex whispered.
Indeed.
Arthur froze. “Catherine. We’ve been discovered.”
Alex’s eyes widened.
Yes.
Oh, shit was absolutely correct.
Aunt Cat bustled out of the bedroom in her dressing gown, tying the belt around her waist. “Oh, bollocks.”
“Yes,” my father said slowly. “I’d say that’s an accurate assessment of the situation, Catherine.”
My aunt paled. “I can explain, Henry.”
“I should think you could. Both of you,” he said sharply, then turned to me. “And you lied to cover it up?”
“I, uh—” I stopped. “Yes. I accidentally walked in on them, screamed, and ran back to my room.”
“Why were you coming into my room?” Aunt Cat demanded, turning on me.
“I needed to fetch something,” I said vaguely.
“You’re not alone, are you?”
“Oh, you are not turning your transgression around on me!” I shouted, running down towards my bedroom door.
Unfortunately, she was much closer and beat me to it. She pushed the door open, reached in, and pulled a very stunned Miles out.
“Ah-ha! I appear not to be the only one with a transgression!”
Miles froze. “Nothing happened.”
Alex grinned at me.
Dad looked at Miles, then at me. “Well, nobody is surprised by this turn of events.”
“What on Earth does that mean?” I asked.
“We all knew that was coming,” Alex explained. “It’s been obvious.”
Right.
Okay, then.
“But this.” Dad turned to Arthur and Aunt Cat. “I am incredibly shocked by. Catherine, explain yourself.”
“Please don’t be angry with her, my Lord,” Arthur said, stepping forward. “It was as much my transgression as it was hers.”
“How long has this being going on for?”
“Seven months,” Aunt Cat said softly, finally releasing Miles, who scooted back to my bedroom door and stood in the doorway.
“Under my roof? For seven months?” Dad bellowed.
Aunt Cat opened her mouth to respond but he shut it down.
“I’m not discussing this at this time. I have a meeting this afternoon. I would appreciate it if you would both stay out of my way for the rest of the day.” Dad turned and looked at me, and my heart broke at the pain I could see in his eyes. “Will I see you for dinner this evening?”
“Of course,” I replied softly. “If you’d like.”
“I would.” He looked at Miles. “When you’re done with your lunch break, the driveway could use some love, if you would be so kind as to have someone trim the bushes.”
Miles nodded. “I’ll do it myself.”
Dad returned the gesture. “Alex, I’ll be in my office.”
“Of course, Uncle Henry.” Alex moved aside as Dad swept past him and went down the stairs, leaving us all looking after him.
It was the most uncomfortable silence I’d ever experienced.
Arthur pulled his jacket on. “Perhaps it would be best if I returned to my cottage for the rest of the day.”
“That might be wise,” Alex said, stepping in. “A couple of days, I would suggest. I’m sure you’ll be paid for your time.”
“That won’t be necessary, my Lord, but thank you all the same.” He peered back at Catherine. “Will you be all right?”
“I will be.”
“Arthur,” Alex prodded. “As soon as you can gather yourself, might be best.”
“Of course.” He wrapped his tie around his neck and tied it, knotting it perfectly without looking in a mirror. “My Lord,” he said, bowing to Alex. “Lady Gabriella.”
I stepped back against the wall and let him pass. My heart panged with sadness as I saw his dejected frame disappear from view and head to his living area downstairs.
Another uncomfortable silence hung in the air until Alex looked at Aunt Cat.
“Aunt Catherine, with all due respect, what the bloody hell were you thinking?”
Her lip quivered. “I was thinking that until right now, I’ve been the happiest I have been in a very long time!” Her voice cracked on the last word, and I wanted to reach out to her, but she rounded on us and disappeared into her bedroom, closing the door and locking it with an unsatisfying click.
I looked down.
