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Chapter 14
Declan
AsTheadorarodeoff, I sat there watching her from my study window which looked out onto Winchelsea Lane. Her movements smooth. Her body pitched forward slightly, and mine was on fire as always after spending time with her. However, this time, it was the hideousness of her upbringing that disturbed me. I struggled to focus. All I could see was her innocence threatened by this monster parading as her stepfather.
I called the hotel and asked to speak to HR. “This is Declan Lovechilde.”
“Mr. Lovechilde, how can we help?”
“I’d like the file of a former employee, Theadora Hart.”
“I will get onto that now.”
“Thanks.” I closed the call.
Paedophilia sickened me. And while Thea might have been seventeen when he tried to rape her, just hearing about how he’d tried to touch her when she was younger confirmed that the guy had to be taken down.
He’d only do it again.
My mother waved her finger at Amy, who then scurried off.
“I hope you’re not giving the staff a hard time again.” I kissed her cool cheek.
“She’s been slacking again. I asked her to clean my room, and it’s still not done.”
“Just be patient.” I followed her into the front drawing room. “On that note, Theadora, the new girl.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. My mother and her suspicious mind. “What about her? And yes, I know she’s very pretty. So if you’re thinking of bedding her, do so in your own time and space. But don’t bring it here.”
I shook my head. “Why do you always expect the worst from people?”
“You’re single. You’re handsome. You’re a billionaire.” She sat on the floral sofa facing a bay window that looked out to the sea. “When are you going to marry?”
I took a deep breath. “I’ve only just returned.”
“You’ve been back three months. If you marry a nice, wealthy girl, preferably from a peerage, she might pull you into line. I sure as hell can’t.”
I shook my head. “Why are you like this?”
“I’m your mother. I want what’s best for you.”
“You want what’s best for you, I think. In any case, I’m not interested in marrying anyone. Why don’t you pick on Ethan or Savvie?”
“You’re the stable one.” She picked up a magazine.
My eyes landed on a portrait of a horse against a stunning landscape, one of many original pieces that hung on the yellow walls of that room.
“I was going to say that Theadora’s studying to become a piano teacher. I suggested she use the piano here.”
She studied me with that scrutinising stare of hers. She could read my attraction to Theadora. Or was that me guilting over how obsessed I’d become?
“Mm… only when she’s not working.” She pointed. “And not too early or late.”
“I can have the instrument moved to the back.”
“You’ll need to have the piano retuned if you move it. I can’t stand an out of tune piano.”
I had to smile at my mother’s fastidiousness. “Why didn’t you continue with your music?”
