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She’d uttered something vague about seeing a baby popping out might put me off sex with her, which was unimaginable since I had a constant erection whenever we came in close contact.
An appetising aroma of roast lamb drifted my way as the meat was being carved. “That smells good. I’m starving.”
Savanah nodded. “We have a new chef. He’s great. I can’t stop eating.”
“How have you really been?” I asked.
“You know, the same old. I think I might go to Paris next week.”
“What about your arts degree?”
She sipped and wiped her lips. “I’m doing it part-time and online.”
“You sound bored, Savvie.” A plate was placed in front of me, and I nodded at the offer of gravy. “I’ve found since working on projects and running the hotel, I haven’t got time to be bored.” I helped myself to salad, scooping it into a side bowl. “I’ve got an idea. The hotel needs new curtains and bedding. How about we meet there on Monday?”
“Why not? I’m already helping Mum with curtains and bedding for Elysium.” She chewed on some food. “I will finish my arts degree.”
“You should. You were always good at drawing.”
She rarely stayed the course. But I was determined to be there and encourage her.
“How are you going with this new guy of yours?” I asked, enjoying the tenderness of the meat.
“Okay. Richie’s nice.” She chased peas around her plate. “Is Kiera still stalking you?”
I nodded. “It’s frightful. I slept with her once, and now she expects marriage.”
Savanah chuckled at the absurdity of my situation. “You’re of age.”
I rolled my eyes at her paraphrasing our mother. “I’m sure as hell not going to marry because I’m about to turn thirty.”
“Mirabel’s had a boy.”
I nodded slowly. I’d thought of little else. Theadora, who’d become my informer where Mirabel was concerned, had told me.
“Are you going to at least ask her to have a paternity test? You’ve got a right you know.”
“Let’s see if she lets me visit first.” My tight voice betrayed how emotionally unhinged I’d become since the birth of that child. I could think of little else.
She shook her head. “That’s so fucking weird. She’s obviously scared you’ll hurt her.”
I nodded pensively. There wasn’t much I could add to that. Despite seeing Mirabel two weeks ago, it felt like months.
Crisp turned up and took his seat next to our mother, as always. Will sat on the other side, and when Bethany served him, it was all smiles.
“What do you think’s going on there?” I slid my eyes in his direction.
Savanah shrugged. “The new maid’s got the hots for him. I must say, since Will’s grown his hair a little and with the permanent facial shadow, he’s scrubbed up quite well with those Colin Firth looks. Especially in that velvet jacket. He’s become quite the lord of the manor.”
Will’s effortless shift into the man-of-the-house role seemed to suit him. I’d never found a reason to dislike him, and he kept our mother happy.
“Bethany’s like a younger version of Mother,” she said. “She’s rather good-looking.”
Undoubtedly, Bethany attracted a lot of male attention. Her long dark hair, normally in a bun, was tied back in a ponytail. She wore bright-red lipstick and heavy eyeliner that emphasised her dark eyes, and she swayed her hips when she walked.
“Hey, why don’t you hit on her?”
My brow scrunched. “Are you kidding?”
