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“It’s…magnificent.” I gasped, mesmerised by the intricate brickwork and the barn style pitched roof. It was like something from a storybook, and I felt like a princess standing in front of it. I am way out of my league here.
Grayson let Luci out of the car and popped on his lead. “There’s about four acres of land so this guy can go nuts.”
Luci let out an excited whimper as if he understood. I smiled down at my dog, wishing I felt the same.
“You’ll be fine, Josie. I’ll be with you the whole time.”
I took the lead from his hands and gazed back up at the house. “Promise?”
“Promise.”
He looped his arm through mine as we approached the grand columned entrance. Grayson pressed the doorbell, his hazel eyes twinkling back at mine while we waited.
My heartrate accelerated when approaching footsteps sounded inside. A moment later, a man in his early sixties opened the door and I straightened my back.
“Mr. Harlow.” He greeted Grayson with a nod and I relaxed when I realised he couldn’t be his father.
“Hi, Max. This is Josie. Josie, this is Max. He’s been my grandfather’s butler for fifteen years.”
My eyes widened. Oh my god. A butler? “Pleased to meet you, Max.”
He offered me a warm smile. “The pleasure is all mine. And who do we have here?” He peered down at my dog with a glint in his eye.
“This is Luci,” I said.
He lifted the back of his hand to Luci’s nose. “An Irish wolfhound, no doubt.”
Luci gave him a lick and Max chuckled.
I smiled. “You know your dog breeds.”
“I’m quite fond of these gentle giants,” Max said, ruffling the hair on Luci’s head.
Grayson took Luci’s lead from my hand and stepped towards him. “How would you feel about taking Luci for a quick walk around the grounds? Get him used to the property?”
“I would be honoured,” he gushed.
Grayson passed over the lead and Luci jumped around impatiently.
“I’ll take your bags up to your room when I return. Your grandfather and parents are in the parlour.”
I grinned as I watched Max walk away with Luci trotting happily beside him. “He is going to love it here.”
“So will you, come on,” Grayson said, taking my hand and pulling me inside.
The interior was just as divine. It was warm and inviting, nothing like I thought a Harlow residence would be. I assumed they’d all be similar to Grayson’s apartment. Cold and impersonal, but this was the exact opposite.
Grayson nudged my side as I drank it all in. “Are you ready?”
“No,” I replied, and he chuckled.
His fingertips grazed my lower back as he ushered me down a wide hallway. I nervously glanced around, like I was walking through a house of horrors, waiting for something to jump out at any moment. His hand found mine and squeezed it, before rolling open the French doors.
Three sets of eyes turned to us.
“William, my dear.” His mother smiled tightly as she glided over to Grayson. She kissed his cheek, observing me over his shoulder with cool blue eyes, like Adam’s.
“Good afternoon, William.” A man in his late sixties slowly rose out of his chair, presumably his father, but didn’t approach.
