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“Of course,” I said with a smile. “She’d love for you to enjoy anything you’d like.”
I suggested she should go down to the back garden and enjoy the morning air while I got ready. A little over half an hour later, I made my way downstairs to join her. As I stepped outside, I saw her standing near the hollyhocks, but she wasn’t alone. Neville was speaking to her, and his posture was stiff.
I hurried over to them, waiting until I was within earshot before speaking.
“There you are, love,” I said, relief clear on London’s face.
Between the relief on her face and the way Neville stiffened at my arrival, I could tell that I had interrupted something unpleasant. I reined in my temper and went straight to London, giving her a light kiss before addressing Neville.
“Is there a problem?” I asked, my tone firm.
Neville’s blue eyes held a level of dislike that I hadn’t seen from him before. “Not at all, Lord York,” he said, his tone stiff.
“London?” I looked at her, seeing her hesitation. “If something happened, please tell me.”
“It was just a misunderstanding,” she said.
“Neville.” I used the same tone I would use with cast members who were reluctant to tell me something.
“She asked for a key to the greenhouse,” he said.
“And?” I raised an eyebrow, waiting for more information.
“Forgive me, but only York family members and certain staff members may have keys to any of the buildings,” Neville said, his tone bordering on disrespectful.
“It’s not a big deal,” London said quietly. “You can give Spencer the keys, and we can go look at the greenhouse after we eat. Everything is fine.”
“I don’t need you defending me,” Neville muttered, glaring at London.
“What was that?” I asked, my tone sharpening.
“Spencer,” London grabbed my arm, trying to calm me down.
Neville stuck out his chin defiantly. “I said I don’t need some slag speaking for me, allowing me to do my job.”
My hand clenched into a fist, and I took a step forward, ready to teach Neville a lesson. But London’s tight grip on my arm made me stop and reconsider my actions. Though it would feel good to shut Neville up with a punch, I needed to handle this situation in a more tactful manner.
“You’re fired,” I said, my voice cold and final.
Neville stared at me as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What?”
“Let me be clear,” I said, squaring off against him. “I’m not firing you for refusing to give London a key to the greenhouse. You’re being fired for unprofessional behavior, specifically, calling my girlfriend a derogatory name.”
“You can’t fire me,” Neville said. “Lady Opal–”
“Is not your employer,” I interrupted. “I am. You have thirty minutes to vacate the premises. If you can’t do that in a professional manner, I’ll have you escorted off my property, and Carlyle will pack up your things.”
For a moment, I thought Neville might take a swing at me, but then he swore and stormed off.
“I’m so sorry about that, love.” I turned to London and wrapped my arms around her.
“I didn’t mean to cause any problems,” she said.
“It’s not your fault,” I said, shaking my head. “I noticed yesterday that everyone was a bit stiff. Has anyone else said anything?”
“No,” she said, but something in her tone made me pull back and look at her.
“London, please be truthful,” I said.
