Jesse Now that I was the COO of a mega-billion-dollar enterprise with my last name slapped on it like a tattoo I somewhat regretted getting, I didn’t get nearly enough time off. It wasn’t that I couldn’t handle the job. It was just that the job never stopped. Ever. There was always another meeting to attend, another decision to be made, and another fire to put out before it turned into a problem that would land on Alex’s desk and earn me the look. The one that reeked of disappointment without him ever actually saying the word. All of which meant that this two-week-long trip to the English countryside to visit Will and Eliza was exactly what the doctor had ordered. I came here as often as I could nowadays anyhow, but having come across the pond for the wedding had meant that Alex could even use my trip as an excuse to not go to Scotland himself. Besides, I definitely would’ve gotten the look if I’d gone somewhere else. Returning to Miami would’ve gotten me the stink-eye for sure. The Keys would’ve possibly given him a coronary. God forbid, the Bahamas. Basically, I couldn’t go anyplace where the sun was shining, the drinks were cold, and the list of ex-girlfriends who hated my guts was long enough to become a logistical issue. So here I was instead, visiting my n ephew— and my twin and his wife, to be fair—at an English estate that the toddler in front of me would rule like his own little kingdom one day. I rolled a ball across the polished wooden floor of the honest-to-God castle for a child who had more titles than I had responsibilities. “Go on, little J,” I said, nudging the ball a little further this time. Technically, he was Viscount Jesse Bennet Westwood-Roderick, but to me, he’d just become Little J. I was Big J now, which felt like a promotion I hadn’t earned, but had happily acc epted. The perks of being an uncle. He giggled as he toddled after it, his st eps still unsteady at only fourteen months old, but determined enough to make me proud. Not so proud that I wasn’t watching him closely though, ready to spring into action if he should start tipping over. I leaned back on my hands, stretching my legs out in front of me as I tracked his progress. He collapsed on top of the ball like he’d just conquered a monumental feat, and I cheered. “Good job, Little J.” He looked up at me like I’d just said something de eply profound. It would’ve been concerning if I hadn’t known how much he loved me. On the other hand, that probably had less to do with my charm and more to do with the fact that he couldn’t tell the difference
between me and his father. We had the same face. Different everything else but the face was a mirror image. I doubted a one-year-old would appreciate the nuances, and frankly, he didn’t have to. Lucky him. “Never agree to be COO, kid,” I told him quietly. Right now, I wasn’t even entirely sure where his parents were in this massive castle, but it didn’t really matter. When I’d shown up last week, Will and Eliza had looked so far beyond exhausted that I’d immediately understood my role here. I was to provide distraction, backup, and be the occasional babysitter. They’d barely made it through a full conversation before Eliza had yawned, while Will had looked like he might fall asle ep standing up. So I’d happily taken the kid, relieved that for once there was nothing expected of me beyond ke eping a small human entertained and alive. Even for me, that was manageable. Although I had to admit that I was relieved when the sun started peeking through the thick layer of gray clouds outside. It didn’t happen often around here and I was running out of ideas to ke ep him busy inside. I eyed the patch of blue sky for just a second before I got to my feet. “Alright,” I said, scooping Little J up with one arm. “We’re going outside, buddy. Let’s go soak up some Vitamin D before we turn into vampires like your mom and dad.” He made a noise I chose to interpret as enthusiasm when I started carrying him to one of the many back doors. The gardens here at the estate were truly massive. A person could get lost in them. Acres upon acres of finely manicured lawn stretched out in every direction, broken up by organized flower gardens. There was a maze I had no intention of entering, several gazebos placed like they’d been part of a long-forgotten plan, and smaller buildings scattered throughout that Will had tried to explain to me at some point. Something about historical use. My takeaway had been that they were relics of a time long passed. “Stay upright,” I told Little J as I set him down on the grass, steadying him for a second before letting go. With a gummy smile and a can-do attitude, he took off immediately, completely fearless. The kid took after me. I followed at his pace, my hands in my pockets as we explored the grounds. Today was a Saturday de ep in the throes of summer. I’d learned this meant that groups of old ladies from far and wide descended on the nearby village and the manor grounds, visiting for guided tours and tea parties. I watched one such group approach, all
wide-brimmed hats and polite curiosity, their attention instantly captured by the small child making his way toward them like he was the official greeter. “Isn’t he just darling?” one of them cooed. “Yes, he is,” I said easily. If there was one thing I could do, it was play to a crowd and I knew Will and Eliza needed every tourist leaving here more invested than they had been when they’d arrived. The tourist money paid for the upke ep of these amazing gardens. “He’s the future Earl of this place too.” “Oh! How marvelous,” another one said as she smiled at him. “Are you his butler?” I nodded with a chuckle. “Today, I am.” Little J soaked up their smiles and attention like he understood his role already. I talked him up like I was personally responsible for improving his r eputation, but I was a proud uncle. “You’ll be the most handsome Earl we’ve ever had,” one of them informed him fondly. I let it go on for a bit, letting them fuss over him and letting him bask in it. Eventually, I guided him away again, back toward a quieter stretch of the garden. We ended up near the pond and I dropped down into the grass while Little J wandered within a safe radius of me. “Don’t fall in,” I said, even though I knew he wouldn’t take my advice seriously. I was just starting to reconsider my decision to bring him near the pond at all when I saw her. Across the garden, walking along the edge of the path, was none other than Jacqueline. Although I hadn’t seen her since the wedding, I immediately knew that it was her. I’d recognize those curves and the way she carried herself from a mile away, that steady confidence that made it look like she expected mountains to part for her rather than having to walk over or around them. She saw me too. I knew it the exact second she recognized me, noticing that slight set of her jaw and the way her chin tilted up ever so slightly. An older woman stood beside her, close enough to suggest familiarity and similar enough to confirm it. She had the same dark hair and whiskey-colored eyes, definitely not Westwood traits. The dark hair maybe, but those eyes? We were famous for our blue eyes—green eyes at most—and that was about the furthest you could get from it. The hair wasn’t the right shade of brown either. Ours tended to be more shades of chocolate, a richer but lighter brown, whereas hers—and the older woman’s—was flatter, ashier, and practically black. I watched them for only a second longer before I decided it would be rude not to introduce them to the little lord of the manor.
“Come on, Little J,” I muttered. “Let’s go say hi to your... aunt.” Pushing to my feet, I brushed grass from my hands and guided him toward them, closing the distance at a relaxed, unhurried pace. Like I hadn’t been thinking inappropriate thoughts about her for the last week. Once I found out we weren’t related, my mind had been conjuring inappropriate thoughts. “Good afternoon,” I said when we reached them, my tone the same smooth, practiced tenor that had gotten me out of trouble more times than I could count. “How are you ladies doing on this fine, summer’s day?” The older woman turned first, her expression warm and open, immediately setting her apart from her daughter. Jacqueline was glaring at me like I’d gotten her favorite TV show canceled. “Hello,” her mom said kindly, her gaze wandering down to the toddler at my side and a smile immediately spreading on her lips. “Oh, hello, precious one. Who are you?” “Jesse,” I offered, even though I knew she hadn’t been talking to me. “Well, both of us are.” Her smile widened. “Stacy Calhoun.” I was already about to start stacking on the charm when Jacqueline spoke up. “He’s a Westwood, Mom. Can’t you tell by the starch in his shirt?” “I have never once starched a shirt,” I said, offended. My gaze snapped to hers, finding her looking at me with her eyes narrowed, assessing and unimpressed in a way that felt targeted. I had absolutely no idea what her problem was, but Stacy blinked, glancing between us before letting out a soft, slightly awkward laugh. “Oh, how nice to meet you. Westwood is my maiden name. Which branch are you from?” “Chicago,” I said. “But yes, our family gets around.” Stacy smiled. “It sure does.” “That’s all you’re getting from us,” Jacqueline said like she was drawing a line I hadn’t even realized I’d crossed. “Okay,” I said slowly, my gaze locked on her captivating golden-brown eyes as I tried to figure out why she looked so disapproving. Women rarely looked so angry at me until after a few nights together, mostly when I didn’t call them. But if I had sl ept with Jacqueline, I would have remembered. The woman was captivating, even with anger flashing in her eyes.
Long before I’d even begun to figure it out, the uncomfortable silence that had suddenly fallen between us was lifted by Will calling my name. “Jesse! Where are you kids?” I turned to see him and Eliza approaching across the lawn, looking a lot more relaxed and rested than when I’d arrived. Both were glancing curiously between me and the women I was with, polite smiles on their faces when they reached us. “There you two are,” Will said, his gaze flicking once again to the women. “Making new friends, I see. I’m Will Westwood and this is my wife, Eliza.” Eliza’s smile was bright. Little J squealed and launched himself at her, and she st epped forward, hoisting him into her arms. I gestured at the Calhouns. “This is Jacqueline and Stacy Calhoun, formerly Westwood. They’re cousins. We met over at Sterling’s last weekend.” Will grinned like I’d handed him a gift. “Oh, wow. It’s so cool to meet you guys. We really wanted to go to the wedding, but with this little guy, it’s just not the best time for us.” Hands were shaken and smiles were exchanged, but Jacqueline still seemed pissed off. Stacy, however, looked a lot happier than her daughter, like she was legitimately happy to meet more of her extended family. “Why don’t you come back to the castle with us?” Eliza offered. “We could give you a proper tour after some tea.” “That sounds wonderful,” Stacy said, clearly delighted. Jacqueline said nothing, just glancing at me briefly like she was taking my measure. We fell into st ep beside each other as the rest of the group moved ahead, Little J already demanding Will’s full attention. I glanced at Jacqueline from the corner of my eye. “So, did you enjoy the wedding?” The stony mask her features had set into didn’t change. “No.” I chuckled. “Cool. It’s good to know I wasn’t the only one.” She finally glanced at me, amusement flickering beneath the surface of those eyes. “You didn’t enjoy it?” “It was painfully boring.” Her eyebrows lifted just a tiny bit. “The whole thing dragged on. Self- indulgent, if you ask me.” “I was over it before they even said their vows,” I admitted, smiling. “True love is for suckers.” I expected her to disagree with me, but she chuckled humorlessly and nodded. “On that, we can agree.”
Interesting. “I even almost learned how to play cricket,” I continued. “And I didn’t even know that was a sport until I got there.” The faintest hint of a smile appeared on her lips. “You honestly didn’t know what it was?” I shook my head as we moved into the house with the others, but somewhere between the entrance hall and whatever room Eliza had been leading us toward, we got s eparated from them. When I realized we were on our own, I headed into the nearest sitting room, gestured at the chairs, and moved toward a small table set up with a tea service. “After you,” I said. “I’m sure they’ll find us soon enough. Tea?” “Please.” She sat in the chair closest to the door, watching me with that same unreadable expression as I poured her a cup. I reached for the coffee pot for myself, fixed a cup, and then turned to hand her drink over. As soon as she reached for her tea, I noticed that she wasn’t wearing an engagement ring. I didn’t mention it, though. Even if Sterling had definitely said she was engaged. I knew better than to just bring up something like that, easing into it instead. “So, are you from around here?” “London,” she r eplied curtly, her eyes on mine, but she didn’t offer anything else or ask me a question in response. I nodded slowly, realizing that she really did seem to have some kind of problem with me. “It must be cool, being able to get out of the city and explore the countryside on a weekend.” She shrugged. “I do it for my mom. She enjoys it.” “Right.” I finally picked up my cup and went to take a seat across from her. “I don’t know much about your side of the family, actually. Where are you from originally?” “Scotland,” she said. “You’re from Chicago, right?” “Yeah, but not originally. My dad moved out to the Midwest to start another division of Westwood and Sons after his dad passed the reins of the head office in California to Uncle Harlan, Sterling’s dad. Have you met him?” “No.” “Oh. I thought you might’ve, given Sterling’s interest in reconnecting the families. Hey, he actually mentioned you at the wedding. He said you were going to get married too? When’s the big day?” Her lips pursed before her gaze sw ept away from mine. Her fingers curled slightly as she tucked them into a loose fist in her lap. “Plans have changed.”
Life taking a sudden detour? I can totally relate. “Yeah,” I said after a moment. “That happens.” She looked at me like she didn’t believe that I could possibly understand, but before I could elaborate, voices filtered back in. The rest of the group reappeared and joined us in the sitting room without any regard for what they might’ve interrupted. The problem with that was I now knew that Jacqueline wasn’t totally unattainable. She was unattached and complicated, and I’d never been particularly good at staying away from complicated. I dragged a hand over my jaw, forcing my attention back to the conversation happening around us, but something else had already taken root. Jacqueline was a stunner, exactly my type. A woman I’d happily take home with me without a second thought. In bed, complicated things had a way of becoming quite simple.