Will By the time evening rolled around, I was showered, dried, and finally warm again. The morning rain had soaked straight through my clothes during that walk with Eliza and I’d spent all afternoon hunched over ledgers in James’s study, going over the estate’s books. To his credit, he’d let me review everything I’d asked for, tax filings, land leases, restoration costs, and even operating expenses for the farms. As far as I could tell, nothing had been hidden and he hadn’t tried to soften the blow of finding out just how costly this operation was. Instead, he’d readily supplied me with the information and left me to do the relentless math surrounding the maintenance on a place like this. The conclusion I’d come to was that castles were financial sinkholes. Knowing what I did now, I was suddenly a lot less jealous of Sterling for having bought one. Ever since he’d broken the news to us, I’d sort of been toying with the idea of following in his footst eps at the back of my mind, but shit. It was absolutely insane how much it cost ke eping the lights on in a place like this, which meant Eliza hadn’t been exaggerating earlier. If anything, she’d been understating it. Wanting to ke ep the castle because it was home was one thing, but purchasing one just for shits and giggles like my cousin had done seemed completely fucking crazy. If Eliza was going to be mine instead of Jesse’s, I would have been on the phone to Sterling already, finding out if he had any cost-cutting hints or tips for how to help her with this place. Sterling was nothing if not focused and pragmatic. Not blinded by history or tradition as the Rodericks might be, it was possible he had figured out a better way of doing things by now, especially since he wasn’t known for wasting money. But she wasn’t going to be mine. All of that would be Jesse’s to figure out when he finally st epped in. So I simply let Aaron help me into my tuxedo. He’d insisted. Personally, I felt like I was being dressed for a state function by an extremely cheerful valet. “Left arm, sir.” I lifted my arm and Aaron slid the jacket on with professional precision, st epping back to inspect his work once my arm was in. Once I’d gotten back from James’s study, he’d appeared in my room as suddenly as he had every morning. It kind of made me wonder if they had some kind of bell on me, or an alarm that blared somewhere as soon as I walked into the room.
“You wear formal attire well,” he said approvingly, distracting me from asking how he’d known I was back. Miriam probably told him, actually. “This is a real culture shock,” I admitted, grinning at him and deciding to go along with it since he seemed to be enjoying himself so much. “I’ve been dressing myself for thirty-one years and I’ve never known there’s a proper order for it.” He let a smile slip before he caught himself and schooled his features. “You’ll get used to it, sir.” “I’m not sure I will.” After swe eping a critical eye over me, he took a st ep forward again and adjusted the collar slightly. “His Lordship doesn’t host guests very often. It’s something of a rare occasion, so perhaps you’re correct and you won’t have to get used it.” I frowned. “Really? It kind of feels like the kind of thing that should happen pretty often around here.” Aaron turned me to face the mirror and glanced at me in the reflection. “No, sir. It’s not often anymore at all.” “Okay.” I held his gaze, not wanting to pry so much that he would get in trouble, but he was my guide as well as my insider. I needed him right now. “In that case, what kind of events do you usually host here? Everyone seems way too practiced at this whole getting the place ready thing for people who never do it.” “Lady Elizabeth brings in producers sometimes.” “Producers?” “Yes, sir. For period pieces. Films or television shows. They like to use the grounds.” After smoothing one of my sleeves, he st epped back again. “We also host hunting parties for exclusive guests during the season.” “She runs those too?” I asked before I could stop myself. “Damn.” “Yes, sir.” I watched him carefully in the reflection, trying to gauge whether I should push my luck any further than I already had. But fuck it. Aaron was clearly feeling chatty tonight and I—I mean, Jesse—should have all the information I get could get. “Does she ever take breaks?” He didn’t even hesitate before he shook his head. “No, sir.” As soon as he said it, I was thinking about the old rectory again. About the way Eliza had leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. How she’d looked so peaceful this morning. Like those walks might be the only chance she’d get to breathe all day. Something about that memory tried to rewire a small part of my brain, but since I couldn’t allow that to happen, I refocused on Aaron and frowned. “I still can’t believe James doesn’t host much. I honestly thought they’d be having galas in the ballroom every
weekend.” “No, sir,” he said immediately. “His Lordship isn’t even here every weekend. He spends most of his time in London, actually.” My eyebrows shot up, shock trickling through me. “Are you serious?” Aaron nodded. “I believe he has a second residence there, sir. Some years ago, he relocated and we’ve not seen him back here often since.” “So it’s just Eliza here, then,” I murmured, more to myself than to him, but he obviously heard me anyway. “Yes, sir.” It was almost impossible to comprehend, her living here by herself full- time, running the estate and managing the land while simultaneously hosting productions, coordinating hunting parties, and ke eping the old property from collapsing under its own weight. Aaron thankfully didn’t seem to notice how stunned I was. He just st epped back again, a much more satisfied expression on his face now. “There we are.” I glanced down at the tux, not even really sure what all he’d done or fixed since the last time he’d admired his handiwork, but I smiled anyway. “Thanks, Aaron.” “My pleasure, sir,” he said, looking genuinely pleased with the outcome. “Dinner will be served shortly.” Right. Dinner. The dinner that would end with me—actually, Jesse— becoming an engaged man. “Awesome.” I doubted he’d heard my sarcasm, or maybe he had, but he hung around anyway until I headed downstairs a few minutes later. Voices drifted faintly from somewhere de eper in the house and I followed those, hoping I wouldn’t get lost again. On the other hand, maybe getting lost would buy me some time to get my head wrapped around what I’d just learned about my brother’s bride. I sighed out loud, halfway down the hall when someone st epped out from a side doorway. “Mr. Westwood.” Michael appeared from the shadows, holding a thin folder out toward me. “I’m glad I caught you. I have the finalized contract for you to review. All the points Elizabeth requested have been added.”
After today, it was almost jarring to hear someone refer to her by her given name without the Lady in front of it. Yet she’d been introduced to me back in the day as Eliza, and to me, at least, that was what she would always be. I took the folder and flipped it open right there, scanning the first page. At first glance, everything looked exactly the same as the draft I’d reviewed earlier and I glanced up at him, annoyance surging through me. “Did you include the updated funds I asked for?” His jaw hardened for a beat before he nodded curtly. “Yes, Mr. Westwood. The revised amount has been added to the agreement.” Good. The rising annoyance subsided instantly. This is why they pay these guys the big bucks. They sure know how to get the job done. “Thanks, Mike.” He gestured lightly toward a console table nearby. “If you’d like to review it, I’ve got my laptop on hand in case we need to make any changes before you sign.” Taking his advice, I went over to the table and sat down, reading through the document clause by clause to ensure that all Eliza’s protections were there. Although Jesse would have to agree to all this too, I’d made sure that she maintained control of the estate and I looked over the investment structure too, the restoration allocations, as well as the additional amount I’d had them add this afternoon. Michael waited patiently until I finished, and when I finally closed the folder, he took a few st eps closer. I nodded, not making him wait for my approval. “This is fine.” “Very well,” he said, then hesitated for a beat. “Are you sure about—” “Yes,” I cut him off, narrowing my eyes just enough to let him know this wasn’t up for discussion. “It’s done.” Now all we had to do was sign. With that thought in mind, I turned and finally made my way to James’s office. Eliza was already there when I walked in, standing near the desk in a navy blue silk dress that caught the light when she moved. When I saw her, I swore I forgot how to walk for a second. The dress wasn’t flashy, no glitter or heavy embellishments, but the clean lines draped perfectly over her shoulders and accentuated every curve. It was dangerous for being exactly what it was, simple and elegant, suiting her so well that it should’ve been a crime. “Good evening.” I dipped my head slightly in greeting, mostly so no one would see me bite my lip like an idiot, but the movement gave me an excuse to steal another glance at her through my lashes.
Naturally, she noticed, but her father st epped forward before I could see her reaction. “Jesse, it’s good of you to join us.” Michael had followed me in, nodding at James before he went to stand next to the desk. Eliza was holding the contract in her hands, reading it over while James launched into an explanation of their family traditions. “... a long history of alliances,” he was saying to Michael. “These things used to be arranged all the time among families of similar standing—” The lawyer nodded politely, but I tuned in and out, mostly just watching Eliza carefully look over every page of the contract. I was trying my best not to stare but failed miserably. God, she’s beautiful. All that golden hair had been pinned back from her face this evening, falling in loose waves behind her back. Her brow furrowed slightly as she turned another page. Then she reached the financial section and her lips parted, her reaction small but unmistakable. She looked up immediately, her gaze flying to her father first, but he was still talking about tradition like he was delivering a lecture, so she turned to me. As soon as our eyes met, I had a feeling that she knew, but I gave my head a small shake and nodded toward the contract. “It’s fine,” I mouthed. “Sign.” For a moment, she just k ept looking at me, but then her shoulders lowered on a quiet breath and she reached for the pen. Her hand trembled slightly as she picked it up, flipping through the rest of the pages until she found where we needed her name. James finally wound down his explanation as he looked at her, his voice bright and happy. “Well then, if everything is in order?” Eliza nodded, her name flowing across the paper in elegant script as she signed and passed the pen to me. Our fingertips brushed when I took it from her, and the contact felt like an electrical pulse against my skin, brief but shocking. My brain short-circuited, my entire being overwhelmed by just that one, simple touch, but I swallowed hard and forced myself to focus. All I had to do was sign. It just took everything I had to break eye contact, make my body bend over, and scribble my name on the empty line. As soon as it was done, I handed the contract back to the lawyer, my skin still buzzing and my head still more out of it than was reasonable. Holy hell. I’m getting in trouble here. De ep, de ep trouble.
Michael quickly reviewed the signatures, nodding his satisfaction before he looked back up. “Excellent. We’re all done here.” Behind him, James looked genuinely thrilled. “Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.” I st epped back and reached into my jacket pocket, doing my best to just ke ep going through the motions. My thoughts were still swimming, my mind glitching completely at the fact that such a simple touch had affected me so profoundly. That’s just stupid. It’s impossible. “Right. There’s also this.” The ring box was weirdly heavy as I lifted it out of my pocket. I wasn’t a fan of the ring inside, but Jane and Kate had chosen it. Apparently, they’d spent two hours debating diamond shapes before landing on this particular monstrosity. I slid my thumb into the groove and popped open the box, only just managing not to wince when I got my second look of the ring they’d sent with me. It was a lot. A large diamond in a halo setting with extra stones on the band. It glittered like it was trying to blind someone, too big and too busy for Eliza, and judging by the look on her face when I took her hand, she thought the same. Still, she didn’t protest as I slid it onto her finger under the watchful eyes of her father and our family lawyer. Once again, the only thing I could think about was what her hand felt like in mine, the electricity that seemed to hum right underneath my skin as soon as it was in contact with hers. For a brief moment, her eyes lifted to mine and something sharp twisted in my chest, so cutting that it physically hurt as I held her gaze. She isn’t mine. This isn’t real. Even thinking that I might want her to be was crazy, but in that moment, with her hand in mine and that god-awful ring sitting between us, I had a brief flash of it. Possessiveness. Want. A longing for a future that wasn’t mine. “Magnificent,” James said as he leaned over to get a better look. Meanwhile, Michael was already pr eparing to leave, extending a hand toward me first. “I should be on my way shortly. I’m not a big fan of haunted castles and I have a flight back to Chicago tonight anyway.” Before anyone could respond, Miriam appeared in the doorway like she’d been summoned by the universe itself, her all-seeing eyes focused intently on the lawyer. “If you’ll come with me.” He seemed as surprised as I was at her appearance, but he nodded and st epped toward her. “Yes, of course.”
“I’ll see that you’re given a glass of brandy and a quiet dinner before you leave,” she said, waving for him to follow as she left the room. “Stunning,” he muttered, not arguing with her at all. Miriam seemed to have that effect on people. Within seconds, Michael had shaken everyone’s hands and he was gone. James went to a cabinet behind his desk, pulling out a bottle of scotch I’d never seen the label of before. “This calls for a proper toast.” He produced three glasses from behind the desk as well, making me wonder what else he had back there as he poured amber liquid into each glass. “It’s nearly impossible to find this stuff these days. Very rare, but befitting of the occasion.” He handed one glass to Eliza and another to me, then lifted his own and grinned between us. “To the newly engaged couple.” Eliza lifted her glass politely, but I saw the way her nose wrinkled when she leaned forward slightly to sniff at the liquid. When James turned to set the bottle on the cabinet behind his desk, I reached over and snagged Eliza’s glass right out of her hand, quickly bringing it to my lips and swigging down the contents. All of it. Just as James turned back around, I quickly pressed the empty glass back into her hand and took a long drink from my own. Eliza’s mouth parted slightly in surprise, but instead of calling attention to what I’d just done, she gave me a small, soft smile that hit me right in the chest. James raised his glass to me again, practically beaming as his gaze held mine. “To the future, son. May it be bright and filled with as many boys as your father was blessed with.” We clinked glasses and I took yet another sip of my drink, but even as I tried to fight it, another thought had started taking root in my head. I wonder how badly Alex and Dad really need Jesse to get married. Because if I didn’t start putting some distance between myself and Eliza soon, she might be exactly the kind of woman I’d fall in love with. Only, for as long as my family k ept insisting that it had to be Jesse, she would never be mine—and neither would any of those sons James had just mentioned.