Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

J ackson

I shower and dress with care. I want to look smart, but not too smart. In the end, I decide against jeans and go with some black trousers, and a blue linen shirt with thin stripes. It's probably the best thing in my wardrobe. I wasn't thinking about smart clothes when I packed up my bags to leave. Darla whistles at me as I walk through the bar.

"You gotta date?" she calls out.

"I wish," I dart back, lifting my hand in a wave as I head out the door before she can say anything else. It seems wrong to go to a dinner party without taking some wine, so I picked up a bottle from the grocery store on my way back earlier that afternoon. The store has a decent selection, which shouldn't really have surprised me given the nature of Larchdown. Eventually, I settled on a red—a merlot—if they don't like it, at least I will.

I'm more than a little nervous when I knock on the front door. I'm not sure if I should've gone round to the kitchen, but then this is different to the everyday—tonight I'm a guest. Luca answers the door, and I'm pleased I got the tone right with the clothes. He's dressed in dark grey trousers and a lighter grey shirt. It looks really good with his dark hair, which he has tied back. Oh yes. He looks really good. His eyes light up when he sees me, too.

"I do have clothes other than jeans and checked shirts you know." He laughs, which sends shivers up my spine. I distract myself by thrusting the bottle of wine at him.

"Thank you, come on in. Anna has banned me from the kitchen so we might as well get comfortable in the lounge."

I step into the large hall. I haven't been in this part of the house, only the kitchen and washroom. The hall is wood panelled and has a wide, dog-leg staircase, that goes up one side and across the back, to a landing that runs the length of the house. There are several doorways off the hall, and one which is next to the stairs. It's open and, judging by the noise and the divine smells coming from it, goes to the back of the house and the kitchen.

Luca leads the way to a room off the hallway, to the right. It's old-fashioned, but in keeping with the house, and the furniture is well made. Several sofas and armchairs gather round a large fireplace, with a coffee table in the centre, and there are a few cabinets and bookcases against the walls. Luca heads towards one of the cabinets, putting the wine down on it.

"Anna has already chosen what we'll be drinking with the meal, but can I get you something first? A whisky, or a vodka? I've stocked up the drinks cabinet and can make you a martini—Bond style."

I accept whisky, but notice that he doesn't make anything for himself. He joins me on one of the sofas.

"Can I help?"

" I can't even help. In my own house! Anna's also banned me from the dining room. She threw brilliant dinner parties in London, so when she saw this house, she declared we were going to have one. I think she was very pleased at the prospect of inviting a guest, too—she's decorated the dining room. I think she imagines she's in Downton Abbey."

"She would make a great Lady Downton, or a Lady Larchdown." I smile.

"Don't give her ideas," Luca laughs. "I love her, but I couldn't live with her."

"Live with whom?" Anna appears with a tray of canapés which she places on the coffee table.

"You," Luca replies.

"Quite right, but be a dear and fix me a vodka, would you? I'm parched from being in the kitchen."

She takes off the apron she has covering her own well-cut, wide-legged black trousers, and cream blouse with its frilled front and deep v almost to the waist. She's stylish, and I'm even more glad I didn't wear jeans.

"Right, canapés now, then half an hour until you're allowed in the dining room."