20. Sullivan

20

SULLIVAN

I n an effort to save time, David and I made love in the shower. To think I’d gone from a woman who’d had sex exactly once in her life and wondered what the fuss was about, given the disappointing experience, to one that craved intimacy every waking moment was astounding.

More astonishing was how I wanted to be with David all the time. I’d often wondered, if I did have a boyfriend, if I’d be able to stand his presence more than a few hours a week.

“I’d love to know what you’re thinking,” David said when I pulled the dish that Mrs. Drummond had so kindly prepared for us from the oven.

“How I’m sure you’ll soon be sick of spending time with me.”

He cocked his head, but before he could ask anything more, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in. Happy Christmas,” he said, kissing Mrs. Drummond’s cheek and putting his hand on Gus’ shoulder. The three seemed more like a family than employee, coworker, and duke. I wondered if he realized it.

Thinking about family reminded me I should contact my parents today. I dreaded the stilted, affected conversation, particularly on holidays. My mum would complain about something, usually having to do with me. My father would mutter his hellos and get off the phone as quickly as he could.

I glanced up from where I’d set plates on the counter, along with the bowl of fruit Mrs. Drummond had also prepared. While her back was to the men, I could see her face clearly. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she looked around the festive room.

“Happy Christmas,” I said, walking over and squeezing her hand.

She quickly wiped the tears away and smiled. “It warms my heart to see Thistle Gate this way. It’s been years…” Her voice trailed off, and she flushed as though she hadn’t meant to add the last part.

“Did you spend much time here?” I asked.

“None at all.”

Her words, combined with the way she held her hands at her sides, barely moving otherwise, and her seeming inability to meet my eyes, told me she was lying.

“I feared David and I were keeping you from your home when we decided to stay here rather than at the smaller cottage or the castle.”

She brought her hand to her cheek. “The castle has always been my home.”

While I’d comment on how nice that must be, no doubt the part she lived in was considered servants’ quarters—regardless of how archaic the term was these days.

“Always? Have you lived here all your life?”

Over her shoulder, I noticed both David and Gus listening to the conversation rather than engaging in one of their own.

“My mother, Agnes, was housekeeper here when I was a wean.”

“What of your father?”

She fidgeted and glanced behind her. “Look at me, monopolizing the conversation when it was so very kind of you to invite Angus and me to join you.”

“It was our pleasure,” David said, walking over to stand beside us.

“Not to mention, we have you to thank for our breakfast.” I motioned to the dishes I’d arranged on the counter. “Shall we dine at the table?”

“I’ll help,” David offered, meeting me in the kitchen. He leaned closer and kissed my cheek. “Thank you for doing this. I’m ashamed to say it wouldn’t have occurred to me.”

“She’s clearly touched to be here.”

He glanced over at her. “Which makes me feel even worse.”

I’d say there was more to it, but as it was only conjecture, I held my tongue.

While we ate, David and Gus reminisced about Christmases past, mostly from their childhoods. The stories they told had me giggling to the point of tears.

“May I get you anything else, Mrs. Drummond?” I asked when I noticed her empty plate.

“Mairi, please, dear. And no, I’m quite full, thank you.”

Her gaze traveled from my eyes to the locket. As though my arm had a will of its own, I reached up and fingered it.

“David arranged for Father Christmas to have this delivered this morning,” I said, winking at Gus.

“That’s not all he brought,” said David, pulling the watch from his trouser pocket and holding it out for them to see. “It has an inscription that reads, ‘For all our moments together.’” He reached over and took my hand, and I beamed.

“Mum, are you all right?” Gus asked.

I glanced over at her wide-eyed expression and pale face. “Yes, fine.” Her gaze remained focused on David’s gift. “Wherever did…?” Her voice trailed off like it had earlier.

“I saw it in an advertisement what seems like weeks ago. Your son was gracious enough to secure it for me, thus earning him the Father Christmas moniker.”

“It’s lovely. May I take a closer look?”

“Of course,” said David, handing it to her.

She studied the inscription.

“I’ve no idea who A and A are. The photo I saw of it wasn’t detailed enough for me to notice.”

She nodded but didn’t raise her eyes. “It’s quite old, but still works,” she mumbled.

David’s eyes met mine, then we both looked over at Gus.

“Have you seen the watch before, Mum?” he asked.

Her expression changed from reminiscent to startled. “Of course I haven’t,” she said, plastering what looked like a fake smile on her face.

“It seems you recognize it,” he pressed.

“I’ve seen one similar, is all.” She returned it to David. “It’s a lovely gift. They both are.”

“The locket was my mum’s,” he said. “But you already know that, given you found the photo of Sullivan.”

While she smiled, something about the watch appeared to have rattled her.

I fingered the locket. “I love it, and I never intend to take it off.”

“I see there are more gifts beneath the tree,” said Gus.

“You would take note of that,” David teased. “Are there any with your name?”

“Let’s go look, shall we?” I said, pushing away from the table. “Oh no, leave that right where it is,” I scolded when Mrs. Drummond picked up her plate.

“I’m happy to help.”

I put my hand on her arm. “And I’m happier to have you as our guest.”

Her eyes filled with tears she quickly blinked away. “I’m honored, my lady.”

“Tsk, tsk, Mairi. As I’ve said, please call me Sullivan.” I waved my finger, and she smiled.

“Your grandfather would be so pleased to see it this way,” I heard her say to David.

“Speaking of him,” he left the room and returned a few seconds later, carrying a framed photo. “I saw this the other day.” He handed it to her.

“Ah, look at you wee lads,” said Mairi, running her finger over the frame. “’Twas a favorite of his.”

David looked over at me with a puzzled expression that mirrored my own. Even Gus appeared confused.

“Would you like to have it?” David asked.

“Oh no, I couldn’t,” she said, handing it back to him.

“Please. I’d like you to,” he said, keeping his hands at his sides.

“That’s very kind, but?—”

“It’s a gift, Mum. Say thank you.”

Her cheeks flushed at her son’s admonishment, but she clutched the frame to her chest.

After we opened the gifts beneath the tree, Gus and Mairi thanked us again and bid their goodbyes.

“Is it me, or were her reactions odd?” David asked after closing the door behind them.

“I was going to say the same thing.”

“Perhaps it’s the holidays. We haven’t celebrated them here, at Ashcroft, in years. I typically relieve the staff from their duties the final two weeks of the year, along with the first week of the new year. I asked Gus to inform his mother I didn’t expect her to work this year, but he insisted she’d want to. I should’ve spoken to her directly.”

“I’m sure he was right in saying she’d want to be here.”

“She seemed so sad. It was nearly heartbreaking.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think it was sad as much as nostalgic. Were she and your grandfather close?”

“Close?” He cringed. “No offense to her, but Angus—who I never called Grandfather, by the way—was from a bygone era where the duke and the housekeeper didn’t interact.”

My mouth gaped. “Angus?”

“I know what you’re thinking, but it was Gus’ father’s name.”

“A and A,” I said under my breath.

He raised a brow.

“You’re about to say I should’ve considered a career in fiction writing, aren’t you?”

He smiled. “My apologies for saying that to you before.”

“It wasn’t at all nice.”

“How can I make it up to you?” He wrapped his arms around me.

“I have a few ideas. However, first, I must call my parents.” I grimaced.

“We could’ve figured out a way to visit?—”

I appreciated the offer. “As much as I’m not looking forward to a phone call, spending the day with them would’ve been worse. I should just get it over with.”

“Shall I give you some privacy?”

“I’d rather you not.” I looked around the room, then in the direction of the kitchen. “I don’t suppose there are any spirits stocked in the cottage.”

“I’m sure there are. What do you fancy?” he asked, winking.

“I was kidding.”

David put his hand on my cheek. “You weren’t.”

I nodded. “You’re right. A shot of anything would probably take the edge off.”

He walked down the hallway and returned with a decanter and two glasses. “Angus’ favorite brandy.”

“How long ago did he pass?”

David laughed. “The decanter was empty the last I noticed, so it’s safe to say either Mrs. Drummond or Gus filled it.”

“Thanks,” I said when he handed me the glass he’d poured. “Here goes,” I added after I’d downed it.

“Hello?” my mum answered.

“Happy Christmas,” I said, doing my best to sound sincere.

“ Sullivan? Where in heaven’s name are you?”

“What do you mean? When last we spoke, I informed you I wouldn’t be coming this year.” Or any other year, I thought to myself.

“We’ve been worried sick. Your uncle is here. Hang on, he wants to speak with you.”

“Wait, Mum!”

“Sullivan, we’ve been trying to reach you,” Clive repeated. “Quite urgently, in fact.”

David was seated close enough to hear both sides of the conversation and reached out to take my free hand. “Have you? What ever for?”

“Have you forgotten who you work for?”

Both David and I raised a brow.

“Not any more than I’ve forgotten that I, along with most of the rest of the staff, am on holiday.”

“It’s imperative we meet. Immediately.”

“That won’t be possible.”

“Where are you? I’ll come to you.”

Where? I mouthed to David.

“The States,” he responded when I hit the mobile’s mute button.

“Right. Perfect.” I tapped the button again. “We can get together after the holiday, Clive. I’ll be in town after the first of the year, like always.”

“I said we need to meet immediately. I did not say after the first of the year. If you value your job?—”

“It’s a nine-hour flight from the States,” I blurted, fearing my temper wouldn’t hold much longer.

“What are you doing in America?”

“As I’ve said repeatedly, I’m on holiday. Would you please put my mother back on the line?”

“I’m not finished. I expect you to be on the next flight. Let me know the details.”

I bit my tongue. “My mum, please.”

“I’ll warn you, if you don’t do as I say, you’ll be terminated from your position with the Crown Herald.”

“Terminated. Interesting word choice,” I mumbled.

“What was that?”

“I asked to speak with my mother. Or my father. Either one.”

“Sullivan, please do as your uncle asks,” my mother said when he handed the phone back to her.

“Happy Christmas, Mum. Please give my regards to Dad.”

I hit end on the call, dropped the mobile, and put my head in my hands. “My God,” I muttered.

David tried to pull me into his arms, but I stiffened. “We should speak with Fallon.”

How I loved him for saying we should rather than I should. His support meant everything to me. I didn’t realize how alone I’d been before. “Thank you,” I said, looking into his eyes.

“They’re scheduled to arrive this afternoon. However, I think it would be best if I contacted Con and asked them to come earlier.”

My eyes filled with tears.

“But first, allow me to hold you.”

I fell against him as tears poured from my eyes. He stroked my hair, soothing me as I sobbed.

“I love you, Sullivan,” he said more than once.

My self-pity rose to the surface, and the flow of my tears increased as all I could think was how thankful I was that someone did.

After he held me for several minutes and my tears subsided, I sat up. “Thank you.”

“Thank you ,” he responded.

I shook my head and smiled. “You are a savior—mine, in fact.”

He leaned forward and kissed me. “I’m not being trite when I say you’re mine too.” He reached for his mobile. “I’ll ring Con now.”