Chapter
Fifty-four
At
the mansion
Darcy drove leisurely down the country lane
ways and Paige was shocked when he pulled into a long driveway with wrought
iron gates and the Donovan family crest on the front. The centuries-old Donovan
mansion, standing majestically amidst acres of well-kept gardens, was more than
impressive.
“Wow,” Paige said.
Darcy pulled over, parked the car and walked
around to open the door for her.
“Do you like it?”
“Wow… um, yes,” Paige added (sounding and
feeling very American), “Are you trying to impress me?”
“Of course.”
Darcy stopped smiling when he noticed all
the cars parked around the side of the Donovan mansion.
He grimaced.
“I’d forgotten with all the… excitement.
Brunch. I was just coming here to show you around, was sure my great-aunt and
everyone else was in London for the day.”
Darcy checked his text.
He looked dismayed.
“They changed their minds. They’re expecting
me for brunch.” Darcy raised his eyebrow and paused a moment. “Do you mind? My great-aunt
is a real snob.”
Paige shrugged, annoyed that he was
ditching her. This was the final chance he’d ever get… “I suppose I could… call
a taxi.”
“Are you kidding? I want you to come with
me. It should only take an hour or two… then we could go back to the village
and hang out…”
Paige
half-smiled.
“Okay, but is there a train station nearby?
Cos if they’re mean to me, I’m out of here.”
Darcy laughed as they walked inside.
“I’ll do my best to protect you.”
As Paige and Darcy were entering the house,
a young girl in a riding outfit came running down the stairs, a few years
younger than Darcy.
“Darcy! Darcy! I’m so glad you are here. Great
aunt Donovan gave up on you coming and has taken everyone to the Bingley’s for
tea.” (Ryan’s family had rented the
mansion nearby). Paige breathed a sigh of relief.
Blair stopped at the front door and smiled.
“Oh, you must be Paige. Take me with you
both, I have my boots on… she leaned in… great-aunt is trying to take me with
her. When she returns she wants me to help sort her art collection. Arghh! Save me!”
Darcy laughed. “Never mind, it’s only a few
days before we get to go home,” he whispered.
Blair breathed a sigh of relief, audibly.
They bundled the extra food Blair had
packed, into a basket, including a blanket and walked over to the stables,
where some horses were already saddled.
A teenage boy named Jethro was the summer
groom and already he and Blair had become friends. You could tell by the way
they smiled at each other. Blair talked on and Darcy couldn’t get over how much
happier his younger sister seemed. When Blair and Jethro went riding, Darcy
suggested he and Paige eat lunch in the adjoining meadows where there was a good
place to sit by the lake.
And so, their true romance began.
