will show her my house. Then we will make it our home and fill it with beautiful children, as many as she‘d like.”
“Your home? I thought you lived here?” Ana felt confused. She didn’t think Stavros made much money as a butler or servant, or what ever his title was, she was still unsure of that, but she couldn’t imagine he made enough money to buy more than a small flat. “I didn’t realize you had a place. Is it in London?”
“No, I have a castle, ten minutes from here. I know she will love it because she has seen it up on the hill when we have driven into town and she speaks of its beauty. I just haven’t told her that it is mine yet.”
“You have a castle?” Anna stuttered.
“Yes, my family estate, it’s been in the family for generations.” He stated matter-of-factly.
“But why do you work here? As a butler?”
Stavros shot Ana a glare. “I am not a butler! I am a personal investment adviser, hired by Austin to help plan for Jennifer and Austin’s future. He insisted that I stay here at the manor to see his work, see how he produced his art and advise him on the works he had completed. When he saw the friendship Jennifer and I developed, he encouraged it and I enjoyed being able to help out around the manor. I cook because it’s a passion of mine and it helps me clear my head.”
“Austin was never jealous?”
“Of course he was, but not for the reasons that you believe. Austin was jealous of the time I spent with Jennifer because it was time that he couldn’t. His work drove him, his inspirations would not let him rest. He trusted Jennifer and myself, knowing that neither one of us would betray their marriage vows. I do have honor, Ana.”
“I apologize if I offended you, it was truly not my intention. I haven’t been blessed in my life to meet such honorable people, please forgive my intrusive questions.”
Stavros softened and nodded. “It is forgiven. I, like Jennifer, find you warm and kind, almost childlike in your innocent but direct questioning. It’s easy to see, after one gets to know you, that you are truly oblivious in personal relationships.”
“Oh, er, I think I’m supposed to take that as a compliment.” Ana bristled slightly.
“Please do, as that is the manner in which it is said.”
“Hey guys! I thought we weren’t supposed to have brunch for another hour!” Jennifer’s cheery voice shocked both of them as they whirled their heads in her direction.
“Forgive me, Ana and I were lingering over a cup of coffee. If you are hungry, I will start on our meal now, I have some thinking to do.” Stavros stood and started towards the stove.
“Relax, please! I was only teasing. I figured since it was just the three of us, we could drive in to London and indulge in some scones this morning.”
“Just the three of us?” Ana asked, feeling her heart drop.
“Yep, didn’t Rick find you? He received a call early this morning about a problem with his publisher, deadline conflicts, I think. God knows they work him to death. Anyway, he had to take a flight out this morning.” Jennifer frowned at the clock. “I think his flight is taking off right now. Ana, are you okay? You look a little pale.”
Ana felt dizzy and sick, her thoughts jumbled and she was unsure of what to say.
“She’s fine, just a little tired this morning from last night’s activities. We can wait an hour if you’d like to go to your room and rest for a little while.”
Ana looked at him and smiled gratefully. “Yes, just a little bit, please. I’m still a little fatigued from last night.”
Jennifer looked at her, worry showing all over her face. “We don’t have to go today, we could do it another time and you can get some more sleep.”
Ana gave her a reassuring smile. “Absolutely not! I would love to go into London. I haven’t spent enough time in your beautiful capital. I’ll be ready in an hour, promise!” She squeezed Stavros arm and walked out of the room.
After Ana left the room,
“Your home? I thought you lived here?” Ana felt confused. She didn’t think Stavros made much money as a butler or servant, or what ever his title was, she was still unsure of that, but she couldn’t imagine he made enough money to buy more than a small flat. “I didn’t realize you had a place. Is it in London?”
“No, I have a castle, ten minutes from here. I know she will love it because she has seen it up on the hill when we have driven into town and she speaks of its beauty. I just haven’t told her that it is mine yet.”
“You have a castle?” Anna stuttered.
“Yes, my family estate, it’s been in the family for generations.” He stated matter-of-factly.
“But why do you work here? As a butler?”
Stavros shot Ana a glare. “I am not a butler! I am a personal investment adviser, hired by Austin to help plan for Jennifer and Austin’s future. He insisted that I stay here at the manor to see his work, see how he produced his art and advise him on the works he had completed. When he saw the friendship Jennifer and I developed, he encouraged it and I enjoyed being able to help out around the manor. I cook because it’s a passion of mine and it helps me clear my head.”
“Austin was never jealous?”
“Of course he was, but not for the reasons that you believe. Austin was jealous of the time I spent with Jennifer because it was time that he couldn’t. His work drove him, his inspirations would not let him rest. He trusted Jennifer and myself, knowing that neither one of us would betray their marriage vows. I do have honor, Ana.”
“I apologize if I offended you, it was truly not my intention. I haven’t been blessed in my life to meet such honorable people, please forgive my intrusive questions.”
Stavros softened and nodded. “It is forgiven. I, like Jennifer, find you warm and kind, almost childlike in your innocent but direct questioning. It’s easy to see, after one gets to know you, that you are truly oblivious in personal relationships.”
“Oh, er, I think I’m supposed to take that as a compliment.” Ana bristled slightly.
“Please do, as that is the manner in which it is said.”
“Hey guys! I thought we weren’t supposed to have brunch for another hour!” Jennifer’s cheery voice shocked both of them as they whirled their heads in her direction.
“Forgive me, Ana and I were lingering over a cup of coffee. If you are hungry, I will start on our meal now, I have some thinking to do.” Stavros stood and started towards the stove.
“Relax, please! I was only teasing. I figured since it was just the three of us, we could drive in to London and indulge in some scones this morning.”
“Just the three of us?” Ana asked, feeling her heart drop.
“Yep, didn’t Rick find you? He received a call early this morning about a problem with his publisher, deadline conflicts, I think. God knows they work him to death. Anyway, he had to take a flight out this morning.” Jennifer frowned at the clock. “I think his flight is taking off right now. Ana, are you okay? You look a little pale.”
Ana felt dizzy and sick, her thoughts jumbled and she was unsure of what to say.
“She’s fine, just a little tired this morning from last night’s activities. We can wait an hour if you’d like to go to your room and rest for a little while.”
Ana looked at him and smiled gratefully. “Yes, just a little bit, please. I’m still a little fatigued from last night.”
Jennifer looked at her, worry showing all over her face. “We don’t have to go today, we could do it another time and you can get some more sleep.”
Ana gave her a reassuring smile. “Absolutely not! I would love to go into London. I haven’t spent enough time in your beautiful capital. I’ll be ready in an hour, promise!” She squeezed Stavros arm and walked out of the room.
After Ana left the room,
Similar Books
