“First door on the left as soon as you reach the top.”
The upstairs room had an old-school charm. With floral wallpaper and an iron bed frame, it looked like a life-sized version of a 1970’s dollhouse bedroom. The bed was creaky and a bit uncomfortable, but it would obviously have to do.
After I situated my bags in a corner, I went back downstairs.
Lavinia had already set the table in the kitchen. The tea water began boiling on the stove.
“Are you hungry for a meal, my dear?”
“No, thank you. I ate something at the airport when I landed.”
She placed a plate of cookies in front of me. “What brings you to Westfordshire?”
She had to know who Leo Covington was, so no way was I going to mention his name. I kept things generic.
“I’ve come to reconnect with a man from my past,” I said as she poured the tea.
She leaned in. “Well, that might be the most exciting thing I’ve heard around here in a while.”
I took a sip and laughed. “It’s more terrifying than exciting, actually.”
“Tell me the story.”
Without getting into specifics, I told her about the summer I fell for a handsome, charming British man from Westfordshire who swept me off my feet. I ended with the gist of the letter.
“It’s just so romantic,” she gushed.
“It is, but equally scary. I wish I’d gotten the letter when it arrived two months earlier. At this point, he’s likely assumed I received it and chose not to answer him. It’s going to be quite a shock to see me.” My heart sank. “This might not end well, Lavinia.”
She pushed the plate of cookies closer. “Have hope. If it’s meant to be, all will work out in the end.” Lavinia tilted her head. “Is there a reason you chose not to call him first?”
“I decided it would be more meaningful if I just came. This seems too important for a phone call. If he doesn’t see me in the flesh, he won’t truly know whether the feelings he thinks he has are really there. I need to see the look in his eyes, you know?”
“I think the poor bloke might have a heart attack.”
I cringed. “I hope not.”
“That wouldn’t be a very good ending to the story, now would it?” She carefully stood from her chair. “Well, if I’d known what you were about to embark on, I would have offered you something a lot stronger than tea.”
I chuckled, remembering my first tea with Leo and Sig, which turned into tea-quila.
“Can I interest you in something to calm you before bed?” she asked.
I was just about to refuse, because it was way too late to be drinking, but then I noticed what was in her hand: a bottle of Fireball.
My eyes widened. “You drink Fireball?”
“Well, I have a few different options. But this is my favorite, yes. Do you not like it?”
“That’s not it. It’s… Well, someone who was very special to me who’s since passed away—that was her favorite drink. I can’t help but think you taking that out was a message from her.”
“Well, see, now you must have a drink before bed.” She poured some Fireball into a small glass for me.
“Thank you,” I said as I gulped it down.
“There you go.” She laughed.
There was nothing like that spicy burn. Definitely not my favorite, but it would be forever special because Mrs. Angelini had loved it so much.
I took my glass to the sink. “I’m really grateful to have found this place. It has the comfort of home that I appreciate tonight. I’m so nervous, and it’s nice to know I have a place to come back to tomorrow if all doesn’t work out in my favor.”
“Well, for the record, I don’t have anyone else booked for the foreseeable future. So, even if things don’t work out, I hope you’ll stay a while and enjoy Westfordshire, enjoy the reprieve from home.”
I smiled, but if Leo sent me packing, I’d be leaving this countryside faster than a bat out of hell.
The following morning, my nerves were completely shot. Lavinia made me some tea and eggs. I forced everything down so I’d have some energy. I’d called a car service to drive me to Leo’s property, and my ride would be here any minute.
I’d chosen a simple black dress for the occasion of either getting my heart broken or reuniting with the love of my life. I’d also opted to wear Leo’s grandfather’s ring around my neck. I hadn’t taken it off since I found it in Mrs. Angelini’s cookie canister.
When my car pulled up, Lavinia gave me a hug, and I greeted my driver and got in. As he took off down the road, I gave him the address of my destination.
“Do you have an appointment at Covington Manor, miss?” he asked.