Her lips curved into a pleased smile. Good choice, Winter. “Let’s sit, and we can catch up.”
I followed her to a set of wicker chairs that faced the glass wall. She glanced at the phone she’d been holding and tapped the screen a few times. “There. Refreshments will be here shortly. Arlo’s son, Weston—he has two sons, you know—is a bit of a technological genius. He devised this app that does all sorts, including sending orders to the staff. Very useful.”
I mentally filed away that morsel of information about Weston for future reference and sat back in the chair, turning to my mother.
“At the moment, as I’m sure you are aware, we’re in the orangery. I suppose you would be more likely to call it a conservatory.” She sniffed, then waved her hand around to encompass the large space. “Arlo loves his plants, as you can see. This house has been in the Cavendish family for generations. Arlo and I live here alone for the most part, along with the staff, but Caiden and Weston still have their old rooms here.”
At the mention of Caiden’s name, a shiver ran through me. My mother looked at me strangely but continued speaking. “I took the liberty of having one of the spare rooms cleared for you, should you wish to stay over at any time.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Well, I can’t have those boys having more than my own daughter, can I?” Her mouth twisted, and the way she’d spat “those boys” told me a lot. There was clearly no love lost between them, although she’d seemed impressed with Weston’s technological prowess only moments ago. I had a sudden horrible feeling that my mother’s distaste had something to do with Caiden being so hostile towards me. I hoped I wouldn’t get caught up in the middle of some game of one-upmanship, because I had zero desire to be involved in any of that.
“I’m on the board of directors of Alstone Holdings. We practically run this town.”
I nodded—this wasn’t new information to me, but I needed to get every bit of information I could from her. We were practically strangers, after being estranged for so long, but from the information I did have on her, I knew that she was a hard woman who didn’t appreciate idle conversation. “How many people are on the board, and what do you do?”
She looked pleased at my question. “It’s nice to have someone take an interest. Those boys have no desire to learn more about the company they will one day inherit shares in. Not to mention, they’ll becom
e board members once they turn twenty-one and graduate from university.” She tutted disapprovingly. “Alstone Holdings owns most of the land in this town. In addition, they construct properties all over the country. There are three families that own the company—by marriage I am now part of those three. The Cavendish family, the Drummond family, and the Lowry family.”
I listened intently, filing away every piece of information she gave me. What had happened to my dad on the night of his death? There had to be a connection here, and every single instinct within me screamed that my mother was the key to solving this puzzle.
At the moment, though, I had questions and no answers.
I leaned forwards, opening my mouth to ask another question, when her phone buzzed.
“Oh. We’re being summoned, I’m afraid. No time for drinks now. Dinner is served.”
Walking back down the long corridor, we entered a large, dimly lit wood-panelled room, with a long, mahogany dining table in the centre.
“Darling. There you are.” A tall, imposing man stood and walked across to where I’d stopped, hovering in the doorway. I barely noticed him, though. Sitting at the table, turned around to face me with a small smile on his lips, was Weston. And opposite Weston, hostility pouring off him just as it had done the first time I’d seen him, was Caiden.
With an effort, I dragged my focus away from Caiden and looked up at the man who was now standing in front of me, radiating disinterest.
“Arlo. And you must be Winter.” He shook my hand briefly, then, dismissing me, kissed my mother’s cheek and headed back to his chair.
My mother directed me to a seat opposite her.
Next to Caiden.
Fucking great.
Sliding into my seat, I was all too aware of the way he held himself, his posture tense, his eyes glittering dangerously. Every sense I possessed was on high alert, but despite his reaction, despite the fact that he clearly despised me, I couldn’t stop the shiver that went through my entire body at his proximity.
“Have you met my sons yet?” Arlo’s loud boom made me jump, and I heard Weston snigger.
Assholes. The words came out before I could censor them. “Yeah, we met. I wasn’t impressed.”
Arlo’s eyebrows shot up.
“Winter Huntington!” My mother’s scandalised hiss cut through the sudden silence.
Shit.
My mouth was so dry. I needed a drink.
“Not impressed?” Caiden’s voice, deceptively calm, came from next to me. “Is that why you decided to hook up with the campus manwhore?”