The Burlington Manor Affair

It wasn’t an immediate acceptance, but when he walked into that house the year he finished school and had some months to wile away before university, it felt so different that it was hard to cast aspersions on the new arrangements. He tried for a while, solemnly resenting the happy family he found ensconced there. Sylvia had a knack with people, though, and then there was Carmen. Just thinking about her made him feel more focused on making this right.

Carmen must’ve found it difficult, too, back then. Why did I never consider that? That first summer he’d given her a hard time and treated her like a spoiled brat. By the following Christmas, however, the time they spent together had a decidedly different mood to it.

“It’s a big burden he’s left you with.” The sound of his mother’s voice snapped him back to the moment. “I can see it’s taking its toll on you. You didn’t even look this distracted when your first prototypes were being put to test.”

Rex smiled. “Sorry. It’s pretty weird going back there after all these years and trying to piece together what happened.”

She rested her elbows on the table and meshed her fingers. “Rex, you know your own mind, and I’ve always been able to rely on you to make the best decisions in life. I will, however, remind you that your business should be your first consideration. Don’t let that pile of old stones and its weird history drain your energies. You can’t afford to let Slipstream suffer.”

“You’re quite right, and I do appreciate your wisdom on this.”

His mother relaxed visibly. “So, you’re going to get it on the market as soon as possible.” She opened her bag as she spoke. “Auctioning it off will be the quickest route, and you’ll be able to invest the proceeds in your business, which is a much more viable and creative pursuit than anything your father ever did.” She smiled at him proudly. “You’ll be done and back in London within the month.”

Rex lifted his eyebrows at her. “As I mentioned at the outset, it’s not quite as simple as that. I don’t have sole ownership.”

His mother had been looking for something in her handbag but she stopped. Her head jerked up to look at him. “Really? Who did he...” She paused and then nodded. “Sylvia Shelby’s daughter. Carmen, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Carmen.”

“Second wives always benefit. They get it easy, while first wives get the tough years followed by the wreckage that comes with a man’s midlife crisis.”

Rex suddenly remembered why he’d been agreeable to the ban on discussing his father all these years. The bad feeling was never far away. He sympathized with his mother, and for many years he’d also been angry at his father. It was hard for her, finding out that her husband had a mistress, but Rex didn’t like the bitterness he saw in his mother’s expression. It was still eating away at her even after all these years. “Sylvia Shelby died a tragic death. She’s hardly benefited.”

“You know what I mean. Her daughter benefited.”

“And so has your son.”

“Of course, you’re Charles’s heir.”

“And, as you so rightly pointed out, Sylvia’s financial support and the work she did on Burlington Manor kept it afloat.”

His mother shrugged and went back to her handbag, pulling out a powder compact and opening it up to check her appearance in the mirror. “From what I’ve heard, Carmen Shelby doesn’t need the money. Her PR person is a friend of a friend. Her business has an excellent turnover and keeps her very busy.”

“That is the case, yes.”

She tucked her compact away and then studied him.

Her scrutiny was top form. He shuffled in his seat and fiddled with his wineglass. “Carmen doesn’t want to sell.”

“I’m surprised. But what’s the problem? Why don’t you just let her buy you out?”

“Because I don’t want to let her buy me out.”

“Good grief, Rex. It’s the past, let it go.”

He stared across at her, wanting to tell her it wasn’t just the past. He never discussed his relationships with his mother.

Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. “Surely you can’t be serious...you haven’t got the hots for your half sister?”

Rex’s mood shifted in an instant. “Stepsister. Ex-stepsister even. We’re not blood related.”

“Well, clearly you do have the hots for her.”

Damn it. She’d phrased her question that way in order to trap him into a confession.

“What about that attractive model you’re seeing, Kelly, isn’t it?”

“That was over weeks ago. I didn’t even know you knew about her.”