The Burlington Manor Affair

“Take your time, when you’re ready you can leave.” With that he stepped away. He had to pick up some stuff for a team meet later in the day.

As he made his way out, he urged Ayo to keep an eye on the visitor, just in case. Though Rex doubted Jason had it in him to do any damage. Despite his best efforts, he felt sympathy for the lad. And it only served to show how much their father had impacted both of their lives. Was there any end to the shadows he’d left behind?

Yes, Rex vowed. Yes, I’ll make it so.

* * *

WHEN CARMEN AWOKE in her old bedroom in Burlington Manor on Friday morning she felt at home, and happy. Rex was close in her thoughts. That was to be expected. What was amazing was how elated the very thought of him made her feel. Am I being a fool?

Never had she felt so good, so right. She’d even driven to the manor the evening before, the first time since she’d moved away. That in itself was liberating. The new level of understanding and intimacy with Rex was altering her state of mind, opening a world of possibilities. She’d been a little afraid, because of what had gone on there in the past, but when she entered the house, sunlight filled the hallways and the hope she carried in her heart was reflected in every surface there.

While she drank her morning coffee, she wandered from room to room, simply reveling in all that she loved about Burlington. The connection was deeper still, after the previous weekends she’d spent there with Rex. In fact, there was only one thing missing, and that was Rex himself.

Had he done this on purpose, to show her that she would miss him? She wouldn’t put it past him. He’d been here alone without her the weekend before and he’d probably been bored. He was giving her a taste of that feeling.

How she ever thought it would be the same without him was beyond her, though. He was a big part of her connection to the place, she had to face that, and as much as she wanted to believe his promises, she had to be cautious about the future. It might fall apart. If it did, leaving the manor forever would break her heart, yet at the same time she really couldn’t imagine being there without him, the master of the house.

The master of my heart.

The unbidden thought both amused and unnerved her. It was the truth. He was the master of both her and the estate, but there was a strong possibility she could end up living here alone, single, and with only her memories of their time together to keep her warm on a cold night.

Acknowledging her potential fate, she tried to focus on the things that she wanted to do that day. It was important to try working long distance. It wasn’t something she’d ever done, outside of minor meetings online with her mother while she was studying for her degree in business management.

With Leanne’s help she moved some things around in the old library and set up her laptop on the desk. Then she checked in with Estelle via her webcam.

“Good morning!” Estelle waved. “Those distribution quotes you requested came in so they should be in your mailbox.”

Carmen waved back. “I see them. I’ll prioritize that and get back to you soon.”

“This is just as good as having you next door,” Estelle said.

Carmen nodded. “It is the twenty-first-century way. I do believe I could manage it if necessary.”

“Hey, you can leave the cam on all day if you need to, and we can conference call with other staff when necessary, too.”

“Are you trying to keep me out of the office?”

“Not at all. I’m making sure you get settled in so I can visit soon.”

“If a permanent arrangement comes to pass, you’re still first on the list.”

Estelle grinned.

“I’ll check in with you later.” Carmen waved before closing the connection.

Once she got into her work, the time fle

w and she only noticed it was lunchtime because her stomach growled.

Making her way to the kitchens, she wondered how Rex was doing that day. Then she heard someone humming. Pushing the door open, she stepped into the kitchen expecting to find Mrs. Summerfield at work. However, it wasn’t Mrs. Summerfield who was humming to herself.

“Well, hello,” Amanda drawled from her seat. She was wearing riding gear and she had her booted feet up on the table. By the looks of it she’d helped herself to one of the freshly baked scones that were cooling on a wire tray by the cooker.

It was weird seeing her that way, because it took Carmen back to when they were teenagers and Amanda would let herself in the back door. Neither of them thought anything of it then, but things were different now. Carmen immediately felt territorial. “I suppose you came to see Rex. Well, he’s not here.”

“Shame,” Amanda said, lowering her feet to the floor. “Sexy Rexy is always such a pleasure to be around.”

She had a damn cheek, Carmen thought, annoyed at the way the situation made her feel. “Did you intend to make a fool of yourself all over again?”