Chapter One
“ Oh, Andrew,” Gwyneth gasped
when the house came into site. “The roses are in bloom.” She was
awed by their beauty as the limousine continued up the curving
drive. “I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve seen
them.”
“ Miss Gwyneth, they do bloom
every year,” his eyes twinkled as he gently reproved, “If you come
home once in a while.”
Gwyneth laughed. “I know. I’ve just
been so busy this last year. But I’m home now for three whole
months.” Gwyneth was practically bouncing up and down by the time
Andrew stopped the car at the front door and let her out. “Thank
you for picking me up from the airport.”
His white teeth flashed brilliantly
against his dark skin. “It’s always a pleasure, Miss Gwyneth. I
know Tasha is looking forward to seeing you.” Andrew waved then
continued on to the garage hidden behind the house.
Gwyneth hadn’t even made it inside
when her aunt Beth came rushing out to greet her. The two women had
the same shade of hair albeit a bit more gray in Beth’s. She kept
her hair in a smooth bob while Gwyneth’s was long and straight.
Beth shared the same eye color with Gwyneth’s mother, but Gwyneth
had her father’s big brown eyes. Beth gathered her into a big hug
that nearly swallowed the diminutive Gwyneth. “My darling, I’ve
missed you so. It’s wonderful to have you home—if only for three
months.” Beth had a husky voice that was deeper than Gwyneth’s
lilting tones.
“Beth, it is so good to be home,” she
answered as soon as her aunt released her. “Sorry I’ve stayed away
so long.”
Beth shrugged and gently reminded her.
“you couldn’t pass up the internship in New York for goodness
sake.” She hugged Gwyneth again. “Well, sweetie, I hate to cut the
reunion short but Howard and Lilly have guests coming tonight and
Jordan is extremely sick, but still insists on attending. To make
matters worse, the upstairs maid walked out last night with the
gardener to elope so we’re desperately shorthanded.”
Gwyneth smiled as her aunt started to
walk away distractedly. “Let me change clothes then I’ll be down to
help you out,” she called.
Beth’s mind was already elsewhere and
she half-heartedly responded. “no dear, it’s your homecoming. I
can’t let you...” as she walked back into the kitchen.
Shaking her head in amusement, Gwyneth
ran up to the third floor where her old bedroom was. The minute she
walked in, Gwyneth began to feel at home again. For her fourteenth
birthday Lilly had allowed her to redecorate the room any way she
chose, so Gwyneth had free reign. She’d picked a maroon velvet
spread for the bed and French provincial furniture in white.
Gwyneth tossed her suitcase on the bed but didn’t bother to unpack
any clothes. All of her comfortable things were still in the closet
and dresser, awaiting her latest visit. She tore off the skirt and
blazer before getting on a pair of short denim shorts and a yellow
t-shirt. She braided her hair and changed into old sneakers before
going downstairs to pitch in.
♥♥♥
Beth was nowhere to be found so
Gwyneth consulted with Tasha, the downstairs maid, and Andrew’s
daughter. Andrew and his wife had been in the employ of the Del
Royce’s even before Tasha was born. Martha died three years ago,
and Tasha took over her position. Between the two girls they made a
list of things to do then each took half. Gwyneth studied her list
and went on her way to get things done.
A couple of hours later, Gwyneth was
perched precariously on the rim of the huge tub in the downstairs
guest room when someone grabbed her from behind. She whirled around
to confront her mysterious grabber then threw herself into his
arms. “You jerk,” she said affectionately then reached up to ruffle
Marcus’s hair. He was Howard and Lilly’s youngest son. They were
fourteen months apart, and raised like siblings.
“Baby doll,
“ Oh, Andrew,” Gwyneth gasped
when the house came into site. “The roses are in bloom.” She was
awed by their beauty as the limousine continued up the curving
drive. “I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve seen
them.”
“ Miss Gwyneth, they do bloom
every year,” his eyes twinkled as he gently reproved, “If you come
home once in a while.”
Gwyneth laughed. “I know. I’ve just
been so busy this last year. But I’m home now for three whole
months.” Gwyneth was practically bouncing up and down by the time
Andrew stopped the car at the front door and let her out. “Thank
you for picking me up from the airport.”
His white teeth flashed brilliantly
against his dark skin. “It’s always a pleasure, Miss Gwyneth. I
know Tasha is looking forward to seeing you.” Andrew waved then
continued on to the garage hidden behind the house.
Gwyneth hadn’t even made it inside
when her aunt Beth came rushing out to greet her. The two women had
the same shade of hair albeit a bit more gray in Beth’s. She kept
her hair in a smooth bob while Gwyneth’s was long and straight.
Beth shared the same eye color with Gwyneth’s mother, but Gwyneth
had her father’s big brown eyes. Beth gathered her into a big hug
that nearly swallowed the diminutive Gwyneth. “My darling, I’ve
missed you so. It’s wonderful to have you home—if only for three
months.” Beth had a husky voice that was deeper than Gwyneth’s
lilting tones.
“Beth, it is so good to be home,” she
answered as soon as her aunt released her. “Sorry I’ve stayed away
so long.”
Beth shrugged and gently reminded her.
“you couldn’t pass up the internship in New York for goodness
sake.” She hugged Gwyneth again. “Well, sweetie, I hate to cut the
reunion short but Howard and Lilly have guests coming tonight and
Jordan is extremely sick, but still insists on attending. To make
matters worse, the upstairs maid walked out last night with the
gardener to elope so we’re desperately shorthanded.”
Gwyneth smiled as her aunt started to
walk away distractedly. “Let me change clothes then I’ll be down to
help you out,” she called.
Beth’s mind was already elsewhere and
she half-heartedly responded. “no dear, it’s your homecoming. I
can’t let you...” as she walked back into the kitchen.
Shaking her head in amusement, Gwyneth
ran up to the third floor where her old bedroom was. The minute she
walked in, Gwyneth began to feel at home again. For her fourteenth
birthday Lilly had allowed her to redecorate the room any way she
chose, so Gwyneth had free reign. She’d picked a maroon velvet
spread for the bed and French provincial furniture in white.
Gwyneth tossed her suitcase on the bed but didn’t bother to unpack
any clothes. All of her comfortable things were still in the closet
and dresser, awaiting her latest visit. She tore off the skirt and
blazer before getting on a pair of short denim shorts and a yellow
t-shirt. She braided her hair and changed into old sneakers before
going downstairs to pitch in.
♥♥♥
Beth was nowhere to be found so
Gwyneth consulted with Tasha, the downstairs maid, and Andrew’s
daughter. Andrew and his wife had been in the employ of the Del
Royce’s even before Tasha was born. Martha died three years ago,
and Tasha took over her position. Between the two girls they made a
list of things to do then each took half. Gwyneth studied her list
and went on her way to get things done.
A couple of hours later, Gwyneth was
perched precariously on the rim of the huge tub in the downstairs
guest room when someone grabbed her from behind. She whirled around
to confront her mysterious grabber then threw herself into his
arms. “You jerk,” she said affectionately then reached up to ruffle
Marcus’s hair. He was Howard and Lilly’s youngest son. They were
fourteen months apart, and raised like siblings.
“Baby doll,
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