Up Close and Personal (2 page)

Right on cue, one of the figures at the window turned and dropped his trousers, before pressing his bare buttocks up against the glass.

Dante burst out laughing. ‘I guess that’s one word for it.’

‘I suppose I ought to be a bit stricter with them,’ Juliet continued. ‘But I don’t want to drive them away. It’s so hard to get staff these days. Nathan did a great job finding them for me.’

‘Who’s Nathan?’ Dante asked.

‘The general manager. He used to work at one of the big hotels in town and nearly doubled their turnover during the four years he was there. I was hoping he’d be able to do the same at Ashwicke. Heaven knows, we need all the help we can get.’

‘Oh? I’d have thought folks would be queuing up to stay at a place like this.’

Juliet grimaced. ‘Before I left for Aspen, we were barely
covering our costs – but, then again, it is only our first year of trading. I’m sure things will improve.’

‘How many guest rooms do you have?’

‘Eight – and it’s bed and breakfast only. I’ve deliberately kept things on a small scale. I want the guests to feel as if they’re at an exclusive country-house party … you know, somewhere comfortable and intimate, where they can really unwind.’

‘Right,’ said Dante, who’d never been to a country-house party in his life.

Suddenly, a man in a well-cut suit appeared at the side of the car. He was forty-five or thereabouts – tall, and handsome in a swarthy sort of way. As Dante’s fingers closed round the door handle, the man yanked the door open from the outside, jerking Dante’s arm almost out of its socket.

‘Welcome to Ashwicke Park,’ the man said, as Dante lurched sideways. ‘Did you have a pleasant flight from the States?’

‘Yes thanks,’ Dante replied as he stepped out of the cab.

‘I’m Nathan Woods,’ the man said, taking Dante’s hand in a firm grip. ‘The general manager.’

‘Oh yeah, Juliet was just telling me about you.’

‘Nothing bad I hope.’

‘Don’t be silly,’ Juliet said, emerging from the other side of the car. You’ve been an absolute godsend, Nathan.’

The general manager nodded. ‘Thank you, Mrs Ingram.’

‘It’s Mrs
Fisher
now,’ Juliet said lightly as she passed a handful of notes through the driver’s window before walking round to join her husband.

‘Ah yes, of course, my apologies.’ Nathan turned towards
the front door and snapped his fingers. ‘Come on, Charlie, jump to it,’ he said officiously, whereupon a pale-faced youth in a burgundy uniform emerged from the shadows. In his arms he carried a garish bouquet of flowers, wrapped in cellophane.

‘On behalf of myself and all the staff at Ashwicke,’ the manager said as the boy handed the flowers to Juliet. ‘To congratulate you on your marriage.’

Juliet’s face lit up. ‘Ahh, how thoughtful of you, Nathan.’

‘Thanks,’ Dante added. ‘We really appreciate the gesture.’

Nathan dipped his head in acknowledgement. ‘You’re most welcome. I hope you’re going to be very happy at Ashwicke Park, Mr Fisher – and if there’s anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable, please don’t hesitate to ask.’

Juliet gave a dry laugh. ‘Dante hasn’t come for a holiday, Nathan; this is his home now.’

The ghost of a smile played about Nathan’s lips. He looked at Dante. ‘I do beg your pardon, Mr Fisher … a slip of the tongue.’

‘No worries,’ Dante said casually.

‘Will you bring our luggage in, Nathan?’ Juliet asked as the cab driver popped the boot.

‘Certainly.’ The manager jerked his head economically to his subordinate. ‘Mr and Mrs Fisher’s bags, please.’

As Charlie began wrestling with an oversized suitcase, Juliet linked her arm through Dante’s. ‘Come on, darling, let’s go inside.’

A few moments later, they were walking through the front door and into a vestibule filled with a haphazard collection of walking sticks and waxed jackets, and on to a
large, honey-coloured hall, dominated by a tarnished chandelier. Beyond it, a wide, carpeted staircase swept upwards, the walls on either side lined with gilt-framed oil paintings, each depicting some energetic, and occasionally violent, countryside pursuit.

‘Wow, this place is awesome.’ As Dante’s words echoed around the hall, a dog came bounding towards them, leaving a trail of muddy paw prints in its wake. It ran straight to Dante and sat at his feet, beating its tail on the smart black and white tiles. ‘Hello, boy,’ Dante said, bending down to stroke the animal’s soft, liver-coloured head. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Actually, Jess is a girl,’ Juliet said.

Dante smiled as the dog thrust its wet snout into the palm of his hand. ‘She’s gorgeous. What breed is she?’

‘An English pointer. Bred for hunting. She and Gus used to go shooting together. They were pretty much inseparable.’

Dante felt a stab of envy, the way he did every time Juliet mentioned his predecessor. He knew it was silly to be jealous of a dead man, but he couldn’t help himself. He loved Juliet with a ferocity he wouldn’t have believed possible and the thought of her lying in another man’s arms made him feel quite sick. A sudden thought struck him. ‘Shit,’ he said. ‘I didn’t get to carry you across the threshold.’

Juliet smiled. ‘Never mind.’ She bent down and patted Jess’s flank. ‘How have you been, old girl? Did you miss me?’

The dog gave a little shudder.

‘No? I didn’t think so.’ Juliet looked at Dante. ‘Jess has always preferred men to women. She’s been following
Charlie around the house like a lovesick schoolgirl since Gus died.’

There it was again:
Gus, Gus, Gus
. The sound of his name was like fingernails down a blackboard. Dante looked around, surprised that the house seemed so still and quiet. ‘Where are all the guests?’

‘I expect they’ve gone out for the day. The countryside around here is so beautiful people generally like to take full advantage of it.’

Nathan reappeared on the threshold. ‘All your bags are here in the vestibule now. Charlie’s going to take them upstairs for you.’

‘Great,’ Juliet replied. She went over to a modern blonde-wood reception desk, which looked strangely out of place among all the antiques. ‘How have things been?’ she asked Nathan.

‘The immersion heater broke down last week, so we didn’t have any hot water for a couple of days.’

Juliet groaned. ‘Not again.’

‘Oh, and I had to give Ellie her marching orders.’

‘What! But she was one of our best chambermaids.’

‘I know she was, but I caught her late one night in the lounge. She was sitting on one of the guests’ laps.’

‘Silly girl, I’ve warned her enough times about inappropriate flirting,’ Juliet sighed. ‘But, all the same, there was no need to sack her. Surely, a written warning would’ve sufficed.’

Nathan cleared his throat. ‘She was naked from the waist down.’

Behind him, Dante stifled a laugh.

‘Ah,’ Juliet said. ‘In that case you did the right thing.’ She
began flicking through the pages of a ledger. ‘What’s our occupancy?’ she asked.

‘Only two guests at the moment, I’m afraid.’

Juliet looked at the general manager in horror. ‘You’re kidding.’

Nathan raised an eyebrow. ‘Last week we didn’t have any.’

Juliet sighed and slammed the ledger shut.

‘Don’t worry, Mrs Fisher, the winter season’s always tough,’ Nathan added. ‘I’m sure things will pick up now the weather’s warmer.’

‘I hope so,’ Juliet said wearily. She stepped out from behind the desk. ‘We’ve had a very long journey. Would you be able to rustle up some tea and biscuits for us?’

‘Of course,’ Nathan said. ‘Why don’t you go through to the drawing room and take the weight off your feet?’

‘Good idea. Thank you, Nathan.’

As the manager disappeared through a vaulted stone archway, Juliet walked over to Dante. ‘I’m sorry about all this. It wasn’t the sort of homecoming I’d imagined for you.’

Dante smiled. ‘No problem. I’m just glad to be here.’

Juliet pointed towards one of the corridors that led off the hall. ‘The drawing room’s the last door on the left. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable while I pop upstairs to freshen up? I won’t be long.’

As she turned to go, Dante caught her arm and drew her towards him. It was the first moment they’d had any privacy since boarding the plane in Aspen. ‘Haven’t you forgotten something, Mrs Fisher?’ he asked.

‘What’s that?’

‘A hug for your husband.’

Grinning, Juliet stood on tiptoes and threw her arms round his neck. She was a petite woman – only five feet three, and very slender. Dante always felt as if he might crush her if he held her too tightly.

‘I can’t wait to show you the bedroom,’ Juliet murmured into his neck.

Dante grinned. ‘There’s no time like the present,’ he whispered back.

‘Let’s have some tea first, shall we? It’s been three months since I’ve had a decent cup.’

‘Hey, there’s nothing wrong with American tea,’ Dante replied.

Juliet wrinkled her nose. ‘You’ve got to be joking.’

‘Are we having our first row, Mrs Fisher?’

‘Absolutely not,’ said Juliet with mock indignation. ‘It’s a difference of opinion, that’s all.’ She patted Dante’s bottom playfully. ‘Now get that gorgeous arse of yours into the drawing room; I won’t be long.’ She twisted away from him and walked towards the stairs, turning to add over her shoulder: ‘And take that mutt with you.’

Dante looked down at Jess, who was lying on the floor, head between her front paws. ‘Come on, girl,’ he said, patting his thigh. The pointer rose to her feet obligingly and together they set off down the corridor.

When Dante pushed open the door of the drawing room, he found himself in a well-proportioned room, lavishly decorated in shades of green and purple. The furniture looked expensive and the walls were lined with more paintings – these ones in a softer Renaissance style. With Jess at his heels, he wandered around, pausing every now and then to admire some
objet d’art
– an antique globe,
a tiny hand-painted Limoges, a lead crystal paperweight. On the mantelpiece was a porcelain heron with a struggling fish clamped in its beak. Dante picked it up and turned it over in his hand, marvelling at the detail.

‘I’d be careful with that if I were you.’

Dante looked towards the door. Nathan was standing on the threshold with a tea tray in his hands.

‘It’s Minton,’ the manager continued. ‘It’s been in Mr Ingram’s family for the best part of a hundred and fifty years.’

Feeling like a schoolboy caught shoplifting, Dante returned the ornament to the mantelpiece. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I was just looking.’

‘There’s no need to apologize.’ Nathan entered the room and set the tray down on an occasional table. Jess came trotting over to investigate, resting her chin on the edge of the tray. ‘No!’ Nathan said firmly, pushing the dog’s head roughly away with his knee. He offloaded two china cups and saucers, a fat brown teapot and a plate of shortbread fingers.

‘Are all these things family heirlooms?’ Dante asked, gesturing around the room.

‘Some of them are, but I believe most were bought at auction by Mr Ingram. He had an excellent eye for collectibles, as you can see.’ Nathan’s voice, which hitherto had been flat and expressionless, suddenly took on a new life. ‘Mr Ingram had expensive tastes, but then again he could afford to be extravagant; by all accounts, his shipping company was terribly successful. He was a generous man too. Every Christmas he’d host a carol concert at Ashwicke with all the money going to a local charity for children with terminal illnesses.’ Nathan
sighed. ‘No wonder everyone in the town held him in such high regard.’

‘Well,’ said Dante, who felt compelled to offer some sort of comment, ‘he sounds like a great guy.’

‘Sadly, I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I know lots of people around here miss him a lot.’

Dante shifted from foot to foot, suddenly feeling awkward. ‘Do you live nearby?’ he asked.

Nathan smiled tightly. ‘Actually, I’m in the lodge. It’s just by the entrance gates. You might have seen it when you drove past.’

Dante nodded, though he didn’t remember seeing the building in question – there had been so much else to take in.

‘It’s rather bijou, but perfectly adequate for one.’

‘Do all the staff live in?’

‘No, just me. Mrs Ingram likes me to be close by, even when I’m off duty.’ The manager moistened each corner of his mouth with his tongue. ‘Just in case.’

‘Oh … okay,’ Dante said. He suddenly had an overwhelming urge to be alone, away from Nathan’s penetrating stare. ‘Well, it’s been nice talking to you.’

The manager bowed his head obsequiously. ‘Likewise – and if you need any more information – regarding Ashwicke itself, or the local amenities – then don’t hesitate to ask.’

‘Thanks. I might just take you up on that; I’m not used to all this opulence.’

The manager blinked. His eyes were cold and hard, like chips of ice. ‘No, I shouldn’t think you are.’

When Nathan had gone, Dante sank into one of the
wingback armchairs beside the fireplace. Jess immediately got up from her hidey-hole under the console table and settled at his feet with a great yawn.

‘At least somebody around here likes me,’ Dante muttered, as he petted the dog.

A few moments later he heard the sound of Juliet’s heels clicking down the corridor. When she appeared at the door, he saw that she’d tied her hair back in a high ponytail and swapped her T-shirt for a light cashmere sweater.

‘I hope you haven’t been too bored,’ she said, flopping onto the armchair’s twin with a great sigh.

‘Nope, I’ve been chatting with Nathan.’

‘That’s nice.’ Leaning forward, Juliet picked up the teapot and began filling their cups.

‘He was telling me about Gus’s charity work,’ Dante went on.

‘Oh?’

‘I didn’t realize your late husband was such a pillar of the community.’

Juliet made a little moue. ‘Everybody in Loxwood knew Gus; he was one of those larger than life characters.’

Dante carried his tea to the window and looked out across the lawn. Dusk was falling and the sky had darkened to the colour of an old bruise. In the gloom he could just make out a wooden swing hanging from a large oak. Suddenly, the wind caught it, sending it rocking backwards and forwards as if propelled by an invisible hand. ‘I don’t think Nathan likes me,’ he said glumly.