“Sorry. Did you say something?”
“Are you ready to go?”
“Of course,” I stammer. I grab the keys to the Range Rover from the dining table and follow her outside.
The drive to the main house is short but Milly is glued to her window, marveling at the grounds and the buildings on the property. When we pull up to the front entrance, my mum and dad are waiting.
“This is your last chance to escape,” I tell her.
“It’s going to be fine,” she assures me but one glance at the grim expression on my mother’s face tells me this day might be anything but fine.
I push open the car door and step out before rounding the corner to open Milly’s door. I grasp her hand firmly in mine as I lead her up the steps.
“Hello Benjamin,” my mother says coolly as I step forward to greet her with a polite kiss on the cheek. My mum is very traditional and set in her ways. Everything I’ve done has been a disappointment. And now I’ve brought home an American, which means I’m definitely out of the running once again for favorite son.
“Lovely to see you mum,” I murmur before extending a hand to my father. “Hello dad.”
“Are you going to introduce us to your friend,” my dad asks cheerfully. He’s got a goofy grin on his face that makes my mother roll her eyes and tsk.
I turn to see Milly standing awkwardly behind us. She looks stunning in a slate blue silk blouse and white trousers. I couldn’t be prouder to have her by my side. “Milly, I’d like you to meet my parents, Howard and Jessica Waterstone.”
She walks forward and smiles politely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Waterstone.” Her smile is tight, and she looks back to me for reassurance. I place my hand on the small of her back and instantly, I feel her relax.
“Welcome to Waterstone Hall,” my mother says.
“Your home is stunning,” Milly replies.
“It’s not my home; it belongs to my sons. I just live here,” my mother snaps.
“Mum!”
She turns away and walks back into the house. My father, however, smiles proudly. “Thank you for coming. We’ve worked very hard on the renovations.”
“I’ll be happy to take you on a tour later,” I murmur to Milly.
We follow my father inside and I have to constantly tug on Milly’s hand because every few seconds, she stops to gawp at something.
Breakfast is set up in the dining room that overlooks the walled garden. The garden is my mum’s only pride and joy and she’ll take any opportunity to show it off.
“Where’s Alistair?” I ask my father.
“He’ll be here soon.”
Both of my parents keep making eye contact with one another which makes me suspicious. They have something up their sleeves and I’m positive all will be revealed the moment my brother arrives.
Milly gravitates toward the windows which not only bathe the room in sunlight but also provide guests with spectacular views of the walled garden. I never resist an opportunity for physical contact, so I walk up behind her and place my hands around her waist.
“This is where you grew up,” she asks, a wistful tone to her voice.
“Yeah,” I breathe out, surveying the view. “Alistair and I used to chase each other in the garden. It was magical but it was so easy to get lost.”
“Sounds like fun.”
The sound of voices behind us means Alistair has arrived and he’s not alone. Milly and I turn at the same time.
“Benny! So good of you to come!” My brother, Alistair, approaches me but I can’t help but notice the woman standing next to my mother, talking to her conspiratorially. Vanessa Hargreaves. The biggest bitch in Yorkshire and my ex-fiancé.
“Al, what isshedoing here?”
