Page 64 of Stolen Kiss

“I have the utmost respect for you Bailey and I would never want to overstep the mark, but either she comes down or I go up. It’s her choice. She’s not The Queen and I don’t need an appointment.”

Bailey nodded, his mouth grim. “Understood. I’ll talk to Jennifer.”

He turned to enact his task, when Jason called out, “Bailey?”

Turning back, his grimace gone and his chin lifted, “Yes, Sir?”

“Does she know what happened last night?”

“I have every reason to believe she is in the know.”

That meant she’d taken her annoyance out on Jennifer who had then stomped down to the kitchens and vented to Maggie and Bailey. What Jason wanted to know was what Maggie and Bailey disagreed on.

Bailey left them alone and Maggie slumped on the bench seat at the table and sipped on her tea.

“What were you arguing about when we came in?” Archer asked.

“Miss Turner hiding upstairs. I suggested to Bailey that he might consider persuading her to come down and face the music.”

“You knew I would come?”

“I felt certain you would appear today and ask questions. I don’t know why Keith lied to you, it could be someone lied to him. If it was Miss Turner, then this needs to be cleared up.”

“Thank you Maggie for trying.”

“Don’t mistake my concern for condoning punching a man. Someone who used to be your best friend, Jason Turner.”

“No, of course not,” Jason said, suitably chastised.

“I suspect it will take Jennifer a little bit of time to get Miss Turner to agree to come down. Do you want some coffee?”

“Thanks, yes please.” Jason said.

“Have you got any cake to go with it?” Archer asked.

“In the tin over there,” she nodded before she went to the corner and dropped a filter into the coffee machine.

It took several mugs of coffee and lunch before Bailey returned announcing his aunt was in the morning room.

“Let’s go,” Jason said to Archer. “Thanks for keeping us fed and watered. Anytime you want a day off from cooking for this household, you call me over and I’ll take your shift,” Jason said.

Maggie visibly melted at Jason’s words coming to him with both hands reaching up to his cheeks. “You’re a good lad,” she said.

Jason marched to Bailey who then turned on his shiny shoes and led the way up to the morning room. When they reached the door, Bailey waited a moment.

“Are you ready?” Bailey asked.

“Yes,” Jason replied.

“I don’t know how long we’ll be,” Archer said.

“That doesn’t matter, Sir.”

Bailey didn’t delay and swung the door open. Unusually, he didn’t step into the room, instead he stepped away from the entry and let Jason and Archer pass before closing the doors behind them.

Jason looked to the conservatory end of the morning room to see his aunt squirting water on giant leaves of a tall plant. The dark green and cream stripes mesmerising him for a few seconds.

“You’ve dragged me all the way down here. What is it you want to say?” Aunt Cynthia barked not looking at them.

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