Page 75 of Undercover Savior

“Your grandfather would be so pleased to see it this way,” I heard her say to David.

“Speaking of him,” he left the room and returned a few seconds later, carrying a framed photo. “I saw this the other day.” He handed it to her.

“Ah, look at you wee lads,” said Mairi, running her finger over the frame. “’Twas a favorite of his.”

David looked over at me with a puzzled expression that mirrored my own. Even Gus appeared confused.

“Would you like to have it?” David asked.

“Oh no, I couldn’t,” she said, handing it back to him.

“Please. I’d like you to,” he said, keeping his hands at his sides.

“That’s very kind, but?—”

“It’s a gift, Mum. Say thank you.”

Her cheeks flushed at her son’s admonishment, but she clutched the frame to her chest.

After we opened the gifts beneath the tree, Gus and Mairi thanked us again and bid their goodbyes.

“Is it me, or were her reactions odd?” David asked after closing the door behind them.

“I was going to say the same thing.”

“Perhaps it’s the holidays. We haven’t celebrated them here, at Ashcroft, in years. I typically relieve the staff from their duties the final two weeks of the year, along with the first week of the new year. I asked Gus to inform his mother I didn’t expect her to work this year, but he insisted she’d want to. I should’ve spoken to her directly.”

“I’m sure he was right in saying she’d want to be here.”

“She seemed so sad. It was nearly heartbreaking.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think it was sad as much as nostalgic. Were she and your grandfather close?”

“Close?” He cringed. “No offense to her, but Angus—who I never called Grandfather, by the way—was from a bygone era where the duke and the housekeeper didn’t interact.”

My mouth gaped. “Angus?”

“I know what you’re thinking, but it was Gus’ father’s name.”

“A and A,” I said under my breath.

He raised a brow.

“You’re about to say I should’ve considered a career in fiction writing, aren’t you?”

He smiled. “My apologies for saying that to you before.”

“It wasn’t at all nice.”

“How can I make it up to you?” He wrapped his arms around me.

“I have a few ideas. However, first, I must call my parents.” I grimaced.

“We could’ve figured out a way to visit?—”

I appreciated the offer. “As much as I’m not looking forward to a phone call, spending the day with them would’ve been worse. I should just get it over with.”

“Shall I give you some privacy?”

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