Page 127 of He's the One

Theo unlocked the door and Col followed him and James up the stairs. James drew in a breath when he saw the main room.

“It looks brilliant, doesn’t it,” Theo said. He held out his arms and spun in a circle.

James looked up. “Taking out the ceiling has made a huge difference. The kitchen units are going to look rather sad in comparison.”

“They can be painted,” Col said. “Though a new work surface would be nice.”

“And new sink, new taps.” James glanced at him. “Bathroom suite, tiles, flooring…”

“I do havesomemoney,” Theo said. “And if my father’s paid for the materials, then he might offer a bit more.”

James nodded. “He might.”

Col saw something in James’s face, a flicker Theo had missed.

“You paid?” Col asked quietly.

Theo gasped. “What?”

“It was a present,” James said.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I thought… God, James.” Theo flung his arms around him and hugged him. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

James patted his back and extricated himself. “It was a little self-serving. I thought when you take over Asquith, I might end up living here.”

“Of course you can live here but you didn’t ought to be footing the bill for this. I’ll speak to my father again. If he thinks he’s only paying for the materials, he might not mind so much.”

“You know they want you back in the house.”

Theo shuddered. “Eating with them, sitting with them in the evening? No one talking but me? Or even worse, with my mother and grandmother arranging a wedding I don’t want? It’s not going to happen.” He sagged. “I don’t know how to stop it. How is it that sayingnoisn’t enough?”

“It should be,” James said. “It will come down to how strong you are. Tradition and expectations are powerful forces. This family has a sense of duty that transcends common sense. I—” James turned to Col. “Why don’t you spend half a day on the folly, and the rest up here. Continue with that until the folly is done. If the weather’s bad, then work here.”

“You don’t need me in the garden?”

“I can always use an extra pair of hands, but while the weather’s fair, finish the folly.”

“What should I do about the way in I found?”

“Did you go into the garden?”

Theo rolled his eyes. “A sealed-up tunnel? A place that’s been untouched for over ten years? A portal to another world? What do you think?”

“I’m surprised you’ve not been in there before now.”

Theo sighed.

“Was it you who cut the ivy on the oak tree?” Col asked.

James’ mouth twitched. “Yes. I touched nothing else. Nor should you. Time for work.”

“I’ll see you later,” Col smiled at Theo and followed James down the stairs only to see the marquess heading towards them.

“Leave your car up here while you’re working on Theo’s place,” James told Col. “I’ll order more materials.”

“Thank you.”

“Good morning,” the marquess said as he reached them.

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