Page 15 of Hearts of Stone

“Fuck yes, I would.” He slung his arm around my shoulders. “Should we go and see what kind of top shelf liquor they have in this place?”

“We’ll find something to drink,” I assured him.

And when we got downstairs, we found someone had anticipated that need.

“So this ishow the other half lives.” Daniel went over to the thermos that was sitting on the counter and unscrewed the lid, sniffing the contents and then groaning. “You have people that anticipate your every need and… damn.” He grabbed two cups from one of the many, many cupboards, pouring out two coffees and then handing me one. “This is so good.”

But I ignored the coffee for the moment, even though the dark aroma drew me forward, because under the thermos was a small card. White, with scalloped edges, the kind that fancy people used in period movies as a calling card. I picked it up, thumbing the thick card stock and then read the curiously looping script.

For the lady of the house.

Not Jade, not even Ms Barlow, but ‘the lady of the house’. I frowned slightly, but then took a sip of the coffee, finding it to be the perfect mix of coffee and milk.

“You think your people could rustle me up a bacon and egg sandwich?” Daniel asked, looking around the kitchen, as if someone would appear to fulfil our every wish. “With some hash browns?”

“Pancakes…” I groaned.

“Fuck yes, pancakes and crispy bacon and some mushrooms fried in butter with lots of salt.”

“You need to put a list together.” We both spun around to find Harry standing in the doorway. He snorted at our look of surprise. “We’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

“Like good coffee?” Daniel lifted his cup. “Are you the awesome coffee fairy? Because if you are—”

“The house provides,” he said, ending that line of conversation, but before we could explore that further, Mellors walked into the kitchen.

“Ahh, everyone’s up? Good, good. Now, I took the liberty of contacting a firm of specialised probate lawyers that I know havea good reputation. While my firm typically handles all of the legal issues for the family estate, I thought you’d appreciate the advice of someone independent. The estate will pay for any legal fees that are incurred.”

“And what if these guys are in your pocket as well?” Daniel asked, eyes narrowing.

“Danny…” I turned to face him. “What’s the ulterior motive here? He’s offering me a lot of money and this house.”

“You can select any lawyer you like,” Mellors replied, calmly. “But I have a breakfast meeting set up for us with one of the senior partners at Jameson and Sons this morning, if that suits.”

I’d seen the name of that firm in the city. It occupied a massive building, many floors high, with an imposing facade. I blinked and shook my head.

“I don’t need to select my own lawyer. I’ll take the meeting with your contact. I just want to find out how the hell I ended up here,” I said.

“Understandable.” Mellors nodded and then jerked his head at the doorway. “If you meet me outside, I’ll escort the two of you to the meeting.”

“Ready to meet destiny?” Daniel asked, as we followed him out.

I smoothed my hands down my hips.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Chapter 10

“You are about to become a very rich woman, Ms Barlow.” The man speaking was Gerald Jameson, one of the Jamesons in the title of his firm. He wore an iron grey suit, which matched his hair perfectly, the stiff lines of his face shifting as he looked up from the paperwork at me. “If you’re looking for a legal firm to deal with the estate—”

“Gerald…” Mellors said in a gently chiding tone.

“That’s what Mr Mellors does, doesn’t he?” I asked.

“Yes, well, historically that has been the case, but—” Jameson said.

“Can we stick to the inheritance details, please?” I said.

Jameson nodded slowly.

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