He’d told Blake what he was doing. He’d needed his legal expertise. Blake had reacted with shock, and he had been right behind Pierce’s decision not to tell Ruby any more than she’d overheard.
‘Great,’ Pierce told him now, without conviction.
‘Are you at the farm?’
‘We’re at Loganaich Castle.’
‘What, all of you?’
‘Yeah.’
There was a moment’s pause. Then, ‘Hell, Pierce, Ruby will find out about the kids.’
‘The staff here have sworn confidentiality. Besides, these people don’t see Ruby. She was only here at the opening in her past foster parent role.’
‘If you’re sure…’
‘I’m sure.’
‘Cos, bro, much as I love you, if you’re in trouble with those kids you’re not landing them on Ruby.’
‘I won’t do that.’
Blake heard the finality of Pierce’s tone and backed off. ‘I’m sorry. I know you won’t. So to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?’
‘Shanni.’
‘Shanni, as in Ruby’s niece? Your temporary housekeeper?’
‘That’s the one. You got the consent forms I sent you?’
‘I did.’
‘So I was wondering where it’s at.’
‘Are we in a rush?’ Blake asked cautiously.
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’
‘She’s broke,’ Pierce said. ‘And I’m stuck with her until she’s not broke any more. I want her gone.’
There was a moment’s pause. ‘Um…I thought you needed her for the kids.’
‘I don’t.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because the staff here are competent to do any caring that’s required, and I don’t want her getting any closer to the kids.’
‘Because?’
‘Hell, Blake…’
‘I’m supposed to guess?’
‘No.’
‘She’s pretty, right?’
‘No!’ Was she? He thought back to Shanni and her pig pyjamas and her blanket. ‘A bit.’
‘She’s gorgeous, maybe?’
‘What’s that got to do with it?’
‘Nothing. I just wondered…So, she’s at the castle with you?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you want to get rid of her?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you can’t get rid of her unless she has money.’
‘She’s been running this art show in London.’
‘I know that.’
‘So you’ve been working on it?’
‘I have.’
‘And?’
‘Too soon to tell, boyo,’ Blake said lazily. ‘You might be stuck with her for a few days yet.’
‘But a promise might be enough to get her off my back.’
‘She’s really riding you.’
‘No. I…’
‘You’re in trouble,’ Blake said slowly, on a note of discovery. ‘You’ve fallen for Ruby’s niece.’
‘I can’t stand her.’
‘Why can’t you stand her?’
‘She’s sticking her nose into things that aren’t her business.’
‘Meaning she’s invading your personal space.’
‘That too. I tell you, Blake, I want her gone. I need to find a competent middle-aged woman who can give these kids the care they deserve.’
‘And Shanni can’t.’
‘She’s a flibbertigibbet. She’ll have them fall for her, and she’ll be off with the next man.’
‘She’s a flirt?’
‘And the rest. God help us, Blake, she landed in Australia worse than broke. She turned up to work for me without checking the situation. And now she’s taking Wendy shopping…’
‘I’m missing a few bits here.’
‘There’s nothing to miss. She’s an irresponsible nuisance, and I need your help to get rid of her.’
‘I’ll see what I can do. And meanwhile…’ He paused.
‘Meanwhile what?’
‘Meanwhile you just take care, little brother. Something tells me you’re in way out of your depth.’
‘I’m not.’
‘Yeah, and pigs might fly. I need to get back to work. See ya.’
The problem with fireplaces was they had chimneys. The problem with rooms back to back in a turret meant that they shared a wall. With a fireplace. With one chimney.
In such a situation sound travelled up chimneys, but on the way it managed a detour into the room behind.
Shanni’s room.
The words made her feel physically ill.
An irresponsible nuisance…
I am not, she told the dark. I cleaned your house and I fed your kids, and I managed to get Donald away from the bull. Where does ‘irresponsible nuisance’ come into that?
It had been a bit irresponsible to land on his doorstep without checking.
So he’d lied by inferring there was only one child.
Anger helped override hurt. A bit. She indulged herself in anger a bit more, and found she was so wild she wanted to storm next door and hit him.
Which would indeed be irresponsible.
She should just go. She wasn’t wanted. He hated her being here. He’d kissed her against his better judgement, and now he was talking to some stranger, telling him she was interfering in his life.
Right. She’d go. She’d put aside her pride and ring her parents for help. Jules would put her up until her parents could transfer some money.
She was almost twenty-nine years old, planning on sleeping on her best friend’s floor until her parents could rescue her. She felt about six.
Anger faded and desolation took over.
She sniffed.
She was an irresponsible nuisance.
So much for imagining she was in love.
So much for being in love.
Her anger had helped but it had faded now. She was left feeling…dumb. And lost. Bereft.
An irresponsible nuisance.
