“What the fuck?” Crispin swore.
“Oh, yes, make no mistake, you, my dear lad are amulti-billionaire. You can say goodbye to your student loans or anyother type of debt you might have. If you’re curious, I can showyou just how rich you are. We can go over the books whenever you’reready.”
“Unbelievable…” Crispin muttered.
“Just think about it, Crispin. Stay a few more days. Send Gwenoff ahead of you. She’ll understand. Tell her that you need time tofigure things out.”
Crispin paledat the thought. “I… I can’t do that.”
“Sure you can,” Piers insisted. “You’ve only just started outas a couple, right? Obviously, there’s tension between you already.Maybe whatever this relationship you have can wait. Perhaps youmight even reconsider it altogether.”
“What?”
“Listen, you’ve literally just gone from rags to riches. Younow have the world at your fingertips. You don’t need to tieyourself down just yet. Enjoy life a little before you settle. Thislittle love affair you have with Gwen, it doesn’t have to be it foryou. Besides, how much do you really know about her? How do youknow she’s not more interested in your money?”
“Watch your step, Piers,” Crispin warned.
“Come on, you saw her face just now. You heard her reaction tothe news of your inheritance. It’s obvious she already sees herselfas Lady of the Manor. If I were you, I’d be suspicious of herintentions. Trust me, I’m just looking out for you.”
Crispincouldn’t help but frown. “I don’t need you to look out for me! Asyou can see, I’ve taken care of myself my whole life. And as far asGwen is concerned, you’d better back the hell off! I will notlisten to your nonsense. You’re accusing her of being agold-digger, yet she had no idea, prior to coming here that I wasanyone of significance.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Piers quickly backtracked, havingunderestimated Crispin’s opinion of the girl. “Please, accept myapologies.”
“Damn right,” Crispin said. “And while I might consider yoursuggestion to stay on a few days, I don’t need your advice on myrelationship with Gwen.”
“I’ve overstepped myself. Once again, I apologize. I’m sureGwen is a lovely girl. I suppose I projected my own experiencesonto your relationship. This is why I prefer bachelorhood. Forgetwhat I said. Don’t let it get in the way of why you arehere.”
“Why exactly am I here?” Crispin asked.
“To find yourself, I imagine,” Piers said pensively. “Surely,you must have wanted to know from whence you came? At least now youknow the circumstances behind your unfortunate beginnings. Butbefore you decide anything, maybe you should just have a lookaround, spend some time here on your own.”
“I have plans with Gwen. You and I are done for now.” Unable tosit still any longer, Crispin got up and made his way to her. Shehad spent enough time alone in the garden and he needed toapologize for having lashed out at her again. What was wrong withhim, he wondered as he closed the distance between them. This placemust be messing with his head and he was allowing it to affect himway too much. In a way, maybe Piers was right about him needing tobe alone. In his current state of mind, he almost didn’t trusthimself not to hurt her feelings.
Hearing hisapproach, Gwen turned and met his gaze with apprehension.“Crispin–” Before she could say another word, he wrapped his armsaround her and held her tight.
“Forgive me, Gwen,” he said, resting his nose in her chestnuthair. “None of this is your fault, yet I’m taking my frustrationsout on you.”
“It’s not about the house or the money for me,Crispin.”
“I know that,” he said into her hair. “I’m sorry I even wentthere. I don’t why I reacted that way.”
“You’re confused,” she said softly. “It’s a lot to take in allat once.”
“It’s got me all fucked up.” He chuckled at himself. “What thehell am I supposed to think? I wasn’t expecting allthis.”
“Of course not,” she said, rubbing his back. “It’s not fair toexpect you to just slide into this role. You need time to digestall this information.”
“Ahem…” Piers cleared his throat, interrupting theirmoment.
“Make it quick,” Crispin said over his shoulder. “Gwen and Ihave plans.”
“Oh, Crispin, we don’t have to go.” She drew away from him andsmiled politely at Piers. “You should spend some time here on yourown, to think things through before we fly backtomorrow.”
“But what about Stonehenge?” Crispin hesitated. “You were soexcited to see it.”
“Let me take her out for the day,” Piers stepped forward andoffered, catching them both off guard. “I agree with Gwen. You needto spend some time here alone, Crispin. Have a look around theplace. Familiarize yourself with it. Let it all sink in. Jones willbe more than happy to show you the grounds. Perhaps you’d like tosee your mother’s room? Visit her gravesite?”
“I… I don’t know.” The more he heard, the more conflictedCrispin became. He was torn with what to do. He wanted to be withGwen. But he also felt he needed to investigate this situation, tofamiliarize himself with his mother’s home, and to visit her finalresting place.
“He’s right, Crispin,” she insisted, gazing into hiseyes.
“You’ll be okay on your own?” he asked, unsure ofhimself.
“She won’t be on her own,” Piers insisted as he steppedforward. “I’ll take good care of her. What do you say,Gwen?”
While she washesitant to go off without Crispin, Gwen truly believed time alonewith his thoughts was what he needed most. Dragging him offsightseeing felt selfish all of a sudden. Tomorrow, they were toreturn to Canada. Surely, Crispin should stay here to learn as muchas he could about his past before making a decision about hisfuture.
“Gwen, just say the word and we’re out of here,” Crispinoffered.
“No, Crispin, your uncle is right,” Gwen said with a reassuringsmile. “You should spend the day here. I’ll be fine.”
“Of course, you will,” Piers declared. “Come along, Gwen. Weshould leave soon if we want to make it to both Stonehenge andSalisbury Cathedral today. There is a lot to
