“Yes.” Bella smiled back. “The poor waiters! How annoyed they were that we wouldn’t leave.”
“We talked for hours,” Sara said. “We had such a lot in common. Bella grew up going to top-drawer English boarding schools and living in a mansion, while I grew up in the slums of Lachlan, Florida. She was married and had a child and I had a life of writing and not much else. We were a perfect match.”
The two women were smiling fondly at each other.
“I think it was our differences that were attractive,” Bella said. “And Sara’s fascination with history. I must say that my friend was very modest. She told me she’d written a few books. She didn’t tell me she was a superstar in the publishing world. But maybe I should have guessed since I was staying downtown in a shabby little hotel while Sara was in a suite at the Helmsley Palace. I assumed it was a once-in-a-lifetime holiday.”
“I was doing a new contract,” Sara said, “and they wanted me there.”
“I was in New York for an international hotel convention. I’d been in the business all my adult life and I was trying hard to interest someone in restoring Oxley Manor and making it into a five-star hotel.”
“But you agreed to give her the money.” There was no humor in Jack’s voice.
“Not then,” Sara said. “In fact, Bella didn’t even tell me what she was trying to do until years later.”
“I had too much pride to admit the truth to a stranger,” Bella said. “Sara invited me to tea in the Gold Room the next day. That’s when four women came up to us and asked for her autograph. Only then did I realize how successful she was. I, uh... I hid my own situation from her.”
Sara smiled. “Four or five years later, after we’d exchanged a zillion emails, I came to England to do research and I saw this place. It was in bad shape.”
“Sara is being kind,” Bella said. “It was rotting. The roof was nearly gone. I’d given up trying to find a backer to repair it. The National Trust didn’t want it as there was no money to go with it. And besides, in England, Oxley Manor is small, with no historical significance.”
“What about the chapel?” Kate asked. “I haven’t seen the inside, but surely it’s important.”
“If it were in the US,” Sara said, “it would be a tourist attraction, but here those places are a dime a dozen. Look at Savills website some time. Houses like this, in perfect condition, are always for sale.”
“So you decided to take on the project,” Jack said.
Sara narrowed her eyes at him. Sometimes his self-appointed role of being a protector was too much. “There have been several businesses that I have invested in.”
Since Jack’s construction company was one of them, he knew he’d been put in his place. When he drank from his wineglass, his eyes were glittering in amusement. Sara sure knew how to slash and burn.
“Should we go into the drawing room for coffee?” Bella asked, then looked at Sara. “Or the very strong tea that you like?”
“It’s late so I think I’ll say good-night.”
“Me too,” Jack and Kate both said.
Minutes later, they were heading up to their rooms. The main staircase was wide and impressive. They went up side by side. At the top, Sara turned to them and in a low voice said, “What is it that you two are dying to tell me? Other than insinuating about my friend, in front of her, that she’s trying to rob me?”
“Uh...” Jack said.
Kate stepped forward. “He’s just a worrywart is all. We want to ask if you’d mind if we went on the trip to Scotland right away.”
“That’s why I made the reservations.”
“But we thought you wanted help with the mystery,” Jack said.
She put her hand on his arm. “My darling boy, that was an excuse. I’d love two weeks in an empty hotel. Yes, there’s a mystery to solve but I can do that. I think it will be an entertaining weekend with those people who are coming. You’re sure you don’t want a chance to sing with Byon Lizmere?”
Jack glanced at Kate. “I’m sure.”
“Go then. You have my blessing. When you get back I’ll have a story of great passion to tell you.”
“Put it on paper and sell it,” Jack said.
“I’ve taught you well.” She kissed his cheek. “Now go to bed. Don’t stay up late. Get some sleep. I’ll see you two tomorrow.” She kissed Kate’s cheek.
They left her outside her bedroom, not even staying to see the big room, but hurrying upstairs.