“I didn’t mean it as a compliment. What you’ve done to poor Nadine is rotten. She thinks you—”
“Look!” Sara said loudly.
There was a very nice dark green car parked in front of the house. Standing by it was Nadine and a young woman who looked enough like her for them to know she was the daughter, Teddy. They were both frowning. Beside them was a large man, smiling fondly at them. The women had his jawline and they were set hard.
“Now we know why the English chose a bulldog to represent them,” Sara muttered.
“Jag,” Jack said. “If anyone wants to know. Eighty grand at least. I do admire that family’s taste in cars.”
“Looks like you’re going to get to talk to the dad all about it.” Sara waved, and the man smiled back. The two women didn’t look away from each other.
“She won’t win,” Kate said under her breath. “Mothers always win.”
“Not always,” Sara snapped. “Sometimes—”
Jack’s look cut her off. “One war at a time.”
They got out of the car and started toward the group, but the young woman stormed inside, Nadine close behind her.
That left the man alone. He was staring up at the house.
Jack and Kate stayed in the background while Sara went to him. “Lovely, isn’t it?”
“Not like I remember it. I was afraid it was going to fall down on my daughter’s head.” His colloquial English accent was very heavy.
“You must have some fond memories of your time here.”
He chuckled. “Thelma Thompson and I broke the glass elephant right here in this house.”
Behind them, Jack wiggled his eyebrows at Kate, and she elbowed him to behave.
“Don’t believe I know her,” Sara said. “Did she live here?”
“Who?”
“Miss Thompson.”
The man stopped smiling. “Who are you?” he demanded.
“Sara Medlar. I’m staying at the hotel.”
“Then you oughta go back to it.” He stepped toward her in a menacing way. “This is private property.”
&
nbsp; Kate put her hand on Jack’s arm to keep him from stepping between them.
“This place belongs to the Renlows. Nicky will—”
After a few blinks, Sara said, “I’m here to sell Bertie a horse. Fastest one I’ve ever seen.”
The man’s face changed to a smile. “He’ll buy it then.” He tilted his head toward her and winked. “And I’ll lend him the money, like I always do. One day, I’m gonna collect, then Oxley Manor will be mine. I’ll give it to my daughter as a wedding present.”
“Who is she marrying?”
“Nicky, of course. She’s gonna be a lady. I’m hungry.” He walked into the house.
Jack and Kate went to Sara.