Below Stairs at Crofton Hall (Modern Crofton Book 3) by Rebecca Cohen

Author:Rebecca Cohen [Cohen, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

It had been a particularly trying day. Ashley had fled after holding baby Toby, and then spent the afternoon in the grounds with a prospective couple who wanted either a mass dance routine or to use the lake as some sort of Arthur and the Lady of the Lake re-enactment as part of their big day. He wasn’t sure their insurance would cover that sort of liability but they were still very keen when they’d left. Several other matters kept him tied up, and he didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to the Marchents, so he’d decided instead to seek out Dara and see if he’d unearthed anything in the archive to help him with his plan to either propose to Ben or push Ben to do it, and chivvy him up if he hadn’t.

“Ashley, to what do I owe the pleasure?” asked Dara as he arrived.

He huffed. “After today I’m going to need your help to move the proposal plan on a bit quicker.”

Dara raised an eyebrow. “What happened?”

“Ben saw me holding baby Toby. There was a look in his eye that I could only describe as broody. And since I don’t have the equipment to provide children, I need to make sure he doesn’t get some stupid idea about finding a wife.”

“With that kind of leap of logic you should be doing the four hundred metre hurdles.” Dara sighed and shook his head. “Ben’s not suddenly gonna disappear off to find a woman just to have a baby. There are other ways and means.”

“Rationally, I know you’re right,” conceded Ashley, and he had to admit this was not his greatest moment. “But there’s nothing rational about what I’m thinking, and it means I need to move this on and get the stupid fucker to marry me. I can’t wait forever nor should I.”

The arrival of Karl stopped the conversation in its tracks. He was carrying a tea tray with an enormous slice of lemon drizzle cake Ashley hadn’t been aware was on offer. “I’ve walked into enough heated debates to know I’ve interrupted something,” he said smirking. “What’s going on?”

“Oh, Ashley’s being a twat,” Dara said accepting a cup of tea. “Thinks Ben’s gonna run off and marry a woman.”

“Ah, is this about the Duke of Marchent’s son?”

Karl’s astuteness surprised Ashley. He seemed to have the same ability as Dara to jump to the correct conclusion. “Why’d you say that?” Ashley asked, an edge of defensiveness in his voice.

“It was the logical conclusion,” Karl said, picking up his drink. “We had a baby visiting the hall, and all of a sudden you think his lordship needs a woman in his life and, unless you’re hiding something from us, I don’t think he’s about to get you pregnant.”

Ashley flustered. “I… We… He…”

Dara tutted. “Come on, Ashley, you know Ben’s not gonna do anything stupid. The real question here is are you?”

“You were the one who was willing to help me, with all the flowers stuff. I think I might need to get on it.

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