Broken Bonds by Chris Taylor

Author:Chris Taylor [Chris Taylor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LCT Productions Pty Ltd
Published: 2021-12-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Elizabeth heard a knock at the door and stood to welcome her guests. A few moments later, her long-serving housekeeper, Amy, showed Christopher and Lexi into the music room. It had been called that because of the limited-edition baby grand piano that stood in pride of place at one end of the room. In her youth, Elizabeth had dreamed of being a concert pianist. Life had dealt her a different hand. She’d ended up married and a mother to six children, seven including her stepson, Christopher.

“Christopher. It’s lovely to see you. Congratulations on your engagement.” She pecked him on the cheek and then turned her attention to Lexi. “And you too, Lexi. I’m thrilled for you both. Welcome back to Craigdon Manor.”

Lexi smiled. “Thank you, Elizabeth. It’s lovely to be here. Thank you for inviting us.”

Elizabeth waved away Lexi’s gratitude. “You’re family now. You’re welcome in my home anytime. With or without an invitation.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth. That’s very gracious of you,” Lexi said.

She and Christopher sat together on the couch. Elizabeth took her usual seat in the armchair opposite. Amy returned, bearing a tray laden with a silver coffee pot, cups, cream, sugar and a plate of fresh pastries. She set the tray down on the coffee table between them.

“Thank you, Amy. This looks lovely.”

Amy beamed. “I baked your favorites, Christopher.”

He gave her a wink and she blushed and quickly left the room. Christopher shot Elizabeth a bemused look.

“Amy’s grown friendlier all of a sudden,” he observed.

“She’s always been friendly,” Elizabeth replied.

Christopher raised an eyebrow. “To you, maybe. She was much more standoffish with me.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Not without reason, no doubt. But ever since you saved Archie’s life, she’s had a change of heart where you’re concerned.”

Christopher grinned. “Well, I’m not sure I deserve her goodwill, but I’ll take it just the same. These pastries look delicious.” With that, he leaned forward and snatched a chocolate petit four and popped the morsel in his mouth.

“Mm. Ambrosia.” He sighed.

Elizabeth poured the coffee and offered cups to her guests. She was dying to quiz Christopher about Vaughan, but she needed to bide her time. Only Archie knew Vaughan was her biological son and until she’d made contact with him and ascertained his attitude toward the news, she wanted to keep the relationship quiet. Although the longer the time went on, the more she suspected Vaughan didn’t want to talk to her. The possibility broke her heart.

One thing she didn’t want to do was to pique Christopher’s curiosity about her sudden interest in his brother. He was a smart man. He would quickly work out that there was something unusual about her continued questions about Vaughan. After all, until recently, she’d never enquired much about his other family. Now she seemed to be asking him about Vaughan every chance she could. No, she needed to tread carefully if she didn’t want to raise suspicion.

Christopher reached for another pastry and popped it into his mouth before sipping from his coffee. Patting away the crumbs from his lips with a napkin, he sat back against the couch.

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