Pepper by Carol Buhler

Author:Carol Buhler [Buhler, Carol]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-08-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Pepper stared through the hole in a huge hedge at the pink granite house across a wide spread of grass. The place was huge and well cared for. He couldn’t, however, wrap his mind around the thought that it could actually belong to him. He was the oldest and had been openly acknowledged by his father if not his grandfather. According to Firth, he was the only heir. What would I do with it now?

He’d bought new clothes and hired a taxi to bring him to the property from the nearby town of Straton. Once at the gate, his nerve failed him and instead of ringing for admittance, he’d slunk along the outside looking for a spot to peer through.

Gads! I don’t belong here. But mother and Byron should have been here, instead of the slums of Bonn.

His anger flared and he stalked back to the entry gate, punching the call button as if it were an enemy’s jaw.

A voice responded, “May I help you?”

Following Firth’s suggestion, he said, in his very best Bonn pronunciation, “Laird von Straus to see my grandfather.”

The voice at the other end of the connection gasped and it sounded like the receiver had been dropped. Scuffling noises and frantic whispering came across the line. The gate began to swing open before the voice returned. “Please, come in, sir. Welcome.”

He stepped through the gate and walked sedately toward what had to be the front door. Servants in black and white uniforms poured onto the steps before the door, forming a vee of smiling faces for him to pass. At the top stood a tall man, bald, straight-backed and stiff but smiling like he was truly happy.

When Laird stopped, the man bowed. “Welcome home, young master. We are very pleased to greet you.”

Pepper glanced at the others. They all seemed extremely delighted that he was there. Why? He recognized no one, but not one questioned his identity.

A plump, old woman bustled forward and beamed into his face. “Young master. You were just over two when HE sent your mother and the baby away. I’m so glad you grew into such a splendid man. Are your brother and mother not with you?” She glanced around as if she was short-sighted and they must be somewhere nearby.

Recognition flared to life. “Mamie Maude,” he breathed. She beamed even grander, if that was possible.

“Yes, young Laird.”

“I’m sorry. My mother died long ago. And Byron is extremely sick in Bonn. He could not come with me.” Pepper found himself lying easily to this old woman who’d been his and Byron’s nurse. He vowed at that moment to never, ever let these people know what really had happened after his grandfather banished them. The love radiating from this woman, this stiff butler, the others, was strong enough to bowl him over. With their greeting, he couldn’t help but wonder if his grandfather was as awful as he’d pictured as he’d traveled to the manor.

The butler waved him to enter saying, “Sir Reginald is sleeping at the moment.

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