Page 15

The sound is crisp and solid, reverberating through the quiet morning.
Almost immediately, the door swings open,and I’m greeted by a man I don’t recognize.
He’s tall and straight-backed, his silver hair perfectly combed and his tailored suit impeccable. His face is sharp, his features clean and distinguished, with a hint of severity in his gray eyes. There’s an air of authority about him, but his demeanor is polite, if not particularly warm.
“Miss Fox, I presume?” he asks, his voice carrying a refined, posh tone—not quite British, but close. Maybe New England.
“Yes,” I reply, standing a little straighter under his assessing gaze and offering a polite smile.
“I’m Ellis,” he says brusquely, stepping aside to let me in. “Head-of-household. I oversee the staff and ensure the property runs smoothly.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, stepping into the entryway. The cool air of the house wraps around me as I step inside, the familiar scent of polished wood and faint floral undertones greeting me.
Ellis closes the door behind me and gestures for me to follow him down the wide, gleaming hallway. “Master Robbie isn’t downstairs yet. I’ll take you on a brief tour of the main floor while we wait. I understand you were only here for a couple of hours on Friday evening.”
Brief? I doubt it. This house could fit into my entire apartment building and still have room to spare.
“Yes, we spent most of our time in a family room down the hall,” Isay instead.
Ellis leads me through the house with efficient precision, his tone professional as he points out various rooms and their purposes. The main living room alone is four times the size of my apartment, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the backyard and pool.
He points out rooms with quick, efficient descriptions: the formal dining room with its massive table and gleaming chandeliers, the sunlit conservatory filled with lush greenery, and the expansive living room with its enormous fireplace and plush seating.
Not to mention a library filled with shelves that stretch to the ceiling and big, comfortable-looking chairs to curl up with a good book.
“This is the kitchen,” he says, pausing briefly at the threshold of a stunning space that looks more like it belongs in a gourmet restaurant than a home. Stainless steel appliances glint under the soft glow of pendant lights, and the countertops are spotless.
“It’s... impressive,” I manage to say, feeling more out of place with every step.
“Indeed,” Ellis replies without a hint of humor.
Just then, Evelyn walks in looking very different than she did the other night. No longer in a black dress and heels, she’s now wearing a chef’s coat with her hair pulled back severely.
When she sees me, a smile lights up her face. “Annie! Good morning.”
“Good morning,” I reply, returning her smile.
Ellis doesn’t linger. “This is Evelyn, as you know. She oversees all meals and refreshments in the household.”
Evelyn glances between Ellis and me, a knowing smile adorning her lips. “We’ll catch up later. Robbie should be downstairs soon, I imagine?”
Ellis nods. “Indeed. Miss Fox, shall we continue?”
I nod, following him out of the kitchen. As we make our way back to the foyer, Ellis continues his efficient tour, pointing out a few additional rooms I hadn’t noticed before.
By the time we loop back to the grand staircase, my head is spinning from the sheer size and opulence of the house—and that was only the main level. I’m told there are two more levels going up, and two more going down. Who needs that many floors?
I’m fairly certain I’ll get lost at some point.
“It’s... beautiful,” I say, trying to take it all in.
“Indeed,” Ellis replies without breaking stride. “You’ll have plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the property after Master Robbie is off to school.”
As if on cue, the soft patter of small footsteps echoes from above. I glance up to see Robbie at the top of the staircase, wearing an adorable little school uniform, clutching Rexyin his arms.
“Good morning, Master Robbie,” Ellis says, his tone softening slightly.
Robbie looks down at us, and his hazel eyes light up when he spots me. But he still hesitates for a moment, then carefully makes his way down the stairs, Rexy bouncing slightly with each step.