Roses in June Read Free

times changed. Servants were human beings, too. Yes, he expected the same level of service, loyalty, and respect as his father and grandfather, but not at the expense of their dignity and health.
    His thoughts returned to the careers fayre and Miss Stannis.
    What did she look like? Blonde, redhead, brunette? Tall, short, fat, thin? It was impossible to tell from her voice. He reached his room and threw the papers onto his bed. He pulled out his phone and speed-dialed his brother.
    “Cherry Tree House, Blake Tyler speaking.”
    Gabe gave a short laugh. “Did I ring the main house rather than your mobile, Blake?”
    There was a pause. “Nope, I’m just in work mode.” Blake laughed. As the house father of the local children’s home, Blake was never off duty. “How are you?”
    “Just shocked Mother. Told her I’m doing the careers fayre at the school next week. And I’m going as an actor.”
    Blake gasped as if shocked. “No, surely the great Earl of Elton isn’t going to attend a local fayre as an actor ? You’ll let down the family; in fact, the entire country will crumble, and the stock market will crash, and life as we know it will come to an end.”
    “Oh, hush.” Gabe laughed harder. “So, will you be coming?”
    “Yes—in my capacity as a parent. I will be sure to bring Eddie and Jason over to say ‘hi.’ And get a signed photo because you know they’ll want one.”
    “Don’t you start.”
    Blake chuckled. “Mother giving you grief on all subjects as usual then?”
    “I think she despairs of us both. I was wondering if you’d met Miss Stannis. She’s organizing the fayre.”
    “The name doesn’t ring a bell. What does she teach?”
    “I have no idea.”
    “That’s a great help. I’ll ask the kids.”
    “Thank you. I’d better go. I have to be up at half three, and I have new lines to learn before I sleep. An actor’s life is not an easy one.”
    He hung up, Dawn Stannis very much on his mind. He lay on the bed reading the script, only the voice in his head replying to his lines belonged to a certain teacher and not his co-star.

2
    Gabe followed the footman who carried another box into the hall and watched him stack it by the first one. It would’ve been far quicker if he’d have done it himself, rather than wait for someone to turn up and then have to tell them what to do.
    “You are not driving yourself,” Countess Florence barked continuing the argument from breakfast. “Hardy, have Peters bring the car around ready to drive His Lordship to the school.”
    Before the butler could say anything, Gabe glared at her. “I’ll drive. I don’t need a limo for this trip. It’s not far, and I don’t want a fuss.”
    “You’ll take the driver, and that’s the end of it.”
    Gabe scowled. “Fine. Then I’ll need him and the car all day. You’ll have to find some other way of getting to your bridge club this afternoon. We’ll be home around nine-thirty, ten this evening. So I won’t need dinner.”
    He headed towards the door taking one of the boxes with him. He bit his tongue as the footman took it from him. “Put it in the boot of my car, please.”
    Hardy followed him with the other box. “Mrs. Jessop made you up a cut lunch, sir. I know you said you didn’t want anything, but…”
    “I’ll take it.” Tired of his mother making a fuss, he simply wanted out of the house as soon as possible.
    His red sports car sat on the drive, and he unlocked it. He turned to the footman who was struggling to fit the big box into the small boot. At this rate, he’d be late. “Let me take that.” Shoving his box into the boot, he stacked the second box next to it.
    Easy when you know how .
    He caught sight of his mother glaring at him from the doorway. Why couldn’t she just accept the fact that he wasn’t going to break if he did something for himself for once?
    The chauffer, Peters, appeared beside him and opened the passenger door.
    Gabe sighed. He handed over the keys and got