Free The Legacy of Hope House by Dilys Xavier Page A

single, and he looked good too.
     

 
    Chapter Thirteen
     
    The shrill sound of the doorbell startled Anna out of her pensive mood. She jumped out of the chair and ran to answer it, only to see Liz on the doorstep, all smiles. ‘Haven’t seen you for a while, so I thought I’d catch up with the latest.’
    Delighted, Anna grabbed her arm and drew her inside. ‘Have I got news for you,’ she said, glancing around furtively to see where her mother was. ‘I’ve been dying to tell you, but I could say nothing over the phone because Hope House is definitely not my mother’s favourite topic.’ She pulled on Liz’s arm. ‘Let’s go into the sitting room for a chat.’ Satisfied that Margaret was now absorbed in watching a film on television, she could offload her story.
    ‘You seem excited,’ Liz said, settling into a comfortable chair. ‘What’s up?’
    Anna related a brief account of her fears about losing the manor and told her about the dream she’d had.
    ‘Oh, my gawd, Anna. Liz shook her head. ‘Does anyone else know about your concern?’
    ‘Only David, but he won’t tell anyone. But listen, you’ve done family research before, so will you be a pal and help to research mine? I need to know.’
    ‘Of course, and now that Dot is working in London, she’s on the spot for researching things like that. I can meet her so she’ll be able to help as well.’
    ‘Please Liz, ask Dot to say nothing about this to a soul, especially my mother, who’s so keen for me to ditch the place, that she’d welcome anyone who could take it away from me. She’d go out of her mind if she knew I intend to go to any lengths to keep it.’
    ‘Understood. Anyway, I’d never tell your Mum.’ Liz’s eyes were bright with interest by now. ‘Are you going to set much store on that dream? It was only a dream remember.’
    ‘I know, but it gave me ideas; and it prodded me into doing research.’ She paused as she thought about it, then livened up. ‘So come on, give me your news, Liz. Anything interesting to report?’
    ‘Yes, and I think it’s relatively exciting.’ She laughed. ‘I lost my job, but found another straight away, that’s what.’
    ‘What happened?’
    ‘The firm I worked for suddenly went bust. I phoned the job agency immediately, and they sent me along to a solicitor who wanted a receptionist in a hurry. I think it’s the same one you went to about your inheritance; James and Co.’
    ‘You were lucky. When do you start?’
    ‘I’ve already started. It’s not fantastic money, but it’ll fill the gap until I find something better. I’m not the only new one there either. A young solicitor, not long qualified, started at the same time; name of Quentin Hale, and he’s quite some looker too. I’m sure you’d fancy him. I certainly do.’
    Her eyes took on a dreamy expression for a moment. ‘Anna, he’s drop-dead gorgeous, very tall; has a Mediterranean look about him - you know the type, black hair, dark velvet brown eyes, sun-tanned skin, white ivories, and on top of all that, he’s quite a charmer. I’d guess he’s about our age.’ She shrugged. ‘He’s spoken to me several times on his way into the office, but he hasn’t really noticed me, if you know what I mean. Pity.’
    Liz continued to look doe-eyed and sighed deeply. ‘Sorry about the pun, but he’s the sort of man you dream about; the sort you can’t help noticing and the kind you can’t forget.’ Liz snapped out of her pensive mood, and gave another quick shrug. ‘Anyway, I’ll get to know him better as time goes on. The best part is that he seems okay to work with.’
    ‘Unusual name, Liz. I’ve never heard it around here.’
    ‘Not surprised at that; seems he was born in America, but he’s been living in this country for yonks. His accent is more English than anything now, although there’s a hint of American about it, especially on certain words.’ Liz became thoughtful for a moment. ‘He’s the boss’s