Page 63 of All For You

“Hi, Tabitha.”

“Hey there. How are you feeling?”

We’d spoken soon after the debacle at Amor Inn, and she’d called every couple of days to check on me. Unfortunately, Tabitha felt partly responsible for what had happened, as herparents owned the inn, but that was because she was so sweet, rather than worried about being culpable.

“Alllll good.” A lie. But I was sick of hearing myself talk about my misery and disappointment.

“You sound even more down.”

“Charlie called and said my first pages are unusable because they’re so lacking in drama and conflict. She said I have to start again and set the story in a fresher location, not the local ones I’ve used before.” The words tumbled out, higher-pitched and more desperate than I’d meant.

Tabitha got a funny look on her face. “Hear me out before you say no. Why don’t you come to Pemberley with me this week while I work on designs?”

All the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end at the thought.

When she wasn’t filming a quiet TV series on country homes, Tabitha was also redesigning Darcy’s stately home, Pemberley, in Derbyshire.

“Look, it’s a gorgeous Regency building, and you might get some ideas from the grounds and looking through the rooms. The estate is wonderful—hidden gardens, topiary, old ruins, magical walks through an ancient forest. You’ll be doing me a huge favor keeping me company.”

“You must be kidding. What about Darcy? Me turning up after I told him I wanted space and I didn’t know if I wanted to see him again? I’ll look completely bonkers.”

“He won’t be there. It’s definite. He has loads of meetings down in London. I wouldn’t invite you if he were going to be there.”

Unease curled under my ribs. Even seeing his place would bring back bad memories. Would it smell like him? Ugh. “I don’t know, Tabs.” And yet, he wouldn’t be there. Her description ofPemberley was also lovely.Hidden gardens, topiary, old ruins. My imagination went into overdrive.

“Come on,” she pushed. “We’ll have a fun week together. You can write on the train too.”

I’d have to leave Oodles, and I’d miss him too much. But Mum and Jane loved having him, and Jane would appreciate the company because she was so down. Strolling around the stately home might give me ideas, jog my flow. It was something to give Charlie immediately. I felt the TV show had undermined my seriousness as an author, adding even more pressure to produce a good story. “I need to know for absolute sure Darcy won’t be there.”

“I promise, I’m absolutely certain.”

“Hmm.” That would be a perfect setting for my next novel, as, to my knowledge, Pemberley had never been used as a setting in a book or TV series. But going there was still fraught.

“I’m definitely not staying at Pemberley,” I said.

“No, that’s fine. Darcy always invites me, but I want to keep it professional until I’m finished this job. I stay at the Mrs. Rosey Crown B&B in Lambton.”

I’d heard it was beautiful and wild up there, and the mirror lakes and windswept mountains would feed my soul. A complete escape, and it was a chance to get to know Tabitha better. She and Tim were both so busy, I hadn’t been able to spend as much time with her as I’d wanted.

A text popped up from Charlie.

Charlie

Any ideas yet, my turtledovey love?

Her checking in was bad. The more panicked Charlie got, the more gritted-teeth honeybun she became. I could feel hertension from across town. After the flopped first pages, I needed to give her something.

Me

Yes! Found an estate NOT on your “No fly” list. Exclusive access this weekend. Will tell you more.

Charlie

Praise the lord! Olivia Darling made the Most Anticipated list, and your publishers are buzzing. Do not want her to take your marketing budget.

“Okay, you’ve convinced me,” I said to Tabitha, and she squealed in my face.

CHAPTER 28