Page 83 of The Mad Marchams

Mabel had apologized for her drunken behavior at Freddy’s party and Colin had politely accepted the apology but there was a distance between them that hadn’t been there before. He still talked to her about his plans, asked her advice, and hugged her, but she knew in her soul that something had changed, and it was probably her fault.

Three weeks later they were standing in the courtyard behind the house looking at the newly renovated coach house when Freddy appeared.

“Viz! There you are! They’ve agreed to try it!”

“That’s great!” Colin said. “Agreed to try what?”

“The organic trust will take us on as a partner and focus the home farm on organic produce to supply the house. We could even open our own farm shop here.”

“That really is good news.” Colin punched his brother in the arm. “Well done, you.”

“You helped.” Freddy said punching him back. “We need to go over the financial implications again, and it will take years to get the proper certification, but⁠—”

Colin groaned and Mabel tried hard not to look at him. Every time the word money came up, they both froze like popsicles. And, of course, because of the myriad problems they were trying to solve with the estate, it came up a lot.

Freddy turned to Mabel. “You’ll fund me won’t you, princess?”

Mabel tried to smile. “Sure, why not?”

“We’re not taking a penny from Mabel, Freddy.” Colin’s smile disappeared. “Don’t be rude.”

“It was just a joke,” Freddy protested. “Mabel doesn’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t mind,” Mabel said. “I already know that your brother hates the idea of a rich American turning up and throwing out wads of cash just to help him out.”

Colin looked at her. “Don’t do this.”

“What?” Mabel raised her chin. “Talk about the vulgar subject of money?”

“No, don’t make me feel like an ass for refusing to be beholden to you for my survival.”

“I wasn’t aware that was what I was doing,” Mabel pointed out. “It might surprise you to know that sometimes I offer folks loans which they pay back with interest.”

“Like a bank?” Freddy looked interested. “You’ve as rich as a bloody bank?”

“Shut up, Freddy,” Colin snapped. “This has nothing to do with you.”

Mabel turned to Freddy. “By the way, your brother is an ass, but not for the reason he thinks he is.”

“Okay, how is he an ass?”

“Freddy…”

Freddy ignored Colin, his attention all on Mabel.

She suddenly realized that arguing with Colin through his brother wasn’t exactly fair. “He knows how,” Mabel said grandly. “Now, if you’d both excuse me, I have a few closets to clean out in the countess’s apartment.”

Colin watched Mabel walk away and looked at his brother.

“Thanks for putting your foot in it.”

“What did I say?” Freddy looked hurt. “I wasn’t to know that both of you have suddenly lost your sense of humor.”

“I don’t want Mabel thinking I want her around for her money,” Colin said.

“She doesn’t think that. For some strange reason she seems to like you for yourself.”

“She thinks everyone is after her for her money,” Colin said darkly.