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Fernsby stared him down for a very long moment, then drawled, “They want to see me in England, sir. And Bradford Park is only a ten-mile drive from the site of this season’s competition. Therefore, I respectfully request that we spend a few days there for my interviews and screen tests.”
“Of course.” Dane waved his hand, giving imperious permission. “Stay at the manor house. Take whatever time you need. I know how important this is to you. But I’m not sure why I need to go along.” He tipped his head slightly in question.
Fernsby let out a long-suffering sigh. “Sir, I require that you and Camille travel with me. I’m going to be doing interviews, a lot of them. I’ll be talking with producers.” He widened his eyes fractionally. “In fact, I’ll rarely be at the house.” He allowed a very pregnant pause.
Until Dane saw the light and lowered his voice, even though Cammie wasn’t home. “This is part of the plan to help me with Cammie, isn’t it? But I’m still not getting how the manor house will help.”
Fernsby squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Did I not say, sir, that I will rarely be at Bradford Park?” He waited for Dane’s lightbulb to actually turn on.
Dane should have gotten it the moment Fernsby had said he wanted both Dane and Cammie to fly to England. It was just that this was so unlike his staid butler. But he’d asked for help, and Fernsby was throwing him the bone he needed. Plus, Cammie loved the manor, loved the long walks, loved to tease him about his title, Lord Fuzzybottom or Lord Bumstead, or any of the silly names she made up.
“Fernsby, you’re a genius. A few days at the manor will be perfect.”
Fernsby winked, startling Dane still further. “I’m leaving it up to you, sir, to do the rest. I know you can. Because when you set your mind to something, especially if it’s your heart’s desire, you always make it happen. And I do believe Camille is your heart’s desire.”
Dane couldn’t say why the words shocked him more than Fernsby’s wink. Heart’s desire? It was such a powerful image. He desired Cammie, had since the day he’d first seen her on the golf course.
Cammie was always the one to make sure he added heart to his projects. As though he had no heart at all. Yet his heart always beat faster when she was around. His mind and body craved more. And yes, his heart did as well. So much more.
Which was actually quite terrifying.
What if he laid everything before her—and it scared her off?
And yet… he couldn’t go on with her only as his assistant. Or his project manager. Not even as his best friend. He wanted her. His heart wanted her.
Even as Dane reeled inside, Fernsby said, “Have no fear, sir. Everything you need will be at your fingertips. Because I’ve been planning this moment for twelve very long years.” He stared down his long nose at Dane. “And trust me when I say, I’ve already prepared for the things you don’t even know you’re going to want or need.”
But had he prepared Dane for his heart’s desire?
Dane could only hope he had and that he showed not an ounce of his trepidation. “Why do you think I’ve kept you around for so long? You always know what I need before I know I need it.”
Fernsby’s expression was suddenly as satisfied as a cat who’d just wheedled a handful of treats when it wasn’t even dinnertime. “I have faith in you, sir.” As the man disappeared around the doorjamb, his voice floated back to Dane. “Get ’er done, sir,” he added like a rodeo star.
Dane wondered if a paranormal entity had taken over Fernsby’s body.
When Cammie bounded into the room only a short time later, still wearing her hiking clothes, she flashed him a grin. “What’s up with Fernsby?”
He told her the partial truth. “He’s made it past the baking show’s first round. Now they want to do interviews and screen tests. I’m afraid we need to go to Bradford Park. The show will be filming only a few miles away, and he needs our moral support.”
Cammie clapped her hands. “This is so exciting.” Her eyes were bright as she bounced on the balls of her feet. “I knew they’d pick him. He’ll totally ace any interviews and screen tests. And then he’s going to win.”
“Since he is the quintessential British butler, they’ll love him.”
But he couldn’t forget everything else Fernsby had said. His heart’s desire.
She was beautiful and smart. She was dedicated and kindhearted. She was loyal. She was his best friend. He’d never known a more caring woman in his life.
He felt the phantom touch of her fingers on his cheek, the imagined sweetness of her kiss on his lips. Now that he’d tasted her again and felt the thrum of her body against his, there was no way he could go back.
