The library was set for the interview. Jamie and Len had placed all the lights and microphones in position. Viola sat with her back to the camera, so only Tobias would be visible, centre stage. The rest of the crew were seated behind all the equipment at the far end of the room. Finula had joined them, waiting with excitement for it all to begin. As instructed, only the film crew and Finula were allowed in the library.
Finally, Tobias’ footsteps could be heard along the hallway. Viola took a deep breath. Marcus’ stomach clenched. Tobias walked in, about to give his first ever interview. The atmosphere was electric. He strode over to the chair waiting for him, sat down with utter composure, looked evenly at everyone and spoke.
‘I’m ready.’
Jamie shot up and fed wires around him before attaching a microphone to his shirt. After tapping it and checking for sound, Len asked Jamie to move one of the lights closer to Tobias. Tobias sat regally, waiting for the onslaught. The lights felt hot and he could feel himself start to burn under them. Marcus stared intently for a few seconds, then after signalling Len, shouted, ‘Action.’
‘Lord Cavendish-Blake, may I start by thanking you for agreeing to be interviewed, exclusively?’
Tobias gave a rather bored look; he hated any form of grovelling. ‘You may.’
Arrogant shite, thought Marcus.
‘What made you decide to finally face the cameras?’
This was slightly off track, Tobias noted immediately, but answered the question with ease and honesty.
‘Money, basically. This estate costs a fortune to run, many people’s livelihoods depend on it and opening up Treweham Hall to the TV cameras will bring in much-needed revenue.’
Won’t it just, the money-grabbing swine, thought Marcus, remembering the eye-wateringly large sum of money the Cavendish-Blakes had demanded.
‘So, you personally take responsibility for your staff and tenants?’
‘I like to think I have a good working relationship with them, yes.’
‘By providing for them and upholding old, family traditions, such as the Landlord’s Supper?’
This was veering further off track. ‘Yes,’ Tobias replied with caution.
‘I believe you very generously settle the bill for quite a… raucous night?’
‘Yes, I think it’s money well spent and I like to see my tenants enjoying themselves.’
‘Wasn’t there some… altercation at the last Landlord’s Supper?’
Marcus didn’t intervene. He’d suspected Viola would pull this stunt. She was asking questions on the agreed topics, but twisting and pushing a little too close for comfort.
Tobias paused and stared coolly into her. Viola’s heart thumped uncontrollably. She found him so dangerously attractive, yet still wanted her interview to make an impact. In a way, pushing him like this turned her on.
Finally, he answered. ‘I objected to having my wife manhandled and so I reacted like any other husband would.’
‘By knocking a man out, flat on the floor?’
‘No. By knocking a man out, flat on the bar,’ corrected Tobias straight-faced.
Finula giggled, Marcus shot round with a stern ‘keep-quiet’ face, making her hold up her hands in apology.
Viola gave a light tinkly laugh. ‘I see. Could we talk about your wedding here at Treweham Hall? I understand it took place inside your charming chapel last September?’
‘Yes. We wanted a small, private affair.’
‘And I believe congratulations are in order, as Lady Cavendish-Blake is due to have your first child in March?’
The implication was clear: it had been a shotgun wedding. The dig certainly wasn’t lost on Tobias. This woman was seriously starting to piss him off. Any hint of trying to cast Megan in a bad light made his hackles rise. Then, just as he was about to tell her in no uncertain terms what he thought, Viola sat forwards in her chair slightly, tipping her pelvis, then uncrossed her legs languidly, leaving Tobias in no doubt she was a true brunette. He blinked with disbelief. All the while the camera rolled, catching his expression. It looked for all intents and purposes like he was stalling for time, when in reality he was actually stunned. Nobody but Tobias could have seen Viola’s lurid act because they were all behind her, facing him. He took a deep breath and steadied himself.
‘My wife and I are extremely happy to be bringing our first child into the world. We consider it a blessing.’
Marcus was delighted he’d been clearly knocked off kilter.
Finula shifted uncomfortably, suddenly not finding this exciting or amusing any more. The questions weighed heavy with insinuation and undertone, making her feel uneasy. She looked towards Marcus, who was still staring in concentration. Did she notice his lips twitch slightly? After what seemed an excruciating thirty minutes for Finula, the interview concluded and Marcus called it a wrap.
Tobias stood up, untangled his microphone and threw it on the chair, before walking out of the library stony-faced without a backward glance.