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Elizabeth pushed through the hospital doors, her mind lost in a sea of guilt and confusion. She paid little attention to her surroundings as she quickly made her way to the room Granville had told her Claude was being examined in. It was only a precaution he’d said on the phone. She imagined Claude would be quite chuffed at the idea. This whole thing was her fault, but how had Claude come to rely on her so quickly? A faint niggling of suspicion lay at the base of her neck. Claude didn’t appear to be a manipulative person and though his grandson most certainly had that capability, Elizabeth lacked the nerve to confront either. And after her row with William, the prospect left her too disheartened to consider. So, as she reached the door of the examining room, she chose to put her trust in these two men.
Granville opened the door and stepped out as if he were watching for her arrival. “Elizabeth, thank you for coming. I feel awful to have dragged you into this.” His usual strong, confident demeanor had been replaced by a softened, humble version of himself. His hair was somewhat disheveled, and his eyes peered into her, asking for something Elizabeth wasn’t sure she could give.
“I must admit I feel responsible. I’d no idea Claude would react this way to my absence.”
He clasped his hands in front of him and gave a slow nod. “Neither did I. He’s quite fond of you, but more than that, he’s simply...unpredictable.”
“Shall I go in and talk to him?”
“Not yet. The doctor is just finishing up with him. But I must warn you, he may not even recall leaving his appointment or even the fact that you weren’t there.”
“I see,” Elizabeth said, checking Granville’s steady gaze. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Just being here does me...and my grandfather a world of good.” He offered a tight smile that showed more in his eyes than his mouth. It faded in an instant as his gaze was taken to something behind her.
Elizabeth turned to find Monica standing behind them. “Miss Bennet, I’m surprised to find you here. Are you feeling much better?”
“I...er...” She turned back to Granville, her eyes asking for assistance.
“I must apologize for dragging Miss Bennet to the hospital whilst she is under the weather. I admit, I may have overreacted about my grandfather.” He head gestured to the room Claude was in. And as luck would have it the door opened, and the doctor exited, saving Elizabeth from further explanation.
“May I have a word Granville?” the doctor said.
“Of course. Excuse me for a moment, ladies.” He stepped to the side, and clapped a hand on the doctor’s shoulder as if they’d been old friends. The man looked to be around her father’s age.
Elizabeth glanced to Monica as she took a few steps toward the door. “I’m going to see how he’s doing. If you’ll excuse me.”
Monica nodded and watched her in a curious way. It appeared to Elizabeth she might have more to say, so she hesitated before going in. Monica made no move to leave or speak, so Elizabeth took a guess at what she was waiting on. “I’m sure I’ll feel better after some rest, so I’ll make sure to be here tomorrow.”
Monica’s forehead furrowed, her jaw opened and closed. She looked over to Granville who was still talking to the doctor. “I’ve got to run. Give Claude my best.”
Elizabeth shook off the chill Monica’s departure left and placed a warm smile on her face. “Good afternoon, muffin,” she said opening the door. “Causing a bit of a ruckus I hear?”
Claude looked up and pursed his lips, containing a smile that began to form. “Rubbish! An old man can’t go for a walk without someone calling the bloody bobbies?” He shook his head and folded his arms as he sat in the doctor’s chair.
She stepped closer and put a hand on his shoulder, looking down into his soft, light eyes. “I suppose they were worried about this old man.”
“I’m sorry they dragged you away from your work, but I’m pleased to see you.” He stood and brushed his hands down the front of his pants as if he’d jumped off a dusty horse. “I’m getting out of here. Join me?”
“Claude, wait...I wanted to apologize to you.”
He stopped at the door and squinted in her direction. “Apologize? For what, my dear?”
Elizabeth remembered what Granville had said and didn’t want to cause Claude further anxiety and confusion. “I...”
“Do you need to get back to work? Don’t mind me.” He placed a hand on his lower back and hunched over as if he were an even older man. “I’ll get by somehow.” He strained to pull the door open and then peeked back at her with an expectant expression.
“You faking old goat,” she said, coming up behind him. She grabbed the door and pulled it open. “All right, old man. Get moving.”
“Have mercy on me. I’m weak and malnutritioned.”
Elizabeth ignored his further dramatics as they passed through the door and met Granville waiting with a content look on his face. “Speaking of food, I was just going to suggest that Elizabeth accompany us back to the house for something to eat.”
Claude looked hopeful for but a moment before his expression fell. “What a splendid idea, but I do believe Miss Elizabeth has commitments at the hospital.”
Elizabeth checked Granville for a reaction; he responded with an almost imperceptible head shake and insistent eyes. “Have you further commitments at the hospital, Elizabeth?”
Knowing that Granville knew full well she didn’t, Elizabeth felt only one response acceptable. “Actually, I’m completely free at the moment. I’d be happy to come back with you. Thank you.”
Both men exchanged beams of light with their eyes and offered their elbows for her to take hold of. “Right this way, madam,” Granville said, making a sweeping motion with his other hand. The three walked to the car park, stopping at Elizabeth’s car first so she could follow over. Granville walked her to the door and whispered to her as she got in the driver’s seat, “Thank you for doing this. As you can see he’s already looking up.”
Glancing in Claude’s direction, she found him with his hands in his pockets and wearing a knowing smile. How had she let this mental version of pro wrestling tag team get out of hand? “Yes, it’s as if nothing even happened,” she said. Her eyes shot back to Granville when she realized how her tone came out.
Granville’s eyebrows perked a moment.
“But I’m happy to help,” she said, quickly.
Granville backed away with a slight grimace which he replaced with a grin in a flash. “You have the address in case I lose you?”
“I do. See you there.” Before she pulled away, she checked her phone. “Bollocks!” She cringed and glanced out her window to see if he was still within earshot. Her phone was dead; she hadn’t charged it overnight. At least she had an excuse now for not checking her messages.
***
“Whose house is this?” Elizabeth said as Granville greeted her at her car. After pulling up the long driveway the first word that popped into her head was extravagant. Definitely more than she’d expect from someone in banking, but then again Granville’s family might have had money. A gorgeous, two-story grey brick home spread out in front of her. It must have been eight or ten bedrooms.
“That’s actually a long story. But, technically, it’s my home. I have Grandfather staying with me for now.”
“A long story I shall be interested to hear.”
“Of course,” he said, putting his hand out in another gentlemanly gesture. “After you?”
“I am glad to know you have Claude with you. I’ve been worried about him.”
“I don’t wish to cause you distress, but it does warm my heart to hear you care so much.”
“For your grandfather,” she restated deadpanned.
“Yes, of course.” He smiled, peeking at her as he held the door open.
The inside was even more breathtaking. Opening up to a wide entry, a large staircase seemed to unravel to the right of her bordered by a cherry wood banister. Following its path, she gazed up to a stunning balcony area with large windows and a high ceiling. As she stepped onto a beautiful Persian rug, Claude appeared from another room.
“Welcome. Don’t be shy, my dear. Come and I’ll take you on a tour.”
Elizabeth glanced to Granville in question.
“Don’t worry about the boss,” Claude said. “I’m sure he has calls to make or money to count somewhere.”
Granville appeared to begin an objection and then thought better of it. “Actually, I do have an important call to return. I’ll join you two in the parlor in just a few minutes.”
Elizabeth nodded and walked over to Claude who now had his arm stretched out to hers.
“Such gentlemen I have the pleasure of being surrounded by.”
“I should hope so,” Claude said, leading her to a long hallway. The carpet beneath her feet felt like a soft pillow that stretched endlessly in front of her. Claude started with the kitchen but made it clear it had more to do with proximity and less to do with her being a female. She giggled and patted his arm. “I’d never confuse you with a chauvinist.”
Claude kept his focus away from the large items like rooms and furniture and instead focused in on pictures, art, and other framed family heirlooms. His voice and the twinkle in his eye showed his pride for his family history. Before they could make it upstairs, Elizabeth noticed a shuffle in his step and his breathing increased, but she was certain he wouldn’t admit to needing a rest. “Claude, would you mind if we finished the tour later? I’m feeling a bit knackered at the moment.”
He made no move to argue and led them to the parlor where soft music played and Granville waited.
Claude walked to an antique oak bar and pulled glasses from beneath. “What would you like, my dear? We should have whatever you desire.”
Elizabeth glanced to Granville, suddenly unsure of why she was still there.
“Grandfather, wouldn’t you like to lie down for a bit? You’ve had a trying afternoon.”
“Nonsense,” he said without looking up. “What kind of host would I be if I didn’t entertain my guest?”
Elizabeth’s mouth went wide, and she had to stifle a giggle. Granville didn’t delight in the reality check his grandfather delivered. No matter whose guest she was, it appeared she would be there longer than she planned. Granville walked past her to a large sofa so white, she’d have thought not one bum had ever sat upon it.
“Please, have a seat,” he said, relaxing into a matching chair next to the sofa.
Appreciative that he didn’t try to invade her space, she smiled and sat. “I don’t need to be entertained, Claude. If you need to rest you—”
“Hmm. You seem like a wine drinker...” he said, ignoring her offer. He bent over looking for something behind the bar. Granville shrugged, and the two exchanged a tender moment, relishing in their mutual admiration of Claude. “Sonny, go fetch me some ice, this ruddy thing still isn’t working properly.”
Granville drew in a labored breath but complied, shooting Elizabeth a tight-lipped smile telling her his patience ran thin.
“How about some good old Plymouth gin for you, little lady?”
She couldn’t resist his sweet smile. “Sure, that sounds lovely.”
Granville returned a moment later with the ice and assisted Claude with finalizing drinks. Once they were all seated, drinks in hand, Claude said, “To new friends.” As Elizabeth raised her glass, she added, “And good health.”
Anxious to hear about the house, Elizabeth jumped right in to lead the conversation her way. “The house is so beautiful. Have you lived here long?” She looked to Granville to answer, but he only opened his mouth to speak before Claude chimed in.
“This was my father’s home first.”
Granville’s eyes narrowed, and though she’d not add fuel to this ridiculous play for her attention, for some reason she rather enjoyed seeing Granville struggle. And in that moment it felt good to have a reason to smile and not think about William and how upset she was with him. She turned her attention away from Granville and over to Claude. “Oh?”
Claude set the stage back to the late nineteen forties just after world war two ended and the economy was fighting back. Claude’s father had a head start in the market and timing couldn’t have worked out better. The house was then handed down to Claude, the eldest of four and the only boy. When Claude’s wife passed, he no longer wished to live in such a large and empty house, so he sold it to his only son for what he described as “a mere pittance.” Granville inherited the estate when his father passed.
Elizabeth picked up on the locked gazes of the men and looked between them. But she hadn’t understood male ego was on the line until Claude proclaimed, “Granville’s no slouch mind you. He may have been handed all this...” He spread his arms and wagged his head from side to side. “But he’s earned his keep.”
“How gracious of you, Grandfather. Thank you.” He lifted his glass with defeat coloring his face and tilted back the rest of the drink.
And just when Elizabeth had lost herself in pleasant conversation, forgetting the incident that resulted in her presence there, Claude stood abruptly. “Bugger!”
“What it is?” Elizabeth said, standing as well.
“I’ve quite enjoyed this chin wag, my dear, but Eleanor will have my arse if I’m late for dinner again.”
Granville stood, and Elizabeth turned to him questioning with her eyes. He gave her a slight nod and went to his grandfather. Placing a hand on his shoulder he said, “Grandfather, you’re home now, but it’s time you had a rest.”
Claude glanced to Elizabeth with furrowed brows. “But Eleanor...”
Feeling not only helpless but useless, Elizabeth joined the two. “You’ve had a long day, Claude. I can wait while you rest if you like.” The offer was all she could think of as a distraction, dreading the very idea that Granville would have to remind this poor man that he couldn’t recall his wife had died.
He squeezed her hand with his shaky fingers. “Such a sweet girl, you are.”
She smiled her response. He released her and turned to Granville. “You stay here and keep this lovely lady company. I’m fine on my own.”
Elizabeth’s heart broke as she watched him shuffle away. Granville ran a hand through his hair as he sighed.
“I’m so sorry,” Elizabeth said, resting a hand on his arm. She couldn’t imagine the pain she’d experience if her father went through something like that.
Granville touched her hand and looked into her eyes. “Thank you. It’s not easy seeing this happen to him. Patrick...he’s supportive and turning into a great young man, but he removes himself somewhat from this. I feel like I’m taking it on alone, and it’s harder than anything I’ve ever done.”
His words, his vulnerability took her by surprise, and her heart felt his pain. “If there’s anything I can do...” His eyes seemed to thank her, but in an instant his gaze turned to something different. He touched her cheek with the back of his hand, causing a nervous stir in her belly. She tore her gaze from his and took a step away. “Er...I know there’s not much, but I’d be happy to try.”
A moment of silence passed between them. “There is something, Lizzy.” He took two steps to bring them close again. “I’ve made a decision about my grandfather, and I believe you’re the only one who can help me make it work.”