Billionaire Flawed 1(267)
“Me too, old man. My aunt had me trail up here on a wild goose chase.” Bertie answered, and Badger pulled the cord that brought a man servant rushing to see what was required. Relieved that the master was not furious that his guest was unannounced the servant retreated to find food and drink and the two friends sat down to catch up.
“I must say,” Badger commented eyeing Bertie’s extremely tight trousers. “Those are not pantaloons. They are very revealing.” Bertie stood up and did a sort of twirl around to display his up to the minute fashion. “You really do have to get up to date, Badge. These are all the rage in town.” Badger was not impressed because he was a fan of country pursuits and tradition. He laughed off his friend’s suggestion and asked if Aunt Agnes was well.
“In rude good health,” Bertie answered “And as annoying as ever.” He paused “But she never told me that Lady Tupperham had passed away. She was a great old girl, and I never knew she had gone.” Badger nodded and said that it was sad. “The estate now belongs to her only living relative.”
“I met her this morning. Caroline Carstairs she said her name was and told me I was trespassing.” Bertie said with a wave of his hand and his friend laughed out loud. “Indeed, the woman can be bold, and she is unusual. “He smiled “But is exceedingly pretty.”
“I never noticed,” Bertie said dismissively and Badger laughed it off.
“That I do not believe, and you two should get on well. She is the most fashion conscious and up to date person, you will ever meet.” Bertie looked at him incredulously and brushed the assertion aside. “How could she possibly be up to date stuck up here away from everything?”
“Ah, but she has lived in London all of her life up till now. She has made some amazing changes to the house already.” Bertie was sceptical and said so, but Badger was not to be changed. “I have been very nice to her, but I know she thinks I am old fashioned.” Badger smiled at himself, and Bertie said “Well you are old fashioned. You were old fashioned when you were ten years old.” He clapped his friend on the back and went on to say that as he had come all this way on a wild goose chase, he would make some modernisations to the house. “There are some new items for the kitchens but- And he paused dramatically. “Have you seen the new flush away waste systems?” Badger Tomkins gave a grin that threatened to split his face in two. “Well yes, actually, I have.” He was rewarded by the stunned look on the face of Bertie Collins Margrave and he laughed out loud with glee. “You see,” he added with a sort of flourish. “The young lady who has taken over Lady Tupperham’s house has installed not one but two in The Grange.”
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Bertie replied and sat down into a nearby chair with a sudden thump. Badger told him that Caroline had made other changes, but it had only been three months and some things were taking more time. “She apparently wants the decoration to be like the top houses in London. Her clothes have come down specially and I hear that some of them come from Italy and France.” Bertie could find no suitable reply. Badger was pleased to have the better of his friend for once and told him that Caroline was an excellent horse woman. “No doubt you noticed that she is also extremely pretty.” He finished and Bertie realised that he had indeed noticed that the dark blonde hair and blue grey eyes were part of a slender and rather delicious package. He thought to himself but did not say to Badger that he also noticed that the riding clothes were very similar to the choicest apparel worn around the city. It was a lot to take on board and then he reminded himself that she was also arrogant and had ordered him off her land. “Hmph.” Was all he managed in reply and Badger was delighted. They sat and talked about other things that interested young men of the time and Bertie made an arrangement to go riding the following day. Badger had thought to include friends and make the occasion a bit more of a social occasion. His own sister would have been furious if he had not told her that Bertie was back in the area. Bertrand himself, took his leave and rode back to his stately home by the road. This took considerably more time, but he had no notion to be caught trespassing again.
Bertie arrived home and left the horse to be tended, threw the top hat on a chair and strode through the house to find his aunt in the sitting room that she used the most because it let out onto the garden. The garden was a source of delight to Agatha and Bertie wisely left her to make all decisions in that regard. He knew she would be there but stopped short in the doorway when he realised she was not alone. Sitting taking tea with his normally grumpy old relative was the new neighbour- Caroline Carstairs.