“We have a detective hunting him down”, she offered softly; as he gave a small laugh devoid of humour. “Really...He has been gone for over a month...Is this ‘detective’ of yours any closer to finding him?” She sighed, shaking her head, “No...Not yet. But it only takes one thing...one mistake” His eyes moved to give her a considering look “Well perhaps your man needs more help”, he muttered mysteriously, Sara giving a return wry smile. “Perhaps”, she said, as both fell into silence.
Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city, the roads widened and the traffic thinned as the concrete and metal landscape gave way to green rolling countryside. The car pulled off the highway, moving along the winding road which ran parallel with the sea; Sara recognised the area, her family having long wished that they could one day afford even a small house in the much sought-after locale.
Her eyes grew wide as the car stopped at the imposing high gates - the sole way into the estate surrounded by a tall stone wall, only the sweeping driveway surrounded by trees visible from the gaps in the ornate gate. “Wow” The word left her lips before she could stop it, Darius giving a small curl of his lips. “Not bad for a thief”, he bit out, Sara feeling the anger once more swell within her, suddenly tired of having to constantly apologise for her actions so many years ago.
“Oh I don’t know...tall walls locked gate...seems the perfect place for one” His loud laugh made her turn, finally losing the battle to stop the smile which rose to her own lips, as he looked at her, an appreciative gleam in the darkness of his eyes. “You always did have a sense of humour” His eyes moved forward once more as the gate swung open and he moved the car up the long driveway. Darius had almost forgotten how Sara would make him laugh so many years ago, her dry sense of humour never used to the detriment of others, unlike her sister. Why over the six years had he forgotten how she would smile and joke with the contractors, her one-liners and quick answers proof of her sweetness and intelligence Pulling the car up in front of the large house, he had known why. To remember why he had been attracted to the woman beside him would detract from his anger at her for her actions so many years ago, and that anger had sustained him in bad times.
Darius slipped from the driver’s seat, moving quickly to open her door, extending his hand to help her from the low car as Sara stared at the large imposing house before her. Although made of stone - its imposing walls reminded her of some of the Scottish stately homes she visited on her one holiday to Europe - there was a softness to the building, set in such perfectly manicured lawns and gardens, her eyes like saucers as she drank in the beauty of his home. “What do you think?”
Sara pulled her look from the house, suddenly aware that she still held his hand, pulling it from him, his lip quirking in amusement. “Very big...ostentatious...over the top, just like you”, her trite answer, seeing his eyebrow rise.
“So...you don’t like it?” he asked softly, as she shuffled her feet nervously, feeling suddenly petulant as she gave a small sigh. “Of course I like it...what is not to like? It is stunning, beautiful” With another chuckle he placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her into the open doorway, his head leaning in to whisper so seductively “Also like me?” Sara gritted her teeth as he laughed at her.
Chapter Four
The inside of the building was no less impressive than the outside. Each room was decorated and furnished harmoniously for the house itself, the classic furnishings and sumptuous drapes subtle and elegant. Reaching the kitchen, she heard the radio playing, the classical music streaming down the hallway as they entered the large room. A middle-aged woman worked on what appeared to be a chicken dish, her attention held both by what she was doing and also the music she was humming loudly along to. Starting, she looked over at Darius, a huge grin on her face.
“Darius!” her real pleasure at seeing him shining from her sparkling eyes, eyes which turned to focus on her, polite interest now lighting the warm blue of them as she nodded her head in acknowledgment, “Hello...Miss Balfour isn’t it?” Sara gave a shy smile back as she nodded, “Please...it’s Sara” “Edith...Sara Balfour. Sara, this is the woman who keeps this house running...Edith Clark” The other woman stepped forward, rubbing her hands on the apron she wore, the pleasure of his words stamped over her features as she thrust a hand out to Sara.#p#分页标题#e#
“It is lovely to meet you dear” Sara was surprised at the thick English accent, as she shook her outstretched hand, muttering something appropriate back. Darius however, continued to talk, “Edith runs the house and has a few cleaners come in each week to help, and her husband John looks after the gardens”. The other woman grinned again.