Cinderella on His Doorstep / Accidentally Expecting!: Cinderella on His Doorstep

“You were very thoughtful to do that. Now that I’ve sampled both, it makes me wonder what the Belles Fleurs wine tasted like.”

“We’ll never know…” His voice trailed. “Every bottle has disappeared from the wine cellar. I suppose there are a few connoisseurs who bought them up. They might still have them stored in their wine cellars for a special occasion. Good dessert wines can last for decades.”

“It seems so sad there’s no more wine being made from the grapes grown on your property.”

He stared at her, deep in concentration. “I’m afraid I’m not a vintner. It’s a whole other world that requires the best oenologist you can hire. A wine expert doesn’t come cheap, nor a vintner and crew.”

“What do you suppose happened to the records kept by the vintners of this estate?”

“I have no idea. Possibly they’re hiding in one of the tons of boxes holding the contents of the library. You haven’t seen that room yet. It’s in the right wing next to the music room.”

After she finished off her quiche, she asked, “Are the books upstairs with the furniture?”

“They’re in one of the third floor turret rounds.”

She peeled an orange and ate several sections as she digested what he’d told her. “Alex—aren’t you curious about them? About the history of this place?”

He ate some cheese before swallowing the rest of his wine. “Not particularly.”

“Why?” When he didn’t immediately answer her, she felt terrible. It was clear he didn’t want to talk about his family’s past. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. It’s none of my business.”

Unable to sit there any longer, she jumped up and started clearing the table.

“Leave it, Dana.”

Ignoring his edict, she took everything over to the sink. “I want to make myself useful before I go upstairs.”

“You’re tired then?”

“Yes.” She seized on the opening he’d given her. “You must be, too, considering how early you get up and the exhausting labor you do every day.” She found detergent to wash their plates and glasses.

Her heart skipped a beat when he joined her with a towel to dry them. Soon she had the table wiped off and the kitchen cleaned up. They were both standing at the counter.