Pendelton Manor Read Online Free

pointing out his cousin’s office and the library, both in the same hall as his office and the den, Adrian led her down the hall to the right of the staircase to a massive kitchen and dining area. The old world charm of the mansion was evident in the huge stone fireplace which took up one wall, original wood beams on the ceiling and a still usable dumb waiter that stopped at both the second and third floors.
    “We haven’t used this in years, but it still works,” Adrian said as he showed her how it operated.
    “I love the way you’ve kept the old in this kitchen and blended it with the new. It would’ve been a shame to gut this kitchen and modernize all of it.” As it was, the modern stainless steel appliances, black granite countertops and the pot filler over the six burner gas stove fit nicely against the red brick backdrop around the counters and against the gray stone floor.
    Adrian remembered the argument he had with Nicole when she wanted to do just that. It had been just one of many disagreements they had had over their seven year marriage. The appreciation he saw on Sophie’s face for the antique charm of his home was a welcome change from the disdain Nicole constantly showed after they had married. She hadn’t been happy when she discovered that marrying him didn’t mean he was going to change his ways, especially when it came to preserving his family home.
    “I insisted my wife work with a restoration expert when she remodeled anything in the house. Come on, I’ll show you the one exception I made for her.”
    By the closed look on his face, Sophie figured any reminder of his wife still caused him pain, something she could sympathize with. Following him out of the kitchen, he led her down to the end of the hall where a wall of glass was the only thing that separated the original part of the mansion from the solarium. Without entering the plant filled, glass enclosed room, Adrian pointed out the two bathrooms on the far side of the pool.
    “That’s about all you’ll have responsibility for in this room. James takes care of all the plants, both inside and out and I have a pool service that includes keeping windows and floors clean. Any questions?”
    “No, thank you for the tour. Should I let you know before I go up to clean your floor?” It was obvious her new boss wasn’t anxious to spend any more time in her company than necessary, and right now that was fine by her. While she credited her attraction to her boss to her heightened libido after viewing the scene earlier, she had no rational reason for this unaccustomed desire she felt to ease the pain she saw in his cold, dark eyes. Hopefully it was something as simple as having empathy for someone who had experienced the loss of a loved one, someone who knew how that loss could devastate you.
    “That won’t be necessary. Set aside one day a week to clean the third floor and I’ll make sure I stay out of your way. One other thing, Sophie.”
    “Yes?” she asked when he paused as he looked down at her broodingly.
    “This house sits on the edge of the cliffs which makes it unsafe for you to go walking around away from the yard after dark. Only those of us who have lived here our whole life and are familiar with the terrain and the drop offs venture out at night or early morning.”
    Sophie thought she had read that Nicole had been raised in Pendelton and had been a frequent guest of the family since college, and yet she had still managed to fall to her death. “I’ll remember that and keep my walks to the daylight hours.”
    “See that you do.”

Chapter Two
    Sophie had been hoping the stress of the past day would have made her tired enough to fall asleep without a problem, but she soon discovered she wasn’t going to be that lucky. The storm had finally abated and from what she could see out her windows, nothing but a light rain remained from the raging tempest. The soft sound of it splashing against the window was actually soothing,