‘Please don’t worry, Henry. I was managing,’ Lara replied. ‘But some professional help will be very welcome …’

  ‘Experienced maintenance staff are like gold dust in our remote little corner of the Lakes.’ Fiona directed the comment at Flynn. ‘And we didn’t want to disappoint Lara – or the team – if you couldn’t take the job.’

  ‘And it was a long shot that he could hare all the way up here and start tout de suite. What time did you set out from Cornwall, my boy?’ Henry asked.

  ‘Actually, I set off yesterday and stayed overnight with a friend who lives up here,’ Flynn said. ‘But I’m fine. I like a good long ride.’

  Lara felt a flush creep up the back of her neck. With her hair piled on top of her head, she was acutely aware her heightened colour would be visible against her fair skin.

  ‘I’m sure. I did back in my day as well. I still haven’t shown you my vintage Norton. Plenty of opportunity now, though, eh? I’ll get us a sherry.’

  Fiona rolled her eyes while her husband filled glasses from a decanter on the sideboard. ‘I’m sure Flynn will be far too busy with his new role and the Winter Spectacular to tinker with motorbikes.’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll find the time. So, how are you settling in, old chap? How’s the Groom’s Cottage?’ Henry Penhaligon was all rosy-cheeked affability as he handed a glass of sherry to Flynn.

  Sitting in front of the crackling fire, Lara felt anything but affable. Her whole body was as taut as a wire.

  ‘It’s a great little place, thanks,’ Flynn said, accepting the glass and sipping it. Lara would have bet her beloved old Land Rover that he’d never tasted sherry in his life.

  ‘You’re not far from Lara,’ Henry continued. ‘She’s in Stable Cottage opposite if you need her.’

  ‘How convenient,’ Flynn said, exchanging an amused glance with Lara.

  ‘Isn’t it?’ she ground out, wondering how he could joke at a time like this.

  Fiona collected a platter of canapés from the sideboard. ‘Our catering manager, Jazz, had these sent up. She’s a gem.’ She offered the platter to Flynn. ‘You’ll meet her soon enough. Won’t he, Lara?’

  ‘She’s great,’ Lara agreed. Having started working at Ravendale at a similar time, she and Jazz had hit it off very quickly and were now firm friends.

  ‘These look delicious,’ Flynn said, accepting a smoked salmon blini from a platter that also included Jazz’s sticky mini Cumberland sausages and some mushroom tartlets. ‘You needn’t have gone to all this trouble for me, though.’

  ‘Nonsense. I thought you’d need a bite to eat after that journey. If it makes you feel better, we have a candlelit drinks party in the banqueting hall tonight. Local businesses will be there. Jazz and the team were on duty anyway.’

  ‘In that case, thank you,’ Flynn said.

  ‘These mini sausages are good,’ Henry declared, helping himself to a second one. ‘Grab one quick, my boy, before they’re all gone.’

  ‘You mean before you wolf the lot,’ Fiona said, with an exasperated glance at her husband. She offered the platter to Lara. ‘My dear? You must be famished after such a busy day and you know we won’t get fed while we’re mingling at the party.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Lara, although her appetite was non-existent, even for the delicious sausages cooked in the chef’s sticky, spicy marinade. They were speared on tiny sword-shaped cocktail sticks and she nibbled a small piece. Flynn, she noted, popped the whole sausage in his mouth. Clearly his conscience wasn’t troubling him as much as hers was.

  ‘I don’t mind admitting I’m incredibly relieved that Flynn could start the job at such short notice.’

  ‘You needed help and I was available. It was a no-brainer.’

  ‘What will you do with your flat in Cornwall?’ Lara asked, still not totally understanding the logistics.

  ‘I’m going to rent it out. There are plenty of people who need a place to live in Cornwall, that’s for sure.’

  ‘Not left any broken hearts down there, have you?’ Henry teased.

  Fiona gasped. ‘Henry!’ She turned to Flynn, who sipped his sherry delicately. ‘I’m so sorry. My husband has no filter these days.’

  Henry looked perplexed. ‘I’ve no idea what you mean,’ he said, and Lara knew he absolutely didn’t.

  However, Henry’s question made her wonder if Flynn was in a relationship or not.

  ‘All my focus will be on Ravendale,’ he said, answering Henry politely. ‘And, on that note, can you tell me more about the Winter Spectacular?’

  Lara was glad that he’d moved the conversation smoothly on to their jobs. They arranged a walkthrough of the site the following afternoon in order to do a trial run and spot any snags as dusk fell.

  ‘We’ll introduce you to the rest of the team properly in the morning, and then I’m sure you’ll want to get stuck in,’ Fiona said.

  Lara set her half-full glass of sherry aside. ‘I’m afraid I have to pop back to the cottage to collect my radio. The drinks reception starts in half an hour.’

  Fiona glanced at the elaborate clock on the mantlepiece. ‘Gosh, yes! Time’s flown by today! There aren’t enough hours in the day at this time of year.’

  Henry groaned and settled back deeper into his armchair. ‘I could stay here with a whisky and a book. I’m too old for partying.’

  ‘A, you’re not old, and B, our guests will be expecting you, so I will surgically remove you if I have to,’ said Fiona, with an arch of her eyebrows. ‘It’s only for a couple of hours, then you can slob around as much as you like.’

  ‘I’ve never slobbed around in my life,’ Henry protested.

  ‘Then up you get,’ said Fiona, with a wink for Lara.

  The stratagem drew amused glances between her and Flynn too. He’d finished his sherry and stood up at the same time as she did, while Henry eased himself out of the armchair, muttering.

  ‘I’ll just touch up my warpaint in the bathroom,’ Fiona said, ‘while Henry gets his old bones moving.’

  ‘See you at the reception,’ Lara said.

  Flynn insisted on her walking out of the drawing room, with a chivalry that would have amused her had she not been so troubled.

  ‘I’d like to settle in and get an early night to be ready for tomorrow,’ he said, as they walked down the stairs.

  Once in the main hall, he made as if to head for the front entrance, but Lara stopped him. ‘Not that way. There’s a quicker route. Follow me.’

  ‘You know all the secrets of this place by now, I guess,’ he said, as they went through a small door behind the grand oak staircase.

  ‘I know my way around,’ she said. ‘I’m sure you will too in no time.’

  She had a feeling that he’d fit in anywhere he wanted to.

  Her chest tightened momentarily as the cold night air hit her lungs. Flynn kept pace with her across the courtyard. A side archway marked ‘Staff Only’ led to another smaller courtyard, with offices and workshops and a gap cut into a yew hedge.

  Her cottage came into view, a single lamp lit in the sitting-room window. Flynn’s new quarters, almost opposite, were in darkness.

  He stopped a few yards outside his front door. The winter moon shone down on his face and her heart did all kinds of things she didn’t want it to do.

  ‘Lara, I’m genuinely sorry to have landed on you so unexpectedly and caused such trouble.’

  ‘The chalice was an accident,’ she said. ‘As for you coming to work here, Henry and Fiona are absolutely right. We – the castle needs someone to help. It’s important for everyone that these illuminations are a success. It’s a major investment and we can’t afford for it to make a loss.’

  ‘It won’t make a loss with you at the helm. Fiona told me it was your idea to have the grounds illuminated. She said you’ve worked wonders since you first came here.’

  ‘I wouldn’t say wonders,’ Lara said, keen not to hog all the credit and a little taken aback that her employers had spoken of her to Flynn. ‘I’ve just tried to put a decent programme of events in place that we can build on.’

  ‘And I’m here to support you. We can liaise on what you need at every step. You can call on me any time, night or day.’ His serious expression told her he meant it.

  ‘Thanks,’ Lara muttered, wanting to look away from that handsome face. It was a face that could so easily melt a heart – yet he was a colleague and, now, a neighbour. She couldn’t afford for him to become anything more. She’d learned the hard and very painful way what happened when you mixed business with pleasure. She shivered, surprised that the memory was still so raw over a year later.

  ‘I need to get off to the drinks reception,’ she said.

  ‘OK. Have you decided about the chalice yet?’

  Even the mention of the C word sent unpleasant shivers through her, yet the situation had to be faced. Henry had looked very tired at drinks, and Fiona seemed frazzled. She couldn’t load any more worries onto them at this crucial time of year, especially when they thought some of their problems had been solved by the arrival of Flynn.

  ‘I – still haven’t decided 100 per cent. I’ll sleep on it and then decide whether to contact my friend to ask if she could do the repair quickly and discreetly.’

  He let out a breath of approval. ‘I think that’s a very good idea and, as I said, my offer to go halves still stands.’

  ‘Well, I don’t feel comfortable at all with deceiving the Penhaligons. I really need more time to consider all the ramifications. And if I do have it restored, my decision to pay for it myself stands too. But thank you. Now, I really have to go. I hope you get a good night’s sleep in your new home.’

  He smiled. ‘Thanks, and I hope I do too. I’ve a feeling I’m going to need it.’

  CHAPTER SIX

  Lara had to admit the banqueting hall looked incredibly festive. The fire blazed in the hearth and flickering candles were reflected in the coppery vases of holly and ivy. There were about sixty people in the room sipping wine, eating, and speaking loudly to make themselves heard. Catering staff, hired for the evening by Jazz, glided around, refilling glasses and offering canapés. The Christmas tree was lit with a thousand twinkling lights. No one could fail to be impressed by the venue.

  Lara already had a dry throat from greeting people when she popped to the bathroom. On the way, she bumped into Jazz, who was talking to the head chef in a corner of the entrance hall under the staircase.

  When the chef left, she took her chance to speak to Jazz. ‘Hello! These canapés are so moreish. I’ve had about eight already. You’ve all surpassed yourselves tonight!’

  ‘Phew. Good.’ Jazz’s smile was wide with relief and delight. ‘I trialled a few before settling on those. Hopefully there’s something to suit everyone. You have to think of so many different dietary requirements these days. I can’t wait to go on holiday in the New Year.’

  ‘I don’t blame you. I’d like to be in Grenada now myself.’

  ‘My grandparents can’t wait to see me and the kids and we can’t wait to see them,’ Jazz said. ‘But, wait, aren’t you going to see your sister in Australia?’

  ‘I’d like to … Mum and Dad are heading out just before Christmas and I said I’d join them.’

  ‘So, you’ve booked the flights?’

  ‘Not yet. I keep meaning to but I’ve been so busy.’

  Jazz groaned. ‘What are you like? Do it tonight. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay through the nose.’

  ‘I will …’ Lara said, with a mix of guilt and regret.

  ‘Look, let’s try to find a time to go get a coffee in town. I need a break.’

  ‘I’d love to.’

  ‘Oh, and have you seen that new guy who’s moved into the Groom’s Cottage? I saw him earlier getting off a flipping Harley, for God’s sake. Phew. He’s hot, but don’t tell my Luke I said that.’

  ‘I – er – is that a new trouser suit? The colour really suits you,’ Lara said, trying to change the subject and hoping Jazz hadn’t noticed how red she’d gone.

  ‘You like?’ Jazz asked, smoothing the dark green matching trousers. ‘I felt I ought to live up to the corporate image with so many events coming up. And it’s festive.’

  ‘It looks fabulous. And I like your hair like that.’ Jazz was wearing her hair in a high bun with curly bangs.

  ‘Good, because it took me ages! Now, I have to go. More vegan canapés are required and apparently two of the catering staff are having a domestic in the kitchen and the chef wants me to read them the Riot Act because he’s too busy. Speak tomorrow.’

  When Lara returned to the banqueting hall, Fiona dinged on a glass and called for everyone’s attention. ‘Thank you, thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Don’t worry, I’m not going to drone on, as Henry would describe it.’ She gave him an indulgent glance before continuing. ‘However, I must say a few words of welcome and thank you all for coming to Ravendale. I hope you enjoy a taste of the hospitality we can offer and hope you will see tonight as the first of many visits for you and your guests and clients.’

  There were murmurs of appreciation from the guests.

  ‘Now, many of you know that Ravendale is associated with many ancient tales and legends. We rather trade on them.’

  Polite laughter followed Fiona’s gentle joke.

  ‘The most famous of these legends is our Lucky Chalice, which for those who don’t know, was gifted to us by King Henry, who took shelter here one Christmas. He told the earl that Ravendale would never fall while it was intact.’

  Lara broke out in goosebumps. It hurt to keep her smile in place.

  ‘We are blessed with an incredible team of staff here at Ravendale, including our food and beverage manager, Jazz, who oversaw the delicious canapés and wine you’re all enjoying. However, I’d just like to say a huge thank you to two more special people. One is our wonderful events manager, Lara Mayhew, who has transformed the events programme at the castle in the year since she joined us.’ Fiona went on, oblivious to Lara squirming with embarrassment. ‘Her energy, expertise and determination are having a significant impact on our revenue and, believe me, without an income stream, this castle really would fall. She is the ultimate professional.’

  Everyone strained their eyes in an attempt to pick out Lara as Fiona mimed applause in her direction. Even though she forced a smile and tried to shrink modestly away, she was burning under the fire of praise she didn’t feel she deserved. The moment the chalice had slipped through her fingers came back to her, making her feel light-headed.

  Fortunately, Fiona had moved on to someone else.

  ‘The second person I want to single out is my husband, Henry. He’s been at my side for over forty years now and is my rock, although I did have to prise him out of his armchair like an oyster from his shell this evening.’

  There was more gentle laughter as all eyes were now on Henry, including Fiona’s own, giving him a loving look. Henry waved a dismissive hand in embarrassment, but Lara could see he was touched by his wife’s praise.

  How could she deceive these kind people? She’d have to admit her clumsiness in the morning. She’d tell Flynn that she couldn’t go through with the subterfuge.

  The speech ended with Fiona proposing a toast to Ravendale. Glasses were lifted high and, after that, everyone was chattering again. After half an hour, people began to drift away and Lara tried to recall all their names so she could make notes the next day. She had spoken to so many people: hoteliers, MDs of local companies, a tourist board PR guy … yet she couldn’t remember much of what she’d said in return.

  Soon, the hall was empty save for Fiona, Henry, and the catering staff clearing plates and glasses. Henry was complimenting Jazz and the head chef while Fiona made a beeline for Lara.

  Her stomach turned over.

  ‘Lara. I think that went very well. There were so many people who’d never actually been to the castle, despite it being on their doorstep, or they hadn’t been for years. They were most impressed, I can tell you.’

  ‘I’m not surprised. It’s an incredible place …’ Lara said, racked with angst.

  ‘It’s not merely the place. It’s your ideas about showcasing it to the wider world. With a proper programme of events and nights such as this one, we look more professional all round and inspire confidence. A couple of people have said they’d love to hold corporate events here and one even asked if we can do conferences.’

  ‘The MD of Fell Forest Products asked me about holding a summer conference too,’ Lara said. ‘He said his marketing team would be in touch next week.’

  Fiona patted her arm. ‘My dear, you have done amazing work. And I know managing the lighting contractors without Gerald was beyond your remit and added to your burden. Well, all that is over now. Flynn is here and, may I say, I now insist on you going straight to the cottage and to bed. You must be shattered.’

  ‘I’m—’ Lara was about to say fine, but decided to take the chance to escape and collect herself. Tomorrow would come round soon enough. ‘I don’t mind having an early night.’

  ‘Then off you go and don’t you worry about a thing.’

  It came as no surprise to Lara that she didn’t enjoy the restful night that Fiona had wished for her. When she eventually awoke at 7 a.m. the following morning, it was to the immediate recognition that she had to tell the Penhaligons that she’d damaged the chalice.

  Fiona had been so generous the previous evening, praising her in front of the guests for being ‘the ultimate professional’ and lauding all she’d done for Ravendale.

  Lara couldn’t bear to keep harbouring this secret. And if – hopefully – they valued her as they said, she would admit her mistake, offer to pay for the glass to be restored, and they could move on.

  That all sounded fine in theory, but she also couldn’t forget that Fiona had mentioned the Lucky Chalice specifically. To Lara it was just an object: precious and beautiful, but she didn’t for one second believe it had any magical powers. That was ludicrous.