THE BLACKWOOD PROPOSAL

CHAPTER TWELVE - Welcome Bells

Her voice was warm enough to fool anyone who didn’t know better.

“I wasn’t expecting to meet you quite so soon.”

Her gaze drifted briefly to Damien.

“Though, after today’s… rather entertaining headlines, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.”

She chuckled softly.

“My son has always had interesting taste in surprises.”

Serena returned the smile, trying to mask the discomfort in her stomach. “Of course he does. Life would be terribly boring without them.”

Something flickered in Victoria’s eyes.

Approval? Amusement? Or simply calculation… Serena couldn't tell.

Ashley stepped forward before Victoria could reply. “I suppose wedding dresses really are reusable these days.”

Her smile was dazzling.

“It’s amazing how quickly some women move from one fiancé to another.”

“Ashley.”

Damien’s voice cut through the evening air like a blade.

Nothing more. Just her name.

Ashley immediately lowered her gaze.

“I’m sorry.”

The apology sounded anything but sincere, but Damien didn’t acknowledge it.

Instead, he turned slightly toward Serena.

“Come.”

Without another glance at the women behind them, he led Serena toward the grand entrance.

Only when they stepped inside did Serena release the breath she’d been holding.

The massive foyer stole her attention immediately.

Cream-colored marble stretched beneath her feet.

Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead like frozen waterfalls.

An enormous curved staircase swept upward toward the second floor.

Paintings lined the walls, each one framed in antique gold.

The place didn’t feel like a home.

It felt like a museum where people happened to live.

“You’ll get used to it,” Damien said, noticing the direction of her gaze.

“I sincerely hope not.”

He looked at her, mildly puzzled.

“I’d hate to stop appreciating ceilings that cost more than my rent.” She said dryly.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

They continued deeper into the house.

Several members of the household staff stood waiting in neat uniforms.

Damien stopped before the first.

“This is Peter, our butler.”

Peter bowed politely.

“Welcome, Miss—”

He caught himself.

“My apologies.”

“Mrs. Blackwood.”

Serena smiled politely.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

Damien introduced the gardener, the chauffeurs, and several other staff members, each greeting her with the same practiced respect.

Finally, they stopped before an elderly woman dressed in a flowing cream cotton gown.

Silver hair framed a face softened by countless laugh lines.

Her eyes sparkled with quiet kindness.

“This is Martha.”

Damien’s voice softened almost imperceptibly.

“She’s been with this family longer than I have.”

Serena’s attention immediately settled on the woman’s gown.

“It’s beautiful.”

Martha blinked.

“My dress?”

“The embroidery.” Serena smiled genuinely.

“It’s lovely.”

Color rose to the older woman’s cheeks.

“Thank you, dear.”

Damien glanced between them.

“Martha oversees everyone in the house.”

Martha extended a wrinkled hand.

“Welcome to Blackwood Manor, Mrs. Blackwood.”

Serena looked at the offered hand for only a second.

Then she stepped forward.

Instead of shaking it…

She wrapped the older woman in a warm embrace.

Martha froze.

The entire hallway seemed to pause.

After a heartbeat…

The older woman’s arms slowly came around Serena.

A soft laugh escaped her.

“My goodness…”

She patted Serena’s back gently.

“It’s been years since anyone hugged me this way.”

Serena pulled back with an embarrassed smile.

“My mother used to wear dresses just like yours.”

Something tender crossed Martha’s face. “She must have been a wonderful woman.”

Serena’s smile faltered for only a fraction of a second.

“She was.”

Damien glanced sideways, the atmosphere making him a bit unsettled. Serena caught the brief flicker of uncertainty and grinned.

For a fleeting second…

Their eyes met.

Neither of them looked away, till a phone rang down the hallway and Damien cleared his throat.

“We should continue.”

Martha reluctantly let Serena go.

“I’ll see you again soon, dear.”

“You definitely will,” Serena replied with a smile.

Damien drew closer to her and whispered, “I guess her pretty gown is lucky you're not holding a champagne glass this time.”

Serena rolled her eyes in response and Damien smiled.

As they continued down the hallway, James quietly fell back into step behind them.

The atmosphere inside the manor felt nothing like the cold grandeur Serena had expected.

The staff greeted one another by name.

Someone laughed somewhere in the distance.

A radio played softly from one of the service corridors.

It felt… lived in.

Unexpectedly so.

“Is it always so busy around here?” She asked curiously.

“No. I made a call and told them the new Mrs. Blackwood was on her way. Besides, they all have access to social media, and you’re quite popular there.”

Serena nodded thoughtfully and smiled.

Damien pushed open a pair of swinging doors.

A burst of warmth greeted them.

The kitchen buzzed with activity.

The rich aroma of freshly baked bread mixed with garlic, herbs, and roasted meat.

Several chefs paused the moment they noticed Damien.

“Good evening, sir.”

Damien acknowledged them with a nod before gesturing toward Serena.

“This is Serena.”

He paused briefly.

“My fiancée.”

The room instantly erupted into smiles and congratulations.

A broad-shouldered man in a white chef’s jacket wiped his hands on an apron before stepping forward.

“Welcome, ma’am.”

“I’m Bernard.”

“The man responsible for making sure nobody starves around here.”

Serena’s eyes wandered across the spotless kitchen.

Large ovens lined one wall.

Copper pots hung neatly overhead.

Fresh vegetables were arranged across a long marble island.

She sighed dramatically.

“I’ve found my favorite room already.”

Soft laughter rippled through the kitchen.

Bernard grinned.

“You’re welcome anytime.”

“I’ll remember you said that.”

One of the younger cooks whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear,

“I think we’re going to like this one.”

Even Damien’s expression softened.

After another round of introductions, they left the kitchen behind.

“This way.”

They climbed the sweeping staircase before turning into a quieter wing of the house.

The hallway here was lined with tall windows overlooking the gardens.

Damien stopped before a pair of double doors.

He pushed them open.

Serena stepped inside…

…and forgot how to breathe.

The room was enormous.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the estate.

A king-sized bed stood at the center beneath an elegant chandelier.

There was a private sitting area near the fireplace.

A walk-in wardrobe larger than her apartment’s bedroom.

Fresh flowers rested on a small writing desk.

Even the bathroom beyond gleamed with polished marble.

She slowly turned in a circle.

“I think…”

She looked back at Damien.

“…my entire apartment could fit inside this room.”

The corner of his mouth lifted.

“It probably could.”

A knock sounded at the open doorway.

A young woman entered with a respectful bow.

“Good evening.”

She smiled warmly.

“My name is Clara.”

“I’ve been assigned as your personal attendant.”

James followed behind her carrying Serena’s travel bag.

He placed it carefully near the wardrobe.

Clara immediately picked it up.

“I’ll unpack these for you.”

“Oh.”

Serena instinctively reached for it.

“You don’t have to—”

“It’s my job, ma’am.”

Clara smiled again before disappearing into the dressing room.

Serena watched her leave.

“I’m never going to get used to people doing things for me.”

“You don’t have to.”

Damien slipped both hands into his pockets.

“But they’ll insist anyway.”

She laughed softly. “I’ll probably end up apologizing every five minutes.”

“I noticed.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I apologize too much?”

“You thank people too much.”

“Not my fault. I was raised properly.”

“So was I.”

She smiled. “Well, that's debatable.”

He gave her a deadpan look. “My reputation disagrees.”

“Oh, your reputation?” she teased. “The same reputation that proposes marriage to strangers?”

He ignored that.

“You should settle in.”

“I’ll have dinner sent up unless you’d prefer eating downstairs.”

She nodded distractedly as she continued looking around.

Then another thought occurred to her.

“Wait.”

Damien paused at the doorway.

“Where’s your room?”

He looked back. “Down the hall.”

Relief flickered briefly across her face.

He noticed.

“So that’s what you’re worried about.”

She folded her arms. “I like my personal space.”

“As do I.”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “So this really is my room?”

“It is.”

“And you won’t suddenly appear here at midnight claiming there was some misunderstanding?”

His expression remained perfectly straight.

“No.”

A beat passed.

“Unless you ask nicely.”

She blinked.

Then rolled her eyes. “In your dreams.”

A slow smile spread across his face.

“If there’s ever a reason for me to touch you…”

He stepped a little closer.

“…it’ll be because you begged for it.”

Heat rushed to Serena’s cheeks before she caught herself.

“Oh?”

She lifted her chin. “You wish.”

For a second…

Neither of them moved.

The playful tension hung comfortably between them.

Then Damien’s phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen.

His expression immediately cooled.

“I need to take this.”

He answered without another word and walked into the hallway.

James instinctively turned to follow.

“James.”

He stopped.

“Yes, ma’am?”

Serena glanced toward the still-open door where Damien’s voice had faded into the corridor.

“Can I ask you something?”

James folded his hands behind his back.

“Of course.”

She studied him for a moment.

“How confidential are you?”

One eyebrow lifted.

“That depends.”

“On what?”

“Who’s asking.”

She crossed her arms.

“Where does your loyalty lie?”

“With the Blackwood family.” The answer came without hesitation.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Serena’s face.

James noticed immediately.

He cleared his throat.

“Fortunately…”

“…you’re now a Blackwood too.”

A reluctant smile tugged at her lips.

“So I answer to you as well.”

“Good.” She walked closer. “Then answer me honestly.”

“When Damien asked you to deliver that envelope to me…”

“…why did Mrs. Blackwood already know about it?”

James looked thoughtfully toward the ceiling.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific.”

“James.”

“Which Mrs. Blackwood are we referring to?”

She gave him a flat look.

He finally chuckled.

“The older one.” She muttered.

“There we go.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“I had a file in my hand.”

“She asked what it was.”

“I refused.”

“What happened then?”

“She threatened to have me fired.”

Serena frowned. “So you told her?”

“I told her enough to keep my job.” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t normally do that.”

She considered that for a minute.

“So…”

“If I ever ask you to do something for me…”

“…are you going to report back to Victoria?”

James sighed. “I assure you…”

“…I have absolutely no obligation to report anything to your mother-in-law.”

Serena visibly winced at the last word. “That’s reassuring.”

He inclined his head.

“So…”

“What exactly do you need?”

Serena’s smile slowly disappeared.

Her expression became thoughtful and determined.

She lowered her voice.

“I need you to dig up everything you can on someone.”

James’ eyes sharpened.

“Who?”

Serena met his gaze without hesitation.

“…Ashley.”