Chapter 151
Stuart and Greta’s private conversation was out of bounds for eavesdroppers, much less the casual observer.
Most of the crowd at the event had their eyes fixed on Morwenna.
The audacity to openly express her affection for Mr. Hetfield and then manage to snag a dance with the man, elbowing past Ms. Irons… What was her secret?
Looking at her, it seemed her charms were twofold: beauty and an appetite.
Sure enough, Morwenna was back at the buffet like a kid in a candy store.
She was going at it so much that Barclay couldn’t stand sitting at the same table with her, feeling like it was a slight to his classiness.
Morwenna, unfazed by Barclay’s disapproval, kept her gaze fixed on Stuart.
As it seemed Stuart and Greta were wrapping up their chat, Morwenna quickly diverted her attention and pretended to sip her juice to mask her curiosity.
Stuart and Greta approached.
Stuart instructed without hesitation, “Barclay, take her home.”
2 6 2 2 2 5 5 8 2 7 3 8 2
Barclay, caught off guard and not particularly keen on the task due to a past conflict with Morwenna, hesitated but ultimately resigned himself to comply. “Alright,” he muttered, as Stuart walked away with Greta.
“Stuart, where are you going?” Morwenna called out hastily.
Without turning back, Stuart replied, “I’ve got another engagement.”
Greta glanced back at Morwenna, pondering why Stuart would prefer a seemingly naive girl over someone as formidable as herself.
As they left, the business talks were due to continue, but some terms needed revisiting.
Morwenna, seeing Stuart leave, grimaced and lost her appetite. “I want to go home.”
With a scowl, Barclay asked, “Shall we? You heading back to Windcharm Villas?”
“No, the old estate, Morwenna said listlessly.
“Which old estate?”
“Hetfield’s Homestead.”
Barclay was stunned.
This woman had actually moved into Hetfield’s Homestead.
No wonder she had managed to edge out Adelaide. Her influence was not to be underestimated.
At a private dinner, Norbert had openly acknowledged Morwenna’s importance to those close to the family; she was no mere maid in the Hetfield family.
Residing in Hetfield’s Homestead was a different league altogether. Even Stuart’s uncle wasn’t allowed to live there permanently.
With mixed feelings, Barclay drove Morwenna back to Hetfield’s Homestead and decided to follow her inside.
Upon entering, Morwenna’s mood soured thinking of Stuart and the charming Greta together. She found Norbert sitting at a table, a glass of wine before him.
Her spirits lifted at the sight
“Ah, Norbert, you’re sneaking a drink, aren’t you? The doctor said not a drop!” she scolded.
Usually imposing, Norbert quickly defended himself, “Nah, nah, I was just sniffing it, I didn’t take a drink, ask Orson, he’ll tell you.”
Orson, summoned into the conversation, confirmed, “Yes, I was watching; he didn’t drink a drop.”
Reassured, Morwenna took the wine glass from in front of the elder, with his eyes following it regretfully.
Barclay watched, astonished.
Morwenna evidently held considerable sway within the Hetfield family.
Norbert, after losing sight of his wine glass, turned to Barclay, “Ah, Barclay, here to see Stuart? He’s not around. You know, it’s high time you started taking life a bit more seriously. Don’t spend all your time mimicking Stuart’s antics. That boy’s clever, and you’re… well, different.”