Magnificent Folly - Iris Johansen [45]
“I’ll wake Cassie and start to pack. When do we leave?”
“The Clanad is sending another Learjet to the airport tonight. It’s due to arrive here about seven.”
She glanced back over her shoulder. “What would you have done if I’d refused to go?”
Andrew hesitated, his smile fading. “Convinced you. One way or the other, you would have had to go. It’s not safe for you here.”
She had already decided that was the course he would have chosen, and she appreciated the honesty of his answer. “Then you’d have had your hands damn full,” she said lightly. “It’s lucky for both our sakes that I agreed, isn’t it?”
The door of the bedroom shut firmly behind her.
• • •
“And I thought a compound sounded military?” Lily asked incredulously, her gaze traveling from the emerald-and-white marble tile of the foyer, to the amber-and-crystal chandelier, to the graceful black marble fountain in the adjoining sunroom, where Cassie was playfully running her fingers through a flow of sparkling water. “All the houses I’ve seen look like mini-palaces, and the parks are botanical gardens.”
“We live here,” Andrew said simply. “The compound is our home. We have very clever landscape artists and architects, and we work out trades in service in our particular specialties.”
“Is there a piano?” Cassie asked.
Andrew nodded. “In the music room. I’ll have Muggins take you to see it.” He pressed a button on the wall beside the light switch. “But don’t get too engrossed. Muggins will have a fit if you miss lunch.”
“Who’s Muggins?” Lily asked.
Andrew grimaced. “Mrs. Muggins was a birthday gift from my sister, Mariana, last year. She thought I needed looking after, and came up with Muggins. You mustn’t let her bully you. If she goes too far just tell her to knock it off.”
“I hope I can discourage Mrs. Muggins without being that rude,” Lily said, shocked. “Why should I—”
“Ah, there you are, Mr. Andrew.” A melodious female voice with a thick Irish brogue suddenly boomed from the room to the right of the foyer. “You’re looking tired again. Are you sure you’ve been getting your proper rest? Sure, and the minute you’re out of my sight you’re into mischief again.” Mrs. Muggins glided into view. “Oh, you’ve brought company. What a treat.”
Cassie started to laugh, and clapped her hands in delight.
Lily could only stare at Mrs. Muggins in blank astonishment.
“Now, don’t be rude, lad.” Mrs. Muggins glided forward. “Introduce me to your guests.”
Andrew sighed. “Lily and Cassie Deslin. This is Mrs. Muggins, my housekeeper. Muggins, the ladies will be staying here for an indefinite time. I want you to take very good care of them.”
“And do I need you to tell me that? They’ll be as tenderly cared for as wee babes in their mothers’ arms. Now, go wash up. I have lunch all ready.”
“Presently. Right now I want you to take Cassie to the music room and show her the piano.”
“The lass is musical? Come with me, Cassie, darlin’.” Mrs. Muggins moved across the foyer in the direction of the French windows at the end of the hall. “We’ll take a shortcut across the terrace. Perhaps you’ll play me a little tune.”
Cassie trailed after the housekeeper, her gaze fixed in fascination on the mop of wild red curls affixed to Mrs. Muggins’s round head. “What? Oh, sure I will.”
“What about ‘Galway Bay’?” Mrs. Muggins’s head swiveled to look back at Andrew. “You rest up, now. I’ll be back in a minute, Mr. Andrew.”
Andrew’s lips twisted ruefully. “I’m sure you will, Muggins.”
“She’s … a robot.” Lily’s whisper was dazed as she watched Mrs. Muggins’s metal five-digit hand deftly open the French door. She was indisputably a stainless-steel robot, five feet in height, whose metal body and gleaming round shape still managed, in some impossible fashion, to look plump and motherly. The features on the round face were intricately carved to appear amazingly lifelike, and Lily would have sworn the round blue eyes flickered with expression. “Good heavens, she’s incredible.”
“She’s also a terrible nag,” Andrew said in disgust.
“Only to those parties who need it,” Mrs. Muggins retorted