Mansfield Lark. Katie Oliver

he returned to his seat. ‘That last lightning strike must’ve taken it down.’

      ‘Shit,’ Dominic exclaimed, and made his way to one of the windows. ‘I hope my car isn’t smashed.’ Especially since he didn’t know when he might be able to afford another…

      Liam joined his brother at the window. ‘Your car’s fine.’ He surveyed the giant oak blocking the drive. ‘But Dad’s right. No one’s going anywhere tonight.’

      ‘Not to worry,’ Lady Mary said briskly, ‘we’ve plenty of room to accommodate you all. Mrs Sutton will make up a few extra beds in the guest wing.’ She smiled expectantly at Charles. ‘This is rather fun, isn’t it?’

      He grunted and poured himself another glass of wine.

      Dominic couldn’t help but notice that his father hadn’t addressed a word to him. No surprise there, he supposed. He waited as Mrs Sutton trundled in with a large tureen – this one containing soup, he hoped, and not rainwater – and a basket of rolls.

      Crikey, if you harnessed all the rampant sexual undercurrents racing round the table, they’d be strong enough to power the entire house. Liam couldn’t take his eyes off of Julia; Joss toyed with her food and mooned over Liam; and Rory, Dominic noted with irritation, was deep in conversation with Gemma about the spring lambing season.

      ‘Your hands are so soft!’ she was saying to Rory in awe. ‘Do you use a special hand cream?’

      ‘Nope,’ he said, and smiled. ‘It’s the lanolin from the wool. Keeps my skin soft as a baby’s.’

      ‘I keep telling him we ought to bottle it up,’ Joss joked. ‘We’d make a fortune on the high street.’

      Natalie leaned forward. ‘Dominic,’ she said in a low voice, ‘Rhys and I are getting married soon, and I’d love to hold the wedding here at Mansfield. I know you told your mum no,’ she hastened to add as she saw a mulish look descend on his face, ‘but it’d be perfect. And it’d mean so much to me.’ She played her last, most important card. ‘And we’ll pay whatever you like.’

      Dominic hated the thought of Nat marrying Gordon here at Mansfield Hall. He and Rhys despised each other, and had done from the first time they’d met.

      But he had to be realistic. Losing the Dissolute contract, even temporarily, would cost him a lot of money. Playing host to weddings, film crews, pheasant shoots and rock festivals was exactly what Mansfield needed – a way to keep the estate in the family, and keep it in better nick for future generations.

      He did a quick mental calculation. The fee for one wedding reception alone would cover the cost of a new boiler and replacement of the crumbling Robert Adam ceiling…

      ‘Okay,’ Dominic said, grudgingly. ‘If my parents agree, I don’t see why you and that twit Rhys can’t get married here.’

      Lady Mary’s laser-like gaze settled on the two of them. ‘What’s that, darling?’

      ‘Nat wants to get married here at Mansfield. If it’s all right with you lot–’ he didn’t look at his father or Liam ‘–it’s all right with me. Now, if you’ll excuse me,’ he said as he stood and tossed his napkin down, ‘I’m not hungry. Goodnight.’

      And with a face like one of the thunderclouds outside the windows, Dominic left the dining room and disappeared into the blackness of the hallway.