The Wells Brothers: Luke Read Online Free PDF Page B

overgrown in areas, bare dirt in others, but it was easy to
follow around the mansion.
    “Now, I’m not having this driveway
going all the way around so close to the house like it is,” Elspeth confided as
they strode along.  “I want gardens either side of the mansion with a wide
pathway going through it.  The driveway will be further back from the house
with another wide pathway leading to the steps.  Of course we’ll need to get a
ramp put in for wheelchair access, not to mention a lift to the second and
third floor.”
    Mikki glanced back at the steps
leading up onto the wide veranda.  “Plenty of room for a ramp.”
    “Which is good, because I want a
gradual incline, not a small, steep one.”
    “Thinking of the person pushing
the chair?  You are so thoughtful.”
    “Cheeky.”  Elspeth gave Mikki a
dig in the ribs with her rather sharp elbow.  “It also makes good business
sense.  The easier we make it for everyone and cater to most needs, the better
for business.”
    “Compassion and finance going
hand-in-hand, I like it.”  Mikki grinned.  “Who said it couldn’t be done had
never met you.”
    “Well, sweetie, one doesn’t like
to boast.”  Elspeth smoothed down her skirt.  “But what the heck, am I good or
what?”
    Laughing, they continued around
the corner of the house to walk down the side which seemed to stretch forever. 
On the far left side was the remains of some kind of garden.  There was an
abundance of dead bushes, weeds high enough to choke a horse, and if she peered
closely enough, the remains of a rusting fence which had mostly fallen to the ground.
    “Wow, they fenced in their
gardens?”
    “Possibly.  I haven’t done a lot
of research on how the grounds actually looked, just seen a few old photos. 
I’m leaving that up to Luke to research and show me the original photos or
plans, as well as his plans to re-do, re-fashion and alter them as he thinks.”
    To be fair, Luke was the man for
the job.  He had a flair for giving clients exactly what they wanted, and Mikki
knew from Izzy, who was married to Luke’s cousin, Jason, that Luke offered
alternative ideas if the need arose which his clients often accepted.  His
services weren’t highly desired for no reason.
    “Now, on the left here somewhere,
I want something like an orangerie and-”
    “A what?” Mikki queried.
    “An orangerie, only not for
oranges.”
    Mikki stared at her.  “Oranges?”
    “An orangerie, dear,” Elspeth
explained patiently, “is a building mostly of glass which was generally attached
to the outside of the house where oranges were grown.  I want a couple of buildings
similar, one for outdoor teas, the other for painting.”
    “Glass houses, then?”
    “Kind of.  I discussed the idea
with Harris Wells and he’s researching it.”
    “Sounds way too complicated,”
Mikki replied.  “Just bung a couple up wherever and Bob’s your uncle.”
    “And Fanny won’t be your aunt
because good lighting is imperative for painting or sculpturing or whatever we
choose to do in there.”  Elspeth paused, tapping her bottom lip thoughtfully. 
“Maybe I should add a couple more, have one for painting, one for sculpturing,
maybe another for-”
    Mikki winked.  “Maybe one with
solid walls so you can’t see the nude models.”
    “This is an expensive holiday
resort in a mansion where we are trying to recreate the Victorian era without
the Hellfire Club, dear.”
    “But maybe elements of the
Hellfire Club would add some pizzazz,” Mikki said cheerfully.  “Just think of
it - the hunt, the hounds baying, the maiden fleeing in the night knowing that
if she’s caught by those dastardly Club members her honour will be besmirched,
her virginity taken, and she’ll be dragged down to the depths of their secret
caves to be initiated into their orgies.”
    Elspeth raised both eyebrows. 
“Did the Hellfire Club have orgies?”
    “Hell if I know, but they weren’t
top-notch blokes,