CEO Of My Heart

Lopez nodded slowly and picked up his briefcase .   He suddenly bowed to Ellie . "I"m very happy that someone deserving is again in control of such  a large estate . I think all of the employees and renters will be delighted to see you . When you"ve all come in then I"m sure they will be eager to show you some English hospitality, but until then congratulations to you both Baroness Braye . "

Ellie tried to look appreciative, but it came out as an uneasy thin lipped smile .   "Thank you for coming all this way to give us the news . I really feel glad that I had someone to clear it up for me rather than as a confusing note . "
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"We all thought this was best for you and Baron Braye . " Lopez gave a slight nod to Henry who seemed incredibly affronted that he too had a t.i.tle shook his head .   Then the solicitor turned and was escorted out of the rooftop garden by Michael .

Ellie moved uncomfortably in her seat as she realized she should have asked Henry to step out as the announcement had been something quite unexpected .   She looked to her partner now who was balanced with a neutral expression as she tried to make light of the whole situation . "It"s not really that big of a deal .   I tried not to publicize my parentage . It"s different having someone take a look at the skeletons in my closet . "

"Skeleton?  You have no skeletons?  I can"t believe that the press didn"t get wind that you were for all this time European n.o.bility trying to pa.s.s as a normal n.o.body .   I knew you had something regal when you walking in here -- but to think it comes from England is not something I could have guessed . " Henry leaned forward to touch her shoulder gently . "But I shouldn"t be the one who is asked if he is alright . What about you, Ellie? I know that even though you haven"t voiced it, you"ve been eager to figure out what to do after it became clear that all NASCAR sponsors rejected you .   I do listen to all my voicemails . I heard it, but didn"t want to say anything . I considered sponsoring you at NYU along with Nolan, but before I could say anything this came along . It"s a lot of work to manage a full estate, especially with the problems that the lawyer described . "

"That is true .   However, it is quite strange to me that I would be the Baroness with my half-sisters born many years before me .   It"s strange to me that it would happen this way at all . But, you know they say everything happens for a reason . " Ellie tried to smile, but her eyes were cold . "Even though I didn"t like them, Anastasia and Priscilla, they were still my siblings .   I really would have liked if they had a better end, even if it was karma that caught up to them . "

"Every bad deed will have its day in due time .   I think in this case it was a miracle that G.o.d has handed you . " He looked out at the great New York City skyline . "I remember when you were trying to get over your morphine dependence, you said you were trying to go home .   Is England your true home? I don"t know how the scenery is in the countryside, but are you excited to get back to your roots?"

"I wasn"t born there, but I was raised there .   Even though there was a lot of sadness, I did have a lot of fun when I went to the local primary school .   The village kids and I had a lot of fun romping around our woods . It is a good memory there too . " Ellie put her hand on top of his on her shoulder .   "I"m so happy that I get to restore it to how it used to be . Its one of the most beautiful places I have ever been . I miss it a lot . "

Henry glanced to her so their eyes met and held .   "That"s the same way I feel about this house and the building below it .   It"s so magic to think of an old victorian manor on top of a skysc.r.a.per in New York City .   It"s fantastic, same way my grandfather was when he made it for my grandmother whom he loved very much .   It was such a shame that she didn"t live to see it finished . "

"Exactly how I feel . " Ellie quickly pushed herself away from him as she remembered that her responsibilities were going to be heavy now .   She turned away from him and put her arms around herself . She felt cold . "I"m going to have to book a flight to Europe as soon as possible to see my properties and the finances .   I"ll probably have to go to Buckingham Palace to get my t.i.tle conferred and the House of Lords . It"s a lot . " Ellie turned to see Henry looking at her with concern as she listed off her to-do list .   "It"s a lot to do alone . If I asked you, just as a friend, to help me settle everything is that something you"re okay with? I know you manage a big company with trusts and properties so you can bring a lot to the table .   I don"t really know enough about the development side of things to really be able to do what"s best for Stanford Hall . I"ve only just had one apartment, now I don"t even know how many properties this inheritance has entailed . "

She realized her heart has started to beat loudly in her ears as Henry tried to hide his smile .   His reaction was the complete opposite of what she had expected as he truly did for a minute seem to be extremely delighted .   His head swayed from side to side as finally the happiness dissolved into conflicted emotions veering more towards discomfort .   Ellie wondered if he really did fear leaving his perfect castle looking over his city where he knew how everything worked . Would it really be difficult for him to adapt in an unfamiliar environment?