Chapter 9 - Autumn on the Estate
By November, the crisp New England autumn had fully settled over Newport, painting the sprawling grounds of the Mercer estate in brilliant shades of copper, crimson, and gold.
Life on the property had found a rhythm that felt less like a heavily guarded fortress and more like an actual home.
The tension that had once haunted the hallways during the final weeks of Brooke Harrington’s presence was entirely gone, replaced by the cheerful sound of Noah running through the courtyard after school, and Natalie’s quiet, genuine laughter echoing from the kitchen during afternoon tea.
Dominic spent less time traveling on private jets to distant international acquisitions and significantly more time managing his local holdings from the estate’s grand mahogany study—a shift that didn't go unnoticed by his security detail or his executive board.
On a bright, brisk Friday afternoon, Emma Collins was reviewing the final winter landscaping proposals at her desk in the administrative annex when a soft knock sounded on her open door.
She looked up to see Dominic standing in the doorway, wearing a casual dark sweater and holding a steaming paper cup from the local coastal coffee shop she favored.
“Is this bribery for getting the snowplow contracts finalized before December?” Emma teased lightly, setting her pen down.
Dominic stepped inside, walking over to her desk and setting the coffee cup down right beside her ledger.
“Strictly speaking, it’s executive appreciation,” Dominic replied with a faint, amused smile. “Though if the snowplow contracts happen to be finished by five o’clock, I won't complain.”
Emma picked up the cup, inhaling the rich scent of vanilla and dark roast. “They’re finished. You’re entirely safe from winter snowdrifts, Mr. Mercer.”
Dominic chuckled softly, leaning his hip against the edge of her desk. He looked around the sunlit office before bringing his dark eyes back to hers.
“Natalie mentioned to me this morning that she and Noah are planning a quiet family dinner at the cottage tomorrow night,” Dominic said casually, though a slight hesitation lingered in his voice. “She asked me to invite you.”
Emma looked up at him, a warm, genuine smile spreading across her face. “I would love to join them, Dominic. Thank you.”
May you like
Dominic nodded, a look of profound, quiet contentment settling over his sharp features.
“Good,” he said softly. “Because it’s about time we had a dinner on this estate where everyone at the table is actually family.”
