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It was strangely seductive to watch such a beautiful man savor every bite. Ellie wondered what he was tasting and wondered if she kissed him would the taste transfer?  She tried not to focus on his mouth. "Lopez assured me that it will take time, but money will be available when the next quarter's investments come in. I am much less lavish than my sisters so I just have to watch what I spend and as long as I keep my north star of getting this place running again then slowly it will start to blossom. I know it will take a lot of tending before this house becomes the prime tourist attraction it was in its heyday. But, I am determined so it will happen sooner or later." Ellie held out her wine glass in a silent toast to herself that drew a smile from Henry. She was glad that she had more good memories than unpleasant ones which made her retain the joys of living here as a child. "It's going to be a lot of work, but I know it will be satisfying."

"I know you don't have much experience with hiring.  Would you mind if I confer with Rightley about making it known that we're looking to hire cleaning staff?  I think with the change in management, people will be more likely to want to work at the house."

"I have no idea where to get started with that type of task so I would appreciate any help you'd give.  I don't want to trouble you as this is already quite a strange situation for myself."

Henry shook his head.  "It's no big deal. I am a business manager myself so this is my favorite thing to do.  I love management in all of its aspect especially the part about choosing my team and giving them tasks.  It's something you've commented on yourself that I do really enjoy my profession."

"It's a very admirable quality." She never could understand why other women could want men who worked office jobs they hated.  It made her depressed to see her partner not enjoying life as much as she was.

The small compliment seemed to have charged the air with a strange quality that made her want to move closer to him.  As Ellie leaned forward, Henry looked down at his hands before looking to the fruit arrangement with a bemused expression.  "You know this is the weirdest birthday cake I've ever had presented to me."

Ellie gasped.  "What? Are you kidding me?  Today you're twenty-eight and it snuck up on me.  I should have done more to prepare for you. Michael did drop some hints that I should buy something nice for you soon, but he didn't tell me that I would need to bring the damned gift with me to England.  It's sitting on my dresser at home all the way back in New York. What a shame! I spent all that time wrapping it and planning it so it would be really nice. Today is a good day for a birthday actually November 12th.  I like it, it's a good even day that I can commit to memorizing so I can gift you the next time around."

She felt a little awkward as she said this as she knew their time together would come to an end soon.  He probably wouldn't be in her life next year. It would probably be someone different with a different face, a different name, and a different birthday.  Their relationship was surface really. It was a show for other people which would be running out of air dates coming as soon as their legal ruling was finalized.  It was going to be strange to see him out in society with another woman. Would she pass by the grocery store tabloids with his face and flip through them? Or would he try to make small talk with her and even introduce the proper woman he actually loved to her?  What if he sent her a Christmas card? It was going to be weird to have Henry Wong as her ex-husband. Even to be known as someone's ex-wife was a strange thought.

It wasn't something she needed to mull over at the moment, she thought to herself as Henry continued to pick at the fruit plate.  Their marriage was still here and strong for as long as the court happenings were still running. She had a chance, a faint flickering fire she had to tend.  Ellie cleared her throat. "You know that Stanford Hall has a private cellar where they make a Scotch whisky. I haven't been down there in ages, but I know that my father had an extensive alcohol collection that should have something you'd be up for.  Maybe some tequila? It would be a fun time if we could find some?"

"The frat boy in me is interested." Henry's eyebrows shot up as he put down his skewer.  "I think that would be a fantastic way to end the night.  I wish we could go out somewhere, but to be warm at home with something that would go down smooth is just as nice.  It will help me forget about the train incident and just enjoy the beautiful history around us."

Rightley upon hearing their plan produced some supplies.  He handed them a bag with a flashlight, a bottle opener and two wineglasses with corkscrews attached.  He demonstrated their usage before leading them down through the kitchen to the wine racks. "I'm happy to say," he began, "that I can stand with pride when I show visitors to this part of the house." He gestured to the racks that were all marked and dated bottled. "Your sisters were so strange to think that having a good cellar would mean an increase in value of the whole house. I'm not sure where the advice was given, but the ladies were intensely interested in making their names through this business.  It never really took off as we're not a well known noble house, but we have all of this to save for their efforts. They lost quite a bit of money advertising for this monstrosity."

As they drew deeper into the cellar, Henry's hands went behind his head as he opened his mouth in pure adulation.  "I can't believe that we're in the same house. This is an All-Star whiskey set-up in a lackluster outer coating." Henry turned on the florescent light to illuminate the surroundings.

Ellie smiled as Henry grew excited looking at the different labels with the other flashlight.  She turned to Rightley. "I think we'll be fine on our own for now. Rightley, you can go back to whatever you were doing before.  I'll make sure that Henry gets back to his bed before too late."