London Loves - Book 3 - Love's Great Adventure Series (6 page)

“The last time I was here, we were scattering Nanny Jones’ ashes,” Tess added.

“The last time I was here, I was disinherited,” Sebastian commented as if it were a competition to see who could come up with the best story.

“What does that mean?” Mattie asked as Sebastian lifted her in his arms to walk up the staircase to their rooms.

“I’ll tell you some other time, okay, darling?”

Max had the nursery made up for Mattie. It didn’t look any different from when Sebastian had resided there, but everything was bright, airy, and freshly cleaned. Tess unpacked her daughter’s suitcase and then put her in pajamas. Sebastian tucked her into bed. He picked a book from the bookcase and read a little bit of
The Tales of Peter Rabbit
by Beatrix Potter. Soon she had dozed off and he and Tess quietly left the room.

Their guest room was a few doors down the hall. The servants had laid out their luggage along with a tea service and fresh cut roses from the garden. “I was wondering if they would put us in your old room,” Tess said as she looked around, surveying the king-sized canopy bed.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Lily took every stick of furniture and burnt it after she kicked us out,” he lightheartedly responded. “Let’s freshen up for dinner. There will be cocktails beforehand.”

They showered and changed. Sebastian wore a navy suit, white shirt, and gray striped tie. Tess dressed in her black Chanel. They walked down to the sitting room hand in hand. Entering through the open double doors, they found Maxwell, Sigourney, Penny, and Victoria were all seated, drinking cocktails.

Victoria stood when they entered the room. She was statuesque, with long brown hair and high cheek bones. She was more of a classic beauty compared to Sigourney’s supermodel looks. “Sebastian, it is good to see you again.” She hugged her brother and then greeted Tess.

Sebastian was a little taken aback by her welcoming manner. He had always assumed his older twin siblings were on Lily’s side. How strange that they were welcoming him back home with open arms. He prayed it wasn’t some sort of terrible hoax and that he wasn’t the butt of the joke. He shook his head to clear out the negative thoughts. “I’m sorry, it’s just odd to be back here. It’s been so long since we’ve spoken. I’m not sure Lily would approve of you and Maxwell being so nice to me.”

“Sebastian, she has nothing to do with this. You are back in England. I want to get reacquainted with you and your family. I’m truly happy to see you again.”

Sebastian nodded his thanks and headed for the drink trolley. He poured himself a scotch and then pulled the bottle of champagne from the ice bucket and poured a glass for Tess. They had only been there for a few minutes when the butler appeared in the entryway and announced “Dinner is served.”

The group gathered in the formal dining room. Maxwell and Sebastian sat at the table ends, while the ladies sat on the sides. As the meal began, Sebastian observed Max and Penny across the table. Occasionally, Penny would reach over and touch Maxwell’s arm. They would smile at one another, lean in to whisper a discreet comment, and laugh. Sebastian only wished he could hear them better, but their voices were drowned out by Victoria and Tess' conversation.

“Tell me Tess, how did you and Sebastian fall in love?” Victoria asked.

Tess pondered her question and then began. “It’s a long, complicated story. I’m not really sure where to begin.”

“But it has a happy ending—that is evident.”

Tess looked over at her husband and smiled. “Yes, a very happy ending.” She took sip of champagne and asked, “Will you be running Irons Electronics when Lily decides to retire?”

“If she ever decides to retire. Yes, I get my happy ending too.”

“You’re not married?”

“No, I don’t have time for it. The company keeps me busy and that makes me happy. Maxwell is the heir, Sigourney the creative one, Sebastian is the black sheep, and I’m the dutiful daughter.”

Sigourney turned to Sebastian. “I told you it would be okay to come here for the weekend.”

“The weekend has just begun. Anything can happen.”

“Why do you worry so? You have everything you’ve ever wanted from life.”

“Exactly,” Sebastian agreed. “That’s why I don’t want to tempt fate.”

“Mummy hasn’t kicked me out of the family and I’ve flat-out told her I will continue to fraternize with you whether she likes it or not. What if she walked into this room right now? What if the three of us stood up to her and said, ‘we don’t care if you disinherited Sebastian, he is our brother and we won’t betray him?’”

“I’d prefer not to test that scenario. Can’t we just enjoy this delightful meal—in peace?”

Sigourney chuckled. “What’s a little drama?”

“I’ve had enough drama to last me two lifetimes. I’m through with it. Please, can’t we just have a nice weekend where no one pops up out of the blue or gets into an argument or dies?”

“Well, now that’s a tall order to fill,” Sigourney mumbled under her breath.

After dinner, the ladies went back to the sitting room to talk about whatever it is ladies talk about, while Maxwell and Sebastian retired to the smoking room. The room was small, with a massive fireplace that overtook the space. The walls were painted maroon, and dark Dutch paintings hung on the walls. Max sat down on the old leather chair and pulled a cigar from his suit coat pocket. He offered one to Sebastian, who held up his hand to decline.

“I haven’t smoked in years. Tess never liked it and I have a child in the house now. I’ll just enjoy my scotch.” He took the seat opposite Maxwell.

“I’ve been in contact with a private investigator—someone discreet. I’ve set up a meeting for Tuesday afternoon in my office in London. Can you make it?”

“So soon?” Sebastian asked, surprised by Maxwell’s efficient manner.

“It only took a few phone calls,” Max said, as if it were no bother at all.

Sebastian chuckled to himself. “Yes, I keep forgetting you’re the Earl of Sutton.”

“Don’t make light of this, Sebastian. Do you or do you not want to find our father?”

Sebastian became somber. “Yes, I want to find him. I just keep thinking, what if it all turns out horribly? Maybe I should leave it be.”

Max blew a ring of smoke into the air, pondering the question. “You’re not the only person who has wondered. Victoria and I talk about him from time to time.”

“Then why not take action? Why wait for me to bring it up?”

Max sipped his brandy and then placed the glass back down on the table. “Maybe you’re not the only one afraid of Mother.”

“I’m not afraid, Max—not of her.” He finished his scotch and placed the empty glass on the arm of the leather chair. “I’ll meet you on Tuesday. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to my wife.”

Maxwell nodded in agreement as he stood from the chair. “Yes, the ladies await.”

Sebastian joined Tess and the others in the sitting room. “Why do you look so serious?” Tess asked.

Sebastian let out the breath he’d been holding in as he placed his arm around Tess' shoulders. “Max set up a meeting with the investigator for Tuesday. I’m shocked that it’s happening so quickly. I just need it to sink in.”

“It will be okay,” Tess reassured. She changed the subject. “I like Victoria. She’s ambitious like me.”

“Yes, she’s the go-getter. I’m glad you like her.”

“I think it’s good we came back here. It feels like a new beginning.”

Sebastian looked about the room—his siblings and Penny laughing and smiling. Everything seemed perfect, but he couldn’t shake the odd feeling in his gut that something bad was bound to happen. “Come on, let’s go join the others.”

Sebastian rolled over in bed and looked at the clock on the bedside table. It read 1:30 a.m. and he was wide awake. Quietly, he got out of bed and slipped on his navy robe. He padded down the hallway to the nursery. Inside, Mattie was fast asleep. A four-year-old could only take so much excitement. He sat in the antique rocking chair and watched her sleep peacefully. Whenever anything troubled him, he always found solace in watching his daughter sleep. It was as if everything was put in perspective. Mattie and Tess—they were the reasons he was put on this earth, he was sure of it. So whatever happened next—finding his father, running into Lily, reconnecting with his siblings—he could handle it. Before Sebastian left the nursery, he leaned over and kissed Mattie on the forehead.

He made his way to Nanny’s old room. Once inside, he turned on the light. Thankfully, everything was still intact. Lily hadn’t removed a thing. This gave him some measure of comfort. He walked around the room looking at old photographs of them together, which made him smile at the long lost memories. “I hope you’re proud of me, Nanny,” he said aloud as his fingertips touched her image under the glass picture frame. He couldn’t help but think how tickled she’d be if she had the chance to know his daughter.

Next he wandered out into the hall and headed for the library. Maybe a nice brandy and a good book would relax him so he could fall asleep. As he turned the corner, he abruptly stopped when he came upon Penny standing outside of Maxwell’s bedroom. He stepped back into the shadow as he observed her arms wrapped around Max’s neck. She was barefoot, her blonde hair disheveled, as they passionately kissed. When they pulled apart, Penny stepped back and Maxwell closed the door with a soft click.

Penny turned and began to walk toward Sebastian, who took the opportunity to step out in front of her. Startled, Penny jumped and dropped the leather pumps she was holding in her hand. “Dear God Sebastian, must you sneak up on me!” she hissed under her breath.

“I wasn’t sneaking up. I was merely taking a walk,” he informed her.

“At two in the morning?”

“I couldn’t sleep. I see you had the same problem. Only you were undoubtedly having more fun.”

“Yes, I was,” she smiled.

“Are you happy?”

“Can’t you tell?”

“Why didn’t you just stay the night with him?”

“We were trying to keep this quiet and avoid a conversation like the one we’re having right now. I really like Max. Please be happy for us?”

“If he makes you happy, then I’m happy for you both. I’ll keep your secret.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “Goodnight, Pen.”

Penny reached out and gently touched his cheek. “You have a beautiful wife and daughter—go back to them. Stop wandering the halls looking so lost. And don’t worry about me, I’m a big girl, Sebastian.”

He gave her a crooked smile and nodded his head in agreement. “Come, I’ll walk you back to your room.”

A breakfast buffet was laid out for the guest Saturday morning. The group was going to go on a fox hunt after they finished eating. Sebastian sat next to Tess at the table, eating eggs Benedict and drinking tea. Tess opted for scrambled eggs and toast. Mattie was entertaining Max at the other end of the table. It made Sebastian proud that his daughter was so intelligent and outgoing. She’d inherited those traits from her mother. But her charm—that was all from Sebastian.

“Are you sure you don’t mind staying here with Mattie while I hunt? I need to be polite if I want to forge this relationship with Max and Victoria,” Sebastian explained as he set the fork on his plate.

“Mattie and I will be fine. I thought I could take her for a walk in the rose garden. She’ll love the fountain.”

“Maybe this afternoon just the three of us can take the horses out. Mattie has been bugging me to teach her how to ride.”

Tess gave him a wary glance. “Are you sure it’s safe? She’s only four years old, Bas.”

“I started riding when I was four. She’ll be fine,” he reassured his wife.

Maxwell stood from the table. “If everyone is ready, please join me outside.”

Mattie joined Tess and Sebastian as the family walked along the marble corridor through the back entrance of the house. Five horses stood, saddled and bridled, at the ready. “I want to go!” Mattie exclaimed, jumping up and down in excitement.

“This afternoon, I promise I’ll take you riding. These horses are too big for you. I’ll take you out on the pony,” Sebastian explained as he knelt down to his daughter’s eye level.

She nodded her head in agreement and threw her arms around Sebastian’s neck. “Love you, Daddy.”

“Love you, too. Now I think Mummy has a surprise for you, so be good and I’ll see you at lunch.” Sebastian leaned in and kissed Tess on the lips. “I’ll be back soon.”

The other riders had already mounted their horses, so Sebastian quickly got on the saddle. The foxhounds sprinted off across the verdant grounds and the riders kicked into action in pursuit.

Mattie looked up at Tess and wistfully announced, “I wish we could live here all the time.”

“Why is that, Mattie?”

“It’s beautiful, and there are lots of pets, and Uncle Max is nice.”

“Hmm,” was the only thing Tess could come up with in that moment. She watched the riding party crest the last hill, before disappearing from view. “Mattie, I thought you loved our flat in London. Daddy and I have to work in town. We can’t live out here. But I bet if you’re on your best behavior, Uncle Max will invite us back.”

“Awesome!” she said with a big toothy grin.

“Come, I want to show you the rose gardens. There’s this really neat fountain with stone fish I want to show you.”

Mattie reached up and took Tess' hand, and they walked along the gravel path to the other side of the castle where the garden was located.

Maxwell and Sebastian took a break from the hunt to let their horses drink from a nearby stream. “That daughter of yours is quite delightful, Sebastian. Her vocabulary is astounding for someone her age,” Max complimented.

“You better watch out. She’ll have you setting up a room for her and visiting on the weekends. She’s very taken with you, Max.”

“You say that as if you’re surprised.”

“I’m grateful to reconnect with you and Victoria, but I’m concerned about Lily. I will protect my girls to my last breath. I do not trust Lily. I do not want her anywhere near my family, do you understand?”

“So I reckon suggesting a reconciliation with mother is out of the question?”