Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Are we going to Paris then?” The girls stood with their hands on their hips, and the same expectant expression on their faces. Would she ever get used to how they mirrored each other without a word of discussion or how like Constance they looked and acted?
“If we’re still invited.” Constance flushed. “Are we, Renee?”
“Absolutely. I won’t go without you.”
“But Mum didn’t tell us about New Year’s Eve so we don’t have anything to wear,” Chloe moaned.
Renee put a hand up to prevent Constance from answering. “Please get the shopping bag I left in the hall.”
Chloe ran out and returned with the bag.
Renee handed a large box to each of the girls. “Merry Christmas.”
“Thank you.”
Constance looked stricken. “We left yours in New York City.”
“No, we didn’t, Mum,” Cara said. “When you said to pack all our presents, we didn’t know what was happening so we included the ones we bought for Renee.” Chloe put her box down. “I’ll go get them.” She ran from the room again.
When Chloe returned she placed the bag next to Constance and picked up her box. “Can we open our presents now?”
Renee answered. “Yes, I’d like to see if you like what I bought you.”
Wrapping paper flew as the twins raced to open their gifts. “Ooh, a pretty dress,” Chloe pulled the lavender garment out of the bag.
“Not dress, Chloe. Renee bought us gowns.” Cara’s voice shook with excitement. “Let’s try them on.”
Constance reached for Renee’s hand. “The gowns are beautiful. How did you figure out their size?”
“I peeked in their closet in New York one day when you were all out. I wanted to be sure of the size and confirm they always wear the same thing in the same color.”
“How do we look?” The girls walked in front of them, twirling as if on a fashion runway.
“You’re both gorgeous,” Renee said. “We can shop for shoes and bags in Paris.”
“What do you think, Mum?” Cara asked.
Constance walked around the girls. “I think the dresses fit you perfectly and you both look lovely. Maybe you should thank Renee?” She gave them both a gentle push.
“We love them, Renee. They’re so pretty and so grown up. Thank you, thank you.” They spoke at the same time as they often did when excited and rewarded her with hugs and kisses.
Renee was thrilled they liked the gowns. She’d spent a lot of time shopping for them. She pulled a small box out of the bag and handed it to Constance. “Merry Christmas.”
Chloe elbowed her sister. “We recognize that blue paper, don’t we Cara?”
“Thank you.” Constance shook the box. “I guess it’s not a matching gown. And it’s not a ring since you’ve already given me one. Doesn’t look like shoes. Hmm.”
“Muuum.” The girls stood in front of her in their gowns. “Please open it.”
She slowly unwrapped the box and lifted the cover. She gasped. “This is beautiful.” She turned. “Please put it on me.” Renee draped the emerald necklace over Constance’s neck and hooked the catch and the safety.
“That’s beautiful, Renee. It matches our eyes,” Chloe said, with a mischievous grin.
“Don’t be getting any ideas about borrowing it, Chloe,” Constance teased as she went to the mirror to see for herself. “Oh, it’s absolutely gorgeous, Renee, thank you.” She pulled Renee up and kissed her.
“Yuk, Mum, save it for later. Can we give Renee her presents now?” Cheeky Chloe again.
Constance pulled back, but kept her arm around Renee’s waist. “Go on.”
Renee slowly unwrapped the first gift the girls handed her. “I love this color blue.” She fingered the silk tie. “And the shirt and matching tie are beautiful.” She unwrapped another. “Hmm, three thousand pieces. You’re all going to have to help me with this jigsaw puzzle. It looks really difficult.” She reached for a small package and tore the paper. “Personalized guitar picks. Oh boy, I’m always losing my picks. Thank you.” She picked up another present. “Does this mean you like doing the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle with me? Now we have a whole book of them. I love it.” The last package was large and looked like a framed print. She tore the paper and stared at the framed collage of pictures of the four of them in various configurations in various places. She was so moved, her eyes filled and she couldn’t speak for a few seconds. She stood and kissed them. “You don’t know how much this means to me. I love you both.”
“We love you too, Renee,” the girls said.
Constance cleared her throat. “Hello. Can I join this party?” She handed Renee a box. It could have been another shirt or perhaps pajamas but it was pretty light.
Renee took a deep breath. She looked at Constance. Their eyes locked.
“Go on, Renee, we want to see if you like it.” The girls had taken off their gowns and were looking at her expectantly.
Her gaze shifted to the box in her hand. She slowly removed the wrapping paper and opened it. Inside was a handwritten letter and a very small box, obviously a ring box, wrapped in the same blue Tiffany paper as the necklace she’d given Constance. “Should I open the box first or read the letter?”
“The box.” Constance’s voice was soft and shaky.
Good, they were both nervous. She removed the paper and opened the black leather box. A ring. An emerald surrounded by three small diamonds set in a wide gold band, winked at her. It was a perfect match for her, for her style, for her essence. She immediately put it on and leaned over to embrace Constance. “I love you. Thank you.”
“Do you like it? I designed the band and the setting.”
“It’s perfect.” She extended her hand, admiring the ring.
“Read the letter, Renee.” Cara handed it to her.
My dearest Renee,
I give you this emerald ring as a symbol of my deep love for you.
Many properties attributed to the emerald through the centuries seem appropriate for us. It is considered the stone of love. It is thought to be protective of the heart and to give the wearer the courage to love and be loved. It opens and activates the heart and the heart chakra, giving the wearer the strength to share her love with those who understand and appreciate her. It also helps the wearer express love, devotion, and adoration.
Other properties attributed to this lovely green stone are the support of truthfulness, which means living your life according to the truth in your heart, thereby earning the trust of others and enjoying the blessings of domestic bliss and a long-lasting relationship.
These are all the things I wish for us.
Renee, my love, I have never felt for anyone what I feel for you. That is the truth in my heart and I hope to live it every day. It is both exhilarating and terrifying.
All my love,
Constance
Renee was overwhelmed. Obviously this had been written before Constance ran. She pulled Constance into a hug and kissed her deeply. “Are you sure?” she whispered in Constance’s ear.
“I am now. I’m sorry I panicked but I was terrified. I didn’t know what to do with those feelings.”
“All right. Enough mushy stuff,” Chloe said. “Are we going to Paris tomorrow? Should we pack?”
“Oh, fuck.” Constance jumped up.
“Language, Mum.” Chloe again.
“Sorry. I just remembered we’re supposed to have dinner with the Grandees tomorrow night.” She glanced at Renee. “My parents and Nigel’s didn’t expect us for the holidays so they’ve been in Scotland and we haven’t seen them yet. They’re coming back tonight.”
The blood drained from Renee. “Yes, the Grandees, I remember.”
She hadn’t thought about Constance’s coming out. Though Constance had told her parents she was a lesbian before she left for New York, it hadn’t been a real issue because she was still mourning Nigel’s death and wasn’t with a woman. Now t
hat had changed. Would Constance want to pretend she was just a friend and hide their relationship? She’d been out forever and she wouldn’t hide now. Besides, what would the twins think? Rather than deny who she is by denying their relationship, she’d go to Paris and Constance and the girls could join her later, but she wouldn’t feel good about it.
“Can you come with us, Renee?” Cara asked.
With the clarity of youth and the openness of their generation, Chloe and Cara had no idea how difficult it would be for Constance to confront her parents and in-laws. Constance looked ready to throw up. Renee waited for Constance to explain but she remained silent. “I don’t think I can, Cara. I’ll go to Paris tomorrow. The three of you can follow whenever you can get away.”
“No, you…” Cara stopped midsentence. She touched Chloe’s arm. Perhaps one of their silent communications. The two of them turned to Constance.
Renee stared out the window trying to hold on to the fact that Constance loved her, had exchanged rings, and would, hopefully, not cave to family pressure. The silence was excruciating.
“Renee, please stay and join us for dinner tomorrow evening. I’d like to introduce you to your future in-laws.”
Renee turned to Constance. She didn’t have to ask whether she was sure. Given that dazzling smile and judging by the strength of her voice, her royal straight posture, and the determined lift of her chin, Lady Constance Martindale Worthington was ready to take on the world, her royal world. “I’d love to.” Just as much as I’d enjoy chewing on some broken glass.
“My brave girl.” Constance embraced her. “But springing you and our relationship on them wouldn’t be fair to them. And, no fun for you. Or, the rest of us. I’ll call them to let them know you’re coming and explain who you are to me and to Cara and Chloe.”
“Will they be upset because of daddy?” Chloe took Cara’s hand.
“It’s more likely they’ll be upset by my relationship with Renee, my darlings. I told them I was a lesbian before we left England, but knowing it in the abstract is different than seeing me with Renee and learning we’re going to marry. It’s possible they’ll disown me and not want to see me. But if they want me to come to dinner, they’ll have to accept Renee and our relationship. Do you understand?”
“We’re not babies, Mum. If they don’t want Renee, we won’t go either.” Chloe’s determined chin mirrored her mother’s.
Renee blinked to block the tears that rushed to her eyes. “I appreciate the sentiment. While this is all hypothetical right now, I would never ask you to give up your grandparents on my behalf.”
“But you’re our…” Cara looked at Chloe as she sought the word to express who Renee was to them. “Um, our second mum?” Cara touched Renee’s arm. “So if they’re not willing to accept that we’re a family we’d be playacting to humor them, and that would feel awful in so many ways.”
Renee could only whisper. “Thank you.”
Constance hugged Chloe and Cara. “Thank you for your love and support.”
“But if we’re all invited can Chloe and I still spend the afternoon with all the Grandees? We haven’t seen them in so long.”
“Of course.” Constance took a deep breath. “Wish me luck.” She left the room to call her mum.
The phone call turned out to be several phone calls. After her mum, Constance spoke to her dad, then to Nigel’s mum and dad. Two hours later they were all invited to dinner the next evening. After some discussion they decided to shop for proper shoes for New Year’s Eve and then go out to dinner.
The girls were ready when the Mercedes appeared in front of the house at one p.m. the next day. With quick kisses for Constance and Renee, they dashed out the door, each holding a package.
Renee sat next to Constance on the sofa. “Do you think the girls will be all right?”
Constance laughed. “Don’t worry about them. The Grandees adore them and will eat them up.” She flashed a wolfish look. “And speaking of eating up, we have a few hours to ourselves so what do you say—”
“What did you have in mind, you dirty girl?”
“Come along, let me show you.”
Hours later, they showered and were dressing. Though Renee had brought mostly casual clothing to London, she’d learned from her business travel to always be prepared, so she’d also packed a suit, a dress shirt, a tie, and dress shoes, clothing that would be appropriate to meet the in-laws. Now, looking into the mirror while knotting her tie, Renee watched Constance slip into a slim green dress that brought out the sparkle in her eyes, the soft mounds of her cleavage and the curves in her figure. The glint of the emerald on the ring she’d given Constance reminded her of the matching earrings. She dug into her bag and dangled them in front of Constance. “In the excitement yesterday I forgot to give you these. They would look nice with that dress.”
Constance’s eyes widened as she reached for the earrings. “Oh my, they match my ring.” She held one up to her ear and looked in the mirror. “They’re gorgeous. Have I told you lately that I love you?” She tilted her head from side to side as she slipped an earring in each ear then gazed in the mirror admiring them. “They’re perfect.”
Renee moved behind Constance and whispered into her ear. “You are perfect. So sexy, so beautiful.”
Constance leaned back into Renee’s arms. “Thank you.”
Renee rested her chin on Constance’s head. “Are you nervous?”
“A little. But for thirty-eight years I’ve lived the life they chose for me. Now I’m determined to live the rest of my life my way and I refuse to hide our love. I’ll deal with whatever they throw at us. What about you?”
“I was really nervous when I thought you were going to want me to hide. I’m a little nervous about meeting all four at once, but I’ll handle them. And be polite about it.”
Constance turned in Renee’s arms. “I don’t want to hide you. I just want to stay home and make love all day and night.” She kissed Renee. “We’d better go before I change my mind.”
They held hands as they walked up the steps to Nigel’s parents’ mansion. A butler answered the door and greeted Constance effusively, at least effusively for an English butler. He took their coats and directed them to a drawing room. As they walked through the house, Constance took Renee’s hand and whispered, “I love you.”
The four grandees and the twins stopped talking when Constance and Renee entered the room. After a few seconds of silence, the grandees converged on Constance. This was the first time they were seeing her since she and the girls had flown to New York. The four of them took turns hugging and kissing Constance and remarking at how wonderful she looked. Renee recalled how thin and pale Constance had been when they’d met at the Metropolitan Gala, and now with a little more weight, some color in her cheeks, and love in her life she seemed to glow from within even as she faced the parents and in-laws she feared might reject her for wanting to live an authentic life.
During the excited greetings, the girls migrated to Renee and stood one on each side of her, with an arm through hers, as if to reassure her of her place. Or, maybe, to protect her? Finally, when Constance had been greeted with more enthusiasm than Renee expected, she moved to Renee’s side. “I’d like you all to meet my fiancé, Renee Rousseau. Renee, my parents, Anne and Harry, and my parents-in-law, Elizabeth and George.”
Renee extended her hand. “Pleased to meet you.” She was shocked when, rather than shaking her hand, each of the Grandees pulled her into a hug. Later, sitting on a sofa between Constance’s mother and mother-in-law during pre-dinner drinks, Renee commented that she hadn’t expected to be welcomed so warmly. The two women smiled and one of them handed her a photo album that Chloe and Cara had presented each of them with earlier in the day. The pictures started the day Constance, Chloe, and Cara left London for New York City and went through yesterday with the four of them smiling and glowing in London. Each photo was annotated to record what was happening before, during and after it was taken. It was cl
ear that the girls and Constance were all sad, withdrawn, thin, and miserable when they arrived in the US. The photos of the early days, of three of them enrolling in school, in their apartment and Constance in her studio continued to show a depressed and unhappy family. But soon after Renee first appeared in the pictures, they started to smile and eventually laugh. All three gained weight, brightened, and looked happy. Even in the first pictures of Renee at Constance’s gallery opening, the connection between them was obvious as was their love as time passed. Photos of the four of them showed a happy family until Constance ran from Renee and took the girls to London, where the three of them looked miserable and depressed again. The pictures, taken yesterday after the reunion, showed Constance and Renee radiating love and Chloe and Cara looking jubilant.
Anne, Constance’s mom, patted Renee’s hand. “How could we reject you? Chloe and Cara haven’t stopped talking about how wonderful you are. And we could see in the photos that when you came into their lives the three of them transformed from shadows of themselves back to who they were before Nigel’s death. It’s not the life I would have chosen for Constance, but she’s a grown woman and you obviously make her happy. Happier than I’ve ever seen her, if truth be told.”
Renee dabbed at the tears filling her eyes. “I adore the three of them and I want to make them happy.”
Constance appeared. She frowned at the two women flanking Renee. “What have you said to make her cry?”
Renee laughed as she stood to embrace Constance. “Only nice things, I assure you.”
“Oh. Sorry, Mums, I misunderstood. Actually, I was just coming to tell you that dinner is about to be served.” She took Renee’s hand and led them to the table.
Renee was seated between the dads, facing Constance and the girls. She was not surprised to be politely questioned about her financial situation over the several courses of dinner. After assuring himself she wasn’t a fortune hunter, Constance’s dad relaxed. But Nigel’s dad persisted to gently probe for details of how and when she and Constance met. Was he trying to prove that Constance had been unfaithful? She wasn’t sure whether Constance had told the Grandees about their relationship at Stanford but they had nothing to hide so full disclosure was the way to go. “We met at Stanford and had a brief affair before Constance flew back to England.”
Ready for Love Page 23