As they dined, he told her of his country home and she was excited to meet the people who lived in the town. Nigel helped with the dishes and looked about, wondering what they would do next since they were alone. What was on his mind was not what was on hers.
“We have two choices,” she laughed, “we can choose a movie or have live music.”
His interest was piqued, “I will go with the live music.” After a quick refill of his wine glass and hers as well, she took a seat at the piano. Hazel eyes looked towards the ceiling as she tapped into her musical repertoire. Vanity’s face lit up with a smile. Adept hands glided across the keys as she began a jazz standard of “A Lazy Afternoon.” Nigel nearly dropped his glass when a clear soprano voice started singing along as she as she played with the music.
Next, Vanity played a classical piece of Mozart, and then went back to an Ella Fitzgerald’s version of “Misty.” Nigel found himself filled with emotion as she finished her last song. His beautiful and extremely talented wife was a gift to him from Heaven. It would never matter what it was she wanted, he would move the mountains to make her happy.
When he mentioned he didn’t know she played, “I was classically trained from the age of five until I was about eleven, but I heard this jazz song coming from my Dad’s home office and was hooked!” She was still lit up like a Christmas tree as she spoke, “Mamí was furious, but I spent the rest of my years in between modeling gigs learning to play nothing but jazz. It is my thing. An art class or design class, jazz immersion camps, and David always made sure my downtime had things that I loved to do.” She rose and took a sip from her glass, “I guess jazz just speaks to me.” Nigel understood because her music spoke to him.
Vanity explained, “I guess out of all of my parent’s children, I was the artsy fartsy one, while David had a gift for numbers and language, and Will had a gift for words and perfect pitch. You should hear him sing... his singing voice is amazing.”
She sat beside him in a comfortable lounger, “If I had not modeled, I would have been an actress or a jazz pianist.” He knew she had been in several large Hollywood productions and was a pretty decent actress. They would talk about that later, but right now, the only thing on his mind was being close to her, connecting with her on a deeper level.
Nigel Strathmore was in love. Head over heels, heart beating fast, sweaty palms, goo-goo gaga head over heels in love. He gently removed the wine goblet from her hand and took it to the kitchen. He returned to put on a song he saw earlier in the CD player, pulling her into his arms and dancing while holding her close. It was self-understood that he was lost and completely under her spell. He wanted nothing more than to feel her hands on him again and he danced her all the way to the bedroom. There were many things he wanted to show and teach her, but there would be time.
Nigel considered the way she chose to start their morning, even if it had been a curious accident. This evening, it would be done with purpose with a simultaneous ending. There were so many ways to teach Vanity the ways of pleasure, even if he had to hand it to her on a silver platter.
{19] Understanding the standard...
Vanity didn’t seem to be surprised when she walked into the kitchen and found her brother David putting on coffee. She placed a light kiss on his cheek as she noticed the book on the counter top, The Light Between Two Oceans by M.L. Steadman. “Good morning my vain one, did you finish reading this novel?”
“I did, but I don’t agree with the note you left me about Isabel and her choices on the child,” Vanity told him which spurred an early morning debate between the two. “Speaking of a child, you are away from yours so soon after their births. I know Halley isn’t happy about that.”
David only grinned, “I am not too happy about it either. They are beautiful babies and I can’t wait to get back, but I had some things to still square up at corporate headquarters. I am being given some freelance work. I had to come in person.”
Nigel could hear the voices from the kitchen as well as the smell of bacon frying. Clad in a loose tee and lounge pants, he made his way to the kitchen. Today was day nine of his stay in America and what he wanted to witness above all else was now taking place. He needed to see his wife’s interaction with her brother David.
Initially upon meeting her, he believed that the man she held in highest regard was her father, who set the standard of how she viewed men. However, after meeting the dad, it was obvious that she loved her parents, but wasn’t necessarily close with them because of so much time on the road. Maybe her connection is with her twin? After spending a day or so with her Wilfred, it was apparent they shared a close bond, but this brother was not the standard, either.
A twinge of jealously rose up in Nigel as he watched her converse with her big brother. Her face completely radiated light as they bantered back and forth over a book he had never heard of. A loose tendril of her hair fell across her face and David carefully pushed it behind her ear as he continued to bombard her with reasons why Tom should have made a better decision.
Who the bloody hell is Tom?
David answered him, “Tom is the main character in the story, Your Grace. Good morning.” Nigel didn’t realize he had spoken the question aloud.
Vanity wasted no time, still arguing with David and greeting her husband with a kiss and a cup of tea as David placed bacon and eggs in front of him. By the sounds of the conversation, his wife was winning the argument, but David had an ace up his sleeve.
“Your Grace...,” he started, but Nigel stopped him.
“We are brothers now. Please use my given name,” he said.
“As you wish. Nigel, here is the argument. As husbands, it is our duty to make our wives happy, but where do you draw the line? Especially when you know your decision is the impacting result of someone else’s happiness?”
Nigel frowned, “I can’t answer that question David because I do not have all the facts or all the variables to make an informed decision.”
“EXACTLY!” David said, but Vanity wasn’t done. She placed her hand inside of Nigel’s.
“Husband,” she said, staring deep into his eyes.
“Yes, my wife?” He found himself grinning at her.
“If the only thing I ever wanted was a ruby ring and on the way home from work, you witnessed a bank robbery, and the robber is shot and dies at your feet with the bag full of money. No one is there but you. You don’t take it all, just enough to buy me that ruby ring. Would you confess to your thievery, knowing you are giving me the one thing I truly want?”
He ran his fingers across his morning stubble, “I probably would not because as your husband, my main desire is to keep you happy and content. It was a gift that just showed up at my feet, so I probably would take full advantage of the circumstance.”
“EXACTLY” Vanity yelled!
David handed the book to Nigel, retorting, “Exactly my ass Mina! It was a child, not a stone that was dug out of the earth. It was a human child who belonged to someone else who is mourning the loss of said child and then there is Isabel with this woman’s baby!”
Nigel chimed in, “Wait, darling, David as a point. That is an entirely different kettle of fish.”
For the second time in nine days, Vanity Devons made a face at him, “And tonight you are sleeping on the couch, Your Grace!”
That did it for Nigel. He jumped up and ran to the door, “David, you are dead wrong and you may leave these premises right away!”
It was the start of a very good day. Laughter, good food, and hearty conversation began a new day as well as a newfound appreciation for his wife. He liked the way her mind worked.
BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER of meetings that Vanity had that day, Nigel opted to remain in the apartment, grateful for the opportunity to spend time in the company of David. There were things on his mind and he knew why her brother was here.
“Might I have a word with you today, David?”
“Of course, Your...,” David stopped himself, “Nigel.”
> “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind taking me out today for the midday meal? I am feeling a bit light-headed and am in need of a hunk of red meat, some friend potatoes, and a pint.”
“Not a problem. I would be honored to do so,” David said as he collected his things.
“It will be my treat of course. I heard about this place.” Nigel grabbed the magazine he had been saving and pointed at the ad for Delmonico’s. “I would like to go here. And I want the Lobster Newberg, a steak, and the baked Alaska.”
“Well, we’d better leave now,” David said but Nigel didn’t move. He was rooted to the floor.
“Is everything okay Nigel?”
He was almost embarrassed to ask, but the last few days had made him a bit sensitive, “Is what I am wearing fitting?”
David didn’t understand the question. Nigel Strathmore had better taste in clothing than he did and was always impeccably tailored. He thought about his sister and her desire to be picture perfect and he began to laugh. In black lightweight woolen slacks, loafers, and a cardigan over a cream-colored shirt, the Duke looked like he just stepped out of GQ Magazine.
“You look sharp, Your Grace. Let me take you out to see New York my way,” David told him as he sent his sister a message that he was taking the Duke to lunch. A lunch that began a conversation David had been waiting to have with his Lordship for nearly a year.
THE RESTAURANT LOOKED exactly as it did in the picture, and Nigel was excited when his medium rare steak arrived. “Excuse me Madam, I would like a pint, please.”
The waitress, a pleasant looking blonde, “Ooh you’re British. You remind me of a young Pierce Brosnan.”
Nigel was polite, “I get that a lot.”
It was a blowoff and the waitress got it, but came back to the table to hit on David who was far less nice. When she flirted with them both, David informed her nicely that they were married.
“To each other? Such a shame,” the waitress said as she clucked her tongue.
David pulled out a few bills from his wallet, “After you take care of our check, you can keep it all, if you promise not to come back to this table.”
In a huff and indignant, she took the money and sauntered away. An older waitress later returned to the table to fill their drink glasses and the meal progressed pleasantly when David finally looked up and said, “Spit it out, Nigel.”
“Was I that obvious Mate?”
“Yes. What do you want to know?”
It took a few breaths but he finally was able to put it into words, “How do I do this?”
“Do what Nigel?
He exhaled loudly, “It is obvious that her standard for men in her life is based on her relationship with you. I am just not sure how I...” His words were low. Nigel appeared uncertain of what to say next, so David spoke.
“Until I quit my job a few months back, I was in Asia at least six times per year. I could get silk wholesale a hell of a lot cheaper than I am getting it from you.” David said as he took a swig of beer that had turned warm. “You are perfect for my sister, which is why I chose you.”
Nigel’s mouth was wide, then he closed it. “How do I make this work David? I have to be honest, as far as I planned was getting on the plane, marrying her, and getting home without needing to wear a little white coat where I hug myself all day. I would be happy just to get home and not be a total nutter after flying.”
What could David tell his brother-in-law that would make sense and pull all the pieces together? He knew the perfect analogous segue.
He spoke slowly. “Although I am her brother and served as her manager and later business partner, every week I took my sister on a date. We would dress up and go out, and each week I would give Mina a new book to read with a moral dilemma. These would be our points of discussion for the evening. We had deep conversations on how the decisions made by supporting characters would impact the lives of others. There was never any talk about work, what was next on her calendar, or her personal career goals. It was my time with my little sister.”
Nigel was bobbing his head, “Like I saw this morning?”
“Yes, pretty much. She is truly a special woman with more talent than she knows what to do with...”
“I cannot believe I am going to ask you this but, how can I be a good husband to her?”
“Create a world in your world that encompasses hers. She can work from anywhere, but she is a creature of habit. Make your world match the one she lives in and she will be happy. But most of all, never objectify her or treat like she is stupid.”
“I can do that,” Nigel said feeling much better about moving forward.
“I have one question for you, Nigel,” David said as he sliced into his steak. “Do you enjoy talking to her?”
The grin that covered Nigel’s face was almost priceless, “I fell in love after our second conversation.”
That was more than enough for David.
THE NEXT DAY SPED BY in a blur and Finley called Friday morning, informing the Duke that he was at the airport, fueled and ready to go. Nigel didn’t know if he was more concerned about leaving his wife or getting on that bloody plane for nearly ten hours. “Nigel, my handsome husband,” Vanity said, and he stopped and turned to face her, “I am truly going to miss seeing that sexy naked bum every morning.”
As she moved closer, he started to laugh and replied, “In less than a week, I will be in your arms again.” She kissed him while subtly reminding him of all the things that had to be done to prep for her arrival. “I am excited to meet your parents, brother, sister, and friends and see your home in Gloucester and the London townhouse.”
Nigel’s mind started to race. “You are right there is a lot to do.” He grabbed his watch, and Clarke had already taken his things down to the car. He shook Clarke’s hand, hugged Jessica and Phan, and kissed his wife. “See you in a week, Darling.” And her husband was gone.
Nigel called her that night to let her know he had made it home safely, and during their week apart, he called her every morning after her yoga workout. Vanity called him every evening right before dinner. She missed her husband and by Thursday night, she was ready to see her man. Chuck was sitting on the Tarmac at Meadowlands fueled and ready to depart when she arrived. Vanity was in such a hurry that she would have forgotten her rolling cooler had it not been for Jessica reminding her. She climbed inside to find a passenger on her plane who said, “I am sorry Willie, but I had to get away.”
{20] My new intern...
Vanity smiled at her nephew Gianni and took a close look at the expression on his face and in his eyes and understood that things at his house had changed, and maybe he felt a little out of place.
“G-Pop said this would be the first time you would be doing the Milan show without one of your brothers, and that he was concerned,” he told Vanity, and she smiled because that was just like her dad subtly convinced the men in their family that she was a damsel in distress.
Gianni said, “So I told him, I was free over the holidays and also the summer after I graduate and I hadn’t traveled much, and I could be your escort.”
“Gianni, you said that you had to get away. Is everything okay at home?” Although she knew the answer, she would give him a chance to say to someone what was bothering his young mind.
“Naww,” he said as he secured her cooler of food stores. He also helped Chuck secure the doors and did the crosscheck for takeoff. Vanity noticed how much he knew about prepping for flight, thought about his work on the ranch, and was struck with a brilliant idea. She sat and secured herself in the seat after a nod to Chuck that they were ready.
“It’s just,” he took a seat across from her, “you know with the babies coming, all the talk around the house is about childproofing, the nursery. I just needed to stretch a bit.”
Chuck had already received his clearance for takeoff, and they were taxing and in the air in less than five minutes.
“Gianni,” she told him, “those babies will never replace yo
ur Dad’s love for you.”
Gianni’s eyes were kind of misting, “Yeah, but you know, they are his blood − me, G-Pop handed me to him to take care of.” He turned his head to hide his tears.
“Gianni, you saved my brother’s life,” she told him, unbuckling her seatbelt, gently easing into the seat next to him, and sliding her arms around his shoulder. “Before you came into his life, he was a mess. You helped him heal. Taking care of you saved him from becoming a crazy person.” She pulled him close and kissed him on the head, “You are our blood, you are our family, and you,” she handed him her handkerchief, “are a Devonshire!”
She saw a smile as he wiped away his tears. “Now, traveling with me, means you work. Everyone on my team has a job. Your first job is my personal security. It is imperative that I never go anywhere alone and you never, ever, leave me completely alone, unless I specifically request it.”
He nodded. She touched the overhead button, “Chuck are we okay for electronics?”
“As my new paid intern, there is a great deal of prep work that has to happen before the show. I am going to put you in charge of these items.” She handed him her tablet and removed a second one from her bag. The remainder of the flight, she explained her business, what they would do on this trip, and the plans for the Milan show.
Gianni was a smart kid. He took in the information with confidence and ease, even when she said that he might have to double as one of the models if she needed an extra man. He took it all in stride.
“So, Willie,” he asked sheepishly, “you actually married that 007 dude?”
THE THREE ARRIVED IN London on time and Vanity was surprised to see Finley there to greet them. Nigel’s pilot had given Chuck specific landing instructions for a private airfield that was only used by the Royal family. Finley would bring Chuck to the house later after they had spent some time in London. She knew Chuck. He would want to sleep first.
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