“Yes, I am. But there won’t be a need for a pre-nup, because I’m not planning on ever leaving her,” he replied. “Nor do I plan on ever letting her go.”
The elder gentleman smiled. On his face appeared Darcey’s own grin. Nathan’s heart felt the pain of missing her all the more starkly.
“Have you purchased the ring?” Amanda asked.
Grandma Vaughn gasped. “Amanda!”
Nathan smiled softly and took a small box from his trouser pocket. He tenderly placed the elegant velvet package on the table. “Actually, I brought it so I can show you.”
Opening the rich royal blue box, his heart tumbled at the sight of the clear diamond. Its clarity was the finest in the world, the jeweler had declared. The purity and beauty of the stone reminded him of Darcey.
All the other eyes were as huge as the diamond itself.
“Whew. Now that’s a ring,” Grandpa Vaughn said.
Amanda had tears in her eyes. “Oh, Nathan! May I?”
“Why, of course.”
Amanda gingerly picked up the box and brought it closer to her eyes. “That is beyond beautiful. And elegant, despite its size. Nothing ostentatious about it. I’m sure Darcey would love it. Anyone would be insane not to.”
Grandma held Nathan’s hand in both her warm ones. “I don’t have to inspect the ring to tell you that you have my blessing.”
His heart swelled. It was a strain to keep his emotions in check. “Thank you. Thank you,” he softly replied.
Amanda stood up and gave him a hug. “You have my two thumbs up. My kids adore you, and I’m sure you would fit right in our family.”
“Thank you, that means so much to me.”
He turned his gaze toward Jules.
“Nathan, it’s very gentlemanly of you to have asked for our blessing. But really, none of it would matter if she refuses right?”
His wife gave him a stern gaze. “Jules, don’t scare the man. Of course, Darcey would say yes. She has no reason not to. Her mother has been asking for grandchildren.” She turned to Nathan. “And I have no doubt at all you’ll make her happy.”
He nodded, deeply grateful for the warm reception. “I will. And that’s a promise I intend to keep.”
Jules stood up and offered a hand. “Well, Nathan, welcome to the family. We just need Darcey to seal the deal. But I can’t think of a more worthy man than you. I do hope she says yes.”
He stood up to shake Grandpa Vaughn’s hand, but was immediately pulled in for a hug instead. Grinning, he felt relief loosen up his entire body. He meant every single thing he said. Darcey was lucky to have such an amazing family, and he loved them as much as if they were his very own.
And soon, hopefully, they would truly be his own.
*****
“Drinking so early? What’s the matter? The stock market is closed.” Sissi, dressed in a creamy Chanel suit, stepped in quietly. Her heels silenced by the thick carpeting in the high-ceilinged study. The immense Pacific Ocean, blue and vibrant before his eyes, reminded him how different California was to grey England in December.
“Happy Christmas to you, too, mother.” His words dripped with honey-coated sarcasm.
“Did you propose to her?” A perfect brow tilted upwards.
“Why do you ask, pray tell, mother? Will you drink with me, a toast to rejoice if she rejected me?” He turned away from her and sat on one of the plush seats.
She sighed heavily. “You think me a heartless person, don’t you, Nathan? Do watch your tongue. We may not always see things eye to eye, but I would never wish hurt upon my only son.” She sat across him, warily eyeing the glass of vodka, vermouth and olives on the crystal table.
“If you must know, I never got my answer. Nor my chance to propose.” He took a sip, slowly swirling the fine beverage in his mouth.
“It is Christmas day. As much as I’d be willing to drink martini and sit and listen to you all day, your sister called. She’s arriving with her children soon. I want to make sure everything is perfect.”
“What happened to the chef and party organizers you hired? Aren’t they supposed to save you time? What happened to the hours saved or the whole reason for hiring them on Christmas?” He was challenging her and didn’t care.
“Ok, fine. Let’s talk.” She stood up and poured herself a martini, adding two olives into her glass. Returning to her seat, she eyed him intently, her mouth set in a tight line. “Do tell. What happened during your London trip? I wasn’t expecting you to join us this Christmas, to be honest. But I guess I’ll have Darcey to thank my son is here with me.”
“I’m not sure if you’re here to comfort me, or to gloat over my--.” He wanted to say heartbreak, but a lifetime of keeping a stiff upper lip around his mum prevailed.
Sissi was silent for a long time. They sat in silence, sipping their drinks. The distant voice of a Frank Sinatra Christmas classic drifted from the dining room several metres away, the only sound that filled the large study.
Finally, he spoke. The martini had taken some of the edge off his mood. “I didn’t realize her job took her away from me. She loves her job more than anything. I didn’t think she would gladly drop her job to be a domesticated goddess, married to me and have a family.” There was no hiding the sadness in his tone this time.
“And why not?” Sissi’s impassioned voice surprised him. “She’d be stupid not to. You’re a catch, my son. In case you didn’t realize that fact. Women throw themselves at you. But then, I guess you’re not like your father. Your taste in women does surprise me. First, Madeleine. Now, Darcey. How odd. Two very different creatures.”
“I’m quite aware you would rather I marry someone like Madeleine. But she cheated on me.”
She shrugged. He could have very well said he had oatmeal for breakfast. “Well, you can always give her another chance. That is, if you and Darcey are done for good. I read that gossip piece about her and the eldest Warwick. Of all the families to associate with. And here I was, finally thinking she wasn’t perhaps after your money. Then, what do you know?” Sissi scoffed. “Little Miss Perfect canoodles with another rich man. A very rich man. Darcey may think she’s lucky if she ends up with him. But, darling, once you get your inheritance and work for the family, you’d give that Warwick a run for his money.”
“Mother, Darcey isn’t a gold-digger.” His whole body tensed. Any reference from his mother about Darcey going after his money always angered him in an instant. He immediately regretted flying to Los Angeles for Christmas.
“She’s definitely not after my money, nor Leo’s. She had never asked me for anything, and never demanded from me. If she was after wealth, I wouldn’t have been worried sick asking her grandparents’ approval.”
A dumbfounded look appeared on Sissi’s perfect features. “What? You asked her grandparents? Oh, Nate. How romantic of you. But the world isn’t made of poetry and romance. You’re soon to join the company. That changes everything. You know that, right? You’ll have more responsibilities, more power. You could have more Darcey’s.”
He stood up and glared at her. “Mother, there is only one Darcey. And I don’t want anyone else.”
She stared at him casually and shrugged. He might as well have just announced he wanted to buy a fresh loaf of bread. “You say that now, dear. But trust me, you’ll get her. At least you didn’t have a messy and broken engagement. I’ll have to explain to the press and staff and everyone else. I simply don’t have the time.”
He walked over the window facing the ocean, wishing he took one of his boats out instead. Anywhere would have sufficed, anywhere away from his mother’s hurtful remarks. But he couldn’t show just how affected he was. He was determined, as always, to mask Sissi’s effect on him.
“I wonder if I did propose. I wonder what she would have said,” he murmured.
He turned to see Sissi had noticed the ring on the desk. She stepped towards it and picked it up, studying the fine jewelry. A grimace was on her face.
“She’s worth this much? I’m sure this cost twice the ring you got Madeleine. At least.”
He shook his head. Sissi would never understand. “She means the world to me.” He took a huge slug of his drink, the liquid burned his throat. But the pain in his heart was still as stark.
“Don’t be sad. If you were both meant to be together, fate will find its way.” Her voice suddenly was soft. Almost gentle. “If you tried your best, then it’s time to let go.”
He felt her hands on his shoulder. The tension eased from him. But he kept still.
“I don’t wish you heartache, Nate. I don’t wish for you to get hurt. You can’t afford to fall in love and be made a fool by any woman. You’re my son.”
He turned to face her. “Well, mother, I’m afraid it’s too late. I—“ He stopped mid-sentence.
“Nathan, you have two options. Ask her the question and accept her reply, and be done with it. Or, move on before you’re made a fool all over again. And, come on, it’s Christmas. Lighten up. This isn’t the first time you broke up with someone. My, it’s not even the first time you’ve proposed to a woman.” Her eyes, so similar to his own, studied him. This time, however, it was deep with concern. The anger was gone. Her hands lifted to cup his face.
He held his mum’s hand in his own. “You’re right, for the most part. And, you might not believe this, but I do appreciate this conversation of ours. But there is something you are so wrong about, mother.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, falling in love is dangerous. It makes people crazy, stupid even. This is the first time I’ve ever fallen in love. But, despite the pain, I’d do it all over again. I wouldn’t mind being made a fool, if that meant loving her for the rest of my life.”
This was one of the most unconventional conversations he ever shared with his mother. But his heart would burst into shattered pieces if he didn’t confide in someone. The pain of losing Darcey cut too deep.
To his surprise, a smile softened Sissi’s face. “I see, Nathan.” She softly touched his cheek. “In that case, follow your heart, my son.”
Chapter 10
“One day, a friend of mine was passing by the premises. He heard the manor was up for sale. The family lost plenty during the recession and the upkeep of their servants alone was tremendously expensive. Giles and I checked it out, and then I had a meeting with the owner. After some negotiations, we bought the place and had it renovated. We opened a couple of years ago.” Leo’s voice was filled with passion.
As they chatted and strolled through the vast estate, rays of the sun cast a shimmering glow upon the lake. The swans lazily floated about, like dreams within a dream.
Darcey couldn’t suppress a smile. She had to admit, the place was heavenly, one that definitely deserved its seven-star rating.
She was also happy with her outfit choice: simple jeans and one of her favourite white shirts. A scarf and a grey woolen hat kept her warm.
“I’d love to go riding tomorrow,” she admitted.
“Great idea. The sunset view by the hills just over there is spectacular.” Leo stopped to point towards the rear of the manor. The sun cast golden highlights on his lean frame as he lifted his arm. “Marcus generously donated two of his horses. That boy, he has simply way too many toys.”
She gave a small laugh as they crossed an expansive field of the greenest grass, a path that led them behind the hotel. “Marcus was always so cheeky. I remember the few times I got to spend time with him. There’s no denying he’s very popular with the ladies. He’s easy to talk to.” She could feel Leo’s eyes studying her as she paused to admire the lake, careful not to meet his stare out of fear she would turn as red as the tulips around the lake.
“Do you find me difficult?” His sombre tone caught her by surprise. They reached what appeared to be a maze of high hedges. She wondered how much the landscaping upkeep alone cost at the estate.
She bent over and lightly touched the petals of a fiery red rose before turning to glance at him, her head shaking. “Oh, no. That’s not what I meant.”
He raised a brow, but his eyes twinkled with hidden laughter
She grinned. “Well, fine, you are more serious than your brothers, especially Marcus. He’s too carefree, one of those people with no care in the world.”
“That’s because Matt and I always covered for Marcus. I’ve lost count of the number of times I had to bail him out.” He sounded wistful, but there was warmth in his voice as he spoke of his youngest brother. “I’m glad he’s getting married. But I also hope Cristina knows what she’s getting herself into.”
“Indeed, marrying a Warwick is something that isn’t an easy feat for any woman.” She didn’t bother to hide the teasing in her tone.
Leo’s next question brought the quick blush she had been trying to fight off her complexion all day.
“Tell me. Why is a beautiful woman like you still single? Is your standard quite high? Or, don’t you want to get married?”
She laughed nervously. “I do want to get married. I think ever since I was six, I was already planning my wedding, down to the shoes of the flower girls.”
They walked past the high hedges and found themselves in a garden straight out of a fairy tale. Ethereal willow trees swayed under the late afternoon breeze. Winter plants, such as pretty lavender Argentinian vervains and Monica Lynden-Bell blooms in the softest of pink hues, transformed the rear of the manor into the most romantic garden Darcey had ever seen. She couldn’t believe this was her current reality.
Leo’s next words added more romance to the mood. “What exactly is your type, Darcey?” His eyes gazed at her with a gentle expression.
She wasn’t sure if it was the beautiful garden or the fact Leo was slowly opening up his true self to her, but her nervousness lifted. She was able to meet his gaze this time as she replied, “I don’t really have a type, to be honest. I want someone with a sense of humour, of course. Someone who brings out the best of me, not the best version of someone other than me. I want him to accept me and make me realize that the best dreams happen when we’re awake and together.”
A soft smile formed at the corner of his lips. She hated herself for noticing, and hated herself even more for wanting to feel those lips on her mouth once more.
“How about their occupation, wealth or social standing?”
She shrugged. “Well, I don’t own much, and I have nothing to my name. Why would I expect so much from him? Money can never buy us happiness, a very wealthy friend of mine told me that. I know that’s a cliché, yet most people continue to glorify money like it’s a god.”
“I agree.”
She wasn’t sure if she imagined it, but his face hardened ever so slightly. “Money can’t buy you happiness.” He suddenly grinned, appearing more relaxed and boyish than she was used to seeing from Leo Warwick. “But, it can buy you a manor, fancy toys, travels and delectable food.”
She chuckled until she saw that, despite his wide smile, there was something in his eyes. Was it some kind of longing, some form of sadness?
“Tell me, Leo. Are you happy?”
He sighed as he placed both hands in his pockets. Silence hung in the cool air for several seconds. Suddenly, he turned towards her and took a step forward. He was facing her directly. There it was again, his otherworldly scent filling up her heart and soul with feelings she never experienced before. Visions of pure white villas beside a dark blue and serene Italian coast floated in her mind. She took a deep breath.
A wry smile spread across his face. “I’m not so sure if I’m happy with everything in my life.” Before she could point out the countless blessings he possessed, he continued, “But seeing you makes me happy.”
Her lips parted involuntarily. She didn’t know what to say to his sweet words. Silence hung in the air as her own words failed to escape her aching lips. Little by little, like a dreamy cloud floating ever so smoothly to kiss the face of the full moon, their faces inched closer together.
Sh
e immediately turned her head away. Leo, disappointment on his face, leaned back and stared at his shoes.
“So,” she began. She was almost panting. “Tell me more about the hotel. Any ghost stories, perhaps?”
He managed to regain his composure quickly, and stood straight as she studied his perfect profile. “Ha! Well, one of the staff told me they saw a lady walking down the stairs. Although, I believe, they used the word floating.”
She shivered. “Are you serious?”
“They said it was a ghost of the one of the daughters of a marquis. He was the manor’s owner over a century ago. Legend has it that his daughter fell in love with a man her father didn’t approve of. She wasn’t allowed to leave her bedroom and, one day, they found her dead, dressed in her favourite blood red silk dress.”
“That’s so creepy! Are you lying to me?”
He knocked his head back, laughing. Her scowl quickly turned into a grin. It was wonderful seeing the business magnate Leo Warwick at ease.
“Darcey, why would I lie to you?”
“Well, I’m deathly scared of ghosts, even if I’ve never seen one.”
“Don’t you worry, when you get scared, or when the lady in the blood red dress appears, you can always knock on my door. I’ll make sure she won’t suck your blood dry. I heard horror stories about her thirst for revenge and blood.”
She lightly punched his right shoulder. “Warwick! You’re horrible! And what do you mean, knock on your door? Are you staying here?”
“My family and I have our own rooms here. It’s a great excuse to escape London. Sometimes, I play golf with our father. And I’m sure you’ve already heard how much I work. I love working, you’d see me sleeping at my own office.”
She was about to tease him for sounding like a nerd, but, deep inside, she couldn’t help but admire how tireless he worked for something he was passionate about.
“I have a sofa bed in my office. It’s quite cosy, actually. I sleep better on it than on my own bed.”
“Try an eye-mask and 500-hundred thread count Egyptian cotton. Sip some chamomile tea before bedtime.”
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