“Damien’s who they’ll be coming to see, Amadeus, and therefore I can demand a higher fee. Take it or leave it. I don’t care.”
“Yeah, I bet your business partners, whoever they are, won’t be singing the same tune, Julia, once they find out I’m not on board. I read the fine print. In fact, a copy’s already at my attorney’s for his review.”
She started to say something else, but we walked on toward the beach. “Let’s take Elizabeth out for a while, then I want to get back and online. I want to see who her business partners are.”
“We did good, didn’t we, Zara? She didn’t see that one coming.”
“Yes, we did. But then we always do.”
As we started down the beach we ran into Angus, who was sitting at the water’s edge. Literally, sitting in the water, gazing out at the horizon. I noted he looked a bit like a lobster and wondered how long he’d been out. Seeing us, he stood up and greeted us. He drew near Elizabeth, making faces at her. She refused to warm up to him, which was unusual given Angus’ good nature. He finally gave up, walking on the other side of Amadeus, but sticking his tongue out every time he caught Elizabeth glancing over his way. And every time she saw him making a face at her she turned her head. It wouldn’t be long before they were best buds.
“So did you two get a chance to look at Julia’s contract?”
“Yeah, we did,” Amadeus replied. “And we told her to go to hell.”
“You didn’t! That’s so cold!”
“Have YOU looked at it Angus? She wants Damien to get a larger cut and wants to give herself an even larger piece of the pie.”
“Yeah, I know, but I’m gonna have to probably go along with it. I’ve got to work. I need the money what with Ashleigh and me living apart.”
“Don’t sign anything just yet, okay? Zara and I are going to do some fact finding first. Plus, we emailed it to our attorney.”
“Okay, I’ll give it a couple of days. If she pushes, I’ll tell her to give it a rest until after Christmas day.”
“Good. Look, if you need a loan or something, come talk. We can help you out. I know you’re going through a rough patch, but Zara and I can help. Don’t let Julia snake charm you into a bad deal.”
Realizing that perhaps the two should talk without me along, and the fact that the sun was really hot and the baby didn’t need to be out much longer, I used it to my advantage.
“Why don’t you and Angus hang out for a while? It’s too hot for the baby, and she’s had enough middle of the day sun for her first time out. I’ll take her inside and see if I can’t get online.”
“You sure you don’t mind, Zara?”
“Yeah, you sure, Zara? I don’t want to take you and Amadeus away from anything you might have planned.”
“We don’t have anything planned, Angus. Nothing that can’t wait—besides we’re on vacation. We shouldn’t be doing anything. No, I’m going to take Elizabeth in and see if I can’t get her to eat a little something.”
I headed back towards our cottage, Elizabeth vocalizing her disapproval for being separated from her daddy. Besides getting her out of the sun, I wanted to use the excuse to get online and see what I could find out about Julia’s newly formed company.
By the time Amadeus walked back into our cottage an hour later, I had the baby fed and napping and had been trolling the internet for anything about Julia and her investors. It didn’t take me long to find the company website in all its glory. Sticking out there for all to see, luring clients in effortlessly. Once I got through all the glitz and bullshit, it wasn’t hard to find a page with all the investors’ happy, shiny faces staring back at me. I was totally unprepared for two of Julia’s strange bedfellows…Don Roberts and Amber. Don and Amber had both been suspected in Amadeus’s poisoning, but nothing was ever proved. Amber? Ouch! She had supposedly been pregnant with Angus’ baby, the biggest cause for Angus’s divorce from Ashleigh. Their marriage hadn’t lasted when it was obvious there was no baby. It was something that even though remarried, was still cause for tension. Thus this recent separation. Was Julia really that… no, not going there because either she had been sold a bill of goods by these two and she was throwing family loyalty to the wind, or she had no idea who she was playing footsie with. And that I found hard to believe.
“Find anything, babe?”
“Oh, you are not going to believe what I found and who she’s partnered up with, Amadeus. Come sit down and look.” I rose from the chair, kissing him on the lips as he peered down at the screen with interest. “You want a beer or something while I’m up?”
“A bottle of water would be nice. Thanks.” I watched as he began clicking on icons and reading over what I’d found. I found a bottle of water in the small refrigerator, waiting for him to click on the page where the principles were listed. “Zara!”
“You saw?”
“What in the hell is she doing? I wonder if either Damien or Angus knows. If Angus knows, he would have told her to kiss his ass.”
“Or not. You remember what he said earlier.”
“We worked that out. No, he’d never go along with it if he knew Don and Amber were involved.”
“Damien either, though I’m not so sure what’s going on with Damien. I want to email this link to the attorneys so they can investigate the company further. See how legit it actually is.”
“Good idea. And don’t blow Damien off just yet. I’m thinking perhaps Angus, Peter, and I need to talk. I’d say include Damien, but I’m not sure Julia would allow him to go off with us. Not after our show this afternoon.”
“You’re probably right. You two need to speak with Peter and see what he thinks or perhaps advises. With or without Damien, and it’ll have to be done today or this evening because tomorrow is Christmas Eve and you know your mother is going to want all talk of business to halt.”
****
Grace and I strolled along the water under a full moon later that evening, deciding to leave the men to discuss what would eventually include the web site Amadeus and I had found along with this tour idea of Julia’s. I almost felt as though we were all ganging up on her, but that feeling only stayed a fleeting second. Julia and Amadeus’s sister, Anne, declined our offer to walk on the beach after dinner.
Dinner had been unusually quiet, and I was thankful for the opportunity to eat in peace and simply enjoy being around people for the first time in months.
“Peter shared with me some of what Amadeus had told him about this tour idea Julia had. He said you’re not on board with it and neither is he.”
“I don’t have a problem with the three of them going on tour. I think the concept is wonderful. It’s Julia and the contract, not to mention the people she’s cozied up to.”
“I understand all that, Zara. Don’t you think perhaps she deserves to be listened to? Seriously?”
I was momentarily shocked that Grace would even suggest such a thing. “You do know who her business partners are, don’t you? Don Roberts, for one, the one person suspected in Amadeus’s poisoning. He’s the last person I want Amadeus around.”
“Zara, don’t you think you’re being a little over protective of Amadeus? I know the two of you have been through a lot together.”
“Are you suggesting I sit back and let him agree to this tour? Let Julia and her band of thieves manage and steal money that should be Angus, Amadeus, and Damien’s? Not to mention allow her to take management control?”
“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting. It’s not as if you and Amadeus need the money, Zara. And you know as well as I do that Damien can’t pull off a tour without Amadeus or Angus. He’s been out of the spotlight for too long, and frankly, I worry he’s not physically able.”
“I’m sorry, Grace, but while I agree with you on some of what you’re saying, I cannot and will not support this. If Julia will work with everyone as a team and without Don Roberts or Amber being involved, I’ll reconsider, but not the way things stand.”
We walked along t
he water’s edge in silence. My mind was going in a thousand different directions. I understood Grace wanting to oversee her flock, but up until now, she had always been on team Amadeus. Now she wanted me to throw him to the wolves, the biggest wolf being Don Roberts. The very thought made the hair on my arms stand up. But on the other hand, perhaps Grace had something up her sleeve as well.
“Zara, it’s only for two months.”
“Yeah, right. Oh, and you do know that we’ll have to pick up and move back to Seattle. Or at least Amadeus will have to. Rehearsals, you know.”
“You’re not going to give are you?”
“No, I’m not. The entire deal smells wrong. But I seem to be in the minority on this one. I fully expect Amadeus’s mind will be changed before we leave here. I wish to hell we’d never come.” Feeling my eyes well up with tears and my entire emotional state verge on a meltdown, I sped up my pace and began walking ahead of my mother-in-law.
****
Christmas Eve, Grace and Peter had all of us to the house for dinner. It wasn’t as fancy as we’d have once Peter’s children began to arrive the day after Christmas, but a nice family dinner. Gift exchanging was being put off a day as well, except for the children of course. Damien and Anne’s children. Can’t fool kids as to when Santa comes to make his annual visit.
I picked at my meal; my appetite had been lost the evening before, and I felt like the odd person out. The conversation around the table was low key, focusing on Peter and how his family had celebrated Christmas in years past. As I picked up the crystal wine goblet in front of me to take a sip, I noted Julia staring at me from across the table. She had a smug look on her face. I locked eyes with her momentarily, staring her down. If she thought she could intimidate me, she had another think coming. I would not back down to her or anyone else.
During a lull in the conversation, however, she had to stick one in. Even though Grace and Amadeus had assured me that the tour and any conversation surrounding it would be off limits during this dinner, Julia just had to defy the norm and try to rile me up.
“So, Zara, have you decided what you’re going to do with all the free time you’ll have with Amadeus in rehearsals and on the road touring?”
Slowly I picked up my wine glass and swirled the dark red liquid, pacing myself before I spoke. I refused to play her game or be drawn into her web. “Julia, you really don’t need to concern yourself with how I occupy my time. Elizabeth and I will be just fine. Why, she should be walking before too much longer, then we’ll have her first birthday, so she’ll have me hopping.”
“Then you’re staying in Scotland?”
I took a sip and placed my glass back down on the table, ignoring her.
“Zara, Julia asked you a question,” Grace responded. “Are you planning to stay in Scotland while Amadeus is touring?”
“Amadeus and I haven’t decided, and whatever the decision is, it will be between the two of us and what we think is best for our family. It does not concern you, Julia.”
“Zara…” I heard Amadeus beside me.
“What? I’m sorry, but I thought this was to be a civil dinner and any talk of this farce of a tour was off limits for at least a little while. But no, Queen Julia can do whatever she wants. Well, sorry, I would like to enjoy my Christmas Eve in peace. It’s Elizabeth’s first Christmas, and I refuse to let this bitch ruin it for me.” I stood up, threw my napkin down on the table and turned to leave. I noted both Peter and Grace watching my actions. Grace looked away when our eyes met…
I went to the bedroom where Elizabeth lay sleeping. Quietly, I picked her bag up, then reached down and scooped her up in my arms. Turning around to leave, I saw Amadeus’s lanky figure looming in the doorway. “Where are you going?”
“I’m taking Elizabeth and going back to our cottage. Like I said in there, I refuse to let her ruin Christmas for me. You can come or you can stay, but I refuse to stay.”
“But they haven’t done the Christmas stuff with the kids yet, and I wanted Elizabeth included.”
“Well, as you can see, she’s sound asleep, so it won’t make much difference. I’m sorry, A—if you want to stay, fine, but please don’t make me stay and be miserable.”
“I won’t make you stay, but I’m going to at least stay through the kids putting the milk and cookies out for Santa.” He stepped so close I could feel his breath on my face. “I love you. Don’t ever doubt that.”
“It never crossed my mind, and I love you, too. I’ll see you in a little while.” We shared a brief kiss before I walked back to the main salon. Everyone was gathering and I made my way across the room and out the door as quick as I could, saying nothing. Damn family holidays!
By the time I walked down the path and reached our cottage, Elizabeth had begun to stir. Silently I prayed she’d fall back into a deeper sleep. Tomorrow would be a big day for her, and I wanted her to enjoy it to its fullest. Not that she would know what was going on. As I laid her down in the crib in the extra bedroom, I kissed her on the cheek and whispered ‘Merry Christmas’ to her.
Taking her milk bottles to the refrigerator, I dropped them in and shut the door. I uncorked the half empty bottle of Cabernet and poured myself a glass. Kicking off my sandals, I padded back into the main room. I collapsed into one of the large overstuffed rattan chairs, easing my feet up onto the ottoman.
Amadeus was seated in the matching chair, drinking a beer he’d brought along with him. He was never one to do family things without me, so it didn’t surprise me to see him sitting there. His angular jaw was clenched and he was eyeing me as though he was trying to decide the next step in our conversation.
“Amadeus, I want to hear no mention at all about this tour tomorrow or for the remainder of our stay. This is our first vacation in ages, and I won’t have her ruining it any more than she already has. If she starts up, I’ll walk away just as I did tonight. Damien needs to grow a pair and put a muzzle on her.”
“No, if anyone needs to toughen up it’s you, Zara. You’ve never been as emotional as you are right now.”
Well that went over well.
“If I’m emotional, A, which I don’t think I am, it’s because of Julia. This is Christmas. It’s supposed to be a vacation, not a business meeting. I refuse to let her turn it into her show.”
His jaw was clenched, but he sat down on the sofa across from me and took a long pull off his beer. “Okay, fair enough. You’re right about that, but Zara, don’t belittle Damien. We don’t know all the facts.”
“No, we don’t, but it’s obvious who’s running that relationship. Enough about them. Can we just enjoy the holiday?”
Christmas day was quiet and enjoyable. Gifts were exchanged among the immediate family and, of course, Santa had come. The idea this year had been more about the exotic location than the actual frenzy of gift giving. Amadeus and I embraced the idea, having already decided we would gift each other at a later date with something mutual that we both desired. Perhaps another vacation.
I was sitting on the porch of our cottage, enjoying the view of the sea. Elizabeth was down for a nap, and Amadeus was in the company of his brothers, discussing this albatross called a tour I was certain. Grace and Julia remarkably were off walking the beach together. Their sudden bond had my curiosity piqued. On the verge of falling asleep from pure laziness, I jolted upright at the sound of someone walking along the porch. Peter.
“Mind if I join you, Zara?” He sat in the chair next to mine and stared out at the landscape.
“Of course not, Peter. I always enjoy your company, although I’m surprised you’re not down enjoying the beach.”
“I will a bit later. I thought I’d stop by and see how you’re doing. I know you’re having to deal with a lot with this tour idea of Julia’s and all.”
“Pfff,” I replied taking a sip off my glass of lime water. “That’s putting it mildly. I just can’t get over how everything has gone three sixty on me, how everyone is embracing Julia and her idea.”
“You’ve all got a plan, huh? You’re baiting her, setting her up for a fall? And I take it Grace is not privy to all of this?”
“Yes, yes, and Grace only knows enough to play along, but she’s better off not knowing everything until afterwards.”
“So you’re telling me to let Amadeus sign this ludicrous contract and go on this tour while I sit home and lick my wounds. Because you know damn good and well, Peter, Julia is going to be in my face from here on out, making sure she rubs everything she can in my face.”
“That’s what I’m asking you to do. I’m not telling you, Zara. You’ll do what’s right, you always do. Amadeus and I both agree you’re better off not being in the middle of it all.”
“Well, don’t expect me to be quiet. I’ll push back at her any time she’s in my face. I refuse to cow down to her. It could get ugly.” I was half joking with him, but I was serious. Julia was not going to think she had the upper hand. If I didn’t she might suspect something was up.
“Noooo, I’d never expect that of you, Zara.” He winked at me, a smirk on his face. “I’ll make sure you’re kept apprised of everything that happens or that we discover.”
****
Peter’s children, with their own families in tow, began to arrive the following day. The two families blended together well, which was incredible. Grace barely spoke to me, and Julia was all over making sure she got to know Peter’s two daughters. Linda, Peter’s eldest, and I had been friends long before he and Grace became an item. Julia couldn’t stand to see the two of us chatting, talking about girl stuff and kids.
The afternoon before we were to leave our holiday paradise, Grace and Julia came to visit me. Amadeus was off with the men, so the two of them knew I would be alone with the baby. I was trying to organize things to pack later. Amadeus wanted to be back for the New Years Eve festivities in Edinburgh. He wanted to ring in the New Year Scottish style.
Tudor Reunion Tour Page 4