Empires Fall (MidKnight Blue Book 2)

by Sherryl Hancock

  “Yes,” she breathed, feeling the old familiar warmth start in her body.

  “But your parents don’t think I’m fit for you,” Rick said remorsefully.

  “My mother commented just a few minutes ago how you seem to have settled down a great deal over the last year,” Teddy said, smiling winningly up at him.

  “Really?” Rick said, smiling like a kid at Christmas.

  “Of course,” Teddy said, frowning prettily, “there would be the matter of your current engagement.” She gazed up at him through the veil of her long lashes.

  “That’s true,” Rick said, nodding, pursing his lips in thought. “It could pose a problem.”

  “She’s from limited means, isn’t she?” Teddy said then.

  “Well, yes …” Rick said, his face brightening slightly.

  “I’m sure that between our two families and our own trust funds we could come up with a decent … settlement for her.” Teddy’s voice sounded triumphant. And that little bitch dared to challenge her hold on Rick … ha! She’d grabbed him back right out from under the girl’s nose, without even having to try very hard, a few looks, a caress and he was hers once again.

  “Well …” Rick began, looking down at Teddy Anne. “There are still three little problems,” he said mournfully.

  “And what would those be, love?” Teddy said, gazing happily up at him. There was nothing that money couldn’t solve, she’d always known that.

  “Well, first of all, I gave her my grandmother’s ring.”

  Teddy Anne shrugged. “So make that part of the settlement, you get the ring back.”

  “Well, the other thing is a little more complicated.”

  “What is it?” she asked, smiling at him.

  “Well … she’s pregnant.” His voice was very repentant.

  “Oh, my … that is a little more complicated, but nothing a little more money won’t handle, I’m sure. How far along, do you know?” she asked then, thinking an abortion might be a quick answer.

  “Only a month, I think,” he answered, looking down at her like a child begging to be forgiven.

  “Don’t worry about a thing, darling. We can deal with that easily.” She gave him an indulgent smile. She had always known Rick was kind of a slut, he just got into trouble this time. “Now what’s the third problem, dear heart?” she asked, feeling very generous with her forgiveness. She may even let him make love to her later tonight.

  “Well, the third problem,” he said, his voice pained, his eyes apologetic. He hesitated, then averted his eyes from hers furtively.

  “Richard, whatever it is, it can’t be that bad …” She touched his cheek. They had stopped dancing now and stood on the edge of the dance floor. To Teddy’s happy surprise, ironically, they stood very close to where Midnight stood watching them, and definitely within earshot. “What is it Richard?” she asked, her voice soft and sweet.

  Rick looked her straight in the eye then, his face a calm mask. “I happen to be in love with her, think you can solve that?” His voice took on a mocking tone on the last, as his lips curled in a sardonic smile.

  Teddy stood stock still, staring up at him openmouthed. She could hear Midnight laughing behind her, but she continued to stare up at Rick, sure that he was going to tell her he was only joking. He didn’t. He took a step back from her, and bowed mockingly, his eyes never leaving hers, the twisted grin still on his lips. He turned, and as she watched, he walked over to Midnight and took her in his arms, kissing her passionately. Midnight’s arms went around his neck, and her hands entwined themselves in his hair. Teddy was sure she was about to die from embarrassment. Blindly she turned and walked out of the room.

  “Whatever did you say to her, Mr. Debenshire?” Midnight asked, laughing.

  Rick grinned down at her. “I knew what she was up to, I didn’t think she’d take it that far … but …” He shrugged, smiling. His face became serious for a moment as he looked down at Midnight. “I love you,” he said softly.

  “I love you, too,” she said, pulling his head down to hers to kiss him again.

  A few minutes later, Joe and Randy wandered over to Midnight and Rick.

  “What was that about?” Joe said, nodding toward the dance floor.

  “Oh,” Rick said, his arm around Midnight. “Teddy thought she’d just make her last play, that’s all.”

  “I see,” Joe said, grinning at his friend. “Didn’t get too far, did she?” Joe said, his tone matter of fact.

  “She was coming on to you?” Randy said then, her voice incredulous.

  Rick laughed, but Midnight answered. “She told me she could get him back if she wanted to, I told her to go ahead and try it,” she said, shrugging.

  Randy shook her head, at the nerve of Teddy. She excused herself then, deciding to try to find the ladies’ room.

  She walked through the ballroom, receiving appreciative glances from many of the men, but she didn’t notice. She was wearing a white gown, with just a dusting of iridescent crystals that made her seem to glow. She was wearing the diamond and sapphire necklace Joe had bought for her in Paris, and there were small, but exquisite sapphire and diamond earrings at her ears. Her golden-blond hair flowed down her back, making her look like a fairy princess.

  On her left hand sparkled the diamond ring, that Joe had had custom made for her at a jewelers in London. He had taken her into the store and the owner had personally helped her pick out the perfect setting and just the right size diamond. She didn’t want anything too big or gaudy. She had settled on a marquee cut diamond set at an angle on the band, and Joe had suggested putting blue topaz baguettes along the band. The color of the blue topazes was called London Blue, and Joe said that they just about matched her eyes. The ring was absolutely magnificent, and the only one of its kind. The owner of the shop had christened the ring The Randissi.

  The ring and other jewels sparkled on her as she walked under the lights of the ballroom. When she reached the doorway, she heard someone call her name softly. She turned and saw Roslynn, who beckoned her. Roslynn was wearing a sky-blue dress and plenty of jewels. “Hello,” Roslynn said, when Randy was in front of her. Randy inclined her head to other woman. They were about the same height so they stood eye to eye.

  “Hello,” Randy said, keeping her voice even and polite.

  “I wanted a chance to speak to you privately, can we go outside?” Roslynn said, moving toward the veranda. Randy nodded and followed her. Once outside, Roslynn turned to her. “I don’t think you realize what your marrying Joseph will do …” Her voice trailed off, as if to indicate such dire consequences.

  “Roslynn …” Randy sighed, leaning against the stone railing of the balcony. She had half hoped that Roslynn had wanted to apologize for her behavior of a couple of weeks ago.

  “Now, just hear me out,” Roslynn said, holding up a perfectly manicured hand. “Joseph, is the last of his father’s line … he needs to marry a woman who can produce an heir to the Sinclair fortune …”

  “As far as I know,” Randy said, canting her head to the side, “I am capable of bearing children.” Her voice was calm.

  “Yes, but you aren’t … well, frankly you aren’t, how can I say this? You’re not from the right background.” She looked at Randy again, and rushed on when she saw a slow irritated smile start on Randy’s face. “Joseph needs to marry a woman from a good family. He needs to come back to society, before his family name is removed from the societal rolls. You don’t understand the importance of one’s status here. And Joseph marrying you will put his family name in an abysmal pit, and I feel a responsibility to try and keep that from happening. I am a close friend of the family, and I feel that out of duty to the Sinclair’s I must beseech you to consider your actions, and the repercussions they could have on Joseph in the future.” Roslynn was clutching her hands together dramatically.

  Randy found herself staring down at Roslynn’s hands. She noticed that Roslynn no longer wore the diamond wedding ring she had on at
their last meeting. She didn’t say anything. She couldn’t think of anything to say. Roslynn’s speech hadn’t left much room for response. Randy could see that there was more the woman wanted to say, and she hoped that by keeping silent Roslynn would just get on with it so she could get back inside and back to the man she loved.

  “I know,” Roslynn said, her voice taking on a companionably tone, “that you think you’re in love with Joseph, and who could blame you? But you couldn’t possibly understand everything he’s gone through, everything he went through when his parents were killed. I know that he’s just shut out his parents’ memory to keep the pain away, but that doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t do what’s right. Maybe, if you … left … if you told him you’d changed your mind … maybe …”

  “Maybe,” came Joe’s voice from just behind Roslynn. He stepped out of the shadows, his eyes narrowed at her. “If you and Taylor would stay the hell out of my life, I could finally get some peace.” His voice was cold and hard. He walked over to Randy, and put his arm around her. She leaned against him gratefully. “I think we’ve heard just about enough of this crap,” Joe said, looking down at Randy.

  Randy shook her head slowly, her eyes locked with Roslynn’s. “Why don’t you work on your own marriage, Roslynn, and I’ll take care of Joe,” Randy said, glancing up at Joe. She caught his proud smile. Without another word, they walked back into the ballroom, arm and arm.

  ****

  A week and a half later, Randy and Midnight stood in the dressing room to the Christ Church in Turnham Green, London. Joe had been right, the church was absolutely beautiful, and not too overwhelming. Both women wore white gowns. They laughed together nervously over the fact that neither one of them was entitled to wear white.

  “At least your closer to it than me,” Midnight said, with a mock grimace.

  “It’s all in the mind, you know …” Randy said, laughing.

  “Being a virgin?” Midnight said, raising an eyebrow at the younger girl. “I think you have that confused with mental health.”

  “Probably,” Randy said, smiling. “I’m so nervous right now I don’t even think I can remember my own name.”

  “It’s Randissi Curtis,” came a familiar voice from the doorway. Randy turned, and cried out. Darrell and Donovan stood in the doorway. Randy all but hurled herself into Darrell’s arms, she was so surprised at seeing them. She knew Joe had something to do with this, somehow.

  Actually, he had everything to do with Darrell and Donovan’s appearance at the wedding. Joe had written Darrell a simple letter, telling him that Randy’s happiness should be more important than Darrell’s pride. He also wrote that since Randy’s father was who knew where, the honor of giving her away would fall to Darrell, and Joe knew he’d regret having missed the opportunity. Joe’s final words in the letter were, “You won’t be doing this for me, you’ll be doing this for your baby sister.” Joe had included two open-ended round trip airline tickets to England in the package, and sent it off. Joe had been surprised to receive a note in return telling him that they would be there. He had kept it a secret, wanting to give Randy one last happy surprise on their big day.

  She was happy and so surprised. Darrell admired his little sister, and couldn’t believe how beautiful and happy she looked. Randy was wearing a traditional wedding gown, although the beauty of the gown was anything but average. It had a high collar and a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was covered with thousands of tiny iridescent seed pearls and was form fitting and cut in at the waist, making Randy’s already small waist seem even smaller. The skirt flared from the waist, and was draped with antique hand-stitched lace, that also made up the twenty-foot train. Her veil was a halo of seed pearls and tulle. Her long hair was pulled back in a braid that had baby’s breath braided into it. At her throat, she wore the intricately designed filigree gold and diamond necklace that Joe had given her as a wedding present. She had been speechless when she had opened the box the night before. He had bought her matching diamond earrings too. Randy had chided Joe about being so extravagant, but he had only shrugged and said that she was worth every penny. Now standing in the dressing room gazing up at her brother, she was an absolute vision of purity and innocence.

  “When did you get here?” Randy asked Darrell happily.

  “Last night … but Joe wanted it to be a surprise …” Darrell said, for once not referring to Joe by his surname. Randy took note of it, but didn’t comment.

  “I’m so glad you came …” Randy said, smiling, “and you both look so nice in those tuxedos, especially you Donovan.” She gave her little brother a sideways glance and hugged him a moment later as he started to blush.

  There was a knock on the door, and Anabelle slipped inside. “It’s time ladies,” she said, smiling. She nodded to Darrell and Donovan; she’d already met them a few minutes before, when Joe had introduced them, before asking Anabelle to show them to the dressing room.

  Randy and Midnight looked at each other.

  “Oh shit,” Midnight said, grinning and placing her hand on her stomach. “I don’t know if it’s the baby, or the nerves, but I’m in one big knot here …” She laughed nervously. Anabelle walked over to her daughter-in-law to be.

  “Now Midnight, you look beautiful.” She looked at Midnight pretending to be serious. “You’re going to go out there and marry my only son, so if anyone has a right to be nervous around here it’s me …” Midnight laughed at that.

  “I guess you’re right,” Midnight said then, still smiling.

  Anabelle and Midnight had spent the evening before talking. Midnight had finally gotten up the nerve to tell Anabelle about the baby. She and Rick had omitted that part when they had announced their engagement. Rick hadn’t been sure how his parents would take the news, so he wanted to wait. But Midnight had felt guilty about hiding it from Anabelle. She had been so helpful and nice about everything, and Midnight felt that she deserved the truth. Anabelle had been silent for a moment, nodding her head understandingly when Midnight had explained that that wasn’t the reason she and Rick were getting married. She explained that he hadn’t known she was pregnant when he had asked her to marry him. Midnight had held her breath wondering what Rick’s mother would say. After a long moment, Anabelle had surprised Midnight by taking her in her arms and giving her a warm hug.

  “You love my son, and he very obviously loves you. That’s a good enough explanation for me, Midnight. I’m very happy for you. I hope a baby is what you want right now, though.” She had looked concerned, remembering what Rick had said about her being very work oriented.

  Midnight had looked reflective for a moment, then looked directly at her mother-in-law to be. “You know, when the doctor told me, I wasn’t really happy about it. My job … well it’s not really one that I can easily work around being pregnant. But then I thought of Rick, and how much he means to me and I figured what better way to show him how much I love him, than by having his child. Sounds kinda corny doesn’t it?” She had said the last shaking her head.

  “Not in the least. In fact, it’s music to a mother’s ears, to hear a woman speak so lovingly of her son. The fact that you are willing to give up some of your own hard-won freedom for him is what every mother dreams of for her son.” Anabelle’s eyes had grown misty with tears, thinking of her son and Midnight together over the last couple of weeks

  Now standing looking down at Midnight, Anabelle felt a need to comfort the girl.

  “Come now, Rick tells me you’ve fought the biggest and baddest gang members in the western hemisphere,” Anabelle said. “What have you got to fear from a little priest …” Her voice trailed off challengingly.

  Midnight grinned at her, she knew what she was doing, but she appreciated it. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and centering herself, much like she did before a confrontation. Then opening them, she nodded. Randy walked out first with Darrell and Donovan trailing after her. Anabelle walked out, and Midnight followed. Randy was to be escorted down the aisle
first. Midnight had jokingly said that if anyone was going to trip, she wanted Randy to be first. As Midnight stood at the back of the church waiting nervously, she was surprised by a familiar voice.

  “Fancy meeting you here.”

  Midnight turned and looked into the eyes of Tom Ryan, looking very dapper in a tuxedo. “Tom!” she whispered fiercely, as she hugged him. “Oh my God! How did you … When …” she stammered, trying to ask a million questions at once.

  “Your fiancé,” Tom answered simply. Midnight smiled, remembering that she and Rick had discussed the “giving away” part. She had said that there was no way in hell she was even considering her own father. Finally, she had shrugged and said, “So I give myself away, I’ve done everything else for myself over the years, why not this too.”

  It had occurred to Rick then that Tom Ryan would be a likely stand-in for Midnight’s real father. He had put in a call to Tom and Tom had been more than happy to oblige. He had even refused Rick’s offer to pay for the plane ticket. Now here he stood, looking down at the woman he had watched grow up.

  “You look … fantastic,” Tom said, smiling, every bit the role of the proud father.

  Midnight did look fantastic. Her gown was fitted with the finest detailing of seed pearls, and iridescent sequins covering it. The bodice nipped in sharply at the waist, and continued snuggly to her knees where in flared. Her copper-blond hair was once again pinned up, with ringlets trickling down her back and at the side of her face. Her veil, a creation of seed pearls and sequins, came to a “V” at her forehead. She wore a pearl and diamond choker that had been a gift from Anabelle and Robert, along with a pair of pearl teardrop earrings. She looked beautiful and sexy at the same time.

  At the front of the church, Rick and Joe waited, each of them cracking jokes and chuckling.

  “I hate all this waiting,” Joe said, under his breath.

  “Me too.”

  “What’s say we skip the reception and go straight to the honeymoon …” Joe suggested, grinning mischievously.