London Loves - Book 3 - Love's Great Adventure Series

by Theresa Troutman

  Tess placed the shower nozzle back in its holder and wrapped her arms around Sebastian. “I can help you look over everything this weekend. We can make a schedule. That might help.”

  Shaking his head, he grinned. Tess and her schedules seemed to be the answer to everything. “I could use all the help I can get right now. Thank you.”

  “What do you have planned for today?” she asked, taking the loofah and scrubbing his back.

  “I’ve got to ring Fiona and tell her the news. I’m going to need to leave the gallery, but I’m hoping she’ll let me stay on as a consultant.”

  “Fiona adores you—I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”

  “Next I have go meet with Mr. Hume and go over Max’s finances to see if there is a better way to invest the money so we can keep the castle going.”

  “I wish I could go with you. I’m so sorry you have to do this alone.”

  Turning around to face his wife, he leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I wish you could be there, too. We’ll talk at length this weekend, okay?”

  Sebastian stood in front of the mirror fixing his tie while Tess sat on the bed putting on her shoes. When she finished, she walked up behind her husband. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she said, “You look very handsome.”

  He glanced at her maroon dress and black heels. “You look amazing, as always.”

  “I dressed extra nice—just in case I run late at work, I can meet you directly at The Ivy.

  “Have a good day at work.”

  Tess gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “Penny is still okay with watching Mattie?”

  “Yes, we’re good to go.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  With that, Tess turned to the right and headed toward the stairs while Sebastian turned to the left to wake Mattie. Opening the door to her bedroom, he peeked inside. She was already awake and dressing for school.

  “Look at you, up and ready.”

  “Hi, Daddy. Can we go to the castle this weekend?”

  “I don’t know, darling. I have a dinner tonight and I have paperwork to do this weekend.”

  “Can’t you do it at the castle?”

  His child was too logical for her own good—and she certainly hadn’t inherited that trait from him. “Let me talk to your mum tonight. We if go, it won’t be until tomorrow morning.”

  Satisfied with his response, Mattie took his hand. “Let’s eat.”

  Chapter 29 - Changes

  Tess made it to The Ivy with five minutes to spare. Sebastian was waiting outside, pacing the sidewalk. “Sorry, to cut it so close,” she apologized and then kissed him on the cheek.

  “It’s bloody freezing out here. Let’s go inside,” he said, opening the door for her to enter first.

  The waitress walked them over to a table at the center of the room, where the rest of the party was seated. Sigourney, Martin, and Colette had already started in on the wine. Sebastian pulled out a chair for Tess and then he sat down.

  “I’m so glad we could all get together before Martin and I fly back to Greece,” Colette announced.

  “It is nice to see you again,” Tess added.

  Over the course of the two-hour meal, Sigourney, Tess, and Sebastian took turns telling Martin about their lives. Martin had a genuine interest in their tales, and Sebastian thought maybe there could be a reconciliation after all. The evening was drama-free and no one raised their voice in anger. It was a welcome change of pace.

  The group parted ways outside the restaurant and filed into separate cabs.

  “That went better than I expected,” Sebastian said, loosening his tie as the cab drove toward Kensington.

  “Martin seemed sincere,” Tess added.

  “Yes, he did. Did you get all your work finished today?”

  “Yes, that’s why I was close to being late.”

  “Mattie wants to go to the castle tomorrow.”

  “I think we should go, Bas. I want to help you with budgets and payroll. I think going there in person would be the best place to do it. This way you can talk to the person in charge. I’m sure he’ll be able to give you insights into how the household is run.”

  Sebastian looked at his wife. The night lights flitted across her face as the cab moved down the street. A mixture of pride, love, and relief swelled in his heart. “You have no idea how much I need you,” he softly said, reaching for her hand.

  “I do know,” she smiled. “I need you just as much.”

  In the morning, Sebastian had all the bags packed in the back of Max’s Range Rover. Penny was sitting in the parlor, reading the newspaper.

  “We’re almost ready to go. Are you sure you don’t want to come along?” he asked.

  “No, I’m not ready yet.”

  “I feel bad leaving you alone, Pen.”

  “I’ll be fine.” She folded the paper and placed it on the coffee table. “You, Tess, and Mattie have been so supportive these past few weeks. I’m so very grateful, but you need to get back to living your lives and I need to figure out how to move forward in mine. When you come back to London, you don’t have to stay here. I’m sure you miss your flat and your daily routine.”

  “I do,” Sebastian admitted.

  Penny stood from the chair and hugged Sebastian. “You have been a brilliant friend. I will never forget this.”

  “I’m a phone call away if you need anything.” He pulled away and caressed her cheek. “I best go round up Tess and Mattie.”

  “Have a nice weekend, Sebastian.”

  Sebastian entered the kitchen and found Tess cleaning up the dirty dishes. “Almost ready to go,” she said, placing the last bowl on the dish rack to dry.

  “Where’s Mattie?”

  “I thought she was with you.”

  Sebastian huffed in exasperation. “She wanted to go and now she disappears.”

  Tess laid the towel on the counter. Then she walked over to her husband and gave him a hug. “Please try to stay calm. I know you aren’t looking forward to this, but it will be fine. We’ve got this, okay?”

  He silently nodded.

  “I’m going to get my coat. Maybe Mattie went to say goodbye to Penny.”

  “I just left Penny, but I’ll go check.”

  They parted ways and Sebastian walked down the hall, back toward the sitting room. The library door was ajar and he caught a glimpse of his daughter on the telephone. Opening the door and stepping inside, he said, “Martha, who are you ringing?”

  “I’m calling Uncle Alistair, Daddy.”

  “Where in God’s name did you get his phone number?”

  “He gave it to me,” she said, holding up the calling card.

  “Mattie, I don’t…” he never had the chance to finish his sentence.

  “Hello, Uncle Alistair, it’s Mattie.” The child listened in response. When it was her turn to speak again, she said, “Daddy and Mummy and I are going to the castle for the weekend. Aunt Penny will be all alone. I think you should come here for tea.” Mattie was silent once more while Alistair responded. “She won’t mind. She’s lonely. Please say you’ll come visit.” Obviously getting the answer she wanted to hear, Mattie smiled. “Thank you, Uncle Alistair.” Then she rang off.

  “Martha Katherine Irons, you did not just invite Alistair to tea with Penny.” In that moment, Sebastian wasn’t sure if he should be angry or pleased with his daughter.

  “Yes, I did, Daddy. He said he would be happy to keep Aunt Penny company.”

  “Fine. Now if you want to go the castle, I’m leaving now.”

  With that, Mattie hopped down from the chair and ran to get her coat.

  Soon they were on their way, driving to the country. Traffic was heavier than anticipated. Sebastian’s day was not starting out the way he had planned. He glanced over at Tess. “Ask our daughter what she did before we left the house today.”

  Tess turned around in her seat looked at Mattie with expectant eyes.

  “I ca
lled Uncle Alistair.”

  “And the palace just put her through?” Tess exclaimed with alarm, looking back at Sebastian.

  “She has his personal number.”

  “Mattie, why did you call him?”

  “I didn’t want Aunt Penny to be alone. She’s so sad. I can tell Uncle Alistair likes her. He’ll make sure she eats while I’m gone.”

  “Oh, Mattie,” Tess repeated, this time her voice soft and caring. “That was a lovely thing to do.”

  “Only problem is Pen doesn’t know Alistair will be showing up on her doorstep,” Sebastian explained.

  “It’s a surprise!” Mattie exclaimed.

  Tess reached over and put her hand on top of Sebastian’s. “They do seem to be getting along well since the funeral. Alistair has been very kind to Penny.”

  “I know,” he muttered.

  “You have enough to worry about. This shouldn’t be added to the list. They are adults, Bas.”

  “Yes, darling,” he acquiesced.

  The family exited their SUV. The butler greeted them upon arrival at Sutton Castle with a dozen staff in tow. “My Lord and Lady,” he said with a slight bow of his head.

  “Smyth, nice to see you again,” Sebastian greeted, being polite as possible, trying not to show his nerves. He entered the castle first, with Tess and Mattie at his side. Smyth followed next. “My Lord, we’ve prepared a light luncheon if you would like to eat after you freshen up.”

  Sebastian looked at Tess.

  “Thank you, Smyth. That was very thoughtful,” she said, her smile warm and caring.

  “I’d like to meet with you in the library at two o’clock to discuss the household,” Sebastian said to Smyth.

  “Yes, my Lord.”

  “Thank you. Carry on.”

  The family walked up the staircase and headed to their rooms. “Daddy, can I have a bigger room?”

  “I thought you liked the nursery.”

  “I’m not a baby anymore. I’m almost five.”

  “Yes, love, you can choose another room—later, after I’ve had a chance to speak with Symth.” He glanced at Tess. “Would you like a new room, too?”

  “I’d like your old room back. It has sentimental value,” she said, a smile creeping onto her face. “I like that bed and the shower,” she whispered in his ear so Mattie couldn’t hear.

  Finally, Sebastian smiled too. “I think that’s a brilliant idea.”

  It took an hour to go over the books and expenses, two hours to tour the house and grounds, meeting the staff as they went along. Countless questions were asked by both Sebastian and Tess, which Smyth patiently answered. Thankfully, the stable hand offered his time to take Mattie riding on her pony to keep her occupied so her parents could tend to the business at hand.

  Arrangements were made for the family to take over new rooms and Lady Irons’ living quarters were discussed.

  “I am exhausted,” Sebastian announced as he sank into the mattress of his old bed, late that night. Surprisingly, everything had remained the way he had left it all those years ago when he had been banished from the castle. How ironic that he was back as its owner.

  “I never knew running a place like this was so involved,” Tess agreed, slipping under the covers next to him. “You were amazing today—so confident and businesslike. I’m so proud of you, Bas.”

  “This is my job now,” he shrugged.

  “Do you think you’ll like it?”

  “I don’t know, but these people depend on me. I can’t let them down.” Staring up at the ceiling, he let out a slow breath. “This place is so big. We don’t need the whole castle. Maybe we can shut some of it down to help with the cost.”

  “What if we took one of the wings and set it up with paintings and antiques and opened it to the public, like a museum? Or maybe we could rent the grounds out for events and weddings,” Tess suggested.

  Sebastian chuckled. “Your mind is at it already. They are both excellent ideas. Let’s think about it and talk to Smyth in the morning.” A comfortable silence passed between them as they cuddled.

  “Sooooo…I have some big news,” Tess announced, looking up at her husband.

  “Yes?” he hesitantly asked as panic spread through his body.

  “Why did you say it like that?”

  “The last time you started a conversation like that, you asked me to move to London. We’ve only been here six months. I can’t move again so soon—not now.”

  “We’re not moving,” she said to dispel his fear. “Well, maybe we are,” she quickly added.

  “Darling, I’m too tired to follow your train of thought. Please just spit it out.”

  “I’ve decided to leave the AP and work as a freelance journalist. I’ve made so many contacts, and that interview with Alistair was just the boost I needed to gain some respectability in the industry.”

  “Why would you do that? You love your job.”

  “I love you more. I meant it when I said I missed spending time with you and Mattie. If I do this, I can spend more time with you and help you run this place. We could live here full time. I’m sure there are some good schools out here that Mattie can attend.”

  “There are a lot of ghosts inside these walls.”

  “But there are good memories, too.”

  “You really want to live here full time?”

  “Why not? We can make new memories—good ones.”

  Sebastian looked at his wife. He couldn’t process what she was saying quickly enough. She wanted to give up her dream job for him. Gobsmacked, he sputtered, “I…I…You’d give it all up for me?”

  “I’m not giving anything up, Bas. I think I’m gaining a lot more than I’m letting go. What do you say?”

  “Yes,” he said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Yes, yes, yes,” he repeated in between tiny kisses he planted all over her face.

  Tess giggled. “You don’t seem so exhausted anymore.”

  “Got my second wind,” he replied in a sexy, playful voice.

  “Good, because I was thinking now that we’ll be here, spending more time together…” she hesitated to finish the sentence.

  Sebastian arched his brow, “You were thinking?”

  “Let’s have another baby.”

  The words were music to his ears. Grinning from ear to ear like the fool in love that he was, he kissed her again. “Are you sure?”

  Tess nodded. “I know I didn’t handle the first time so well, but now I’m prepared. I want this for us. I’ll do a better job this time,” she declared, serious and resolute.

  His spirit soared. She wanted another child. He was the happiest man on earth in that moment. All the stress and anxiety he’d felt earlier in the day evaporated. “I would love to make another baby with you. In fact, we can start now.”

  Epilogue - Christmas 1992

  Mattie raced down the tiled hall on a red scooter she had received from Santa for Christmas. Sebastian stepped in her path. “Whoa, no racing in the house. You’ll break something.”

  “Daddy!”

  “We have guests.”

  She let out a heavy sigh and perched the scooter against the wall. One of the servants quickly removed it on the spot. Mattie took Sebastian’s hand and they walked back to the sitting room where everyone was gathered.

  The room held a seven-foot spruce decorated with antique decorations and white fairy lights. The yule log blazed in the fireplace. The mantel was draped with fragrant boughs and holly berries. His daughter’s open presents were strewn under the tree.

  Mattie walked over to join Grandmom Kate, Henry, and Alice, who were sitting on the sofa having a convivial conversation. Sigourney, Victoria, Martin, and Colette were enjoying a fruitcake. Penny and Alistair stood close together, locked in a private conversation. They only had eyes for each other, muting the lively chaos around them. Lastly, he gazed upon his wife, Tess. She sat back in a comfy chair, the matriarch of Sutton Castle, cradling their newborn son.

  “How’s William?�
� he asked, stroking the thin wisp of hair on the infant’s head.

  “He sleeps like me—hasn’t stirred one bit.”

  “This is madness,” he said in a low voice, watching everyone.

  “I like to think of it as controlled chaos,” Tess grinned. “I think I might write a book about all this one day.”

  Curious, he asked, “What will you call it?”

  “‘Love’s Great Adventure’ has a nice ring to it. I’ve had the most amazing life with you. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

  “You don’t long for a simpler life?”

  “No. I’ve loved every minute of this crazy journey with you, Sebastian. I wouldn’t change a single thing. I love this life.”

  Acknowledgements

  Editor: Amy Jackson.

  Cover Design by Melyssa Winchester

  Stock Photo by Yoko Photo Studios

  Paperback Cover Design by Addison Kline

  My journey as a writer has been an adventure. I want to thank my wonderful author friends: Melyssa Winchester, Ryan Ringbloom, Lisa Suzanne, and Katherine Rhodes and N.M Silber. Your support and advice is treasured.

  I can’t do this alone, so mega thanks to my street team—Theresa’s VIPs: Tracy, Jordan, Jenn, Candice, Wendy, Julie, Teresa, Terri, Lynne and Maggie.

  Bloggers, without you my books wouldn’t reach the masses. Special thanks to: Cruising Susan Book Reviews, Stephanie’s Book Reports, YA Book Madness, Twin Opinions, Romance Obsessed Book Blog, Ropin Romance, Dark Novella, Eskimo Princess Book Reviews, Be My Book Boyfriend, and Books and Beyond Fifty Shades.

  Extra special thanks to Tracy Smith Comerford. Your enthusiasm, dedication and hard work is never forgotten and appreciated more than you know!

  * D P G R O U P . O R G *