by Rikki Dyson
“Well, what the devil did you want me to tell her? No, my future mother-in-law, we’ll wanna’ make love and you’ll be intruding.”
“Bloody well yes,” Shane said. Stacey picked up the phone and handed it to him: “Oh, you’re a cheeky wench.”
“Yes darling I know, now kiss me.” He did and all was forgotten. They were back were they started when the alarm went off. Stacey laughed and said, “I think that’s why they call it, a quickie.”
Shane was a bit late to work. Sir Richard Heath was his first patient. He quite understood about traffic. He said, “If I had a beautiful young wife like yours, I might be in a traffic jam every morning.” They both laughed. Shane liked this older gentleman and was happy to tell him that every test was negative.
Tuesday afternoon, Stacey called Mr. Chen and told him about Elizabeth McLeod’s call and the possibility it was gonna’ be a little awkward, would he please stay with them on Saturday too? “Of course I will,” he said. “I was afraid you wouldn’t need your ole’ mom-a-daddy, now that you’re married. Of course, Eric did predict you would get yourself in a tight spot before this was all over with.”
“You know I’ll always come running to you for help. And Eric’s probably right, but we won’t tell him, it’ll just give him the big head. Oh, yes, tell him there’s twin beds downstairs if he wants to stay too.”
“I’ll tell him, and we’ll make it right. That’s what I’m here for little daughter,” he said laughing. “We’ll see you on Saturday.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chen,” Stacey said. “I love you.”
When Shane came home, Stacey told him her plan. He wasn’t all that enthusiastic about the situation. “Well, Doctor McLeod, if you have a better plan, by all means kick it in gear,” Stacey encouraged him. He didn’t, but he did enjoy that light of defiance in her eyes. Because he was smiling, Stacey asked, “Are you laughing at me?”
“Maybe,” Shane said. “I haven’t seen that look since, Maxwell house.”
Stacey put her arms around him and said, “Maxwell house will always be special.”
Chapter 43
Hugh and Annie’s wedding.
Stacey had not had the chance to investigate more libraries, but today she decided to go back to the Historical society in London. There was always the off chance she might find some family familiar from thirteen-seventy to fourteen-forty-seven. She remembered Hampton Hall was located near London, and the Hampton families were more prominent politically than the Fitz-Morgan families were.
The old countess’s motto was, let sleeping dogs lie. She never wanted her family entwined in the politics of kings. It was too easy to lose ones head. Stacey kept her cell phone near, as she didn’t want to miss one of Shane’s calls. She didn’t want to be secretive about what she was doing, but she didn’t want to argue with him either. She only had two free days to search. She remembered the Ashworth family was from Dorset in the south. Stacey wanted to rent a car and drive to Dorset, but when she consulted the map, she realized there was no way she could make it there and back in a day. She would just have to wait until a more opportune time to visit the library and historical society, where she was hoping to find information on the family of Colin Ashworth who was married to Jacquelyn, one of the Fitz-Morgan twins. Some of their descendants might still live there.
Stacey met Shane for supper at his Athletic club. He noticed her demeanor seemed preoccupied tonight, and asked, “Is there anything wrong, sweetheart?”
She looked at him with surprise and said, “No, no, of course not, my mind just went blank there for a while.” Shane frowned at her. “No, really Shane, my mind is on what all I need to do before this weekend. I want to have the flat all ready for mine and your parents on Saturday.”
Stacey looked down at her plate as she took a bite of food and thought, to herself, now you’ve started lying, or almost, part of it was true. If I tell him the whole truth, we’ll just get into an argument again and I don’t want that. I guess the best way to handle this is to just wait until June to continue my search of the past.
The week sped by rapidly. Stacey had plenty to keep her busy. On Wednesday they had dinner with Nigel and Megan, then went to the pictures. Thursday was the wedding rehearsal. Friday was a busy day with many things to do at the flat. Stacey wanted to put fresh linens in the guest rooms for everyone, then she helped Mrs. Wyatt with the dusting. Shane called to remind her to pick up his morning suit from the cleaners. On her way home, she picked up fresh flowers for the flat:
They had a late supper as Shane was late coming home from the hospital. After supper he had to transfer some transcripts in his office. Stacey cleaned the kitchen, took a shower and went to bed. She was reading James Patterson’s, ‘The Jester,’ while waiting for Shane to come upstairs. When he came in, she put the book mark in, and laid the book on the bed-side table. Shane sat down on the side of the bed. Stacey sat up and they put their arms around each other. He kissed her and said, “I’ll take a shower and be right with you.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Stacey knew he was tired, but he seemed to need her. She wanted him to always know she was there, if for nothing more than to hold him in her arms. He was asleep in no time at all.
Saturday morning at six a.m., Stacey and Shane picked up her mom, dad and Mr. Chen at the airport. Stacey introduced them to Shane, then asked as she looked around, “Where’s Eric, he did come didn’t he?”
“Yes, of course, he came sweetheart. He was very tired, so he grabbed a taxi and went to the hotel to take a nap. He’ll ask for a wake up call and meet us at the church. So don’t worry,” her dad said.
At the flat, Stacey’s family became better acquainted with Shane over coffee and scones. The wedding was scheduled for two p.m. Stacey knew they’d traveled all night and were tired. She asked, “Would ya’ll like to take a nap until twelve?”
“Oh, yes darling, please,” her mom said.
Stacey had made chicken salad sandwiches and coffee cake. They could choose which they wanted. Mr. Chen was up when Stacey and Shane were ready to go. Stacey asked him to wake her parents in time to get to the wedding. She gave him the address of the church, and told him they would see them there.
By two p.m. the church was full. By three, the ceremony was over and the reception was in full swing. Annie’s family was on their best behavior. Stacey was looking for her family and Shane was looking for his. They met somewhere in the middle. Shane introduced everyone; Elizabeth was expecting Jessica Scott to be a dowdy little country woman in polyester about her own age. Instead she was introduced to a tall slender, red headed, green eyed beauty, who was at least ten years her junior. Stacey’s father was a tall handsome man with blue eyes and black hair, just starting to gray around the edges.
Sam Scott and Andrew McLeod were very friendly. Jessica Scott was just as amazed as Elizabeth McLeod had been about her. Elizabeth was five-feet-five, blonde hair and blue eyes.
She was elegantly dressed and carried herself regally. Andrew McLeod was also a tall handsome man with graying black hair and brown eyes. He was an older version of Shane. Mr. Chen, wonderful as always sensed the under laying hostilities of these two women. He kept the conversation on neutral ground. ‘Grandmother McLeod and the art of preserving.’
Eric stood back watching with a smile on his face. Stacey walked by where he was standing and said, “Not one word from you, do you hear, not one word.”
With the up-most of innocence, he said, “Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me?”
With that monolog, Eric and Stacey both started laughing. “Right now I’d like to run away with you to the lake. I don’t know what’s happening here and I’m not sure I wanna’ know,” Stacey said with a giggle, that started Eric laughing again.
Hugh and Annie came over to say, “Hello and goodbye.” They were leaving on their honeymoon on the same flight to Madrid as Stacey’s parents. They would be going to the airport together. Sam and Andrew shook hands and Sam apologized, “Sorry Andrew, that we don’
t have more time for getting acquainted. I assure you we’ll rectify that in June.”
Stacey and Shane were so pleased that their dads liked each other, but they couldn’t say the same for their moms. Jessica could sense a pinned up frustration in Elizabeth. She couldn’t imagine why and didn’t have time to find out now, however, if this attitude persisted; she would have a talk with the little lady in June, when they came to her daughter’s wedding.
Elizabeth was incensed, that her son and poor little Stacey were to be married in a barn, when this elegantly dressed, red headed beauty, would go traipsing around Europe instead of using that money for her daughter’s wedding. Elizabeth felt so bad for Stacey. She told Andrew, “Thank god, our son is marrying such a brave girl.”
That night in bed, Stacey and Shane were discussing the enigma of their mother’s attitudes. Stacey told Shane, “Whatever their problem is, it’s theirs, not ours.”
“Things did go well at the restaurant. Our Mr. Chen is an amazing gentleman. Between he and Eric, they have my mother captivated,” Shane said.
“Yes,” Stacey agreed. “They did keep things calm at the reception too.”
The lovers spent the next few hours talking and making love, with Stacey giggling because they were trying not to make too much noise. They finally fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Elizabeth told Andrew, “I’m so glad Stacey loves our son enough to defy convention and share his bed, even with us here. Thank god, in a few months she’ll have Shane and us, of course to look after her.”
Andrew was so pleased about his wife’s attitude, that he wasn’t going to tell her, he was sure Stacey was strong willed enough to take care of herself and their son too, if it were ever necessary. Andrew had liked Stacey from the beginning. He couldn’t have been more pleased when Shane told them, that they were engaged.
Shane’s parent’s flight was scheduled to leave at ten a.m. for Edinburgh. Stacey had scones, tea and coffee ready. Shane’s parents insisted on taking a taxi to the airport. Shane’s mother said, as she kissed Stacey bye, “This is the way we want it darlings. You two have so little time together as it is. Mr. Chen, please tell Eric goodbye for us and when Stacey and Shane are married, I hope we see a lot of you then,” Elizabeth said.
“I assure you, you will Elizabeth,” Mr. Chen said as he shook hands with her and Andrew McLeod.
Chapter 44
Mother and Daughter
Stacey, Eric and Mr. Chen left on the four p.m. flight for Houston. On the drive home Shane’s arms felt so empty. The flat felt the same way, so he took a hot shower and went to bed. He dreamed of Stacey, but when he woke, he knew his dream was no where near as good as the real thing.
Stacey was kept busy with school, the ‘Hanging tree’ and went with J.B. to Mesquite to watch her bulls buck. Bull riding was always exciting, but when they were your own bulls it was even more exciting.
Stacey’s mom and grandmothers were taking care of the wedding plans. Grandy said, “I’ve never seen a girl more disinterested in her own wedding.”
“Well, that’s what happens when a girl sleeps with a man before they marry. All the mystic is gone,” Gram Flemming said.
In March, Gram came with sewing machine in hand for Stacey to try on her mother’s wedding dress. There were no alterations necessary. It fit like it was made for her. “You must remember Mother, I was about Stacey’s size when I married Sam.”
Stacey could hardly wait for spring break. Two whole weeks with Shane, plus they would be visiting his family in Scotland. She hoped Shane’s mother still liked her as much as she had in February. Stacey had asked her mother, “What happened at the wedding? Shane and I noticed you and his mom seemed very cool to one another. We couldn’t imagine why.”
“I have no idea,” Jessie said. “The woman looked at me as if I wasn’t good enough to wipe her boots. I hope she doesn’t come to the wedding with that attitude.”
“Mom, I can’t imagine Elizabeth McLeod in boots,” Stacey said, and started laughing.
“Neither can I,” Jessie said. Now they both were laughing.
When spring break arrived, Stacey was packed and ready for two romantic weeks with Shane. Stacey knew he would still have to work at the hospital, but the nights would be theirs.
She heard on the news, that the concord was going to discontinue flights to the states, but didn’t hear when. She hoped not until after the wedding.
Stacey’s mom drove her to the airport. “It seems in the last year we’ve almost lived in this place,” Jessie said.
“Two more months and the trips up here will be much less,” Stacey said.
“Don’t remind me, my only child will be living in England.”
“You can always come visit, especially when I have our babies.”
“Are you gonna’ get in a hurry on that, darling?”
“Yes we are, by the time our kids are in college, Shane will be in his middle fifties or sixties. If we wanna’ enjoy our grandchildren, then it’s not something we can wait on too long.”
“Stacey, you never cease to amaze me. Before you met Shane, I would’ve put my money on you being a career woman. I know you’re crazy about little Brandon, but you’ve never acted the mommy type. You wouldn’t even play with dolls when you were little.”
“I know,” Stacey said as she smiled at her mom. “I’ve always been a tomboy. I still am, but now I’m a woman in love too.”
“Yes darling, I know. It shows every time you two look at each other.”
“Good, cause we’re going to have a marriage like you and Dad. Ya’ll are our role model. Shane’s mom and dad have a good marriage too, I believe. His grandmother and grandfather did for sure, she talks to me about their life together a lot. She said talking to me about it brings back such good memories. I’m so glad she feels that way.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting Shane’s grandmother. She sounds like a wonderful person. And I know you love her already, by the way you talk about her.”
“Yes, I do, Mom. She’s a fine lady. I’ll get to see her this time, Shane and I are going up to Scotland for a weekend.”
Stacey’s flight was called. She kissed her mom goodbye and boarded the plane.
Chapter 45
The Rescue
Stacey arrived in London at two a.m. Saturday. Their passion for one another was as strong as it had ever been. They still ran to each other in the airport. They spent all day Saturday making up for lost time. On Sunday they had tea at four with Hugh and Annie. They were so much in love, like typical newly weds they held hands and smiled at each other. Sometimes they seemed oblivious to other people around. Stacey didn’t ask, but wondered, did she and Shane act that way too.
Later at the flat, Stacey was unpacking when she remembered she’d brought the family history book. She showed Shane the back pages, but the names meant nothing to him.
“I’m sure I saw some of these names last August when I was looking through your grandmother’s book.”
“So, you think we’re related?” Shane asked, with a smirk.
“Not really, even if we had a common ancestor somewhere in the past, it would be so far back it wouldn’t matter gene wise, but DNA wise, would be very interesting.”
Shane took the book from Stacey, as he laid her back on the bed and said, “Let’s do a little research of our own.” Soon the book was forgotten. Everything was, except their love and need for each other. Monday morning found them both groggy with sleep. When the alarm went off, Stacey made her way to the kitchen and Shane to the shower. She knew when Shane left she was going back to bed until Mrs. Wyatt arrived.
Stacey had just dozed off when the phone rang. It was Mrs. Wyatt calling, “Mrs. McLeod, I’m so sorry, to be sure. I’ve somehow come down with a wretched cold and I won’t be able look after you and the doctor for a few days. To be sure, I’m most sorry.”
Stacey assured her, “We’ll be fine Mrs. Wyatt, don’t give it a second thought. You just take it easy and
get well. I’ll look after doctor McLeod.”
Shane had a heavy load of patients and surgeries. Many times they were performed in other hospitals. On Tuesday Shane called, “Stacey, sweetheart, I must fly to Paris as a neuron consultant, do you fancy to come along?”
“No, Shane, but thank you for asking. I know you’ll be busy and I don’t want you distracted by worrying about me. I’ll be right here when you get back. Do you want me to pack you a bag and bring it to the hospital?”
“Yes, please sweetheart, two changes will do fine. I should be back sometime on Thursday,” Shane said.
Stacey packed his bag and took it to the hospital. She arrived just in time. A helicopter had been sent for Shane. “Who’s the patient?” Stacey asked.
“I have no idea, I’ll tell you all about it when I get back.”
Jestingly, Stacey said, “They better send you back, or I’ll come looking for you. I’ve watched James Bond movies, you know.”
“That’s my girl,” Shane said, smiling as he kissed her bye and ran to board the helicopter.
On Wednesday, Stacey went to visit Annie. She wanted to tell her the news, that professor Webster had e-mailed her with news about Dun-Raven castle. He had dug up some obscure information about the castle and was going to fax it to her. Hugh came in as she was leaving. “I hear that husband of yours has run off to Paris.”
“Yes, he has, but he’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Who was the, big wig, he went to see?”
“I don’t know, how do you know he’s wealthy?”
“They don’t send a private helicopter for someone if they aren’t,” Hugh said.
“Do you want to eat with us?” Annie asked.
“No thank you. I wanna’ be home when the fax comes in from Mark.”
After Stacey left, Hugh asked, “Who in the devil is Mark?”
“He’s a history professor, that’s helping Stacey with her search of the past.”
Stacey was absorbed with the information Mark Webster had faxed to her about Dun-Raven castle. Stacey was overcome with sorrow as she read: Dun-Raven castle, was erected in eleven—thirty—six as a motte and bailey castle by the first earl of Dun-Raven, Rollo Fitz-Morgan who was alleged to be brother or cousin to William the conqueror. The castle had withstood scrimmages and attacks over the years until the war of the roses. When Richard III, lost his life in the year fourteen-eighty-five, Dun-Raven castle was at its lowest ebb. The Fitz-Morgan family line had died out and there was no longer a strong force to man the castle. Over the years the castle was dismantled and the stones of the proud castle were carted away to build monasteries and homes of the elite. Many castles in the north would meet a similar fate.