The Yuletide Bride: 1781 (Wedlocked!)

by Mary Lyons

  Her friend was right, Amber realised, grimacing down at the long letter from Philip, still lying reproachfully on the desk in front of her. Having her own doubts and worries about the wisdom of marrying Max, she really didn’t need to have them reiterated by anyone else, and she was grateful to be distracted by a telephone call from Rose’s husband, David Thomas.

  ‘I just thought I’d give you a ring, Amber,’ he barked down the phone, the noise of his busy office clearly audible in the background. ‘You remember those house deeds you lent to me...?’

  ‘Oh, Heavens! I’d forgotten all about them,’ she exclaimed.

  ‘I think you’ll be pleased to hear that I’ve made an interesting discovery. Very interesting indeed!’

  ‘Really? What have you found out?’

  ‘Well, maybe I ought to call in and explain it all to you. It’s a bit involved—quite complicated, really. But it looks as though there’s a chance of saving the Tide Mill.’

  ‘That’s terrific!’ She smiled down the phone with delight. ‘Come on, David, don’t keep me in suspense. I want to hear all about it—right now!’

  However, by the time she put down the receiver, leaning back in her chair to gaze blindly out of the window, Amber’s mind was in a complete whirl.

  According to David—whose idea of perfect bliss was delving into dusty historical records—when Clive had sold the old Tide Mill, the sale had only included the building and the land on which it stood. He had not sold either the tide pool adjacent to the mill, or the ancient rights and ownership of the spit of land surrounding the tide pool where it jutted out into the river.

  ‘I don’t know why Clive didn’t include the tide pool in the sale. Although, maybe the builder, who originally bought the old mill, wasn’t interested in paying extra for what was nothing more than a huge pond,’ David suggested. But, as he’d gone on to explain, the old deeds included an ancient Crown Grant of 1667, made under the great seal of Charles II, which gave the owner of Elmbridge Hall a ‘good and perfect title’ to the whole of the land enclosing the pool and most importantly, the river bed itself.

  ‘I’m sorry to be so dim, David, but I really don’t understand what you’re talking about. I never knew that anyone could own the land under a river. Why would they want to do that?’

  ‘Well, the river is tidal, isn’t it? So, maybe in times gone by, there were oyster beds laid in the river beside the pool. That could have been a “nice little earner” for whoever owned Elmbridge Hall at the time.’

  ‘There speaks the accountant!’ she laughed. ‘But I still don’t really understand why that old deed is so important.’

  ‘OK, I know it’s complicated. But if you looked at a map of the area, you’d see the old mill on the river-bank, and the land that surrounds the tide pool jutting out into the river like a large U. Now, what this ancient deed proves is that all the land forming the outline of the U is still owned by you—and you also own the river bed, which lies between the pool and the other side of the river. I’ve checked up with a friend in the County Record Office,’ he added, his voice crackling with excitement. ‘He tells me that if you own the land around the pool and the land under the river as far as the river-bank opposite, you are entitled to demand a licence fee of anyone wanting to tie up their boat on to your land.’

  ‘You mean...’ Amber frowned as she tried to concentrate on what he was saying. ‘You mean, anyone can sail up and down the river, but if they want to come ashore anywhere on my land, they have to have my permission to do so?’

  ‘Got it in one!’ David agreed crisply. ‘Moreover, since you own the river bed itself, no one can build moorings or drive piles into the earth beneath the river. Which is going to be one big headache for Suffolk Construction, right? Because they may own the Tide Mill, but unless you sell them the pool, the land surrounding it and your rights to the river bed, they haven’t a hope in hell of building their marina!’

  ‘Wow! I can’t wait to tell Rose the good news,’ she laughed before realising that she would soon no longer be the sole owner of Elmbridge Hall. ‘I’ll have to tell Max what you’ve discovered, although I’m sure he’ll be as pleased as I am to hear the news. He’s working in London this week, but as I’m going down to do some shopping and then join him for lunch on Friday, I’ll be able to tell him all about it. However, don’t you think that we ought to let the people at Suffolk Construction know about the old deed?’ she added tentatively. ‘It does seem a bit unfair to leave them completely in the dark.’

  ‘Yes, you’re right,’ he agreed. ‘I haven’t a clue who actually owns the firm. But maybe John Fraser can help? As a solicitor, he’s bound to know how to go about finding out that sort of thing. Sorry...I’ll have to go,’ David had added hurriedly as the background noise in his office suddenly increased in volume. ‘I’ll give you a ring as soon as I have any more information. Bye.’

  * * *

  ‘I wish you’d both stop yakking away about the boring old Tide Mill!’ grumbled Sally as she helped herself to another cup of tea.

  ‘But that’s the whole point of this meeting,’ Rose pointed out as she passed around a plate of chocolate biscuits. ‘We have to decide whether we’re going to close down the committee now that Suffolk Construction can’t build their new marina. Or whether we should wait for a while and see what happens.’

  ‘Yes, well...you’re right,’ Sally agreed with a shrug. ‘But, quite frankly, I’m far more interested in hearing about the plans for Amber’s wedding. You haven’t told us what sort of dresses you and Lucy are going to wear.’

  ‘That’s because I haven’t bought them yet,’ Amber grinned, still feeling slightly light-headed after yesterday’s phone call from Rose’s husband, David.

  It seemed almost impossible to believe that everything in her life was suddenly coming up roses. When she recalled just how terrified she’d been at the prospect of Max’s return to Elmbridge only a few weeks ago, it was really quite extraordinary the way all her problems appeared to have melted away. It wasn’t just her forthcoming marriage to Max in a few days’ time—which meant being able to stay in her old home, and which had led to Lucy’s joy and happiness at the prospect of gaining a stepfather—but now, thanks to Rose’s husband examining those old deeds, it was almost certain that they would be able to save the Tide Mill, as well.

  ‘David said that he’s trying to discover who owns Suffolk Construction. But as so many companies have been gobbled up by huge conglomerates these days, it may take him some time,’ Rose warned her friends.

  ‘I hope you’re not going to try and buy any wedding outfits in Cynthia Henderson’s boutique,’ Sally demanded, refusing to be sidetracked in her determined pursuit of the latest up-to-date news on Amber’s marriage. ‘That assistant she’s left to run the shop is absolutely hopeless!’

  ‘No,’ Amber shook her head. ‘The sort of clothes Cynthia sells in her shop were always far too flashy for me. I’m going down to London tomorrow, to meet Max for lunch and to do some shopping. I’d thought I might find a suit or...’

  ‘A dress and matching coat would be a better choice, especially since it’s freezing cold at this time of year,’ Sally wisely pointed out. ‘And don’t forget that the heating system in the church is always breaking down. You don’t want to spend the next two weeks trying to recover from a nasty dose of flu. By the way,’ she added casually, ‘exactly where are you planning to go on your honeymoon?’

  Amber laughed. ‘Give me a break, Sally! If I tell you, everyone else in Elmbridge will know all about it in five seconds flat!’

  ‘How can you say that? I’d never tell anyone,’ her friend assured her earnestly, pointedly ignoring Rose’s loud snort of amusement and disbelief. ‘Are you going somewhere nice and warm, like the Caribbean? You could get a wonderful tan, and...’ she paused as David Thomas entered the kitchen.

  ‘Hello, darling. You’re home early.’ Rose smiled over at her husband before frowning as she noted the slightly apprehensive, worried
expression on his face. ‘What’s wrong? Is everything all right at the office?’

  ‘The office is fine, no problem,’ he assured her, coming over to help himself to a cup of tea. ‘I didn’t know...I didn’t realise that you were both here.’ He turned to give Sally and Amber a strained smile.

  ‘We were just discussing what you’d discovered in my old deeds,’ Amber said. ‘However, I think it’s probably time we left. Just lately, I seem to be spending more of my life in Rose’s kitchen than I do in my own home!’

  ‘There’s no need to go,’ he assured her quickly. ‘I just popped in to see Rose for a moment.’

  ‘Have you had a chance to find out who owns Suffolk Construction?’ his wife asked. ‘We realise that it may take some time, of course, but—’ She broke off as he turned his head to give her a quick glance of warning. ‘What is it? It’s something to do with the old mill, isn’t it?’

  ‘Well...er...I don’t suppose it’s all that important. We can always talk about it later,’ he muttered evasively.

  ‘Come on, David. If what’s worrying you concerns the Tide Mill, you can’t leave us in the dark,’ Rose told her husband impatiently. ‘I think you’d better hurry up and let us know the worst.’

  ‘Yes, I suppose so,’ he sighed, pulling up a chair and sitting down at the table. ‘Although it’s not a major problem, of course. Just a bit awkward, if you see what I mean?’

  Rose groaned. ‘No, we don’t know what you mean. So, for Heaven’s sake, get to the point!’

  ‘Well, there’s definitely no problem with the deeds,’ he told Amber. ‘At the moment, you really do own all rights to the land and the river bed, as I told you on the phone yesterday.’

  ‘What do you mean by “at the moment”?’ Sally queried sharply. ‘Surely she either does or she doesn’t own the damn things. I’ve never heard of any deeds with a time limit on them—not ones dating back to 1667.’

  ‘You’re quite right,’ he agreed. ‘But don’t forget the deeds go with the house. So, there’s no problem while Amber has sole ownership of Elmbridge Hall. However, when she marries Max, I understand that he’s either buying the house outright from her, or they are going to share the tenancy.’ He turned to Amber. ‘Is that right?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose so. We haven’t really had much time to sort it out.’ She shrugged. ‘Why should it matter one way or another?’

  David hesitated for a moment. ‘Well, I don’t know...it just seems a bit odd. You see, I can’t understand why Max hasn’t told you that it’s he who owns Suffolk Construction.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I don’t believe it!’

  ‘You must be kidding.’

  ‘Hang on!’ David protested above the loud exclamations of shock and horror that had greeted his statement. ‘It’s only a small problem. We’re not exactly talking about the end of the world!’

  ‘He’s right. There’s bound to be a simple reason why Max hasn’t told anyone,’ Rose said firmly, putting an arm about Amber’s dazed, trembling figure. ‘But, first of all, David, I think you’d better tell us how you discovered that Max owns Suffolk Construction. Are you quite sure that you haven’t made a mistake?’

  He shook his head. ‘It was Sally’s husband, John Fraser, who told me when I asked him to do some digging and find out the owners of the construction firm. From what I gather, it seems that he’s been looking after Max’s business interests here in Elmbridge for some time. For instance, he arranged the appointment of the present manager, a Mr Cruickshank, and...’

  ‘John never said a thing about it to me!’ Sally protested. ‘I’d have told you straight away, if I’d known that Max owned the company.’

  ‘Hmm, yes, I’m quite sure you would have,’ Rose agreed, having no doubts about exactly why her friend’s husband, not wishing the news to be broadcast far and wide, had remained silent on the subject.

  ‘Is it all to do with his grandmother’s estate?’ asked Sally. ‘Was she the original owner of the firm?’

  ‘No, I don’t think so,’ David said slowly. ‘From what John said, it appears that Suffolk Construction was taken over some time ago by a European company that, in turn, was recently taken over and absorbed into Max’s firm, Warner International.’

  ‘I’m sure that there’s a very simple answer,’ Rose told them firmly, throwing a worried, sideways glance at Amber, who was still sitting frozen in her seat, her face ashen with shock as she stared blindly down at the kitchen table.

  ‘Yes—but what?’ asked Sally, frowning with bewilderment before bluntly putting into words the unspoken question in the forefront of everyone’s mind.

  ‘I mean...Max couldn’t possibly be marrying Amber to get hold of her house deeds, so that Suffolk Construction can go ahead and build their marina...could he?’

  * * *

  It was a cold, damp, dismal day; the streets of London were even more crowded than usual with people intent on last-minute Christmas shopping, the air thick with exhaust fumes and noisy with the incessant honking of cars, buses and taxis.

  Amber had never particularly cared for life in the big city. But she’d forced herself to get the train down to London this morning, fully intent on telling Max exactly what she thought of his despicable behaviour. Luckily, she wouldn’t have to beard him in his office, since she knew that he was working at home this morning before being due to meet her for lunch at an expensive restaurant in Mayfair. Well, that was a lunch that wouldn’t now be taking place, she told herself grimly, impatiently tapping her feet as her taxi was reduced to crawling through the heavy traffic.

  Following a sleepless night, mainly spent pacing up and down over her bedroom floor, she had slowly progressed from a state of complete and utter shock to one of boiling rage and fury. How dare Max make use of her for his own evil and nefarious plans? The devious rat had obviously sweet-talked his way back into her life—and her heart—with only one aim in mind: to further his own lousy business interests!

  Now the scales had fallen from her eyes—she could see it all! He’d clearly had no intention of marrying her—not when he’d first called with Mr Glover to look at her house. It was now obvious that Max had merely intended to buy the property in order to gain access to her deeds. And it didn’t take a very high IQ to realise exactly why, after seeing Lucy, he’d suddenly come up with the idea of marriage. All that business about the little girl needing a father had been nothing but hogwash! Amber had told herself furiously. It was obviously her daughter’s startling resemblance to Max that had immediately changed his plans. After all, since he had already made arrangements to return to Elmbridge—a fact that he’d freely admitted—he couldn’t afford a scandal. And there most certainly would have been plenty of scandal and gossip once everyone realised—as they were bound to do sooner or later—that Lucy was his illegitimate daughter. Definitely not a good idea for someone who was intending to become a pillar of the local business and social community, Amber thought savagely, almost kicking the door open as her taxi came to a halt outside the large modern apartment block overlooking Hyde Park.

  Waiting for the lift to take her up to the top floor, Amber couldn’t seem to stop herself shaking with tension. In fact, ever since learning of Max’s vile treachery yesterday afternoon, she hadn’t been able to think straight—or prevent her limbs and body trembling as if in the grip of some raging fever. ‘It’s just shock. It will soon wear off,’ Rose had told her, clearly worried about letting the stunned, dazed girl drive the few miles back to Elmbridge Hall. But although her friends had been very kind, their distress and sympathy with her plight had left her desperately anxious for the sanctuary and shelter of her own home.

  It wasn’t that she didn’t care about the old Tide Mill because, of course, she did, Amber told herself as the lift swept her upwards at breakneck speed, towards the penthouse suite on the top floor of the large building. It was the overwhelming humiliation and embarrassment of being such a credulous fool that she found so hard to bear. Unfortunately
, it was no good trying to blame anyone else for the catastrophic situation in which she now found herself. It was she, overcome by her own weak, starved emotions and Max’s devastating attraction, who was responsible for raising the false hopes of both her mother and daughter. Poor Violet would now undoubtedly lapse back into her deeply depressed state of mind. And as for Lucy...? Amber almost whimpered aloud at the thought of having to deal such a dreadful, crushing blow to her young daughter’s joy and happiness at the prospect of having, at long last, a father of her very own.

  ‘Hello, darling, I wasn’t expecting to see you until much later this morning,’ Max said as he opened the front door of his apartment.

  It was acutely dismaying to find herself almost weakening at the sight of Max’s lean figure in the casual, slim-fitting dark trousers, his broad shoulders covered by a soft, black cashmere sweater over an open-necked shirt. Just a glance at his tall, lithe body was enough to make her legs wobbly, her stomach feeling as though it were full of butterflies. Someone should arrange to have him locked up and then throw away the key, she told herself grimly. Because this man was clearly nothing but a damn menace to the whole female population!

  ‘What’s brought you here so early?’ He raised a quizzical dark eyebrow. ‘Have you been on a spending spree and run out of money?’

  ‘No, I haven’t run out of money. And, if I had, I certainly wouldn’t ask you for any,’ Amber retorted grimly.

  ‘So, what’s the problem?’ he murmured smoothly, leading her across the well-polished, shiny parquet flooring of the large hall. ‘I’m sorry that I’ve been rather tied up lately. But we’ll soon be able to spend plenty of time together. I’m really looking forward to Christmas.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad at least one of us has something to look forward to! Unfortunately, it won’t be either Lucy or myself.’

  ‘Really?’ he drawled, his dark brows drawing quickly together in a frown as he registered the sharp, acidic note in her voice. ‘Well, maybe I can change your mind. Because, while this apartment is hopeless, I’m still going to need an occasional base in London. So, I was hoping that we’d have time this afternoon to look at some houses that are for sale. They all have large gardens, which I thought would be perfect for Lucy to play in whenever she’s down here.’