by Donna Alward
Basically she’d spent forty-eight hours in denial about the mess of her life.
She looked at the financial projections again and sighed, then called the head of sales and set up a meeting for the following Tuesday. Tomorrow would have been preferable, but this time she was flying to London. Will was meeting her there and they were going to Chatsworth Hall together, for Aurora’s birthday.
Gabi was so nervous about it she’d barely eaten in three days and was constantly nauseated. It was her first time back at Chatsworth, first time seeing the family again, and it was the matriarch’s fifty-sixth birthday. No pressure at all.
At the end of the workday, she made her way home to her flat and packed her bag for the weekend. She would have to dress smartly, even when she wasn’t at the party. She had her favorite standby little black dress for that occasion, and fine heels that would put her closer to Will’s lovely height.
And then she sat on her bed and wondered if she could get on the plane, after all. If she was strong enough.
Her phone dinged twice, indicating a text message. She lifted it and laughed. How could he know? One short sentence was all it took to give her a smidge of courage.
Don’t even think about canceling.
She typed back.
How did you know?
The reply came across the screen and she laughed when she saw it.
LOL. I would.
But she wouldn’t. For all her insecurities, she trusted that Will wanted to be with her. He was the master at making things right, wasn’t he? And so he would again, somehow. If he was brave enough to stand up to his family, she would match his courage by being by his side.
* * *
The last time Gabi had flown into Heathrow, she’d taken the Express into the station and then cabbed it to Stephen’s house in St. John’s Wood. This time, however, she flew into Gatwick and Will met her there. They made the drive to Chatsworth Hall in Will’s car, a peppy little thing that made her wonder how he could ever fit behind the wheel with his long legs. It was drizzling, and the drive was not as picturesque as she remembered. The traffic on the A281 was heavy and Gabi’s nerves made her muscles tense. She wasn’t sure how she could make it through a whole weekend like this.
“It’s going to be okay,” Will promised. “The family will come around.”
“You’re optimistic,” she said darkly, but he reached over and took her hand. “They need to know the truth, that’s all.”
Gabi knew he thought that, but she’d had a different thought. They didn’t just need to know the truth, they needed to believe it. And in the weeks since Charlotte had walked in on them in Will’s flat, Stephen had not once offered any additional information.
“So what’s the plan for tonight?”
“A quiet dinner on our own. Tomorrow is Maman’s party. Just family, but she’s planning a lavish meal and it’s cocktail dress.”
“I brought something suitable.” She was at least confident in her dress and appearance. That was the only thing she was confident about.
“If you like, we can go out riding tomorrow. Or into Bramley to browse around.”
“Let’s not make anything firm. Being locked into plans makes me even more nervous.”
“Sweetheart. We’re in this together.”
They drove on for several minutes before Gabi spoke up again. “Do you ever wonder if we’re being crazy? Falling so hard, so fast?” Her heart hammered in her chest. “What if they’re right, Will? What if we’re being foolish?”
He glanced over, his lips thin, though he kept his voice carefully even. “Do you think we’re being foolish?”
“Maybe.” Her stomach somersaulted as she said it.
“Do you think what we have is real?”
She blinked against sudden tears. “I’m sure it is. I’ve never felt this way. Not even with Luca.”
“Then relax. The course of true love never did run smooth.”
She reached over and gave his arm a little punch, but she smiled a bit. It was three days. Not even three whole days. If they could get through this, they could get through anything and it would be smooth sailing.
The lane to the manor finally appeared and Gabi felt a bit of déjà vu as they drove up to the house. She’d come here only weeks ago, and while she had changed, the house and the gardens had not. Oh, perhaps a few blooms had gone out of season and others had taken their place, but everything else was as majestic and perfect as she remembered.
“Home sweet home,” Will murmured, and despite his light words, she saw his jaw was set.
He stopped the car and killed the engine, then reached over and took her hand as he looked in her eyes in one last private moment before going inside. “Together,” he said firmly. “We do this together.”
“Together,” she echoed, though she thought she sounded far more confident than she felt.
The only one at home was Arabella, and they encountered her only five minutes after entering. She was coming down the stairs just as they were preparing to go up, and halted on a small landing where the stairs made a turn.
“Bella,” Will said, his voice unsure.
Bella looked from Will to Gabi, and back to Will again. “You have guts, I’ll give you that,” she said, but then she smiled and gracefully descended several more steps to meet them. She held her hand out to Gabi. “Gabriella,” she said quietly. “Welcome back to the lion’s den.”
Gabi gasped and laughed at the same time, and Bella’s eyes twinkled a bit. Gabi understood that while she was on notice, this woman could be a potential ally, and that wasn’t something she took lightly. “Thank you, Bella.”
“Stephen is in London and coming down tomorrow. Christophe will be here late tonight, and Charlotte and Maman are flying in together from Paris in the morning.” The itinerary gave Gabi an idea of what to expect when, and from whom. “Tonight it’s just us. You can breathe a bit easier. I’m trying to keep an open mind and be Switzerland.”
“Thank you, Bella. That means a lot.”
She pinned Gabi with an assessing look. “I do expect some sort of an explanation, though. With this sort of family drama, it’s hard to go on faith, you understand.”
Gabi nodded quickly. “I do, and of course.”
Will squeezed her hand reassuringly. “We’ll scare up some food in the kitchen in a bit. But maybe a glass of wine later?”
“That sounds perfect. You go get settled. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
As Bella continued down the stairs, Gabi and Will continued up, Will carrying their bags. “You’re staying in my room,” he decreed. “I’m not leaving you alone for any sneak attacks.”
Gabi tried to keep a sense of humor as he led her down a long, carpeted hall. “Hmm. So you’ve gone from my jailer to my protector. Interesting.”
“Isn’t it just?” He opened a door on the left and drew her inside, then closed it and pinned her against the solid wood, kissing her so thoroughly she was quite breathless. “I’ve been wanting to do that for an hour and a half,” he growled, and then feasted again on her willing mouth.
“Okay,” she said when they finally came up for air. “We’ve established that we’re still wildly attracted to each other. It’s a good start.”
He laughed and gathered her into his arms for a massive hug. “You are a joy,” he murmured in her ear. “And a gift. I’d be a fool to let that go. Remember that when things get tense, okay? Joy. Fool.”
She nodded against his chest and wrapped her arms around him. It would be okay. Will wouldn’t let anything bad happen.
Gabi took some time to unpack, though it only took a few minutes as she’d packed lightly for the weekend. Will had arrived that morning, and his things were already tucked away. Including a tux for the following night, she noticed. “A tuxedo?”
“For birthday celebrations? Always.�
� He grinned. “Have you seen me in a tuxedo? I’m really quite dashing.”
She met his gaze and frowned. “The day of the wedding, remember?”
He slapped his head. “How could I have forgotten?”
They were still chuckling about it when they made their way down to the kitchens and Will fixed them thick sandwiches with sour pickles and then jam tarts that their cook had made that morning. As they ate, they caught up on more “normal” things, like work and her father’s health.
“You’ve had a rough go with your client list lately. Have you told your father?”
She frowned, her brow wrinkling. “No, not yet. When he’s had his treatment and feels awful, it seems wrong to add to it. And when he’s perked up before his next treatment, it seems unfair to ruin it by giving him bad news.”
Will bit down on his pickle. “You should, though. He’d want to know what was happening.”
“I know. I’ll find a way to tell him when I get back.”
“He might welcome a chance to be part of the business, you know. Feel useful and connected.”
“You mean, instead of not worrying, he might be worrying about what he doesn’t know?”
Will shrugged. “Maybe. How many have you lost?”
“Three big accounts, a few smaller ones. Baresi was already feeling a pinch. I’m worried, Will.”
“Any new accounts? How’s your sales department doing?”
“We’ve picked up a few new ones, but certainly not enough to make up for the losses.”
He nodded sagely, and seemed lost in thought for a few minutes. “What are you thinking?” she asked.
“Just pondering solutions. I’ll let you know if I come up with anything.”
“Thanks.”
They tidied up together, and then went to the drawing room. Will wandered through and then stopped at a small table set up with a chessboard. “My father used to play with anyone who would take him on,” he said, warm reminiscence in his voice. “Do you know how?”
“I haven’t for years, but yes.” She went to the table and pulled out a chair, settling in. “You’ll beat me, but I can take it.”
“I never beat Papa. Not once.”
“It wouldn’t be right to trounce the earl.”
“No, it damned well wouldn’t.”
They played for a while. Gabi held her own, but Will was more strategic and she was losing ground when Arabella entered, still dressed in her casual pants and the soft green sweater that skimmed her arms to the wrist. “I brought a good, full cabernet from the cellar,” she said, holding a bottle aloft. “Anyone interested?”
“I will, because your brother is about to beat me soundly. Now we can call it a draw.”
“Not if you concede.”
“Hah,” she answered, but grinned at him.
Bella went to a side table and uncorked the wine, then decanted it. “You really do care about each other, don’t you?”
“What makes you say that?” Will moved to get three glasses.
“How you talk to each other. How you look at each other. It’s the real deal.”
Gabi put her hand on Bella’s arm. “That’s the nicest thing you possibly might have said, and I appreciate it.”
“Oh, you still have some explaining to do.” Bella started to pour wine in the glasses. “But at least I believe that you care for each other. Either that or you’re a hell of an actress, Gabi. I mean, we all thought you loved Stephen.” She looked Gabi over with an eagle eye. “But you look at Will differently.”
The three of them settled down together. Gabi took a sip—it was truly excellent—and then took a breath. “Will, I think I should be the one to tell her the truth. After all, I’m the one who ran. I’m the one no one trusts.”
“If you’re sure.”
Gabi looked at Bella. “You’ve been fair so far. If I have to do this again tomorrow, I’d like to at least make a first run at it with someone who is open to listening.”
Bella lifted her glass in a small toast. “Go on, then.”
Gabi took a drink of wine and then laid out the entire timeline, right up until the morning of the wedding. As she got to the part about Will showing up at the hotel, he interrupted. “I told her that her timing left a lot to be desired, but not the decision. It was a crazy plan and I never liked it.”
“You knew?” Bella’s lips dropped open.
“I knew. About Bridget, about his plans for Gabi.” He leaned forward. “Why else do you think I was the one to go clean up the mess?”
Bella sat back on the sofa and sighed. She met Gabi’s gaze. “So you’re double damned. If the family doesn’t know the truth, you’ve jilted Stephen at the altar. If they do, then you were marrying him for the money. You don’t come out looking good, no matter what.”
“Just so.” This time Gabi lifted her glass in a mock salute.
“Except you don’t have Stephen or the money,” Bella pointed out.
“No, but I’ve moved on to his brother. Charlotte pointed that out.”
Bella nodded. “Except this time it’s real.”
Gabi turned her head and looked at Will. He was watching her with such adoration she melted. “Oh, yes,” she agreed. “It’s so very real.”
Bella got up and grabbed the wine bottle, then topped up the glasses. “Will, you are the most honorable man I know. I believe you,” she said firmly. “But, so help me God, if I’m wrong, I’m going to strangle you both. And then throw you to Maman.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY of Aurora Germain Pemberton was small but a sparkling affair. She would never have it any other way, and William gave one final tug on his bow tie before turning to look at Gabi, who was nervously twisting her fingers as she waited for him.
William wanted to tell her to relax, but he knew it was an impossible request. Tonight she truly was walking into the lion’s den, as Bella had put it. The entire family was here: Aurora, of course, and Bella, Stephen, Christophe and his current girlfriend, Lizzy, Charlotte and of course Will and Gabi. Will hoped that the presence of Lizzy meant everyone would be on their best behavior, but there was no guarantee of that.
Gabi looked stunning, though. The little black dress skimmed her curves beautifully, and her black heels were simple but he recognized the quality. He’d come to notice something about Gabi. She did not have an endless wardrobe but what she chose was high quality and classic. Since those were the basic principles behind his mother’s fashion dynasty, there was nothing to fault in her appearance.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmured, holding out his hand. “I’m the luckiest man in England.”
She laughed a little. “You’re foolish, but I appreciate the compliment.”
“It’s going to be fine,” he said, more confidently than he felt. But one thing he was sure of: he would stand beside her. She hadn’t cowered; she’d come to face them all, and at the scene of the crime. That took a lot of strength.
They made their way down to the drawing room for before-dinner drinks. Gabi clutched his hand so tightly his fingers hurt, but he wouldn’t say a word about it. She was entitled. When they walked in, a hush fell over the room as several pairs of eyes landed on them.
And then the conversation sparked up again as they were...ignored.
“Let’s get a drink,” Will suggested.
“Just soda or tonic or something for me,” Gabi whispered. “I think I’ll go light on the alcohol tonight.”
“Fair.” He kept his voice low. He headed to the bar and poured himself a gin and tonic and added a fresh wedge of lime. Bella appeared at their side and smiled, though her eyes were troubled. “Here we go,” she said. “Gabi, would you like a drink?” She said it loudly enough that others might hear her being at least polite. Will appreciated her trying to set the tone.
“Maybe a w
hite wine spritzer?”
“Good choice. I’ll get it.” Bella adeptly poured some wine in a glass and added club soda. “Lime?”
“No, thank you.” She accepted the glass. “Thank you, Bella,” she whispered.
“Don’t thank me yet.”
Will and Gabi held their drinks but it soon became clear that the family strategy was to pretend they didn’t exist. Will took Gabi’s hand and led her to his mother, whom he wished happy birthday. She kissed his cheek but her eyes only glanced over Gabi and she said nothing to her. The snub was brutally obvious, though subtle.
Charlotte looked their way and then turned her back, talking to Stephen, who stood with his hand in his suit pocket, being ever the earl, commanding the room almost as much as their mother.
Resentment burned in Will’s veins. They weren’t even making an effort. He wanted to call them out on it, but he wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. He would not ruin the party or make things more difficult for Gabi. He would choose his moment.
Christophe finally took pity on them and approached with Lizzy, a model from London who, while no stranger to celebrity, seemed very shy and lovely. Will sent Christophe a look of gratitude, which his cousin acknowledged with a slight nod. Lizzy was the perfect buffer, at least for now. She and Gabi chatted easily.
They went into dinner and Gabi and her ally were separated, being seated at different sides of the table. Will noticed that Gabi picked at her food but really didn’t eat much from each course. The conversation was never directed their way, and William’s anger multiplied. He was still a part of this family. He put his hand on Gabi’s thigh under the table, a small gesture of togetherness. She put her hand over his and squeezed, then looked at him and smiled weakly.
She was here and she was trying. And Will’s anger continued to bubble.
After several courses that Will couldn’t remember tasting, the cake was brought in, a beautiful white cream cake with fresh fruit. Corks popped as champagne was opened to accompany the cake, and it was sliced and served beautifully on the Pemberton china.