Without Saying a Word (10 page)

“Upstairs now and change! We are going to the grange for dinner—all of us,” Laura said once the room got quiet. Theo and James wrinkled their noses and stomped upstairs.

Maire and Hugo chuckled.”That’s a sound we remember well,” she said. A knock on the door heralded the arrival of the minibus.

Four teens and a preteen thundered down the stairs. The boys reeked of a new male deodorant so much that Tubs, who had been hiding upstairs, walked past them with disdain and ran into the kitchen.

“Maisie, go make sure that Tubs has food and water please,” Laura told her daughter.”Guys, don’t forget to thank Lord and Lady Leighton for inviting us for dinner tonight, please,” Laura told the rest of them.”I’d like my future in-laws not to think I’m raising a bunch of animals,” she said with a grin.

“Why have us any other way?” quipped Maisie with a cheeky grin at her grandfather. She was plastered to his side and wore her usual shorts, leggings, and striped top with a long”Team Jacob” chain. Paul looked up with pride at his two grandsons who towered over him.

“What on earth is your mother doing to you both?” he asked.

“Putting us in a grow bag at nights, Grandpops,” joked James,”except it seems to work more on me than you, Theo.”

“Shut it, Shorty,” grumbled Theo.

“Boys!” said Rhean in a soft tone. “Are we ready to leave now Laura?” he asked.

Laura smiled and took Rhean’s hand. “Avast me hearties!” she cried in a pirate-like fashion. Her children groaned as they grabbed coats and bags and left the house.

Chapter Eight

The minibus pulled up outside the grange. Autumn was in full swing, and the colors around reflected the season . Crunchy leaves lay scattered across the gravel driveway. They were brown, red, and a deep chestnut color. The double front door opened and, to everyone’s surprise, Rhean’s older sisters came out with their children and the two dogs.

Maire scrambled eagerly out of the minibus and ran to hug her daughters, kissing baby William, held snug in Lady Moira’s arms. Her eight grandchildren huddled around her for hugs and kisses. Maire was in her element and when the earl finally got out of the minibus, his daughters and grandchildren swarmed around him, jostling for his attention.

Laura, her parents and her children stood back, and watched the scene unfold. Rhean picked up his younger nieces and nephews and swung the younger ones around. Rhean turned his head and saw Laura looking rather awkward. He held out his hand and as she took it, he pulled her into the family circle. Holding up his hands, he said in his commanding tone, “Quiet you rabble!” They went quiet. His sisters looked at him and smiled. “I’d like to introduce you to a very special lady, Laura.  We plan to marry on New Year’s Eve,” he announced. There were squeals of delight from his sisters and more hugging and kissing all around. Maire and Hugo introduced Laura’s parents to their daughters. Laura’s children already knew them from previous visits and made friends with their children. As they all went inside out of the brisk wind, the children grouped up and headed off in different directions. The great entrance hall echoed with the laughter and voices from the teens and younger children.

Graham received them, and bowed his head. “Good afternoon, my lord, lady,” he said in his most formal voice.

“Should I inform Mrs. Stevens that Lady Moira and Lady Kathryn will be staying for dinner?”

“Of course they are!” exclaimed Maire. She held onto Laura’s arm tightly. “And could you show Mr. and Mrs. Wainwright to the guest suite,” she instructed Graham. “They will be our guests for a few days.”

Graham bowed his head. “Of course, milady,” he acknowledged. Picking up the two suitcases he led Laura’s parents through the hall and up the ornate staircase.

The earl, countess, their son and daughters took Laura into the main salon. It was a brightly lit room filled with simple, functional furniture. The walls were decorated in eggshell blue and cream. Intimate photographs of the family hung around the room in-between stunning paintings of the local area. Mostly all black and white, they were a stark contrast between the old and new. Four sumptuous chenille sofas dominated the middle of the room, set in a U shape around the main fireplace in which a fire blazed away merrily. The earl walked over, rubbed his hands and soaked in the warmth the fire gave out. He reached over to the side of the small, photograph-covered mantelpiece and pressed a button set in an ornate surround. The picture that hung on the wall was a grand vista of Lake Windermere. The blues and greens of the painting were restful and pleasing to the eye and, even with the gilt frame, blended in with the feel of the room. A large crystal chandelier dominated the middle of the ceiling.

“So,” the earl said, sitting down next to his wife. “To what do we owe the honor of this visit?” he addressed his daughters.

William was snuggled up in Rhean’s arms when Graham came in.

“Dinner will be served at six,” he announced, “Shall I bring the drinks in?” he asked the earl.

“Of course, Graham. Can you find out what the youngsters are having as well?” he asked the butler, who bowed and left the room.

Rhean leaned over to Laura and said in her ear quietly, “Psst. Why don’t you ask the gruesome twosome over there to help?”

Hearing the phrase, Moira sat up straight. “I beg your pardon? Did you refer to us as the gruesome twosome again?” Moira asked in mock horror.

“You wouldn’t hurt a man holding a baby would you?” Rhean protested cuddling William closer. Maire shook her head at the antics of her children.

Moira stood and took her squirming son from Rhean’s lap, and swatted her brother on the head.

“There, you don’t have my son now,” she chuckled. “Now, what did you say to Laura?” she persisted

“I just suggested that she asked you two to help out.” He coughed. The women looked at each other, smiled and turned identical grins on Laura.

“Are you serious? Would you like us to?” Kathryn gasped. “It would be our pleasure, and think of the fun we could have,” she said leering at her brother, “spending your money,” she continued. Both she and Moira erupted into peals of laughter, but baby William protested at the noise, so Maire picked him up and walked around the room.

“Hugo, I think we ought to go and see what the children are up to,” she suggested when Graham came in with a trolley of drinks.

“Graham, could you serve the drinks please? I’ll take young William for a wander and check on the rest of the family” Maire cuddled her blonde haired grandson close. “Let’s leave these silly people to talk” She whispered to the baby.

Kathryn stood up and brought the trolley over to where they sat.

“I’ll be mother,” she announced. They all gave their orders and within minutes, they were sipping their drinks, enjoying each others company. Kathryn nudged Laura. “So, what do you say?”

Laura thought for a moment. She wanted a small wedding with only family present, but with the size of Rhean’s family, it wouldn’t be possible. Then an idea popped into her head.

“In that case, I can think of no one more perfect,” Laura announced. Her drink was taken from her and with more squeals of delight, Moira and Kathryn leapt on Laura in a most unladylike manner.

“Hen night,” announced Kathryn.

“Oh yes, definitely.” Moira looked at her brother who was sipping his whiskey and looking totally bemused. Moira lifted Laura’s hand. “Look at this Kat, it’s Clarissa’s ring.” Kathryn peered at Laura’s ring closely.

“I didn’t think it existed anymore,” she breathed. “Wow, it’s even more beautiful than in the portrait.” Laura looked from one sister to another.

“What is it with this ring? Why is it so special?” she asked.

“Rhean, haven’t you shown her yet?” Kathryn asked, but Rhean shook his head.

“The portrait?” Laura inquired. “If so, I’ve already seen it”. All three Tates shook their heads.

“Nope, not the portrait,” Rhean said and stood. Taking her hand, Rhean led Laura from the salon. They walked through the great hall into the lesser used east wing. The corridor was lined with yet more portraits of ancestors and animals interspersed with heavy wooden doors leading into goodness knew where. Laura’s boots echoed on the wooden floor. She caught a glimpse of the paintings lining the corridor, many of which were pre-renaissance paintings of stern faces. One door - led to a huge library. At least three stories high, it was lined with bookshelves, and a staircase leading to the upper levels. Rhean didn’t give Laura a chance to look properly. Taking her hand more firmly, he led her through a wooden door on the other side then stopped to unlock it.

The door opened into a smaller, more intimate room. It was a lot like Maire’s sitting room, but slightly larger and very masculine in its decor. A desk and large leather chair faced the window. Piles of books covered every surface, and along one wall was a bookcase filled with large leather legal tomes.

“This is Dad’s personal office,” Rhean explained, “and also where we keep the safe.” Walking over to a large portrait between two bookcases, he took it down. Behind it was a large metal safe door, as wide and as tall as the portrait that hid it. When he turned the dial this way and that, a bleeping noise heralded the opening of the door.

“Come here,”  Rhean told Laura and put his arm around her.  Together, they looked into the large space. It was filled with burgundy and black leather cases, small and large, each one individually labeled. Rhean reached in and took out six leather cases of varying sizes. He placed them on the desk.

“Every earl has commissioned a suite or parure of jewelry for their bride. As you can see by the amount of boxes in there,” Rhean began. “My mother’s parure isn’t in the safe, because she wears the pieces, apart from the tiara, all the time,” he explained. “This suite is Lady Clarissa’s.” Rhean opened the boxes one by one. The first large box contained a diadem. Tall and circular, it resembled a crown, but so much more elegant. Each tall platinum spike contained either a large peridot or light- colored sapphire. A large peridot surrounded by diamonds took pride of place in the middle. It was exquisite.

“This was only ever worn on royal occasions—banquets and balls mainly. She wore it in the portrait.” Laura nodded her head; she couldn’t believe what she saw. Rhean opened the second larger box. It contained a delicate tiara in a scroll pattern with alternate large sapphires and peridots. Again, the platinum frame was covered in diamonds.

“Lady Clarissa wore this on her wedding day and whenever she could, afterward,” Rhean smiled warmly. “Are you okay?” he asked. Laura sat down in his father’s chair, was wide-eyed with disbelief. As the other cases were opened, her eyes were dazzled by the delicate lacework drop necklace, the cuffs and the earrings,  all of which had been painted with absolute precision in the portrait.

“They are stunningly beautiful, but why are you showing me these?”She asked huskily. Rhean took the diadem from its case, and gently placed it on her head.

“Look,” he said quietly, helping her from the chair and maneuvering her toward the mirror that hung over the mantelpiece. Laura put her hand up to steady the priceless jewel, even though despite its look, it was surprisingly light. She gazed into the mirror. Each stone sparkled individually, and when she put her left hand up to straighten the diadem,  her ring gleamed warmly.  For a second, she thought it winked at her.

“Beautiful, absolutely beautiful,” Rhean whispered as he stood behind her. “They look as if they were made for you,” he said huskily.

He looked deep into Laura’s hazel eyes. “I am showing you these, because I am giving them to you.” Laura opened her mouth to protest but he continued. “The sapphires stand for truth, faithfulness and sincerity. A peridot means fidelity and successful marriage. A rather apt combination.” He put a finger over her lips, to silence her protests. “Mum and Dad are in full agreement,” he stated.

Laura took off the diadem carefully and handed it to Rhean. He closed all the boxes and put them away in the safe.

“Rather like seeing the crown jewels” Laura joked, gesturing to the array of boxes, “Only more tasteful.”

Rhean chuckled, squeezing her shoulders.

“Oh, just one thing,” he added and took out two very large leather cases. “Should there be a coronation in the near future, as peers of the realm, we will be expected to wear these.” Rhean opened them and there were two coronets made from gold and with a red velvet cap. White ermine covered the bottom. One coronet had the viscount’s rank; the other, smaller coronet had the rank of viscountess. Laura made a small O with her mouth. Rhean put them away and locked the safe up.”It’s all going too fast for you again isn’t it?” He asked

Laura nodded.

“Please Laura, don’t shut me out. If you want me to slow down, just tell me.”

Laura nodded again then said,”There’s so much to take in, including having my mum and dad show up. Your parents are so wonderful.” Laura’s breathing started to shorten. Rhean immediately made her sit down. He pushed her head down to help.

“Take long slow deep breaths,” he instructed, “Breathe out slowly.” He rubbed her back.

Laura closed her eyes, concentrating on his voice in an attempt to regulate her emotions. She felt like such a moron with these bloody attacks, and even more stupid for him seeing her so vulnerable. Reaching inside with as much strength as she could muster, Laura pulled herself together.

“Okay now?” he asked in a concerned voice.

Laura nodded. Why he put up with her, she couldn’t figure it out.

“I think we need to get you a glass of water and something to eat,” Rhean said, “then I will take you all home.”

Laura nodded again.

Rhean helped her up, took her in his strong arms and held her tightly. “I hate seeing you like this,” he said softly. “You worry me; you really do.”

Laura looked up at her fiancé. Although younger than she, there were times, especially when he took charge like this, that he acted older than her. He meant so much to her, but was it love? She wasn’t sure. Everything was moving so fast. Rhean leaned down and kissed her on the lips.