In Love with a Stranger (13 page)

For once, I thought the man was a genius. “I could kiss you!”

“Can we have Ophelia kiss me instead?  You’re not my type,” he razed me.

After a bit of searching, we found that Scotland was very accommodating to foreigners marrying there. Duncan mentioned that his cousin, Nora, had been married in a castle there, and the girls were quick to jump on the list of castles. It was huge.

I watched Hannah worry her lip and glance at her till. I realized she was most likely worried about the cost of it all. I wasn’t a millionaire, but like I’d told Mr. Jackson, I was well invested and had lost myself in my work for seven long years and hadn’t spent a pence. I had a decent savings outside of my retirement fund. That money would’ve been spent on her, if we’d been together. It would’ve been spent on my family, and I wasn’t going to let it go to waste. “I’ll cover the costs, beautiful. You just find a venue you like, something with rooms, preferably.”

Hannah didn’t answer, but Ophelia did. “You got it, boss.” She saluted me and tugged the computer closer to her.

We had to get back to work. I kissed Hannah goodbye and then turned to Ophelia. “You make sure she gets what she wants. Don’t let her skimp.” I tipped Hannah’s chin up, so I could kiss her again. “I want you happy. I can go first thing in the morning to turn in the papers for Penelope’s passport. Is that alright?”

“Yeah, sounds good.”

“Where’s Brody?” I asked, wondering where the behemoth was.

“He’s sleeping. He crashed on Penelope’s bed. Apparently, the couch isn’t agreeing with him.”

“I get that.”

She pulled my shirt collar and kissed me. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, beautiful. We’ve got to go, but I’ll be back soon.”  She kissed me again, and I wondered if Brody could be trusted with our wedding location. “Hannah, do you trust Brody not to tell your father the destination of our wedding?”

“Why?”

“If he tells your father, and he calls mine upset…I suspect they have each other’s contact information. I’d rather it not get back to either one.”

“No, that’s fine, I understand.” She kissed me again to prove her point. My eyes caught site of the webpage that was up. It was a wedding photo at a castle. I smiled to myself, thrilled. “Get everything in order, and be prepared to tell me all about it when I get home.”

She kissed me again. Duncan and Ophelia finally had to pry us apart, so we could get back to work. I was finally getting married!

Chapter 15 – The Mummy Returns

WILLIAM

When I got home from work, Hannah, Ophelia and Camille had everything planned out. We were getting married at Balfour Castle on Shapinsay Isle of Orkney. She also let me know there was a cottage she wanted to rent for Duncan, Camille, Carter, Ophelia, Lisa, and Brody. I was surprised when she mentioned the last two. I didn’t hate Brody, but I was not particularly fond of him, either.

She could see the doubt in my eyes. “He’s been my friend for a very long time. I figured Duncan and Carter would be your groomsmen, I’ll have Ophelia and Camille as bridesmaids, and Brody can walk me down the aisle.”

“We’ll do whatever you want,” I said and kissed her softly. “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy,” I whispered against her lips, before I kissed her again.

“Good answer,” I heard Brody comment. The little apartment was feeling much too small.

“Did you tell him about the castle?” my sister asked, jumping around. “You’re getting married in a castle, William, a real one. It’s beautiful!  Quick, pull up the site and show him.”

I was about to tell her not right now, but the excited gleam in Hannah’s eyes made me stop and sit down with her, instead of dragging her off into the bedroom.

She had everything planned out and our paperwork printed up as well. “I’ve spoken with the planners at the castle. I’ve got my papers in order. I had Shawna holding down the fort with Brody, while I ran all over getting my
Certificate of Non-Impediment of Marriage
signed by everybody. Once we get Penelope’s passport papers in, I can send my birth certificate in with our papers. You need to send in your birth certificate, too. Camille has volunteered to pick it up and send it off with your papers when she goes home. You won’t need a
Certificate of Non-Impediment of Marriage
, because you’re a UK resident. We just have to show our faces at the registrar’s office with IDs to wed.”

“Thank you, beautiful. Do we have a date set?”

“We were thinking maybe four to six weeks, depending on how long it takes to get Penelope’s passport.  They need at least two weeks from the time they receive our paperwork for the marriage license, so…”

I hugged her tightly, kissing her again. “I’m ready when you are.”

“Oh, I’m ready,” she giggled.

“I’m right here,” Brody reminded us sarcastically.

I groaned. “Yeah, yeah, since you’re coming, you need to make sure your traveling papers are in order. Do you have passports?” I asked.

“Yeah, Lisa likes vacationing in Mexico,” he said and flopped down on the couch.

“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” my angel came running in.

I caught her up in my arms. “There’s my Poppet, how was your day, my little Penny?”

“Aunty Ophelia said I’m going to be a fairy princess at a castle!” she squealed.

“Flower girl, fairy princess, it’s all the same thing,” Ophelia came in and tossed her bag toward the couch, hitting Brody in the face.

“Do you think I’ll meet my prince?” my daughter questioned.

“I should hope not. You’re a bit on the young side,” I worried.

“But I want to get married in a castle like mommy.”

“When you grow up, you can get married in a castle. I promise, and daddies keep their promises.”

“Not all daddies do,” she pouted, breaking my heart.

“This daddy does. You grow up, finish school like mummy, and then meet your prince charming. I’ll make sure you get your castle wedding, Penny.”

“Can I live in one?”

“Now you’re pushing it, sprite. I don’t have a castle, but if I did, I’d give it to you.”

“Can you get one?”

“How about a lolly?” I pulled the sweet out of my coat pocket, and her eyes lit up. I’d never get tired of that.

She snatched up the candy and kissed my cheek. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’ll have to remember that move,” Brody grinned at me.

“You can’t use candy to fix everything,” Hannah scolded me, but smiled while she did it.

Camille and I froze, when we heard our mother’s voice downstairs. I honestly thought of telling everyone to be quiet and hide. It was a reflex left over from my childhood. When I was a naughty boy, I’d hidden to evade punishment.

Camille’s eyes locked with mine, and it took a moment for everyone to pick up on our stiff posture.

“Hannah, there’s a Lady Greyson here for you,” Shawna called up, her voice filled with disbelief.

Hannah’s eyes darted to me, but it was Camille who answered, “It’s our mother.”

I think Hannah contemplated hiding as well, because she paused before she told Shawna to send her up.

“Ophelia, can you take Penelope to her room?” she ordered more than asked.

I saw Camille’s eyes dart to the little hall. She wanted to go as well. She could get away with hiding, but I couldn’t. I nodded, and she ran from the room. 

Brody frowned at the mess unfolding before him. “Should I go as well?”

I looked to Hannah. He was her friend, so it was her choice. “Yeah, just for a bit. I think we should talk to her on our own.”

He got up, but paused in the hall. “I’m within earshot. I’ll know if you don’t defend her, and I
will
come out and kick your ass,” he warned before he left.

My mother stepped into the open doorway at the top of the stairs. She looked around frowning, until her eyes landed on me. “So this
is
the place. I thought it was a mistake, because of the shop below.” She came in further, looking around. She moved to the table where our papers for the wedding were spread across, and I quickly moved in front of them.  “You need to explain to me what’s going on here, William.” Her condescending tone must’ve annoyed Hannah, because she stepped between my mother and me, blocking me from her glare.

“
Lady
Greyson,” Hannah said lady like it was a ridiculous title, “You’re in my home, and I’ll thank you to not act rudely while you’re a
guest
.”

My mother’s stance stiffened. “William, are you going to let her speak to me that way?”

I wrapped my arms around Hannah and kissed her neck. “She’s just protective of me, Mum. Can you tell me why you’ve shown up on our doorstep?”

“
Your
doorstep?” She looked like she was going to be sick. Her eyes darted around the tiny apartment. “You can’t possibly live
here
.”

It was my turn to be defensive. “Yes, I can, and I will for as long as I like, because I’m twenty-nine.”

My mother frowned, like she was confused. “Why would you do that? You have a perfectly lovely flat in London.” She focused on Hannah. “He does, and if you insist on playing this game, you should at least have the common courtesy to not let him throw his life out the window while you do it.”

“There is no game, except for the ones our families have played. I don’t know why you’re in my home, but I suggest you start talking. I threw my father out, and I have no qualms with doing the same to you.” I was so proud of Hannah when she said that.

I kissed the top of her head and moved next to her. “What’s brought you to the colonies, Mum?” I pushed.

“I…I didn’t realize you’d taken up with that girl again, until your father informed me. He was furious.” She looked Hannah up and down, like she was trying to explain away my attraction to her. “It makes no sense to throw your life away for a woman who’s been bought off before. She can’t be trusted. I’ve come to make her an offer. I didn’t expect you to be here.”

“An offer?” Hannah asked confused.

My mother put her nose up in the air. “Yes, like the one you took seven years ago. I convinced my husband to let me come instead of sending one of his men.”

“I never accepted any offer, ever. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Please, don’t act coy with me. You took the offer and disappeared. We have the bank records to prove it.” My mother was getting haughty.

“She disappeared, because she’d been attacked and was in a coma for six months. She had severe memory loss from it.”

My mother waved her hand at us, like she was dismissing it as a lie. “You’re playing a dangerous game, young woman. I came here trying to be nice. I have a much larger amount than last time to offer you, £150k and you walk away from my son.”

“Are you sick? I’d never walk away from William!”

“Mother, I think you need to go.”

“William, why don’t you give me a moment with Hannah?”

I was about to protest, but Hannah put her hand up against my chest to stop me. Looking at my mother like a boxer getting into the ring, she said, “I’ve got this.”

“Don’t hit her,” I whispered in Hannah’s ear, and she smiled up at me amused. I leaned down and kissed her, ignoring my mother’s huff of disgust.

“Would you like to step into my room?” Hannah waved her hand toward the door, and my mother marched over to it, ready for battle.

“You don’t have to do this.” I didn’t want my mother to upset Hannah.

“I’ve
got
this,” she reiterated and walked into her room, closing the door hard. 

I didn’t know whom to be more worried for, Hannah or my mother.

Chapter 16 – Parle' and Accord

WILLIAM

Once Hannah and my mum were behind closed doors, I tiptoed closer and pressed my ear against it, like a mischievous child. It might’ve been considered being nosy, but I wanted to be at the ready, in case I had to break up a catfight. My mother might’ve been
Lady
Greyson, but when poked, like an angry mummy bear, I wouldn’t put anything past her.

"I've brought a contract, along with a cheque. You sign it saying you'll never bother my son again, and I'll pay you £150k."

"That's not going to happen."

"You really have some nerve contacting my family after taking us for £100k before."

"Again, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play coy with me. It didn't take much for you to agree last time. The man my husband sent called us three days after he approached you. You refused the offer of £50k like a greedy…"

"I’d watch your mouth if I were you. William had a free shot at my father. It's only fair I get to punch his mother."

"Well, I never!"

"Talk, I'm getting tired of this. I'm not taking any amount of money to stay away from William. I can tell you I wouldn't have taken it then, and I won't take it now."

"'Wouldn't have,' don't you mean didn't?" my mother caught that little slip.

"What William said was true. I was in a coma. I lost a chunk of my memory, starting from my college graduation, to what was thought to be a brutal attack," my sweet beautiful Hannah spoke quietly and sadly. "I didn't know how I came to be in New York, and I was shocked I was pregnant when I awoke." She laughed blackly. "I’d been a virgin last I remembered. Imagine my shock to waking up six months pregnant. I thought I had cancer or some other illness, pregnancy was not possible."

"That's a very elaborate story. My son may have bought it, but my husband and I don't, £200k, it's very generous."

"It's not a story."

"Please, my husband had private investigators locate you. I believe you when you say you were in hospital, but you moved into a penthouse once you were released."

"That supposed first offer wouldn't have bought a penthouse. My friend, Ophelia, took me in because I was lost. I had no memory of where I’d lived. She helped me look for my daughter's father. I had no memory of William."

"Ha, a lot of good that did you. You made a good show of it."

"Lady, I don't know what you want, but I'm this close to tossing you down my stairs."

"Alright, £250k, William has obligations and a reputation to uphold. You're ruining his life!"

"You're a sick woman to think I’d ever take any amount of money from you. William and my daughter are the reason for my existence.  No amount of money could ever make hurting either of them worth it."

"We can do it discreetly. You take the first half now, like you did before, and sign the contract. Then you break up with my son gently. Staging your death before was just cruel. I’d ask you to not do it that way again."

"You need to get out. I never 'staged my death.' I never took any money!"

"You’d only known him for three weeks. Your attachment to him was easily broken before. You've only added another two weeks. Such affection doesn't develop that quickly. You will stop playing your games with my son and sign the contract, £250k is more than generous!"

"I’d never."

"You're nothing but an overpriced whore. You will leave my son alone!"

I heard a bang and hurried into the room to see Hannah had shoved my mother into the wall. "Mother, I think it's time for you to go." I placed my hand on Hannah's shoulder. She needed to calm down. I didn’t want my mother to file charges against her and risk our being together.

"This isn’t over," my mother huffed, straightening her blouse. I picked up a picture that’d been knocked off the wall. It was one of Hannah and Penelope.

My mother looked at it confused. "Why does that child look like you?"

"Because she's my daughter."

My mother's eyes narrowed at Hannah. "Oh, you've really sunk low on this one, haven't you, trying to pinch my son for child support."

"Enough!" I’d had enough of her accusations. "Penelope is my daughter. Hannah will soon be my wife. I'm moving to the states, because I want to. I’m bloody twenty-nine years old, Mother, and before, I was twenty-two. Father has interfered in my life far too long. I plan to cut ties with you both."

"Do you see what she's done? She's taking your family away from you. She's acting so selfishly!"

"There's nothing selfish about it. She's had to give up her father as well, because he doesn't approve, either."

"He's a lawman. Of course he has a sense of decency and would oppose her actions."

I was done speaking to my mother. It was obvious she was only here to stir up trouble. "You need to go." I wrapped my arm around her, not giving her a choice to stay. The skidding of her heels was proof she was not ready to leave.

"Don't let her get away with this, Son! I don't know what she has over you, but if you want a family, there are plenty of respectable ladies at home." She jerked away from me.

"Nothing you can do or say will change the way I feel about Hannah. I know you never had love in your marriage, but I
will
have it in mine. It's sad that you can't recognize it for what it is, but I won’t let you keep it from me. I won’t let you keep me from my daughter, either."

My mother's face screwed up, like she was about to start shouting again.

"Daddy!" Penelope cried, as she ran at me. I quickly caught her up in my arms. "Please don't leave me, Daddy."

"Never, Poppet, daddies don't leave, remember?"

"Some daddies do!" she cried.

"Not this daddy. I keep my promises." I kissed her little head. "I'll always keep my promises."

My mother stood there shocked, not sure what to say. "I’d never leave my daughter. What you're asking of us is ridiculous. I'm not leaving my family to fulfill my father's twisted sense of esteem. There's more to life than the royal peerage, Mother. It's sad that neither of you ever figured that out."

Her eyes blinked rapidly, like she was confused. We heard the floorboards creak and looked to see Camille standing in the hall. "I'm sorry, William. We were arguing, and she got away from me."

"Camille, what on earth are you doing here?"

"I'm helping plan their wedding."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because he loves her, Mother. If you just took a moment and actually looked at your son, you'd see he truly loves her. He acted like a silly fool when he found her. You should've seen his face, when he laid eyes on her. You don't know how happy she and Penelope make him. I know dad had bigger plans for us, but I wanted to believe you would've stepped in if he did something that’d make us unhappy. You did when he wanted me to marry Lord Whitmore. You said I should be able to marry for love. Why doesn't William get that choice as well?"

"But they've only known each other for a short time."

Camille shrugged. "I've known Carter for less, and I know I love him."

"Oh saints," my mother cupped her cheeks. "I don't…"

"Dad can't pay off Carter, Mum. He's worth way more than our family. If anything, his family should be paying me to leave, but that's never going to happen."

"It better not." We all turned to see Ophelia standing in the hallway behind Camille.

"I'm not sitting in there alone. You've had plenty of time to settle things," Brody said, as he came down the hall, too. He looked at us worried.

"We've settled things. My mother was just leaving."

"No, wait, do you really believe you love her?" my mother asked frantically.

"I don't believe I do. I
know
I do." I pulled Hannah into my side and kissed the top of her head. She wrapped her arm around me and rubbed Penelope's back, helping quell her fears.

"And you're sure she's your daughter?"

"Dude, this is ridiculous, he had her tested, and he put his name on her birth certificate," Brody snapped, just as annoyed as the rest of us.

"So you did have her tested," my mother sighed in relief.

"Only because it was the easiest way to get my name on her birth certificate, it had nothing to do with you."

My mother shook her head smiling. "That makes no difference." She took a few steps closer to us, and Hannah stepped in front of me, blocking my mother from our daughter.

"Please, William, you know I've always wanted grandchildren," my mother pleaded. The fire had left her eyes, but I didn't know if Hannah was ready to trust her yet. "I'm sure your father didn't know about her," she pointed to my daughter. "I certainly didn't, I’d have never allowed him to keep her from me. You must understand…"

"No, you must understand, your husband knew everything. He knew where I was and that I had a daughter," Hannah snapped.

I put my hand on Hannah's shoulder to calm her. "I’d been paying one of his PI’s to help me search for Hannah for years. He had to have known, Mother."

My mother's face crumbled. "I thought he was being ridiculous. It seemed silly for him to keep a man on her, when we'd paid her off years ago. She made no move to contact you. I didn't understand why she'd do so now."

"She didn't contact me. By the sheer grace of God, I found her, and it took a bit for her to remember me." I pulled her into my arms, hugging Hannah with all my might, squishing our daughter between us. "I just wish I’d been able to find her sooner. I should've known better than to trust dad with helping me find her."

"You have us now," Hannah comforted me and kissed me softly.

"Yes, I have you now."

My mother studied us for a moment. "William, I see that you care for her deeply, and I can understand you wanting to stay with your daughter, but I urge you to proceed with caution. She did take the original payoff. She may have changed over the years."

"She didn't take any payout. I can attest to that. The girl had $123.50 in her account when she woke up. She stayed in New York, hoping to remember and find her daughter's father. Her family is on the other side of the country, but she refused to leave without finding him. She bought him tea, even though she didn't know why or who he was. She did silly things like that, and he remembered how she took her coffee and liked her eggs, even after seven years. If that ain't love, then I don't know what is," Ophelia defended.

"But money was taken, the cheque was cashed," my mother looked lost.

"It had to have been someone else who took the money, Mum. I'm sure the people who work for dad are less than scrupulous." Camille was right, it’d most likely been a man who worked for my father who’d stolen the money and took him for a fool.

"I didn't know. My husband said…" My mum looked lost. "I'm so sorry."

I could tell Hannah wasn't ready to trust my mother yet, but I knew my mum well enough to know she’d want me to be happy. She wouldn’t ask me to give up my family.

"I'm sorry, William. Your father told me…"

"It's alright, Mum. I know you were just trying to protect me. I hope you see now why I can't leave my family. They have their life here, the shop, and Penelope's school. They can't leave, but I can find a new job. It's easier for me to come here than to move them there."

My mother nodded in agreement, I was sure shocking everyone in the room, except for me and Camille. We knew our mother would always want what was best for her family.

"I hope you don't mind coming to visit, or maybe it'd be best if I came here for holidays. I’d like to spend time with my granddaughter." She looked to Hannah for the answer, and I hoped she’d say yes.

"I think here would be best for now," Hannah said and looked up at me for confirmation.

"Yes, I think that's best. Dad is…"

"No, no, I understand. I don't know what I'm going to do with him. If he truly knew, William, that's…I hope you know I’d never condone such actions," my mother pleaded.

"I know." I reached a hand out to her, and she took it quickly. I pulled her into a hug and felt her tears on my chest. My eyes watered, too, as I fought back tears of my own. I knew I wasn't the only one who’d missed out on Penelope's life. My mother would’ve wanted to be there for everything as well.

I was still holding my daughter. She reached down and petted my mother's hair in a comforting way. "Don't be sad."

My mother looked up at her with a watery smile. "Oh, you sweet, beautiful girl. I look forward to spoiling you."

Penelope's eyes lit up. "I like candy, and castles. Daddy said I can get married in one, but I can't do it until I'm old like mommy."

We all burst out laughing.

"I'm not old," Hannah playfully griped. Penelope looked at her like she didn't believe it. "Well, I'm not as old as daddy!"

"But he's your prince. He's 'posed to be old. How's he gonna get a castle if he's a kid?" Penelope said, like we were all being ridiculous. Then she looked at my mother straight in the eyes. "Are you gonna be nice now?"