Revelation of Hearts (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #3) (21 page)

Rodger and Tiffany had just arrived as Stacey was coming down the stairs. Shane could have died of pride. He felt as if he was falling in love with her all over again. Rodger and Tiffany were introduced to Aunt Lora and Richard.  Nigel and Megan, along with Ian and Rachael arrived shortly after. They were acquainted with Rodger and Tiffany from earlier times.

Megan and Rachael were shocked to find them there.  They both wondered how much Stacey knew about Tiffany, and why were they there?  They didn’t know Annie had met Tiffany before either, so they sure as heaven wasn’t going to say anything. 

Stacey had told Aunt Lora about meeting Tiffany and Rodger, but not everything.  Lora stood back watching the evening proceedings with new respect and admiration for her great niece.

The evening was progressing well. Everyone had been eating, talking and drinking.  The punch was almost gone.  Stacey made sure, to make Tiffany and Rodger feel welcome to hers and Shane’s home. After dinner Stacey whispered to Shane, “I’m kind of busy, will you show Rodger the pictures Dad sent of the horses and the information?”

The next thing, Stacey knew everyone was gathered around the piano with the pictures of the horses spread out over the top of it. There was oohing and aahing about how beautiful the horses were.  Doctor Sam had sent pictures of Rusty’s appaloosas also.  Shane looked around and found Stacey standing at the far side of the living room. He smiled at her and winked.  He knew exactly what she had done and he loved her even more for it.

Chapter-34

Maxwell house

The first weekend in September, Shane and Stacey took the Friday night flight to Leeds, Yorkshire to visit Aunt Leddy and Uncle John.  Shane’s mom, dad and Grandmother McLeod along with Mrs. Beebe were going to be there too. This was the first time they had been back to Maxwell house since they were married. This house held fond memories for both of them.  Andrea, Phillip and little Ryan came up on Saturday for the day.  They now lived in Leeds.  They all gathered at the lake to swim and picnic. 

Shane asked Stacey, “Would you fancy a horseback ride?”

“Maybe next time, I want to spend as much time with your parents and your grandmother as we can.”

Shane, with a concerned voice asked, “Are you worried about Grandmother?  Dad said she is in good health for her age.” 

“I know,” Stacey said, “But I want to spend as much time with your family as we can.  We can always ride at home.”

After lunch, Andrea asked Stacey if she and Shane had heard about Rory and Lord Wakefield. 

“No,” Stacey said. “What about them?” 

“Well, to begin with, Lord Wakefield got married about eight months ago. Rory wasn’t happy about that, then about four months ago Lord Wakefield announced he and his wife were expecting a baby.  Rory went off the deep end.  He was in Italy drunk and driving his sports car way to fast.  He lost control and drove right over a cliff.” 

“Well,” Stacey said. “All good things come to those who wait.”

Andrea snickered and said, “God, Stacey, you voice what I would like to say, but was taught never to speak ill of the departed.”

“Hum, guess I missed that lesson. The way I look at it, if you want to be missed, then be good. Going around raping and pillaging is not the way to be fondly remembered. I’ll take it a step farther and say, good riddance to bad rubbish.”

The month, of September was passing rapidly. The last Saturday of the month, Shane and Stacey had a dinner function to attend. It was being held in the ballroom of the Savoy. Once again, it was a benefit for the neurology wing of the hospital. It was finished and would open next week.  Doctor Fein and Shane both were to speak.  Shane was going to speak about his grandfather having Parkinson’s disease and how far the neurological field had progressed in the past few years.

Stacey had been to Mrs. McGraw’s, to have a new evening gown made for the occasion. “I have gowns,” Stacey told Shane. “I have not worn the pink one we bought in Rome while on our honeymoon.”

“Yes, I remember the pink.  It is quite lovely, but nevertheless, I insist you have a new one.  You know, sweetheart, you are the first woman I’ve met that isn’t interested in spending money.”

Shane knew they didn’t live lavishly on the ranch, but did live more than adequately. He assumed her frugality stemmed back to her early years of ranch life when it was necessary to economize. He remembered with a smile, how they had almost had a quarrel after they were married the first time over him wanting to put money into her bank account each month.  She had finally given in and let him have his way.  Now once again she had given in to him.

Shane was dressed in his tuxedo and standing across their bedroom watching Stacey putting the finishing touch to her make-up.  She removed her robe and stepped into her evening gown.  The gown was stunning.  The fabric was reddish orange chiffon with four gold chain links that held the bodice to a gold chain around the neck. Shane came to her to help zip up the dress and hook the clasp of the gold chain as she held her hair out of the way.  He leaned over and kissed her neck. Stacey turned, put her arms around his neck and kissed him. 

Shane whispered to her, “Maybe we should just stay here and forget about the dinner.”

Stacey put her finger to his lips and with a giggle said, “No, you handsome rake, I can’t dally with you now.  My husband is giving a speech and I don’t want to be late. 

Shane stood chortling as she put in her gold looped earrings and stepped into her gold high heeled strapped sandals.  Shane asked as they went out the door, “Do you think you might fancy to dally when we return?”

Stacey said quite coquettish, “Well sir that depends, if my husband is home.”

Shane chortled once again and said, “Oh, Madame, you are a saucy minx!”

When they arrived at the Savoy, the ballroom was crowded. Their table was near the front.  Hugh, Annie, Nigel, Megan, Ian and Rachael were already there. As everyone was greeting them, Stacey heard her name called.  She looked around and to her surprise there was Aunt Lora and Richard sitting two tables over with two other couples. She and Shane walked over to say, “Hello.”

“How did you know about this dinner?” Stacey asked.

“A little birdie told us, so we wangled an invitation.”

Shane shook hands with Richard and kissed Aunt Lora’s cheek and said, “Excellent, all of you are most welcome here, except the group at that table over there.  The word is out that they plan on heckling me. I dislike this speech making as it is.”

Aunt Lora assured him, should they do so, she and her table would pelt them with olives and tiny onions from their drinks. Richard chortled and the whole table agreed.”

Shane had noticed the table where Doctor and Mrs. Fein were seated along with Doctor and Mrs. Wilkerson.  The other couple was Miles Strayhorn and Miranda Cox. There was no way around it, he needed to introduce his wife to these influential people.

Doctor Wilkerson had asked Doctor Fein and his wife Molly along with Molly’s son, Miles Strayhorn and his friend Miranda Cox, to stop by for cocktails before going to the Savoy for dinner; speeches and thank you, to the wealthy benefactors for their patronage of the neurological wing.

The subject came up concerning Doctor Fein’s brilliant young neurosurgeon, Doctor McLeod and his recent marriage. Doctor Wilkerson spoke up and said, “Well, actually, it wasn’t so recent. Do you remember the incident last spring when Doctor McLeod was called to Paris on a delicate matter? Well, to make a long story short, this beautiful young woman came to my office demanding I find her husband.  She showed me a marriage license that certainly looked authentic to me. Of course, I called Doctor Grant and received confirmation that the marriage license was valid.  A few days later Doctor McLeod contacted me and explained the importance of keeping their marriage a secret.  I must say; that young woman has a formidable presence. I was  impressed by her tenaciousness.”

“I knew it,” Miranda said. “I knew he was lying to me, however, I never dreamed he was married.”

Miles smiled to himself; now he knew why she had said, she was a Mrs. His mother smiled at him as she took his arm and whispered to him, “The mystery is solved son, now get her off your mind.”

Shane and Stacey walked over to the head table to say, ‘Hello,’ and for Shane to introduce his wife.  He saw that Miranda was with Miles.  He had not expected to see her here, however, it couldn’t be helped.  Stacey was polite and charming to each as Shane introduced her. When he introduced Miranda and Miles as if they were a couple, Stacey smiled and said, “Hello, so nice to see you again.” Miranda glanced from Shane to Miles.  During these many months, Miles had never said a word about having met Shane’s wife. Now she wondered what other secrets he was keeping. 

Molly Fein to the rescue said, “Yes, of course, last spring at the Ritz tearoom. You were with Sir Richard Heath, as I recall.”

Stacey didn’t know what all the secrecy was about, but she went along with it. She was sure Miranda Cox was one of Shane’s old girlfriends.  When Miranda was introduced, she made it a point to say, “Oh, so nice to meet you at last. You know Shane and I have known each other for years.  We are old, old friends.”

Stacey had, had, just about enough of Shane’s old girlfriends and this one she was instinctively wary of, so she said, “Yes ma’am, I can see you are.”

As they walked away to go to their table, Stacey knew she had made an enemy, but she really didn’t care.  Miranda was so angry, she was about to hyperventilate. 

Miles leaned toward her and said, “Pull your claws in Miranda, you asked for that.”

“That tall, skinny provincial is going to regret her actions. I won’t forget this insult,” Miranda said.

The dinner had three speakers. Shane was the last. He assured his audiences he would be quick about it and not carry on too long. He knew they fancied their expensive dinner for which they had paid dearly.

Listening to Shane, there was no doubt he was passionate about his work. He spoke about his grandfather’s Parkinson’s disease and its terrible debilitating conditions as well as many others that originate from nerve, spinal cord and brain and the monumental research being achieved today that is giving hope to millions. He orated magnificently and received a standing ovation when he was finished.  Stacey was so proud of him.

Shane had asked her on their honeymoon, if she would like for him to transfer to the states so she would be closer to her family?  She had told him, ‘No,’ then and was more sure now.  This was where he belonged and she belonged wherever he was.

The evening, was going smoothly with dining and dancing. Stacey was enjoying herself immensely dancing to a waltz when her aunt and Richard danced by and they changed partners for a few turns. A few dances later, Annie and Stacey went to the ladies room. As Stacey, washed her hands and freshen her lipstick, Miranda walked up to her, sneered and said, “Well, breeding always tells. You and your, fresh out of the bottle, red headed aunt have made quite a spectacle out of yourselves tonight. You both should understand; you are out of your depth here among civilized people.” 

Stacey had turned, as she saw Miranda’s reflection in the mirror. When she finished her malicious maligning of Aunt Lora and herself, Stacey walked close to her and calmly said, “Listen to me good, dip-shit, because I’m only gonna tell you this just once. You can say whatever you want to about me, but if my aunt’s name ever passes your lips again, I’m gonna brad them to your teeth.  Do I make myself clear, because that’s how us uncivilized people communicate with you well bred, rude dip-shits.”

Annie was holding her breath hoping this meeting didn’t escalate. As she followed Stacey out the door she turned to Miranda who looked a bit shaken and informed her, “You got off lucky this time. You really should mind yourself.”

Stacey saw Miles and Miranda dancing and then they left.  Stacey, was a bit surprised by Miranda’s hostility. Also she wondered why the secrecy about sharing a cab.  She decide not to think about it, it was not her problem.”

Before they knew it the time had come for Shane to fly to Dallas. He would be gone for two weeks and this would be their first separation since their second marriage. Stacey drove Shane to the airport and waited until his plane had taxied down the runway. 

She knew she would be busy with school and hopefully time would pass rapidly. Aunt Lora and Richard were in the south of France with Hyacinth and Simon Warwick. 

The first weekend Shane was gone Stacey found herself more lonely than she had expected. The phone rang, it was Professor Ethan Howard.  He was in London with the twins Damon and Deirdre. 

“Please come over,” Stacey said. “You couldn’t have picked a better time.”

When they arrived, Stacey told them about Shane being in Dallas, and her aunt and Richard being in France and her best friend and her husband were visiting his family.

“Right,” Ethan said. “Then there’s nothing to keep you from joining us on a wee trip.  We thought it time to visit our distant relative, Miss Leona Fitz-William.”

“Yes, I would love to join you. Give me a minute to pack a bag.”

An hour later, they were on a train bound for Northampton.  Stacey had not seen Miss Leona since the middle of September, when she and Shane a made a weekend trip up to see her.  This would be the twin’s first visit.  Stacey enjoyed talking with them. They were typical eighteen year olds.  They were both fascinated hearing about America, Texas and the ranch.

Miss Leona was happy to see her guest. Damon and Deirdre were excited to meet her. They both were full of questions and they all had a pleasant visit. When Stacey and Miss Leona were alone for a few minutes, she told Stacey, “I see many children around you.”

Stacey took her hand and said, “I know you are clairvoyant, tell me, what you see?”

Miss Leona patted Stacey’s hand and said, “My visions are not always clear and sometimes they become misty.  I’m never sure if it’s the past or the future I’m seeing with regards to you my dear.”

Stacey didn’t want to push her. She had watched, her before when she was having a vision. It was very arduous and seemed to leave her exhausted both physicality and mentally. When she and Shane had visited before, they had discussed the phenomena of hers and Shane’s resemblance to the earl and countess of Dun-Raven.  Miss Leona told her that was a mystery she had no answers to, unless it was a throw back of genes somehow since they both were descended from the same people.  Although, that theory seemed a little far fetched when the time frame was so far apart.