Chapter Eleven
“G abriel,” a nervous giggle escaped Delia, “the shit will seriously hit the fan once this comes out.” She sat on top of the radiator in the living room of the gatehouse, gleeful terror bubbling up inside her.
“ If it comes out.” Gabriel paced the room, periodically running his fingers through his hair.
“Not if but when ,” she said. “Make no mistake, sooner or later, word will get around that you and I are very much not married. Renwood is a small city, after all.”
What a mad scheme her friend had cooked up.
She’d taken him for a level-headed, serious man.
Yet here he was, gambling away his reputation and financial future on the mere sliver of a chance to save his ancestral home.
She was no optimist. Things were bound to go catastrophically wrong. But she’d help him, of course.
He stopped his pacing and faced her. “Even if we’re found out, I’ll make sure the loan is in my name only and the required securities pertain to my property.”
She bit her lower lip. “Does this mean there’s no legal repercussion to our lie? Is it only that he’s convinced a married man is more likely to pull off a renovation on this scale?”
Wariness prickled down her neck. Could she get into trouble over this? Ah, whatever. She trusted him to do his best to protect her, and she didn’t have the heart to refuse him.
“Yes, he’s a bit old fashioned, but to be fair, there are some careers where married people are preferred applicants because of their spouse’s emotional support.
” He plopped onto the sofa with a sigh. “Maybe he has a point. All we need to do is to keep up the pretense until after he’s signed the documents. I’ll deal with the fallout later.”
She hopped off the radiator and sat beside Gabriel, suppressing the impulse to put her arm around his shoulders.
That would probably be a bit much. But man, he was in need of a cuddle; even she could see that.
“Then that’s what we’ll do. It’ll be fun in a risky sort of way.
Riskier for you than for me. I’ll probably never see the man again after our performance. ”
Gabriel broke into a smile. “You have no idea how grateful I am that you’re willing to do this for me. I mean, it’s terribly irresponsible of me to even suggest, but it is my only shot at saving the Hall. It will be grueling work, but it will keep me out of trouble.”
“Let’s make sure we put on a good show then. It’s quite the high-stakes gamble.”
He wrung his hands and dropped his gaze. “I know it is a lot to ask of you.”
She dismissed his remark with a wave. “I kind of love it that you’re putting it all on the line for something you deeply care about. You’re a radical, Gabriel Kirwan. I’m impressed.”
He gave her a crooked smile, and his cheeks dusted with red.
A thought flashed through her. She sat upright and put her hand on his forearm. “Wedding rings. Do we have to buy those?”
“I was... We could... If you don’t mind...”
She tapped out a quick rhythm with her foot. “What?”
“I can wear my dad’s ring and we could see if my mother’s fits you,” he said.
“Yeah, sure.” She put a finger on her lips and hummed. “Better try it now in case we need to get it sized.”
~ * ~
G abriel’s ancient NATO -green Land Rover came to a halt in front of the Brady-Greene residence in the posh and leafy part of Renwood.
Delia jumped out of the car and studied the building, a large Georgian townhouse with a black wooden door flanked by white pillars and topped by a gloriously lavish fanlight. She whistled through her teeth. “Nice pad.”
Gabriel joined her. “Are you ready?”
“Sure.” She tore her gaze away from the facade and studied his face instead.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. We’re friends, we like each other, and they’ll feel it.
But since we’re newlyweds, we’ll have to act a bit lovey-dovey.
Not too much, just the right amount of gushing, dreamy gazes, and light touches. ”
He laughed, took her hand, and intertwined his fingers with hers. “Shall we?”
She nodded. “Let’s do this.”
“Erm, Delia...” He cupped his neck with his hand and looked at her from the corner of his eyes.
“Yes?”
“I have to warn you, Mr. Brady-Greene is very formal. He’s going to Lord-and-Lady-Renwood us throughout the visit, so please try to keep a straight face.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “I’ll do my best.”
Alister Brady-Greene and his wife Florence welcomed Delia and Gabriel warmly into their gracious home.
Lunch was relatively easy, all food and polite small talk, but now, with coffee and tea taken in the living room, a grilling was imminent.
Delia suppressed a shudder. This was crunch time, and her performance needed to be on point.
“Would you mind running through your detailed plans for the manor house again, once it has been renovated, Lord Renwood?” Mr. Brady-Greene asked with a genial nod.
“Yes, sure.” Gabriel sat forward on the sofa, started the presentation on his tablet, and slid it toward the banker. Delia, seated beside him, grasped his free hand and pressed it in encouragement.
He inhaled deeply. “Well, we’re planning to establish Renwood Hall as an exclusive venue for special occasions, with a particular focus on weddings. Couples are willing to spend a significant amount, especially if you can offer a unique experience. We have the perfect setup for this at the Hall.”
He tapped the screen, moving the presentation along. “The park allows for outdoor photoshoots if the weather is fine. And the guests can go for picturesque walks while waiting for the wedding couple.”
He flashed a quick smile at Delia, and a fizz of excitement sparkled through her. They were in the middle of their tight rope act, and neither were allowed to look down.
“The ornamental lake with its late Victorian tea pavilion will form a beautiful backdrop. Should the weather be inclement, Renwood Hall is big enough to accommodate large wedding parties, while smaller parties can be catered for in the new wing.” Another tap brought up the next page.
“I consider the private chapel a unique advantage. Not only does it boast original features and a truly impressive ceiling fresco, but it also provides an intimate family experience, so far only enjoyed by previous generations of Renwoods.” His shoulders lowered, and he relaxed by increments.
Mrs. Brady-Greene, a silent, friendly bystander until now, perked up. “Is that where you will be having your church ceremony?”
Sensing the requirement for female rapport, Delia put a hand on Gabriel’s arm and focused on the older woman.
“Oh, yes, we’re aiming to be the first couple to get married in the newly renovated Hall and chapel.
We’re eager to continue the family tradition, even if it means making it available to others outside the Renwood family in order to pay for it.
” She bathed him in a loving gaze, hoping the Brady-Greenes were suitably charmed.
“I’m sure it will be a beautiful ceremony,” sighed Mrs. Brady-Greene. She had to be fishing for an invitation.
A speaking glance passed between Delia and Gabriel before he said, “You will see it for yourself when you and your husband join us for the celebrations.”
Florence Brady-Greene clapped her hands. “Oh, goodness. Lord and Lady Renwood, how kind of you. We would be only too delighted to attend.”
“We’d better get the renovation underway quickly then,” Gabriel said and quirked an eyebrow at Delia. Smart man, using this opportunity to drive his point home.
Amazing how excited people got by the prospect of a posh wedding. Delia cheered inwardly. Gabriel had reeled them in, she was sure of it.
The bank manager was equally pleased about the invitation, nevertheless, he steered the topic once more to the financing of the renovation.
“I went through your proposal in detail, and I was wondering, are there any family jewels to be used as collateral? The necklace Lady Renwood is wearing in the portrait for instance?” He glanced in Delia’s direction and smiled.
Gabriel coughed. “Unfortunately not. The necklace was sold to pay for the new roof.” He paused and the corners of his mouth ticked up. “My wife suggested we commission a Swarovski crystal duplicate to be put on display in Renwood Hall.”
“At a later date of course,” Delia cut in without missing a beat, “once the Hall is profitable as a venue for weddings and other special occasions. Profitability before glamour, I always say.”
“Quite right, quite right, Lady Renwood, I couldn’t agree more,” Mr. Brady-Greene said with a grin.
Gabriel moistened his lips and continued, “Furthermore, the wedding dresses of five generations of Renwood brides will be on permanent display in one of the unused reception rooms. The dress collection will soon be sold, but my wife persuaded me to hold back the wedding dresses that are part of it.”
“Yet another feature that will set Renwood Hall apart from competing venues,” Delia put in.
“Yes, very well.” The banker cleared his throat. “Now to the loan itself. You seem to think that four-hundred-thousand pounds will suffice, and I see that you have priced the required renovation works in detail, but such a large building swallows a significant sum in running costs.”
Gabriel folded his hands in his lap, his knuckles white in the firmness of his grip. “My income as an accountant is sufficient to cover these expenses.”
“And there’s also my salary,” Delia added. “I’m a tenured faculty member of Renwood University.” She glowed with pride, fully expecting the older couple to be suitably impressed.
“That is excellent, Lady Renwood, a tenured position in academia. Should we maybe include this in your loan application? It would certainly have a positive effect on the interest rate.”
“No,” Gabriel almost shouted.
Delia’s lips curved upward, but she hid her mouth behind her teacup.