Chapter 16
The Dark Fairytale
LANIE
Braemoor House looked like a sweet fairytale home from afar, but presented a darker retelling up close.
As my mother said, it was cavernous, a bit drafty, and slightly dark—especially in older parts.
It also had beautiful tartan charm, massive fireplaces, and character everywhere you looked.
As I followed Ellie down the luxurious halls, I tried to picture my mother here.
The sheer scale blew my mind away. I couldn’t imagine her just lounging on a couch or skipping down the halls.
When we reached the ballroom, I had to hold myself back.
I thought about my parents’ wedding photos here.
The church in town hosted the wedding, but its reception followed at the castle.
I remembered smiling pictures of my parents swept up in a fairytale—so in love, so happy.
I wouldn’t come about for more than a decade, but I smiled as I thought about what they must have felt.
“The house is beautiful,” I said. “So much history, I’m sure.”
“They oldest part of it is about 600 years old,” Ellie said.
“The prettiest parts—like this room—were built in the late 1700s. It became a showplace then. And the house was improved upon until the early 1900s when it reached its crowning glory and repeatedly hosted the royal couple. To think about those parties!”
“Are you much for parties?” I asked.
“I would be if they were here. I know my brother loves London—as do you, apparently—but it’s not my style. It’s too loud. If Baz ever gets married, I hope we can have a big celebration and host everyone. With lots of people, the house feels wild enough for me.”
Her face then lit up as she took my hands. “Come, I want to show you my favorite room!”
We moved into a massive hall deep within the castle’s original walls. Fireplaces sprung up on opposite ends. These were hearths big enough to cook a feast. In the center was a massive dining table that must have seated twenty.
“We don’t eat in the hall often,” Ellie said. “When we host an event, it is nice to have the space. What I love about it is all the art and portraits.”
I looked around. For some reason, upper-class Brits loved to cover every inch of the walls with photos.
It was like going to a kitschy American chain restaurant, except the kitsch was very expensive and old.
I ranged, looking at photos of my history.
These were my relatives—the people who made my mother and, by-proxy me.
I settled on a portrait that took me by surprise. It was my mother, wearing a beautiful tiara, staring out a window. Her profile was unmistakable. It struck me how much she looked like Lady Ruth in her portrait.
“Why are there so many paintings like this of women in this country?” I laughed.
“It’s a common pose for debutantes who were presented at court,” Ellie said. “I never was. I’m not much for that sort of thing and it fell out of fashion by the time I was of age. This is the Late Baron George Carlisle’s daughter, Danna. She was so gorgeous here.”
“She was, yes,” I prayed she did not see the striking resemblance everyone else did. “So, she was presented at court?”
“Yes. Note the white dress. She was a tremendous beauty—per my father—but she wanted nothing to do with him. After all, he was a widower with young children. I do not blame her. The way her aunts talked, she loved this place.”
It hit me in the feels.
I moved along, settling now on a painting of a beautiful woman in a red ballgown. It wasn’t the look of her or the bright dress that caught my eye. Instead, it was her mischievous expression. I placed the nose immediately.
“This is Baz’s mum, right?” I asked.
“How did you know?” Ellie laughed.
“She looks like him, of course. He has the same nose. She was stunning. People must have been completely wrapped up in her.”
“Yeah. From what I heard she was charming. It’s a shame I didn’t get any of her charisma like my brothers. My mother was rather quiet, I am told.”
“Nonsense!”
I turned as Baz entered. “You ladies are both plenty charming. Has she been all around now?”
“I did not take her to the library or conservatory yet,” Ellie said.
“I’ll do it,” Baz offered. “Thanks, Ellie.”
“Anytime. If you need anything, Lanie, let me know.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Baz walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around me. I leaned back, comforted by him. He was big, imposing, but softened with me. I melted as he gave me an affectionate kiss on the cheek. I sensed it was for show, but adored it.
“Did I pass any test?” I asked.
“It is up for debate,” Baz answered. “But you didn’t fail. He is hung up on the American, non-noble bit.”
“But he buys it?”
“He does. And, to be honest, I’d buy it, too. You’re an excellent actress. I owe you.”
The words hurt somehow. Yes, I was play acting and this was the game. However, I realized it was more than that. As he draped his arms around me and held me close, I realized there were some feelings. I spun, staring in his eyes.
“Baz… I… I honestly don’t mind. It’s not hard to pretend I might want all of this. You’re charming, you take care of the people around you, and you’ve been good to me. It’s not much work.”
Baz thumbed my chin. He gave me a long, sweet kiss. My knees weakened and, for a moment, I felt like I might fall for him.
BAZ
“Four!”
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned, balancing a glass in both hands—one for me and one for Lanie.
Upstairs, Lanie waited for me to return and settle in for the night.
If I made a break for it, I’d be a very happy man.
I hedged my bets on getting to the butler’s pantry unseen and lost. If I ignored him, he’d grow angrier and ring my room until I came back.
Either way, all hopes of getting hard while he demanded my attention were gone.
“Yes?” I went to the doorway.
“Sit, son. Sit.”
My father’s voice was nearly tender. Confused, I lowered the glasses and sat on the couch opposite his chair.
“You buried the lede with her,” my father said. “Why did you not tell me who her parents were?”
“I don’t know them,” I said.
“Well, you’ve impressed me. I am dying, Four.
I will die and leave this Earth, but I am delighted it will be knowing that somehow Danna Delphine’s life has gone full circle.
She may have turned me down, but now she’s going to have to watch you raise her grandchildren here.
It will probably torture her. Or, alternatively, never invite her to visit. She doesn’t deserve it.”
“I don’t follow—”
“Delanie Delphine is Lanie’s legal name. Danna Delphine—born Danna Carlisle—is her mother. She’s the daughter of David Delphine and an heiress to the Delphine retail fortune. Way to bury the lede!”
I swam in my thoughts, confused. I contemplated.
It was feasible Delanie was her legal name, as I thought her sister referred to her that way.
However, now, I started putting together the familiar face with a woman I didn’t know but knew of.
There were pictures of Danna in the house.
My sneaking suspicion was that they would confirm what my father thought he knew.
Lanie had played me! But why? Did she know who I was?
Had her mother just never told her any of this?
As I grasped at straws, I noted my father’s chipper mood. Was he excited? Why!?
“Well, never mind that. I’m just happy you found someone who will fit in.”
I stammered, “I’m… I’m sorry. What?”
“Now that I know her provenance, I can confirm her suitability in all ways.”
“You say Danna Carlisle spurned you. You said—”
“She did. However, her family is of good breeding and she’s young. I cannot leave the house to no one. If the girl is plucky enough to storm in here and want to take it back, well, who could stop her?” A sly smile crossed his face. “Yes. A woman like her is exactly what you need.”
“How so?” I could barely breathe. My chest tightened and the room felt overly small.
“Well, she’s what you deserve. I personally love the idea that you will have to put up with someone so conniving for the rest of your life.”
He got off on watching me be bested by a vindictive little actress.
I set my jaw. “I refuse to!”
“Oh, Basil, it’s okay to admit when you’ve lost,” Father sighed. “And if you want me to keep you on the inheritance and give you this place when I go—it is only a matter of weeks, you’ll propose to her and marry her.”
“Dad, that is madness!”
“Love is madness.”
I couldn’t love Lanie—especially if she had lied to me about her identity all this time!
I stood, pacing. “Love! Love? You haven’t felt it—”
My father’s voice grew sharp. “I did for your mother! She was the only woman I’d ever loved. She may have trapped me with you, but I only had wonderful memories.”
“Jesus Christ!” I pulled a face at the mere mention of my conception. “I cannot just commit to something so ridiculous!”
“And that’s the problem. You say you would like the estate and are willing to run it, but I see none of that. I see a man obsessed with London and its many women. Alexander has a plan—”
I cut him off, voice hot. “Alexander’s plan is to turn this into a tourist trap and call it a bloody day!
Right now, we limit tours. This house—our family home—would become open to the world twenty-four seven.
And you know how distressing that would be to Eleanor.
She loves this place. She wants to keep the horses here. She must have that stability and—”
“Well, I know she and Alexander don’t see eye-to-eye on this but…
you leave me no choice. Someone must care for this place.
And leaving it to you will turn it into ruin.
I cannot say many nice things about Danna Delphine.
She embarrassed me in front of everyone by ending our engagement and marrying that American weeks later.
However, if she’s anything like her mother, she’s an overbearing cow and would do anything to take care of the place and keep her daughter in line.
Let that work to your advantage. If the girl agrees to wed you and oversee it—as well as take care of your sister—I will grant it.
Besides, the mere mention of who is marrying her daughter will be punishment enough for the old bat! ”
“You told me I had a year!”
“They told me I had two, Four. I don’t. I have two months now. Things are going badly. I cannot walk across the house. Your sister follows me everywhere and it wears on her. For Eleanor’s sake, I hope I go soon.”
I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to marry Lanie. She’d only agree to it if she had something in mind—a scheme. However, losing the estate wasn’t right. My sister would lose her mind if we lost it and she had to move to London with me. I shook my head.
“No. I need more time.”
“You have drug your feet. You have a woman young enough to give you children, attractive enough not to leave you too bored, and tied to this place by blood. What more could you want?”
I groaned and stood. “I will think about it.”
I marched out, headed to the great hall to see the picture of Danna Carlisle.
As I approached, staring in the low light of the fire and moonlight, I couldn’t deny the resemblance.
All I could see was Lanie’s eyes, lips, and hair.
I couldn’t ignore it now. What were her motives?
Did she seek me out for some sort of revenge game? Was I only a pawn? I needed answers.