Chapter 28 #2
“And that is?”
“She produces an heir,” Mum said.
I stared at my lap. Mum wasn’t wrong.
“I have a prenup,” I insisted. “That Bridget put together. I’ve gotta stay three years or until I have a son. Once either condition is met, the deed will pass onto either myself or my child. And I will walk away with a very large sum of money either way.”
“This is madness! Did you learn nothing from your sister’s marriage? Why do you chase after powerful men? All of you! At least Daphne learned and settled down with Cal.”
“Mum, I’d remind you that you forced Daphne to marry Chandler in the end,” Davey said. “Derrick and I tried to spare her, but you brought her back from Paris and told her to go through with it. She’s since forgiven you, but that’s—”
“And that is exactly why Delanie should know better! I thought you were smarter than this!”
Her words cut deep. When I’d chosen to forgo college, my father had been the only one to support me. Mum felt I was foolish and “lacked direction”. Those words hurt then, but felt like daggers now.
“I wasn’t forced to do this,” I insisted.
“I consented to it, just as Baz did. We decided to do it because we are a good match and could accomplish all our objectives. As I said, we’re practical people.
I’m not getting younger. He’s not, either.
If you met his brother again as an adult, you would understand why this makes sense.
He wants to ruin the place. I engineered this. Please trust I’m not stupid.”
She rolled her eyes. “You engineered this?”
“Yes. I did.”
“How?”
“I seduced him first,” I said.
Davey moved awkwardly, but didn’t chide me.
“And why would you do that?” Mum demanded.
“Because I could. Then I caught feelings. And now, it just made sense. I don’t have to explain anything to you. I don’t need you to understand what works for us, but I can assure you I am not a stupid pawn.”
“Well, if he loves you so much, bring him to dinner,” Mum said.
“Mum, he’ll be in Germany until the evening.”
“Then I will wait.”
I rolled my eyes. “I will speak to him when he gets home.”
“Is he living in Daphne’s house?”
“No. He lives in his house and—”
I stopped. We never discussed living together or thought about it. Now that his idiot father ran his mouth about our marriage, we were going to have to act like a married couple in all ways. I needed to move into his place. We had so many things to discuss—things we willfully ignored.
“I am moving in with him,” I said. “To his place in Knightsbridge.”
“Bully for you. You can spend all his money at bloody Harrods,” Mum said.
“I will still spend plenty of money in the company store, I promise,” I groaned. “I am still the same woman.”
“No, no you are not. This is not what we raised you to be!”
Tears burned. She didn’t see me—not at all.
“Mother! Stop! She wanted to return Braemoor to the family. It’s crazy, sure, but she’s a grown up. And I won’t throw stones because I impregnated a woman during a one-night stand and now she’s the love of my life. I’d have it no other way. I’ve got no space to judge.”
Davey squeezed my hand. I suddenly was so glad I came to do this here.
“Why would you care so much?” Mum asked. “Why would you tie yourself to him like that? And force yourself to have a baby—”
“I am falling for him,” I told a white lie that maybe someday would be true. “And the place is so beautiful. It’s not just special to you and me, it is dear to his sister who is a doll.”
“She was the one born just before that bastard’s second wife died?”
“Yes,” I answered. “She’s so sweet and happy for us.
It’s all a hot fucking mess, okay? But also, I don’t mind it.
I wasted the last portion of my life on a man who swore he wanted the same things until his fortunes changed and he decided he didn’t want kids anymore.
I wanted babies. I wanted them badly. He did not.
Longevity isn’t promised and I can’t change my goals or values.
If the worst bit of this is I must have a baby—one I badly want—I am okay with that. ”
“You should marry a man you love and go from there. Not marry a man who has a house you like and give him a child as payback. I fought the hard fight so none of you had to choose this.”
Tears ran. “I’m not a common whore, Mum. I chose this—free and clear.”
“You aren’t following—”
“If you had listened to what your parents wanted you to do, I’d be Baz’s sister, not his wife,” I said. “And you’d never have met Daddy. I never follow the rules. I’m always running off. Baz and I are strangely similar. We’re a good match. As you and Daddy were a team, we are.”
“You have no idea, Delanie!”
I’d never convince her through words. I decided only showing her through experience worked.
Just as she’d come around to Daphne and Cal’s relationship and embraced Davey’s unconventional start with Eva, she’d settle when she realized Baz and I had a good thing.
She’d see me happy and relaxed. If she could accept my sister marrying my father’s best friend and put up with Davey’s out-of-wedlock babies, she could let this one go.
“At least come to Braemoor sometime,” I said. “I’ll let you dance on the old fucker’s grave. And Baz won’t stop you. If he tries, I’ll end him.”
BAZ
“Baz, we have a problem,” Jeremy said.
I looked up from the contract our German counsel brought twenty minutes ago.
Even in plain English, I had no idea what I read.
Our partner going under fucked us. I managed to secure new investment, only to have the German government breathing down my neck.
As their countrymen were rather humorless sorts, I never knew if they were just being German or judging me. I did not need more problems.
“Yes? Add it to the list,” I sighed.
“Sir, did you know that your father told the Times you were married?”
“What? No,” I said. “Can we stop them from publishing it? I don’t even think Lanie’s Mum knows and I don’t particularly want to tread those waters.”
“Well, they may know now. The Times printed it yesterday.”
“What?” I scoffed, praying this was a sick joke. “How did you know?”
“I have an alert set up for your name. I ring the publicist when things like this happen. Maurice would like to talk to you, by the way.”
“Fucking hell,” I groaned. “You should have led with that. Put him on the horn, then.”
Maurice was my publicist. He managed all the things we got into—and smoothed things over when something bad happened. I had him dealing with our EU debacle even now. Things were not good. He’d probably want to kill me over this.
The line in the conference room rang.
“Hello?”
“Baz, did you do something very naughty and get married without telling me?”
I groaned. “I did get married. It’s no one’s business. And I wish my father hadn’t squawked. He never told me he would do that.”
“Your father is anything but subtle, Baz. And if I didn’t like you and your constant flow of business, I wouldn’t keep you as a client. You have made my job even more difficult.”
“I am sorry about that.”
“So, you married an heiress? An American princess of sorts?”
“Lanie isn’t exactly a princess,” I said. “But she is very clever.”
“And not bad to look at. She’s too young for you.”
“So, everyone says.”
“Well, what now? We must release a statement. Where is the new Lady Osgoode?”
“She’s back in London,” I said. “She didn’t travel with me.”
“Baz, you married her and then flew back to Germany? And she put up with that?”
“Why is everyone making me feel dreadful about that? We’re going to be married for ages. There will be times I leave. Why is this a different circumstance?”
“Because you are newlyweds! Baz, despite this German disaster, you are still fully capable of dropping some cash on a nice honeymoon.”
“My father is ill. It wouldn’t look right,” I lied.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to travel to some exotic location with Lanie. I’d relish seeing her in a tiny bikini. No, it was more that I didn’t think it would feel like a proper honeymoon. Moreover, I doubted either of us would be into that.
“Whatever. I won’t tell you how to be married. I never figured that out. However, we should coordinate with her people—especially as her sister and mother are very important.”
“I’m aware.”
“You don’t want to tell the Americans to sod off, Baz. They will fuck you.”
“I’m well aware.”
Jeremy appeared in the doorway looking concerned.
“One second, Mo,” I cupped my hand over the receiver, “Yes, Jeremy?”
“The British Ambassador is inviting you for a late dinner.”
“Why?”
“I suspect the Germans have something to do with it and he is merely the conduit.”
“Great. Just what I needed. Fine. I will go.”
“They also invited Lady Osgoode.”
It took me a moment to register that mean Lanie.
“Your wife, Baz.”
“Yes, I… I understand. But I would have to get Lanie here—”
“You’ve got six hours. It’s manageable. Should I hire a charter from City? The jet is still out of commission.”
My jet had been in the shop at the worst possible time. I’d flown commercial more than I ever wanted. Lanie wouldn’t have time for that—nor did I suspect she would prefer to fly with the public in the middle of a media firestorm.
“Yes,” I said. “If I can get her to agree to it. Give me one second.”
“Alright.”
Jeremy disappeared and I turned to Maurice. “Say nothing. I’m about to fly Lanie out and deal with this in person. We’ve been invited to the British Ambassador’s home for dinner. They want both of us. It will be a charm offensive. She and I will work together on a plan this evening.”
“Alright. Well, congratulations. Please start behaving before I dump you.”
“You have no idea how many times I’ve heard that,” I chuckled.
I hung up and dialed Lanie on my mobile.
“Hello?” She asked.
Two people argued in the background.
“Did I catch you at a bad time?” I asked.
“Yes. But you are a welcome distraction. Things are a disaster here.”
“Are you home?”
“No. I am at my brother’s. Can I help you, Baz?”
“Yes. Please don’t strangle me. Father—”
“I know. That is part of what this argument is about. My mother flew across the Atlantic to inform me of her total disdain for the article.”
“Fuck!” I rubbed my temples. “Lanie, I am so sorry. I told Father because—”
“I am not blaming you. I am not upset with you. I’m upset that my mother doesn’t trust me to make my own fucking life choices at twenty-nine.”
“Lanie, stop being dramatic!” Her mother called.
Her mother’s accent struck me.
“Fuck off, Mum! It’s been done and dusted, for Christ’s sake. Go argue with Davey about the twins!”
“What twins?” I asked.
“Long story,” Lanie answered. “What do you need?”
“I uh… I’ve been asked to the Ambassador’s house for dinner.
I have a feeling there will be members of the government present who do not like me very much right now.
A deal went south and it endangered some German interests.
I am pulling it together. Can you help me, darling?
Please. They would like us both there. You’re so charming—”
“Okay.”
I was prepared to list the critical reasons, but she didn’t want them. “Really?”
“Yes, I will go. Anything to get me out of here. Get me a plane, okay? And send me a car. I am trapped here at the mercy of goons my mother hired, and it makes me feel uneasy.”
“Yes, of course.”
“And I want a car available to me. We can negotiate all those factors, but if I’m your wife, I get that sort of thing.”
Was she really having this business discussion now?
“Yes, Lanie, of course.”
“Hire me a plane. I will be there with a smile.”
We hung up and I called for Jeremy.
“Yes, Baz?”
“She’s coming. Hire a plane.”
“Alright. Someone’s mood has shifted.”
I shrugged. “I just want to get all of this over with.”
“Oh, you’re excited,” Jeremy chuckled. “You have a ridiculous grin on your face.”
I couldn’t deny it. I married someone as competitive and domineering as myself. The respect I had for her only climbed the more we did this dance. Lanie Delphine was a wild woman, and for now, she was in my corner.