Chapter 41
Vintage champagne – made with pinot noir, pinot meunier and Chardonnay grapes. The perfect way to celebrate a sparkling romantic occasion.
L ivvy eyed the debris from the meal. ‘Washing up?’
‘Leave that. I’ll do it later. Let’s sit in front of the wood burner where it’s slightly more comfortable.’ Mark took her hand and led her to Pete’s chair. Putting another next to it, he tucked a cushion behind Livvy’s back and stretched out beside her.
When they were settled, Livvy wriggled her socked toes to soak up the heat.
‘Quite envy Simona her central heating. This place is freezing when there are no customers. Next job, I suppose. Double glazing and a better boiler.’ She sighed.
‘This place eats money.’ When Mark didn’t respond, she asked, ‘Are you all right? You’ve gone quiet.
The snowball shenanigans this morning wear you out?
’ A sudden thought struck. ‘Oh,’ she said, horrified.
‘You don’t regret what happened? Last night, I mean? ’
He shook his head, a smile playing about his lips.
‘No. I don’t regret that for one minute.
’ He fixed her with a look that was heartbreaking.
‘How could I?’ Getting up, he reached into the pocket of his jacket hanging on the chair at the table where they’d eaten.
‘This is your Christmas present,’ he said, rejoining her in front of the wood burner.
‘It’s not much. Nats would have scolded me for not getting you diamonds or perfume or something she deems a suitably expensive gift had I given it to you in front of her, but I thought you might like it. ’
Livvy took it. It was a small book, old by the look of the battered maroon leather cover. ‘Adela Dickson: A Life,’ she read. ‘Oh,’ she said, surprised. ‘It’s a book about Adela. Have to confess, with all that’s been going on, I’d forgotten all about her.’
‘It’s a biography. We were right. Adela had quite the life.
Met her lover right here in The George, founded a Home for Gentlewomen and Infants in Distress, and a Scientific Institute for Girls, both of which she ran from her house in Lullbury Bay.
The one which is now the museum.’ Mark warmed to his theme.
‘I’ve been emailing the research centre at Bindon House, that’s the Dickson country seat over in the north of the county.
They hold quite a lot of information about her. ’
‘Is it true she was involved in a carriage accident and an awful tragedy?’
‘In a way. Adela used to meet a Henry Lovell and his sister Sarah here at The George. They regularly travelled from London to Exeter and would stop off here in Lullbury Bay. The three of them were great friends, and it’s true they all moved in the same circles as Dickens and Ada Lovelace.
All interested in the same things: science, philanthropy, literature.
Christmas Eve 1828 there was a tremendous snow fall.
’ Pursing his lips, he added, ‘A bit like last night’s.
The London to Exeter Arrow only just made it as far as Lullbury.
Unfortunately, the leading horses’ hooves slipped on the snow coming down the hill towards The George and crashed.
Henry Lovell suffered catastrophic injuries.
His sister survived. Sarah went on to live a long and fruitful life and she became Adela’s companion. ’
‘Poor Adela. So we were right, she did suffer an awful tragedy. Poor, poor woman.’
‘It was a blow to both women. Sarah lost her brother and Adela lost a friend. Nats drives me insane, but I can’t imagine how I’d feel if something happened to her.’
As ever, Livvy was touched by the love Mark had for others.
She squeezed his hand. ‘Absolutely.’ She paused, thinking.
‘Henry was more than Adela’s friend though, surely?
He was her lover. The book of poetry Jonquil found in the chimney must have been Henry’s.
Although I don’t see why it had to be hidden. ’
Mark sat up, a gleam in his eye. ‘Ah. There’s a little more to it.
It’s fascinating. The research centre has been a mine of info.
The general story is Adela lost the love of her life in the carriage crash when Henry Lovell died.
The truth is rather more intriguing. Sarah Lovell wasn’t just Adela’s companion, she was her lover, not Henry.
The women were conducting a love affair, but a clandestine one. ’
‘Oh my goodness.’ Livvy’s mouth dropped open. ‘You mean they hid in plain sight? So the lovers didn’t run away after all!’
‘Only as far as Adela’s house in town. They lived together until both were in their seventies and died within weeks of one another.
’ Mark smiled. ‘I find it incredibly touching. Together they ran the home for women and babies and taught girls at their scientific institute which took in pupils from the town. Adela was a strong, independent woman who believed passionately in the power of community. She was just like you, Livvy.’
‘What a story. Go Adela!’ Livvy said, her eyes shining.
‘You once said you didn’t want The George to be associated with a tragedy.
I think Adela’s story and the role The George played in her life is something much more worthy of celebration.
Something to display here. It’s frustrating to not know why Sarah felt she had to hide her book of poetry.
Don’t think we’ll ever find out the answer to that.
’ He smiled his love at her. ‘Perhaps Adela and Sarah were so happy they simply forgot all about it.’
‘I really hope they were. Oh, Mark, thank you. Thank you so much.’ Livvy hugged the little book to her.
‘This is a lovely Christmas present, one which I’ll treasure.
And what a thing to find out. You’re right, this is The George’s history I want to celebrate.
I’ll celebrate Adela and Sarah, and Henry too.
What a story. Ooh!’ she said, putting the book on her lap and clapping her hands together, making Angel wake up and grumble.
‘I could name the letting bedrooms after them. The Adela Dickson Suite, how does that sound? And maybe make a display of this book and the poetry in a case. It would be wonderful, wouldn’t it?
I love the idea of connecting to The George’s history and so will my customers. ’
‘I’m glad you like it.’
‘Like it? I love it!’ She drew him to her and kissed him. Drawing back, she added, ‘It’s worth far more to me than perfume or diamonds.’
‘Will you be around to do all this? Get the themed rooms sorted, get the skittle alley refurbished?’
It dawned on her what he was thinking. ‘You think I’m going to accept my parents’ offer of The Olde Gates, don’t you?’
He shrugged. ‘It would be an amazing opportunity. You’re ambitious. It’s a bigger establishment. You could achieve extraordinary things with the opportunities it would afford.’
‘That’s all true. And I have to confess I’ve already got plans forming in my head.’
‘Of course you have,’ he said, smiling. He drew her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
‘And, if I’m really honest, I’m not going to hang on to Fabio for all that long. Someone with his talent will want a bigger audience to perform for at some point. The George meets his needs at the moment, but it won’t for ever. I can see him fitting right in at The Gates. But–’
‘But?’
‘Oh, Mark, I’ve worked so damned hard on The George.
I love my team, I love the friends I’ve made.
’ She took his hand. ‘I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
How could I leave?’ She blew out a gusty breath.
‘With everything that’s been going on today, this is the first chance I’ve had to really think it all through. ’
‘You could,’ Mark said carefully, ‘run both.’
‘Both?’
‘Yes. The George and The Olde Gates.’
‘Could I?’
‘I think you could do anything you set your mind to.’ He paused and then added, ‘I could say the thought of you not being in Lullbury Bay, not being just down the road from me, tells me to say, don’t do it.
Stay in Lullbury Bay. Stay at The George.
But I can’t put my selfish needs in the way of your career, of your ambition.
I can see you making a huge success of your new hotel.
You’re just like our friend Adela. Brave, independent, resourceful, hard-working, wanting to be at the heart of the community.
I’m thinking all that,’ he grinned, ‘and what I really want to do is sweep you upstairs, take you to bed and order you to forget all about your career.’
‘But you’d never dream of saying that.’
‘Of course I wouldn’t. I have too much respect for you as a person.’
‘Bit too alpha male for you.’
He nodded. ‘Agreed.’
Livvy wrinkled her nose. ‘I quite liked the bit about you sweeping me upstairs and taking me to bed though.’
‘I’ll do that later, I promise.’
She reached out for his hand again. ‘I love you, Mark Cavanagh. I really do.’
‘Really? Thank all the Christmas fairies for that.’ He sucked in a breath.
Turning to her he said, ‘And I love you. I have done for a very long time. What Nats said was right. I’ve been boring on about you for weeks.
It’s just that I kept overhearing you say you hadn’t time for a love life, that you saw me as a friend.
’ He pulled a face. ‘It’s how most women see me.
Friend material. And with you I thought I’d slipped into the friend zone. Again.’
‘They really don’t, you know. I think one thing I love about you most is you haven’t a clue how sexy you are.
With your gorgeous floppy hair and those muscles you hide away so successfully.
Your lovely sense of humour and your kindness.
I think you’re drop dead sexy, and I know there are lots of other women who think the same. ’
‘Okay.’ He tried not to look as if his ego had been massaged and failed. ‘Well, that’s good to hear. Thing is, I love you so much, Livvy. And loving you means I have to let you go to do whatever feels right. If that means taking over The Olde Gates, then so be it.’
‘You won’t have to.’ She smiled at his confusion.
‘I’m not going anywhere. How could I? I’ve poured my heart and soul into this place.
It’s got me in its grip. Lullbury Bay is such a special place and I want to be part of it.
Oh, I’m accepting my parents’ offer of The Olde Gates, it would be madness not to.
But I’m not leaving The George. How could I leave Stewie and Eli, Lucie, Bee and Daisy.
Austin and Aggie. Lovely Karl. Even Old Pete.
Actually, especially Old Pete.’ She paused. ‘How could I leave you?’
‘How’s it going to work, then? Don’t get me wrong, I think you’re capable of achieving whatever you want. And I’ll back you all the way.’
Livvy shot him a grateful look. ‘I will run both. Last I knew of The Old Gates was it had extremely efficient management, with a reasonable kitchen team and a chef who’s maybe not quite as cutting edge as Fabio, but who will be happy to stay.
’ She drew herself up, as if sucking in enough courage to convince herself she could do this.
‘I think what I’m going to do is own The Olde Gates but leave it to the management to run it.
That is, until I get The George properly established and then I’ll have a rethink.
It might mean me travelling up to the midlands every now and again but I think I can do it. ’
‘Of course you can do it.’ He cupped the back of her neck and, bringing her near, kissed her soundly. ‘You can absolutely do it. You can do anything. I love you, Livvy Smith. So much.’
‘Oh, Mark. I love you too.’ As Livvy responded to him the kiss deepened and became more passionate. It held the promise of trust and love, of now and forever.
A log splintering in the wood burner and falling, sending a shower of sparks had them breaking apart.
‘Glad we’ve got that sorted,’ Mark said, with a grin. ‘Happy Christmas, my darling Livvy.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘It’s just gone six. What would you like to do with the rest of your Christmas Day?’
‘Happy Christmas, my lovely Mark. Is it still snowing outside?’ Livvy cocked her head on one side coquettishly.
Mark’s lips twitched. ‘Hold on, I’ll have a look.’ He rose and, going to the window, pulled back the heavy brocade curtain. ‘Oh dear,’ he said, not sounding sorry at all. ‘Fresh snow falling. At least another foot down. Don’t think we’ll be going anywhere tonight.’
‘Oh no,’ Livvy answered in mock concern. ‘Does that mean we’ll have to stay in?’ She bit her lip, making her eyes go large. ‘How are we to keep ourselves warm on this cold night?’
‘I really don’t know.’ His eyes slid to the bar. ‘Maybe another bottle of champagne?’
‘I think that’s a very good idea. And I don’t know about you, but I really can’t be bothered to go outside for more logs.
So we might have to go to bed to keep warm.
You know that bit when you said you wanted to sweep me upstairs?
’ She didn’t get any further as he tugged her to her feet, wrapped his arms around her and silenced any more conversation with his kiss.
Livvy broke away, appalled. ‘Mark! I’ve just realised I haven’t got you anything for Christmas! After all you’ve done for me and that lovely book about Adela, which I promise you I will read–’
For the second time she was silenced by his kiss. ‘You’ve given me the best Christmas present I could ever have, Livvy. You’ve given me yourself. Now shut up, woman. And get up those stairs.’
‘Oh, Mark,’ she giggled, ‘you know, you can be quite alpha male when you want to be.’
‘Trust me,’ he said, pulling her to him again. ‘You haven’t seen anything yet…’