by Cee, DW
Emily was silent for a comfortable while. “I want you to always understand that Jake and I love you, and we still believe your Prince Charming is out there. He just hasn’t woken up from his slumber.”
The baby was up and demanding his meal again. It was time to say good-bye.
“I’ll let you go. Talk to you again, soon?”
“Absolutely. Take care.”
Our conversation made me wonder if I had given up too soon on my knight in shining armor, but thinking back to the kissing scene, I knew I’d made the right decision.
Michael’s grandfather’s summer home was so vast, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the picture before me.
“That’s your grandfather’s home?” I pointed like a little girl going on her first outing.
“It is.” Michael answered nonchalantly. “Does it impress you enough to want to be the owner of that property one day?” He tried to hold back a sly grin.
“Well…” I decided to act sly, myself. “A girl can’t be so easy and say yes after one measly proposal on the steps of my grandmother’s home. I’ve got to check out the inside of the palace before I can come to any sort of a conclusion on how vast my future husband’s earnings and holdings must be.”
“Indeed!” Michael declared and laughed at me. “You do that Laney Reid, because if a P&L sheet is all you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place!”
“So you think, Michael Bennington…there are plenty of rich men in America.” I laughed with him.
“Yeah, but are any of them titled and on a first name basis with the future king?”
“Oh my gosh! You know the Prince? Can you introduce me to him and Duchess Catherine?” I started fan-girling on the English royal family. “I think she’s so beautiful. That’d be so cool if I could meet her.” Michael only shook his head at me.
The car pulled up the never-ending driveway, and an unexpected surprise awaited me. Even before the car came to a full stop, I opened the door and hugged my grandfather, who stood next to a disapproving and haughty face.
“Laney. It relieves my worries to see your smiling face.” Grandfather kissed my forehead like I was a five-year-old.
“What are you doing here? How…why…” I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I knew enough to stop talking to Grandfather Roland and to get myself in good graces with this man whose scowl could ruin my entire week. “Hello. I apologize for my bad manners in not introducing myself.” I addressed the man whom I assumed was His Grace, Harry Michael Bennington. “I’m Laney Reid, granddaughter of Sir Roland Ascot.”
“Unfortunately, I know all about you.” Not the answer I was expecting at all.
“Grandfather.” Michael wasn’t happy.
“Don’t you dare treat my granddaughter with anything but respect.”
“And for what reason would I respect this girl? What has she done to prove herself worthy of my grandson’s affections?”
“Grandfather!” Now Michael was upset. “Laney is my girlfriend and my guest. I will not have you intimidating her or treating her poorly. You have taught us to be kind and accepting of everyone; I hope you will practice what you preach.”
“What the hell has she done to turn you into such a love-sick fool, already? Do you know anything about this girl or her family? Do you know if she’s worthy of becoming a Bennington? How dare you disrespect your grandfather because of some girl!”
I wanted to say something, but my own grandfather held me back.
“After twenty-six years of learning under you and Father, if you cannot trust me to make decisions for myself and for the good of the Bennington family, I have learned nothing. You and Father have taught me to be open to the world around me and to trust my instincts. My instincts are telling me that I am in love with this woman who stands here with me. This is the woman I want with me when I am happy, when I am troubled, when I disagree with family members, when I am old and gray, and living a beautiful life with many children and grandchildren. This is my decision, Grandfather. I would like for you to respect it and come to accept it with open arms.”
Harry Bennington snorted in disgust. “You can kiss your inheritance and title good-bye if you decide to marry this American girl. She’s not good enough for you or our family.”
Grandfather was about to have a word or two with His Grace, but Michael beat him to it. “Fine! I gladly let go of my inheritance, your title, and everything else that comes with being a Duke. But I won’t let go of this chance to possibly make this woman my wife. If you are so against this relationship, we will leave right now.” Michael grabbed my hand and pulled me away from my grandfather.
“Wait!” I stopped the war of words between Michael and his grandfather. “Michael.” I addressed the more reasonable person, first. “Regardless of what your grandfather says to you, or how unreasonably he may act toward you, you may not be an ass in return.” Michael broke into a smile and my grandfather blatantly laughed aloud. “He’s family. I’m not. You can’t sever your ties with family, no matter the person or situation you’re defending.” Then I spoke to the unreasonable man staring at me. “Your Grace, I don’t know why you’re so pissed with me when you hardly know me. Perhaps it’s my blonde-haired, blue-eyed looks that offend you, or it’s my American manners that appall you. And in all honesty, I wouldn’t normally give a damn, but since you’re Michael’s grandfather, I will do my best to try and get along with you.”
“Shit.” I heard the duke grumble. “She sounds too much like someone else I know.”
“You’re in trouble now, Harry.” My grandfather slapped the duke on his back. “Give up the pretense and let’s go have dinner. I’m starving.”
“Don’t turn out your grandson because he does one thing you’re not fond of, and don’t judge a situation even before anything really happens. Michael and I are more friends than anything else and if it develops into something more serious than you like, then let’s talk.”
“Duchess, we can leave if you don’t feel comfortable. We don’t have to stay.”
“Michael. My grandfather is here all the way from America. I am staying and enjoying the night with him. If the duke does not wish for me to be here, then I will leave with my grandfather. What will it be, Your Grace?”
“Are you sure about her, Michael? She’s a demanding little thing. She might make you feel like you’re walking on water now, but she could also make you feel like you’re drowning in the deepest ocean if things go wrong.”
“I’d like to take my chances, Grandfather.” I returned Michael’s smile and affectionate touch.
“Young kids these days…” was my welcome into the beautiful home.
Dinner consisted of too many courses that were impossible to finish. After greeting Michael’s parents and having a mini love-fest with Ruby, I sat between Michael and my grandfather. As soon as dinner was over, His Grace wanted drinks and dessert, out in the garden so we moved our party to suit his whims.
“Will you all excuse us?” Grandfather motioned for me to get up. “I’d like to take a stroll with Laney.” Everyone understood his clear meaning that we would be taking a walk alone.
“What brings you all the way out here, Grandfather?” I asked, while strolling hand in hand with this wonderful man.
“You, my granddaughter.”
“Me?” Was I in trouble of some sort?
“Your Gram and I are very worried about you. The way you left that hospital broke our hearts. What exactly happened?”
The tears fell unexpectedly and heavily. “You didn’t have to fly all the way here. What a waste of your time and energy.” I tried to make light of the situation, but the tears fell continually.
“What happened?” he asked gently and pulled out his handkerchief before sitting me on a bench. “One minute I’m sitting in the hospital room admiring my newest great-grandson. The next minute Donovan runs in frantically looking for you. Then finally, you walk in with sadness and heartac
he written all over your face. Jake gave us a short and not so sweet version of what he thought happened. Your Gram and I were heartbroken for you when we heard.”
I did my best to stop the unnecessary tears but it took a long while—much longer than expected.
Sighing, I explained, “I walked into the wrong room at the hospital and found Donovan and Jane kissing.” With this confession, I started bawling harder than I did in the bathroom. Something about my grandparents taking my side and wanting to comfort me gave me the nod to let out all my grief.
Grandfather hugged me when I calmed down to a semi-normal state. “So that pushed you into Michael’s arms when you’re in love with Donovan?”
“I decided that there’s no hope with Donovan, and if that’s the case, I need to open my heart to other people. Michael makes me feel special, and I like that. It’s not something I’m used to, but it sure does feel nice, Grandfather.”
“But is that fair to Michael?”
“I’ve told Michael about Donovan, and he knows I am not where he wants us to be. He’s willing to see where this goes and so am I.”
“But Laney, your feelings for Donovan won’t go away so readily.”
“They may, they may not, but I won’t know unless I try. All my life I pushed away any man who held an interest in me because he wasn’t Donovan Taylor. There were some men I thought I might like, but in the end I decided to hold off on the off chance that Donovan might grow to love me. I know I sound dumb and naïve, but that’s how I’ve lived my life. No more, Grandfather. I’m done waiting, hoping, and dreaming. I choose to live in the present.”
“May I suggest you take things very slowly with Michael? I have a feeling letting go of Donovan Taylor is not going to be as seamless as you believe, my darling granddaughter. You may have a fight on your hands from both men.”
“I thank you for coming all the way here to make me feel better, and I love you for caring so much about me. Please reassure Gram that this is only a small setback in the grand scheme of life for me. I won’t disappoint her, and I won’t embarrass the Reid family.”
“We have no doubt about that. You are a phenomenal young lady. I am proud to call you my granddaughter.”
I kissed my grandfather on the cheek and pulled him up so we could rejoin the party.
Ruby and I shared a room in this mansion of a summer home and Grandfather left for London after an early breakfast with me and the Benningtons. He said he had business in the London office and needed to stop by the flat to pick up some of Gram’s belongings. The Benningtons and I went back and forth on what we should do to occupy the day.
“Well, there are lots of forests and gardens and nature trails here.” Lizzy Bennington said while sipping her tea.
“There are a few theatres with live productions and movies,” Mr. Bennington added. “Oh, and there’s that beautiful old opera house. I’m sure they’re playing something wonderful.”
“Father,” Ruby interjected. “The theatres play movies that debuted in the States half a year ago, and I find opera dreadfully boring!”
“There’s so much greenery here, I wish I’d brought my golf clubs. I assume there are lots of golf courses here?” I asked anyone in general.
“Golf?” Michael asked. “You speak golf?”
“I breathe it, speak it, and play it.” The duke looked mighty interested. Up until now, he didn’t say much more than a good-morning to me. Apparently, I had his attention now.
“What do you say, Grandfather?” His Grace gave Michael a doubtful stare. Michael quickly walked away and didn’t come back for a good ten minutes. “I found a lady’s set for Laney. Let’s go golf,” he told everyone.
Ruby explained to me that golf was an obsession for the Bennington family, especially the duke. Lizzy Bennington had no choice but to learn to play after she married into the family, or else, she’d be the only one sitting at home alone, while the entire family went out and played all day.
“Is there a course nearby?” I asked.
Ruby cackled away. “I’d say it’s pretty nearby. Let’s change and I’ll take you to the course.”
Ruby wasn’t kidding when she mentioned how close the course was. This summer home sat on more acres than one could feasibly count, and about ten years ago, the backyard was turned into a nine-hole golf course.
“You’ve got to be freaking kidding me!”
“I am not kidding you.” Ruby took us out on the golf cart over to the first tee.
When we arrived, I took a picture of the course and texted it to my father with the words, My friend’s grandfather’s backyard written below the picture.
“You willing to bet a little something, Ms. Reid?”
“I am, Your Grace. What would you like to bet?” I answered confidently.
“How about if you lose, you stop seeing my grandson?”
“Grandfather!” Both Michael and Ruby called out.
“Oh Harry, give the girl a break.” Lizzy defended me. “We all like her very much. You’re being unnecessarily bullish right now. That’s neither gentlemanly nor very duke-like. You’re usually kind to all around you. What has poor Laney done to get you so riled? I must ask you to stop this ugly and brutish behavior. You’re upsetting my son, the future duke.”
“How about if I beat you, you stop being such a bully?” I challenged Michael’s grandfather. “If I lose, I don’t promise to stop seeing your grandson, but I promise to leave your home and go back to Belgravia as soon as possible so I will not be in your way.” I had to admit, though I sounded tough, my feelings were hurt. After having been soundly rejected by Donovan, it hurt to have someone dislike me. I decided whether or not I won this round, I’d pack up and go home. In truth, no matter how good Michael and the Benningtons were to me, my heart continued to hurt from what I witnessed in LA. I wanted to go home and talk to my mother and cry to my heart’s content. I wanted to let out all this heartache and start fresh with Michael. Some time to decompress from my LA trip was sorely needed and coming straight here didn’t allow me to straighten out my head.
Michael rode in a cart with his grandfather, Mr. and Mrs. Bennington paired up, and Ruby and I spent a fun day together. All of the Benningtons were excellent golfers. Even Lizzy, who picked up the sport late in life, played beautifully. When we got to the ninth and final hole, I was up on everyone. The duke wasn’t far behind and I contemplated letting him win so I could leave without a fuss, but the competitor in me wouldn’t allow it. I won fair and square, and the disgruntled duke huffed off the golf course.
“You are fantastic.” Michael came over to me and Ruby. “I assume you’ve played all your life?”
“Your family was fantastic! I was in awe of your mother and how skilled she was even though she picked it up only ten years ago.”
“That’s what happens when all you do is play golf every day it doesn’t rain.” Ruby lamented. “Mum’s obsessed.”
“I thought you all were great out there. That was fun!” I turned to Michael to give him the bad news. “Michael?”
“Yes, Love.” His term of endearment made me wince inside.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I’d like to get back to London today. Do you think there will be trains running at this hour?”
“Love. You don’t have to leave. If it’s because of Grandfather, I’ll have a talk with him.”
“It’s not entirely because of your grandfather. There are unsettled matters I’d like to take care of back in London, and I need some time to talk to my mother. She’s upset that I left so abruptly and in all honesty, I’d like to spend a little more time with my grandfather before he leaves. I don’t know when I’ll see anyone from home again.”
Michael debated what to do. Ruby was a dear to be on my side. “Mikey, let her go. We’re only here for a few days, anyhow. You’ll be with her again, soon.”
“Then let me drive you back to London.”
“Please, no,”
I begged. “Stay with your family and I’ll see you when you get back. The train will take me right into St. Pancras and I promise to take a taxi back to the flat.”
“I feel like you’re running away from me.” My heart dropped upon hearing Michael’s words.
“I’m not running away, but I do need a little time to make heads or tails out of all that’s happened in the last few days. Will you give me some alone time?”
“You promise you’re not running away?”
“Not running away, just walking to a corner for a time-out.” I smiled to reassure him.
After saying a quick good-bye to everyone, Michael drove me to the train station. Luckily, there was a train departing within the hour so my good-byes had to be quick. The duke looked neither happy nor upset to see me go, but I reassured him that it wasn’t him who was pushing me out. I also made Michael promise not to be upset with his grandfather.
During the more than three-hour train ride home, I wrote an email to Max. It wasn’t my intention to get Jane into trouble, and it wasn’t my intention to hurt Max, but when looking for solace in this situation, Max was the only person I felt I could turn to at this moment. The email explained what I’d been doing up until now and I told him about my quick trip to Los Angeles and how sorry I was that I didn’t get to stop by and say hello to him. I told him that I missed him and I encouraged him to visit when Josh moved across the Atlantic and settled in his new home.
After sending off the email, I opened up a student thesis that needed correcting and I averted my attention to something that wouldn’t make me sad. No sooner had I opened the file, a phone call came in. The number was one I’d never seen before. It made me nervous that it might possibly be Donovan calling. I wavered between picking up and letting it go to voicemail, but of course, I had to pick it up. On the slim chance that it might be Donovan, no matter how much I didn’t want to face him, I still desired to have some contact with him.
