Complete Indelible Love Series

by Cee, DW

  Probably. Roland and I have to clean house in London and get it in tiptop shape to sell. What are your plans?

  I’m thinking of going to Oxford with Jake in the morning.

  My phone rang and scared the shit out of me.

  “Why the hell are we texting when we can talk?”

  “Don’t know. You started the thread.”

  “What will you do in Oxford?”

  “I’ve been thinking, Donovan.” I was going to tell him about starting med school this year, but decided against it. I was still unsure and I wanted to talk to him in person when bringing up such an important topic. “Never mind. I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

  “You really won’t come over?”

  “It’s not a won’t. It’s a can’t. I love you and I’ll see you tomorrow after work?”

  “Yeah.” He answered, unhappy. “I’ll follow Roland straight to Belgravia after work.”

  That’s all he would say, so I repeated myself. “I love you Donovan Taylor. I thank God you’ve found your way to me. Had you not loved me, I probably would’ve lived a spinster life with cats, and dogs, and maybe even a bird.”

  He still didn’t answer but I knew he was smiling. “I miss you, Princess. I wish you were here with me in bed.” That was all he would concede for the night.

  “Me, too. Bye.”

  Monday started with two beautiful little toddlers greeting me at the breakfast table.

  “Ne Ne!” James showed his gorgeous smile with two new teeth.

  “James!” I ran over, picked him up from the high chair—oatmealed-face and all—and hugged this dear little boy. “Oh, I missed you.” I kissed him where I could without eating his breakfast. James gave me a toothy grin and kissed my cheek and got cold oatmeal on me.

  “Me too!” said the little girl who grew more and more beautiful by the day.

  “Hello, my beautiful girl. You’ve grown so much.” I crouched down with James in my arm and gave Ellie a kiss.

  “Pick me. Pick me.” She held out her arms. Emily walked over and took James from me, and I picked up Ellie and gave her another hug.

  “I’m so very happy to be living in the same house as you two.” I held out my arm and Emily gave James back to me. Feeling precarious, I chose to sit and have the two on my lap. “Are you done with your breakfast?”

  “Yesh.” They both answered.

  “Should I help you get changed, then go play?”

  “Yesh!” Who knew how much they understood, but I did what I advertised.

  “What shall we play today?”

  “Book.” James answered and brought over his favorite.

  “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish...” I proceeded to read and ended up reading it three times over.

  “Laney?” Jake walked in. “Donovan is on the line.” He handed me the phone while the kids called out, “More!”

  “Hi.” I greeted him with enthusiasm.

  “Good morning, Princess. Sleep well?”

  “No. I assume you slept well? You’re definitely happier with me this morning than you were last night.”

  He chuckled. “You want to come out and have lunch with me today?”

  “Yes, but are you sure you can spare the time?”

  “I’ve been here since six. There’s more work to do than I believed, but I gotta have lunch, and I’d like to have it with you, my beauty.”

  “All right. I was going to follow Jake to Oxford today, but maybe I’ll go with him on Wednesday?” I queried and Jake nodded his head, yes, while reading the book one more time for the twins.

  “What will you do this morning?”

  “I was thinking of taking Emily and the twins to my favorite coffee shop and then maybe to Hyde Park. I also need to make some purchases at Harrods and Harvey Nics.”

  “Shit. You won’t ever see me if that’s how you roll, Babe. I’ll have to bill all hours of the day and night. What the hell do you need to buy?”

  “For your information, it’s something for you! I’m not your little woman asking you for pin money, so you need not worry. If you are done lecturing, let me know what time you want to have lunch, and if I’m available, I’ll pencil you in.”

  I could tell Donovan was grinning. “I’d do anything, give you everything, to have you as mine. Isn’t that enough for you to want to marry me?”

  “Mr. Taylor, you sound like a cheesy Valentine’s Day card. I have to finish playing with the twins if I want to meet you for lunch. See you soon.”

  “With that kind of answer, I don’t know if I’ll be calling you for lunch.” I’d say he was a tad upset, again.

  “Your loss. Love you. Bye.” I hung up.

  “You’re not giving him much wiggle room there, are you?” Jake was feeling sorry for his best friend.

  “I assume Emily told you what I want from Donovan?”

  “She did.” Jake got up and handed James to me so we could walk downstairs together. “You sure I can’t drop a hint?”

  “Don’t! Please, Jake. I need nothing from Donovan. No expensive ring, no fancy wedding – all I want is a heartfelt proposal asking me to be his wife.”

  “Damn! Why are you women all so difficult?”

  Emily loved the bakery I introduced her to, and we hung out at the park with the twins and JR until it was naptime. We hit the jackpot when all three of them fell asleep in their strollers, because it gave us a chance to shop. However, with a double stroller and one Rolls Royce-sized pram, it wasn’t easy getting around.

  We started at the most expensive department store in London, and maybe even the world, where I purchased our bedding and towels. It was an absolute fortune! I couldn’t believe how much I’d spent. As soon as we left the store, I wanted to go back and return everything I’d bought. Emily convinced me to keep the items and said I’d appreciate it every night when I used them. I hoped she was right because I’d spent a sizable chunk of my savings.

  With the kids still asleep, we ventured to Harvey Nichols department store and Emily bought specialty food items and we sat at one of the tables on the top floor and had lattes and a couple of slices of cake.

  “No call from Donovan, yet?”

  “Nope. He must really be mad at me. Should we just eat lunch here? There are a plethora of choices.”

  “Why don’t you text Donovan and make sure.”

  “It’s already past one. I’m sure he’s had lunch already. He has reasons to be upset. I was a brat to him this morning. I’ll text to say I’m sorry. He’s a busy man. No need to have him stewing over our conversation from last night and this morning.”

  I’m sorry I was a total brat this morning. Will you forgive me?

  He didn’t answer back.

  “He’s probably very busy with work.”

  “Yeah. I’m sure he is.” That’s what I told myself and Emily, but I was hurt. “Let’s have a bite to eat before the twins get up.”

  “How about if we do take away, as the British would call it, and take lunch back home for the ladies?”

  I put out a brave smile. “Sounds great.”

  We took the leisurely walk back to Gram’s and my down-in-the-dumps mood brightened when I felt my phone signal a text.

  “I think Donovan is getting back to me.”

  “I knew he would.” Emily was happy for me.

  I cannot meet on Wednesday. Any chance you can have tea now? Michael sent a surprising text.

  Yes, I can meet you today but I’m walking back home from Harrods with Emily and the kids. It’ll take me another half an hour to meet you.

  I’ll pick you up at your house?

  Perfect.

  “Donovan?”

  “No. Michael. He and I were supposed to meet for tea on Wednesday, but he needs to switch it to today, and right now. So I agreed to meet him.”

  “And Donovan knows you’re meeting Michael?”

  “He knew I was meeting him on Wednesday. I’ll le
t him know later about today.”

  We had arrived at home and Aunt Sandy came out to help with the sleeping twins.

  “Mom,” Emily said, “Why don’t we leave them in the stroller? They’re wiped out from the park and it’s too hard to transfer them to the fourth floor.”

  “All right. I’ll leave the stroller in the library and keep the door open.”

  “You need help?” Mom came to us with Gram following.

  “We’re OK.” Aunt Sandy called.

  “Duch...” Michael started calling me by his term of endearment for me, then stopped. “Laney.” He greeted me with a sweet smile.

  Meeting him halfway, I gave him a big hug. “Hi Michael. I’m glad we can meet today.”

  “Me too.”

  “Michael Bennington, I presume?” Gram interrupted us.

  “Sorry, Gram. Let me introduce Michael to everyone.” I started with Gram. “This is my grandmother, Estelle Reid Ascot, my mom, Barbara Reid, and my aunt, Sandy Reid, and you’ve met Emily.”

  Everyone greeted each other.

  “I believe you know my grandfather, Harry Bennington?” Michael spoke to Gram.

  “We sure do know each other.” Gram had a devilish glint.

  “He said you were one unforgettable woman.” Michael had that same playful tone.

  Gram cackled. “You tell that Harry to come and say hello when he’s back in Belgravia. I assume His Grace is out at his summer home?”

  “He is and you would be most welcomed to visit...preferably without Sir Ascot.” Michael and Gram both laughed. Obviously there was something going on here that the rest of us were not privy to at this very moment.

  “It’s good to meet you, Michael. I’m glad to see that you’ve grown into a fine young man. You tell your grandfather to call me personally if he wants to see me.”

  “I will. It was wonderful meeting you, too.” Michael finished with Gram and spoke to Mom. “Your daughter has been a fabulous friend to me and my sister and I’m heartbroken we are no longer together. I’m hoping to change my status back from friend to boyfriend.” His elfin grin was back.

  “Let’s go.” I dragged him away from my family. “We are off to tea. I’ll see you all in a few hours.”

  Before I left, Emily asked, “You want me to ask Mrs. Haines to take care of your purchases?”

  “Can you just ask her to start the wash and I’ll finish it?”

  “Sure. Good-bye, Michael.”

  “Nice to see you again, Emily.”

  The initial few minutes of our walk were uncomfortable, but if we were to be friends again, we needed to start somewhere.

  “What was that about my grandmother and your grandfather?”

  Michael chuckled. “Grandfather finally confessed that the reasons he didn’t like you in the beginning wasn’t so much because you were American, but because you were Estelle’s granddaughter. He said it was history repeating itself.”

  “Explain.”

  “Future Duke, Harry Bennington, was wildly in love with a young Estelle Cowper and courted her with zeal. My grandfather knew he’d found his duchess. Your great grandfather and my great grandfather had practically set the wedding date when a nobody named Jerry Reid came along and snagged your grandmother’s heart. Grandfather was heartbroken, but worse, his pride was hurt, so he just sat and ignored the situation. Harry Bennington, being the pompous man that he was, refused to chase after your grandmother. He figured once her fanciful dreaming was done, his Estelle would come back to reality and become his duchess. But alas, she never did, and he never forgave or forgot her.”

  This story was a little too reminiscent of our triangle right now. “My grandmother was quite a popular lady. Look at her and Grandfather Roland.”

  “Ah yes. We can’t forget Sir Roland. After your grandfather passed away, Harry Bennington decided to court Estelle Cowper Reid, but once again, he was too late. He waited too long to come around to forgiving your grandmother for leaving him the first time. By the time he swallowed his pride, your grandmother was already seeing Sir Roland.”

  I giggled. “So that’s why he took an immediate dislike to me. When did he tell you this story?”

  “Right after you broke up with me in Florence. Our stories are eerily alike, don’t you think?”

  “They are, and I need you to know that even if my relationship with Donovan fails, I won’t come back to you.” Shoot! By the look on his face, I’d hurt Michael again. “I know this sounds like a cliché, but it’s not you, Michael. It’s all me.”

  “Laney. I don’t want to hold onto the same regrets my grandfather has had his entire life. I need to give it my best effort to win you back, and if I fail, then so be it. At least I won’t have any regrets when I’m eighty.”

  “Michael.” Perhaps Donovan was right. This get-together with Michael wasn’t a good choice. “Don’t waste your time on me. There is someone out there who will make you the most wonderful duchess. I’m sorry I gave you false hope the past couple of months. It wasn’t fair to you, and I feel terribly toward your family because they’ve been so good to me. Though I’m sad that Ruby has chosen not to be my friend anymore, I understand.”

  “Oh. Bloody hell. Rubes told me to tell you she’s not upset.”

  “What? How come she hasn’t answered any of my calls and texts?”

  “She kind of ended up on this crazy cruise to the Arctic and didn’t take her phone. Between not having phone reception and you changing your number, she hasn’t been able to get a hold of you. She comes home soon. She’ll call you when she’s home.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? I was so sad.”

  “You were sad that you would no longer be with my sister, but it doesn’t faze you not to be with me?”

  “Of course it does. I can’t begin to tell you how much it hurts me to see you hurt. There’s no good reason for me to do this to you.”

  “Then don’t do this.” He pleaded. “Come back. Let’s try again and see where this may lead. If in a few months time, you can’t forget Donovan, I’ll let you go. Please, Duchess. Help me not regret the rest of my life. I can’t let you go.”

  “Michael.” My mind ran back and forth trying to figure out how best to tell him that Donovan was my forever and only love. “It’s been thirteen years and I haven’t forgotten Donovan. I don’t think a few months will make a difference...even with you. I’m sorry.”

  Michael was hurt, yet he didn’t look defeated.

  The rest of tea was talk of his time at his grandfather’s home, and what he was planning on doing with some of their estate renovations. Michael walked me back home and we said our good-byes in front of the flat.

  “I’ll see you again when Rubes gets here?”

  “We can see each other again, as friends.”

  “Good-bye, Duchess.” He smiled and playfully stole a kiss from me.

  I started laughing at his mischievousness until I heard someone yelling, “What the fuck!” Then I cringed because I knew who this someone was, and why he was yelling.

  SHIT! Why me and why now?

  “Why the fuck is Michael kissing you, and why the fuck did you let him?” I got angry-Donovan, again.

  “It was done in jest, Donovan. He didn’t mean anything by it and he took me by surprise. I didn’t know he was going to do that, and it wasn’t like I kissed him back.” I sighed. This jealousy bit was cute at first, but now it was getting old.

  “What would you have done if Kate had kissed me?”

  With the most serious face I could produce, I answered, “Beat the shit out of her.”

  Donovan didn’t know how to respond to my answer; he was dumbfounded. Then he busted up in the middle of the street and had to hold on to the railing to keep from falling like a drunken man.

  “You!” He pulled my body into his. “You are in serious trouble with me for...”

  “For...?” I challenged him.

  “A) Goi
ng out with another man. B) Allowing another man to kiss you. C) Being a smart ass with me. Are those good enough reasons?”

  “Whatcha’ gonna do with me?” This time, I tried my best devil-may-care attitude.

  “Oh-ho! Now role-playing a sassy girl?” This playful, teasing-Donovan was one of my favorites. “We’ll have to try a few more roles, tonight, or whenever I can get off work.”

  “Why are you here in the middle of the afternoon?”

  “Well, my girlfriend wouldn’t answer her phone so I had to leave the office to come find her.”

  “I guess I left my phone in the shopping bag.”

  “Have you had lunch?” he asked apologetically.

  “Yeah.” I grumbled. “I was so hungry for a lunch date, I took the first invitation that came my way. I did text and apologize for my attitude this morning.”

  Donovan started kissing me on the street – nothing extreme. “I got it, and I’m sorry about lunch and the lack of response. I was in a meeting and couldn’t exactly ask these potential buyers to stop talking so I could answer my girlfriend’s text.”

  “I figured you were either being your usual petty self and were pissed with me, or busy. The former was a more likely explanation.” I giggled.

  “You’re in a hell of a cheeky mood today. What’s got you so brazen, and what can I do with this smart mouth of yours?”

  “I don’t know what you’ll do, but let me show you where you can do it.” The saucy attitude continued.

  I quickly rushed him up two flights of stairs and took him to our new bedroom. Of course he had no idea what he was looking at since none of his belongings were evident. Mrs. Haines, or Emily, had already washed our bedding and placed it on the bed and the new towels were laid out in the bathroom.

  I dragged a bewildered Donovan to the closet and had him open it.

  “Voila!” I announced proudly and happily.

  “Are these all mine?” The crazy man actually doubted.

  “You know any other man, not royalty, with 100 designer suits? Eleanor Estes could write a novel about you.”

  “So…” He was still a bit unsure. I didn’t know why. It was as clear as day that I had set up this room for him. “You made a room for me on the same floor as you?”