by M A Comley
“Quite right,” his mother interjected.
Matthew shot a warning glance at his mother, and Lucy shuddered a little. The change in him was unsettling to say the least. She’d never seen this side of him before. She’d only ever seen the charming, devoted, happy Matthew. What the hell is going on here?
“Don’t do this, you two, not in front of a guest,” Arnold’s voice cut through the icy atmosphere.
Neither Matthew nor his mother apologised. Thankfully, the maid reappeared and announced that dinner was served.
“Thank you. Shall we go through to the dining room?” Cynthia smoothed the creases out of her velvet skirt as she rose.
Arnold accompanied his wife, and Matthew remained seated.
Lucy was unsure what to say or do next. “Are you going to tell me what that was all about?”
He kissed her on the lips. “Mother’s inimitable way of digging deep, trying to get to know someone quickly. Well, she can pack it in. I’ve had enough of her grilling you for one day. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“It’s fine. I expected a certain amount of questions, Matthew. It’s only right she should be curious about me.”
“You know what they say, curiosity killed the cat.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Seriously? Why are you so upset about this?”
He shuddered out a long sigh. “The truth?”
“Yes, the truth.”
“Mother is notorious for grilling the girls I bring home, never for them to return.”
“What? She scares them off, is that what you’re saying?”
“Yes.” His head dipped.
She placed a finger under his chin and raised it so their eyes met. “I promise you, I’m made of strong stuff. She won’t scare me off, got that?” She hugged him and kissed his cheek. “Idiot. This is about you and me, not those around us. More fool your other girlfriends for allowing her to get under their skin.”
“You’re amazing. The way you manage to see through people so quickly.”
“Years of experience. I’m aware of the masks some people choose to hide behind.”
“You are? May I ask what you’re referring to?”
“I’ll tell you later. We should go. I wouldn’t want to give your mother further ammunition to have a pop at me.”
He rose and held out a hand for her to take.
She smiled up at him. “Why, thank you, kind sir. Please, don’t ever let that smile slip again, I hate it when it does.”
“I promise. I shouldn’t have let you witness that side of me. Let’s just say that sometimes Mother brings out the worst in me.”
“Then you need to develop a shield against that. I didn’t like what I saw.”
He gasped. “It wasn’t intentional. Years of frustration welling up, that’s all. I love my mother dearly, but sometimes I don’t like her and what she stands for. If that makes sense? Actually, later, we need to discuss what I mentioned earlier about starting you up in your own travel agent’s.”
She shook her head. “I’m not about to change my mind on that, Matthew. I love you for who you are, not for what I can get out of you. Am I making myself clear?”
“Perfectly. However, if it’s something I want to do, then surely…”
She wagged a finger and turned to leave the drawing room. “End of discussion. Your parents are waiting for us.”
He trotted up behind her. “Umm…I’d better lead the way, otherwise you’re likely to find yourself stumbling around in a maze. I’ll give you a guided tour after dinner if you like?”
“I’d love that. I’ve always been eager to see how the other half live.”
He sniggered. “We do okay. I prefer living in my humble abode, though.”
“Which is where?” She slotted her arm through his.
“You passed it on the way in, the little gatehouse.”
“Wow! Really? That place is so intriguing. I wouldn’t mind a guided tour around that later.”
He winked. “The master bedroom is the piece de resistance.”
She slapped his upper arm. “Cheeky.”
As they entered the dining room, they were still giggling. His mother shot them a wary glance while his father seemed at peace with the way Lucy and Matthew were with each other. They took their seats on opposite sides of the table. Was that another intentional ploy by his mother to put distance between them?
Three members of staff entered and served the meal. They were about to start eating when Jake walked in. Lucy’s heart sank, although she was wise enough not to let it show and kept her smile firmly in place.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Lucy. How are you?”
Jake sat next to her. She sighed inwardly, and her stomach clenched into a painful knot of discomfort. “Hello, Jake, I’m well, and you?”
“I can’t grumble. It’s been a good week at work. We secured a massive deal.”
“Jake, I’ve warned you about discussing business in front of guests at the dinner table,” his mother cautioned.
“That’s all I was going to say, Mother, I promise.”
“Good, let’s keep it that way. Bon appetite, everyone. I hope you like salmon, Lucy?”
“I do, it’s my favourite fish, thank you. It looks delicious. Do you have a personal chef?”
Cynthia laughed. “Yes, I’m afraid my cooking skills aren’t up to par, not where entertaining is concerned. Do you cook?”
She smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’ve always enjoyed cooking.”
“I can vouch for that. The picnic she supplied the other day was amazing,” Jake said.
Lucy turned to look at him. His expression unreadable, she couldn’t tell if he was mocking her or not. He knew the food she’d supplied had come out of packets. She’d been open with Jake and Matthew about that. What’s going on?
“Sadly, time didn’t permit me to create that sumptuous spread, Jake. I thought I mentioned that on the day, didn’t I?”
“Yes, she did. It was still divine, and you put it together with love, which meant more than anything to me,” Matthew piped up.
“Ah yes, you did say. Sorry, I totally forgot that for a moment there. You’ll have to invite us round to your house for a family meal soon then, won’t you? You know, to show off the cooking skills you’re so proud of.”
She put down her knife and raised a finger. “As much as I’d like to, I don’t think it would be appropriate as I’m house-sharing with a friend at present. Maybe when I get my own place, yes?”
“And when is that likely to be?” Cynthia was quick to ask.
“Mother, give her a break, you’re aware of what’s happened this week.”
“Yes, of course, forgive me, Lucy.”
“I’m not aware,” Jake exclaimed. “Care to fill me in?”
“I will later, not now,” Matthew jumped in.
The rest of the meal consisted of minor small talk centred around the family’s recent activities which didn’t involve work. From what she could gather, they all led very active social lives. Lucy felt exhausted just listening to them. After an exquisite chocolate fondant dessert which was to die for, they retired to the lounge, or drawing room as Cynthia preferred to call it, for after dinner drinks.
It was all rather grown up. She didn’t feel out of her comfort zone until half an hour later when Matthew did something that left her speechless.
They were standing next to the piano, his father expertly tinkling the ivories, entertaining them all. Matthew suddenly slumped to his knee beside her. At first she’d thought he’d dropped something on the floor and got down to search for it. Realising what was going on, she gasped.
“Lucy Brent, the love of my life, will you do me the honour of marrying me?”
Her eyes misted up, and her heart skipped several beats. Everyone else in the room drifted into the background, her attention fully on Matthew and his handsome face, etched with expectation. She hadn’t even noticed the rock of a ring he was holding in his hand, until now.
&
nbsp; “Really? Oh, Matthew, I truly don’t know what to say.”
“Yes, would be good.” He chuckled.
She placed a hand on either side of his face and kissed him. “Yes, a thousand times over, yes.”
Matthew slipped the ring on her finger. It was the perfect fit, and then he rose to his feet again.
“Congratulations!” His father came forward and kissed her.
Her gaze drifted over his shoulder to Matthew’s mother. Her stare was intense, to the point it narrowed her eyes.
Her father stepped back, allowing his wife to approach them.
She turned to Matthew and kissed his cheek, then she placed her hands on Lucy’s shoulders and kissed her, too. “Well, this is a surprise. Are you sure it’s not too soon?” she asked her son.
“My head and my heart are both saying otherwise, Mother. I’m glad you’re happy for us both.”
“I am. Have you decided on a date yet?” Her smile seemed genuine enough towards Matthew, and yet it appeared to alter when she turned to face Lucy.
“Give us a break, I’ve only just asked Lucy. You could see how surprised she was.”
“Weren’t you expecting it, Lucy?” his mother asked in a sickly sweet tone.
“No, this has come as an utter shock to me.”
“And yet you accepted without faltering,” his mother added.
What was that supposed to mean? “I love Matthew. Yes, it’s only been a while since we met, but, well, we’ve been inseparable since that first meeting. I think that counts for something, don’t you?”
“Yes, I’ve heard Matt has been distracted at work recently,” his mother bit back sharply.
“What? Who said that?” Matthew demanded to know.
His mother waved his question away. “I have my sources.” She held out an arm for Lucy to slip hers into. “We won’t be long, boys. Time for a girlie chat. Come along, dear.”
Panic filled every nerve ending, and Lucy glanced over her shoulder at Matthew as his mother tugged on her arm and led her out of the room and into a grand study. She deposited Lucy in one of the studded dark-brown leather chairs and then sat daintily in the other chair.
“Now then, we’re going to need to put our heads together over the coming months.”
“Regarding the wedding arrangements?”
“Yes, that’s right. I’ll sort everything. There are certain standards we’ll need to maintain, after all.”
“I’m not adverse to you lending a hand, although I think the majority of the decisions should be made initially by Matthew and myself.”
Cynthia’s eyes bulged. “I disagree. As I’ve already stated, we have certain standards we need to adhere to. A history to uphold.”
“I don’t doubt that, that’s where I’m going to need your guidance. Please, I don’t mean to be rude, all this has come as a shock to me. Matthew has never even mentioned the M word, not until five minutes ago. I love him, and we’ll do what’s right for everyone, I’m sure.”
“I understand. My greatest fear is that you’ll exclude us.”
“Exclude you? Why would we want to do that?”
“I don’t know. Youngsters of today have a tendency to want to elope to Gretna Green for some reason.”
Lucy laughed. “Not me, I can assure you. Please, bear with us. We need to sit down and have a serious chat ourselves first, and then we’ll include you in our plans, if that’s what you want?”
“I do. It’s my forte, you see. Putting on extravagant functions for our friends and relatives to attend. Will you have many to invite on your side? I’ll need the numbers fairly soon.”
“Fairly soon? And no, there will just be a few friends I’d like to invite. I have no family to speak of, now that my parents are no longer with us.”
She gasped. “Then who will give you away?”
Lucy inhaled a large breath and shook her head slowly. “I don’t know is the truthful answer.”
“Oh dear. Well, I’m sure we’ll overcome that nearer the time.”
“Can we rejoin the others now?”
“May I ask why? I thought we were discussing the arrangements.”
Lucy resisted the temptation to roll her eyes. Cynthia was coming on stronger than she could imagine now, and she was at a loss how to combat her overenthusiastic nature. She didn’t know whether to be pleased at her taking an interest in the wedding or offended that she wanted to do things all her own way. “I’d prefer to leave all this until I’ve got used to the idea.”
Cynthia launched herself out of the chair and stormed towards the door. “Very well, come on then.”
Lucy marched after her. They both entered the drawing room under the watchful gaze of the men. That was when Cynthia switched back to doting mother mode. Lucy took a leaf out of Cynthia’s book and smiled broadly as she sashayed her way across the room to her new fiancé.
Matthew kissed her gently on the cheek and whispered, “You survived then?”
“Only just,” she whispered back. “Why did you ask me tonight?”
“I couldn’t wait any longer. I love you, Lucy, and wanted to let everyone present know how much.”
“It was a grand gesture. Shocked everyone, including me.”
He rested his head against hers. “You could have turned me down.”
“No way. Wow, what a week this has been, truly memorable in so many ways.”
“I wanted to take all the angst and pain away. I hope I’ve succeeded?”
“You definitely have. I love you so much, Matthew. Your mother asked when the wedding is likely to be. I couldn’t answer that.”
“The sooner, the better for me. Mother is likely to object to that, but if you’re up for it, we can sort out some of the arrangements ourselves.”
“I’m more than up for that. I don’t think your mother will be too happy about it, though.”
“We’ll discuss it later. All I wanted was to put a smile on that gorgeous face of yours and I think I’ve succeeded in doing that this evening. You’re the reason I get up in the morning and why I go to bed every night with a smile on my face.”
“You’re so charming. Thank you for coming into my life the way you did. You’ve turned it upside down in a few short weeks and made me extremely happy. A happiness has draped itself around me which I never knew existed until now. I’ll always be grateful to you for showing me that.”
“You can show me how grateful later.”
She frowned.
“When I show you around the gatehouse. I’d like you to stay over, if it’s what you want?”
Her heart thundered. “More than anything.”
Jake appeared beside them. Lucy wondered if he’d been eavesdropping in on their conversation.
“What are you two talking about?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know? Always been a nosey parker, haven’t you, bro?”
“Actually, I was going to offer my services as best man.” Jake grinned at his brother.
“Hold that thought,” Cynthia interrupted. “Lucy might need you to give her away yet, Jake. Males are sorely unrepresented on her side of the family.”
Lucy’s mouth gaped open.
Matthew shook his head. “Now, Mother, it’s not up to you to decide who gives my future wife away. She should be the one to make that decision.”
“A huge decision like that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I’ll get back to you, if that’s okay, Jake?” Lucy said, not bearing to look at him.
He shrugged. “Suits me. I have other duties to perform anyway, right, bro?”
“You seem pretty confident I’m going to ask you to be best man. I haven’t even thought that far down the road yet. I’ll be in touch.”
“Whatever,” Jake replied and stormed out of the room.
“Was that necessary, Matthew?” Cynthia chastised, using his full name.
“Yes, he occasionally needs bringing back down to earth. He’s fine. He knows it’s a no-brainer and that I’ll have him as my best man. Chill,
Mother.”
“Hmm…I can see this wedding being trouble with a capital T,” his mother stated quietly.
The atmosphere had become chilled again.
“I need the loo,” Lucy whispered, conscious she’d leave a puddle if she didn’t go soon.
Matthew excused them and escorted her from the room. He gestured to a downstairs toilet. “Can you make your own way back? I need to have a word with Mother.”
“Sure. Don’t be too hard on her, Matthew.”
“I won’t. See you soon.”
He walked away, and she opened the door to a powder room the size of Trisha’s kitchen. After spending a penny, she washed her hands with the soap and then used the moisturiser. She studied herself in the ornate mirror in the shape of a sun with its extended rays. What a day it has been. One I’ll never forget. Her biggest regret was not being able to share the news of her engagement with the ones nearest to her. They were all gone now. She only had Trisha left. Lucy reached for her mobile and dialled home. There was no answer, and she realised halfway through the call that Trisha had mentioned something about going over to Neil’s tonight. Therefore, there was no excuse for her not to spend the night at Matthew’s with him. A flash of what lay ahead of her coloured her cheeks. If only she didn’t have makeup on. She would have doused her face with water.
After running a comb through her hair, which didn’t really need it, she opened the door and left the toilet. During the walk back up the marbled hallway, she had a feeling someone was following her. She peered over her shoulder and found Jake barely three feet from her.
“Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
“You weren’t supposed to,” he muttered, his eyes narrowed into tiny slits.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Have I done something wrong, Jake?”
“The day you started seeing Matt, is the day you’re going to regret, lady.”
“What? Explain yourself.”
“I don’t need to say more, the warning should be enough. Just ask the other girls. They took heed of the warnings I dished out. You will, too, if you know what’s good for you.”
“Are you telling me you drove all Matthew’s previous girlfriends away? Why?”
