Roman had had three of his estate workers clearing the burnt wood and things so that all was left were the old walls. As they inspected the walls Bella joined them and was warmly congratulated on her pregnancy. Charlie handed out hard hats, muttering about health and safety and they went into the hollow shell. Roman and Bella waited while Mark and Charlie went round examining the internal walls, with Charlie jotting down notes in a little book he’d pulled out of his pocket. At one point he went out to his pickup to collect a pickaxe, which he used to pull up some of the old flags on the floor. The two men knelt down and examined the hole discussing it in great detail, causing Bella to become anxious, until finally they stood up and joined her and Roman.
“Well,” Charlie began, “those old walls are still solid and they were built on solid foundations, unusual for when they were built. We’ll be able to put a good damp proof course in by lifting the old flags and digging down.”
“So it’s a go with the plans as they stand?” Roman asked.
“Yes, at the moment. There may need to be a few changes but nothing major.” Mark told him.
“Will it be possible to reuse the old flags in places like the kitchen and utility room?” Bella asked.
“Hopefully, they should come up comparatively easily.” Charlie replied.
“Fantastic,” Bella said. “Well I’ll leave you to thrash out the details, you’re welcome to a hot drink before you go.”
Thanks,” Charlie said, “tea always makes builders work better.”
She smiled at him and took herself back into the cottage to finish her packing for London.
Chapter 21
They got away as early as they could the next morning, considering Bella’s morning sickness, and the drive to London along A roads went comparatively easily. Roman insisted on stopping for coffee at a nice pub he knew and again at twelve thirty for lunch. He didn’t want Bella to be too exhausted to enjoy the party.
When they arrived they found Lydia and Edward busy in the kitchen preparing the party buffet. After hugs and kisses all round they sat looking out over the garden enjoying a cup of coffee while Roman told them that they were expecting a baby. They were delighted at the news especially when they saw how happy he was about it.
“Bit of a surprise,” Edward said.
Roman laughed “For me too.”
Lydia looked at Bella quizzically”Didn’t you know?”
“Well, I have had my suspicions but as I was on the pill, I couldn’t see how I could be pregnant. Initially I thought I was just a bit off colour after the pneumonia.”
“The pill isn’t always a 100% is it?”
“No, but evidently it was the antibiotics I was on that made it less than efficient.”
“I didn’t know that.” Edward said.
“Neither did we!” Roman grinned. “But, you know, it’s worked out well. What with the estate, The Manor and Bella’s business we may have waited but this way nature made the decision for us.”
Edward looked at Lydia and raised his eyebrows, obviously they’d been having a discussion about when would be the right time for them.
Bella changed the subject “Is there anything I can do to help you get ready for this evening?”
“Thank you, but most of the food is sorted. Roman could help Edward move furniture etc. to make more space but why don’t you go and have a rest, then a nice pamper session before you get dressed for the party. That’s what I intend to do.” Lydia told her.
“Well if you’re sure, I must admit I do feel sleepy.”
“I’m sure, you know where you are staying so go on up.”
Roman carried their bags upstairs, then, leaving Bella lying on the bed went back down to the kitchen.
“Thanks for that Lydia,” he said, “she was up at the crack of dawn, throwing up, and it’s been an emotional week for her.” Then he went on to tell them about Lucy and her mother, leaving out the treasure trove of course, but saying that he was taking Bella to see her mother at the end of the week.
“I didn’t know she’d had such a hard childhood,” Lydia said, “she’s got such a bubbly personality.”
“Hard won, I’m afraid,” Roman told her.
“Then I admire her even more.”
“When that rat threw her out of his flat, she had nothing, no one to turn to or any money, she sold nearly everything she had, bought a rattle trap of a van and drove down to Dartmoor not knowing what lay ahead of her. I had to fight her every inch of the way to accept any help off me or anyone else.”
Lydia said “I thought I was tough, but I always had a loving family to run home to.”
Edward nodded “If you’ve got a close knit family it’s hard to imagine not having one.
“Well she’s got me now and we’re starting our own family.”
Edward slapped him on the back and said “I reckon the two of you’ll make great parents.”
Lydia was just finishing off some little crostini and said “When I’ve done this I’m going up to have a rest, so I’ll leave you two to move the furniture around.”
“Right boss,” Edward grinned, “come on Roman let’s go see if we can make some room for dancing.”
* * *
Bella woke with a start, at first not knowing where she was. Then as her sleepy eyes cleared she remembered that she was in the London house. Looking at the clock on the bedside table she was shocked when it read ten to six. No, it couldn’t be.
As she sat up woozily, the bedroom door opened and Roman entered carrying a tray containing two cups of coffee and a plate of crackers. “Good you’re awake. I didn’t want to have to wake you but it’s nearly six and people will start arriving at seven thirty.”
“Gosh, I must have slept for hours.”
“No, only a couple but it seemed to be a deep sleep. How do you feel?”
“Fine, I hadn’t realised I was so tired.”
“Here drink your coffee and these little crackers are great. I stole them from the party food.”
She laughed and helped herself “Lydia will have your guts for garters.”
“I know, don’t tell her, she frightens me.”
“She’s an awe inspiring woman, I really like her.”
“Good, because I was thinking of asking her and Edward to be godparents, if it’s alright with you.”
“A bit early to say anything, but yes I think they’d be great godparents.”
They drank the coffee and cleared the plate of crackers, then Bella had first shower, refusing to let Roman join her as she knew the inevitable would happen and she’d have to rush to get ready for the party. Roman grumbled but left her alone to wash her hair and shower. As she soaped herself she ran her hands over her stomach, tenderly rubbing the tiny mound where her baby lay.
“I promise to love you and care for you forever,” she murmured suddenly feeling a surge of protectiveness and love.
Surprised at her emotions she laughed and shook her head, then rinsed off the soap. With one towel round her head and another round her body she went through to the bedroom, to find Roman lying at ease on the bed.
“The showers all yours,” she said as she started to rigorously rub her hair dry.
“I’d much rather stay here and watch,” he grinned.
“Scoot! It’s going to take me ages to dry my hair so get out of my way.”
Shaking his head he climbed off the bed grumbling, “I hope this isn’t the downward slope my friends have all warned me about.”
“Strange how they’ve all got at least two or three children.”
He laughed and left her in peace to dry her hair. She took extra care with it and her makeup, taking the time to curl her hair into long ringlets, instead of the wild mess of curls it usually was. She gathered the sides up and pinned them back
with dainty diamante combs, to show off the beautiful earrings Roman had bought her. She didn’t usually wear much makeup but today she used some eyeshadow and mascara and brushed her face with magic minerals to make it glow even more. Daringly she used a red lipstick to compliment her dress, then she slipped on a new lace bra and tiny lace shorts. Roman came back into the room as she was spraying herself with perfume and his breath caught in his throat as she turned towards him. She looked amazing, her clear honey coloured skin seemed to glow with health. Self consciously she’d put a hand over her stomach and his heart leapt as he surveyed the mother of his child. Biting her lip she said “I think I’m beginning to show, I hope my new dress looks alright.”
He approached her the look of awe in his eyes turning to to love “You look so beautiful,” then he held her gently in his arms and kissed her.
As he let her go, although all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and make love to her, she said “Would you help me with my dress and necklace.”
He held the dress for her to step into and eased it up her body, pure will power stopping him from kissing or caressing her stomach or breasts. It slid easily over her bump and settled over her hips as he helped her into the shoulder straps. Then he zipped it up and stood back shaking his head.
“What?” Bella said twirling around in front of the mirror.
“Nothing, you just take my breath away.”
Biting her lip she handed him the necklace and he fastened it, then he leaned in and kissed the sensitive spot at the side of her neck. “I’m so looking forward to taking this off later,” he whispered, his breath tickling her as she shivered under his touch.”
Then he turned away and dropped his towel as he searched for a pair of boxers in his bag and it was her turn to admire his taut buttocks, slim waist and muscular shoulders. As he pulled on a pair of neat chinos he turned to her and asked “Which shirt do you prefer?”
She sashayed over to him and rubbed her hands over the tight plains if his chest, then over his flat stomach following the narrow trail of dark hair downwards until he grabbed her hands and growled “Not fair, be careful Bella or we’ll be late for the party.”
She giggled and turned away as he reluctantly let go of her hands “Either of those shirts look great on you and you know it.”
He grinned and picked up the short sleeved one in a fine country check. “I’ll wear this then, it’s suddenly become very hot in here.”
They walked down to the kitchen to find Lydia looking lovely, in a tight black sheath dress that showed off her curves, and Edward dressed in similar fashion to Roman.
“A drink is called for,” Edward said, “to toast the happy expectant parents,” and he opened a bottle of champagne, while Lydia brought a drink over for Bella.
“It’s only Schloer, non alcoholic but looks like a sweet white wine. So much better than orange juice or coke as it stops people telling you to have a `real` drink.”
“Thank you for thinking of that,” Bella said taking the glass.
Edward poured out the champagne and they all raised their glasses as he said “To happiness.”
Bella sipped her drink which she found palatable but a little sweet for her taste, then the doorbell rang and Lydia said “Here we go,” as Edward went to open the door and the others moved into the living room
Half an hour later the house was full of people, soft music was playing and Bella was in the kitchen helping Lydia put the final touches to the buffet. She’d lost sight of Roman who was helping Edward to hand out drinks and keep glasses filled, but she felt content as she worked; Lydias and Edward’s friends all seemed to be lovely and interesting people and the atmosphere in the house was relaxed and cheerful, unlike the parties she’d gone to with Gervaise where one upmanship was the order of the evening.
“Well that’s that,” Lydia said as she put the finishing touches to a plate of king prawns, “does it look alright?”
“It all looks fabulous, you’re a great cook,” Bella said, as she washed her hands under the tap.
Lydia handed her a towel and said “Right let’s go join the party.”
Terry and the rest of the band had arrived and as soon as he saw Bella he grabbed her “Beautiful Bella come dance with me,” he said as he pulled her into the middle of the room, adding, “there’s a song in there somewhere I think.”
As they danced he was humming under his breath as he chased the lyrics of a new song, and she was laughing at his corny lines. Then he twirled her too fast and she lost contact with his hand and started to fall. Strong hands held her and she laughed breathlessly as Roman hugged her to him. Through her laughter and the inevitable banter between Roman and Terry she heard a voice drawl “Making a show of yourself again. I would have thought you’d have learned to drink less by now, Isabella.”
When she looked in the direction of the voice she couldn’t believe her eyes as she looked straight into Gervaise’ contemptuous gaze. As she stiffened in his arms Roman turned round to see who she was looking at. The room had gone quiet, all the guests embarrassed by what Gervaise had said. However before he could react Edward had pushed through the crowd and was surveying Gervaise with a very dangerous glint in his eye.
“Who the hell are you?” he demanded.
Gervaise simply sneered at him and said “Gervaise Loveday, and who the hell are you?
“I’m the owner of this house and the host of this party. I‘ve never seen you before in my life and certainly not invited you to my party, so I advise you to get out before I throw you out.”
“Don’t worry we’re going,” a voice which Bella recognised as Christine’s said, “we don’t mix with sluts.”
A very slim harassed looking young man stepped between Edward and Gervaise “They are with me, I told you I was taking on a new partner and this is her, Christine Loveday.”
“Well Sebastian, good luck with that, I’d have thought you’d have more sense than to get mixed up with the likes of them.”
“How dare you, don’t you know who I am?” Christine said.
Bella had had enough by now and pulled out of Roman’s grip “I know very well who you are Christine, a rich bitch who had to buy herself a husband.”
Christine rounded on her “And you are a shameless slut who sponged off him for years.”
Bella actually laughed “Is that what he told you? If I hadn’t helped him with presentations and speeches he’d still be an office boy. It was the money I’d earned from my business, which he insisted I give up by the way, that kept us afloat until he could toady his way up the ladder. Then when he realised he’d get no further he latched onto you, a cold frigid bitch. Have you bought him that yacht you dangled under his nose?”
Christine lunged forward to hit her but Roman was too fast catching her hand in his large hard one. “No you don’t,”he said.
While he was busy with her Gervaise had swung a fist at his head, which caught him on the ear, growling he turned and with one blow laid Gervaise out. Christine screamed and tried to kick him but Bella pushed her out of the way and she ended up sitting next to a comatose Gervaise screaming her head off.
Lydia bent over Gervaise and said “He’s out cold, someone get me some water please.”
“Here let me,” Terry said as he tipped a full pint of beer over Gervaise’ head splashing Christine as well.
Sputtering Gervaise came to, as Christine turned on him saying “Call yourself a man, look what these animals have done to me.”
Gervaise blew out a breath and said “Enough, I’ve had enough of your nagging complaining and penny pinching, never mind your frigidity, I’m finished,” and he climbed to his feet, shot a wary look at Roman and hurried out.
“I’ll ‘ave the police on you for assault,” Christine shrieked forgetting her `posh` voice.
“I suggest you crawl back u
nder whatever stone you crawled out of,” Lydia said, “there’s a hundred people here who will tell the truth, that both you and that slimebag husband of yours were the instigators, all we saw were two dear friends protecting themselves.” There were nods and sounds of agreement from everybody.
Christine climbed to her feet and glared at Bella, “I won’t forget this,” she warned as she turned to go.
As she stormed out conversation started up again, everyone shocked at what had happened. Sebastian, who had brought Gervaise and Christine, approached Edward to apologise. “I’m so sorry,” he said, “I had no idea they were like that.”
“I hope you haven’t tied yourself up with them completely,” Edward said.
“No, thank god, we were signing the final papers on Monday,” he sighed, “looks like I’ll have to find a new partner.”
“I think you’d be wise to.”
* * *
They lingered over breakfast the next morning, talking about the events of the night before.
I had a very long talk with Sebastian before he left,” Edward said, “as you know his business has been expanding fast over recent years and he now has ten shops and is planning on opening more.”
“What does he do?” Bella asked.
“Wine, for one so young he’s got an amazing amount of knowledge. He travels all over the world sourcing really good, but little known in this country, wine and he’s just bought some land to start his own vineyard in Devon.” Edward told her, “I knew he was looking for investors but how he got mixed up with that couple is a mystery.”
“He had a lucky escape, she’s a hard hearted bitch.”
Edward looked at her in surprise “That’s not like you Bella.”
Bella grimaced, “I know, sorry, but you know, Gervaise is her third husband, the first, William, was a lovely chap; sold high end cars and had just opened his fifth outlet when she left him, citing emotional cruelty, and all but left him penniless. Then she moved on to Jack, who had a string of hotels and did the same. Evidently, from what a friend of Jacks told me, the emotional cruelty was him expecting her to sleep with him. Then she inherited more money when her father died, he was a cigarette manufacturer, and she set her sights on Gervaise.”
The Wishing Well Page 23
