Enlightened (Untwisted Series Book 4)

by Alice Raine

  My eyebrows rose at this news – Nicholas and Nathan, both a little awkward in company and prone to being rather blunt, would be greeting my nearest and dearest … God, it almost didn’t bear to think about!

  An hour and ten minutes later and I was more primped than I had ever been in my entire life. Getting ready for a night out never took me longer than half an hour, but today I’d been subjected to curling tongs, a bronzer brush, eyelash curling … you name it, I’d had it! My stipulation had been to keep it simple, and although I’d been fussed over for over an hour, I had to say I was thrilled with the outcome. Light, natural make-up which emphasised my eyes, a classic up-do for my hair with several expertly curled strands hanging loose, and a light touch of gloss on my lips. I looked stylish, but down to earth, which was very me. In other words – perfect.

  ‘Okay. Now for the gown!’ Mum cooed happily, sweeping in with the huge white bag hung over her arm. Luckily I could step into the dress, so my hair and make-up could remain un-harmed. This hadn’t been a deliberate factor when choosing, but it was working out rather well now.

  After Stella and Louise had finished pulling me about as they faffed with tightening the multitude of laces on the rear of the bodice – those lesson’s in the bridal shop had obviously paid off – I felt utterly snug as they finally released me as Mum dragged in the floor length mirror from the hall. Turning around I got the first look at myself done up to the nines, and upon hearing Mum’s sob next to me I almost started crying myself. Thankfully I managed to hold myself together and get a proper look, deciding that after the numerous options I’d had, this dress really was ‘the one’.

  It was a strapless gown with an A-line cut and a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was pulled in tight thanks to Louise and Stella’s torture, and then the waist dropped down to pool the fabric at my feet. There wasn’t a train as such, I was far too clumsy to wear one without coming a cropper, but it kinked out enough to at least give the illusion of a small train.

  The sound of a car crunching up my parents gravel driveway drew my attention away from the mirror towards the window and my eyes instantly widened. ‘Oh my gosh! I thought we were going in Dad’s car? Did you know about this, Mum?’ I asked as I watched a beautiful vintage car come to a stop outside.

  ‘Nicholas phoned up a few weeks ago to say that he’d ordered a car to take us to the wedding, but he didn’t mention that it was a vintage Rolls-Royce!’ my mum shrieked.

  Grinning in delight I looked back out of the window at the stunning car. It had white and pale pink ribbons tied across the front, and even a few smaller navy ones to match the bridesmaid dresses. It was perfect, what an amazing gesture from Nicholas.

  After some photographs with my bridesmaids and a good few with the car, and the lovely driver called George, we all climbed in and got ourselves settled. Joanne sat beside me and took a tight hold of my hand while Mum sorted out yet another tissue from her handbag to dab at her eyes. ‘See, Leanne, this is why I used the waterproof mascara the second time round,’ Louise said haughtily before grinning at me.

  ‘Ooh! Wait!’ Mum cried, causing the driver to pause and turn to us all. ‘How does the rhyme go? “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in your shoe.” Have we got all that sorted?’ Mum demanded. ‘It’s unlucky if you haven’t,’ she informed me in a serious tone. I just loved the way she chose now to say this, sat in the bloody car ready to leave, and then deems it to be unlucky if I don’t have them. Where the hell was I going to magic a sixpence from?

  ‘I’ve got the garter that Louise has lent me, that’s borrowed, and the cornflowers in my bouquet are blue,’ I said, mulling over what my something new and old could be.

  ‘The clips I’ve used in your hair are Victorian,’ Louise said helpfully, ‘Now you just need something new … and a sixpence, but I think we might have to forego that. I’ve a got a five pence if that helps?’

  ‘Ta-da!’ Stella announced from across the car, pulling a small silver coin from within her handbag. ‘I’d nearly forgotten about it!’ she said, handing me the coin. Sure enough, looking at the writing it stated that it was a sixpence. Looking at her in utter bewilderment, she simply shrugged and grinned, ‘You can get pretty much anything on e-Bay these days.’

  Slipping one of my white silk shoes off, I popped the small coin under the inner sole and replaced it on my foot. ‘Wow, thanks, Stella. Your super organisation knows no bounds!’ I joked. I wasn’t particularly superstitious, but where this wedding was concerned I’d do everything in my power to get it running smoothly.

  ‘Just “something new” now then. My dress is new. So are my knickers. Will they do?’ I asked with a lift of my shoulders as I saw my mum flush at the mention of my wedding pants. Technically I had two pairs, one I had on now and then a second ‘special’ pair for later. They were fabulous, Nicholas was going to love them.

  Fishing around in her handbag I assumed Mum was avoiding eye contact because she was a bit embarrassed, but she suddenly produced a small, black velvet box. ‘Your dress and, uh hum … underwear are new, but Nicholas asked me to give you this as a special something new.’ A gift? Now? Taking the box I opened it to reveal a beautiful pair of earrings. Silver drop studs, or perhaps platinum knowing Nicholas’ fondness for extravagance, finished with a small diamond on the end of each. Simple yet elegant and just stunning.

  ‘Wow,’ Louise breathed from beside me. ‘They are gorgeous. I don’t suppose Nicholas has any rich brothers, does he?’ she enquired, only to be met by an imperious look from Stella and a giggle from me. ‘I mean other rich brothers, obviously.’ Louise huffed in embarrassment, before holding out her hand for the simple studs I had been wearing so I could replace them with the new ones.

  ‘Ready now?’ Stella enquired with a smile. Drawing in a deep breath I nodded, touched the earrings with a smile, and then broke out into an excited grin. Oddly enough, I wasn’t nervous at all. Nicholas was the man for me, I had no reservations whatsoever. In fact, I couldn’t wait.

  ‘Let’s get this show on the road, George! Take my girl to get married!’ Mum cried giddily.

  Nicholas

  Trying to get the white rose straight in my buttonhole I glanced across at Nathan and smirked when I saw him having the exact same trouble – the only difference was that he was attempting to do it one handed, so was also cursing colourfully under his breath, and being so violent with the flower that it was a wonder it hadn’t snapped in two. As I watched my brother I noticed his adapted jacket; the tailor I’d hired last week to adjust Nathan’s suit to fit his sling really had done a brilliant job. ‘I forgot to ask, who was that on the phone earlier? Nothing important about today?’

  Pulling the flower out and dumping it on the counter, he gave me a fierce look. ‘You’re the one getting married, why do I need a fucking flower?’ But nothing could upset my good mood today, not even Nathan’s false irritation so I merely chuckled in response. ‘It was Stella on the phone,’ he replied, before picking up the rose again and having another reluctant attempt.

  ‘Why was Stella calling? Is Rebecca OK?’ I sounded a bit breathless as a sudden burst of irrational nerves hit me square in the centre of my chest. In reply Nathan looked at me, rolled his eyes, and laughed, which just left me standing there blinking at him in confusion. ‘You two are fucking perfect for each other,’ he muttered as he finished his rose and gave it one final pat. ‘Rebecca was worried about you as well. Stella was just checking all was good at this end so she could put the bride-to-be’s mind at rest.’ Thank God for that. A huge wheezing noise escaped my lungs as normal breathing resumed.

  Walking over to the mini-bar in the room Nathan used his left hand to remove the glass stopper from a decanter half full of whisky and poured two glasses. Handing one to me he returned and picked the other one up for himself before swirling the amber liquid several times and turning to me with a small smile. ‘You ready, brother?’

  Truth be told, I couldn
’t be more ready. I was so excited that my stomach was churning and twisting itself into knots, but this wasn’t the slightly sickening nerves I often got before I played a concert, this was an eager, excited type of anxiousness and I was relishing every single second of it. ‘I am,’ was the only reply I could really say without getting overly emotional with Nathan, who would probably want to avoid such sentimentality.

  It seemed my fears about Nathan not wanting me to get overly expressive weren’t warranted though, because the next second he swigged down half of his whisky, cleared his throat, and then looked up at me with a rather serious expression on his face. ‘Nicholas, before we go down, I just wanted to say …’ pausing he cleared his throat again and shifted his bandaged arm in its sling before resuming eye contact, ‘I … I’m really fucking proud of you.’ Shaking his head he gave me an ironic twitch of his eyebrows, as if he too knew just how out of character it was for him to be this demonstrative. ‘After all the shit you went through,’ he hesitated again and I couldn’t help but jump in. ‘We went through, Nathan. You were there too.’

  Shrugging he shook his head again, ‘Yeah, but you had it far worse than me. Anyway, I’m not trying to put a downer on the day, I just wanted to say I’ll always have your back Nicholas, you know that, but you and Rebecca, it just seems meant to be. I’m so pleased to see you so settled and happy.’

  Unable to stop myself I stepped forwards and gave my brother an attempt at a man hug. With his arm in a cast it was a bit awkward, but I at least managed to half hug him and pat him on the back. ‘It goes both ways, Nathan. I’m proud of you too, brother.’

  Once I had stepped away we stood there speechless for a few seconds until it was apparent that our little emotional outpour was over.

  Trying to lighten the mood a bit I stepped back and grinned, ‘You’re not going to give me a talk on the birds and bees as well, are you?’

  Smirking, Nathan doubled checked that he had the box with the rings in it by patting his inside pocket, then gave me a thoroughly smutty look. ‘Nah, if the conversations I’ve overheard between Stella and Rebecca are anything to go on I think you got that stuff down, bro.’ Blinking as I digested his words my mouth opened to speak, but I didn’t have a clue what to say. How did you respond to information like that?

  ‘Fucking hell, Nicholas, I’m joking, man! Close your mouth. I’ve never overheard them talking about us. Although I’m sure they do, that’s what women do, apparently.’ Shaking his head in amusement Nathan then winced, but still had a slightly cocky smile on his face, ‘God only knows what Stella says about me. Christ, I dread to think.’ He glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece and jerked his head towards the door. ‘Enough girly chit-chat. Let’s go and get you married.’

  Sucking in a large breath I felt the back of my neck prickle with apprehension as the little hairs stood on end. I didn’t want to turn around. I knew that if I did I would see a room full of people staring at me, most of whom I’d never met before in my life. I’d heard the shuffle of feet and quiet conversation as the guests had been filing into the elegant wood panelled room and taking their seats over the past twenty minutes, but I hadn’t turned around once. I hated people watching me, it was quite ironic really, seeing as my trade of concert pianist meant I had to deal with crowds regularly, but there you go, it was just one of my odd quirks. Thank God Nathan was stood by my side keeping me calm or I might very well have sought out Rebecca and forced her to forget about the wedding and elope with me instead.

  Nathan had told me that deep breaths would help, so that’s exactly what I did as I stood staring fixedly at the top of the stairs, waiting for Rebecca to emerge. In through my nose, out through my mouth. In through my nose, out through my mouth. The set-up of our ceremony was slightly different to the usual; instead of coming in the back of the room and walking down the aisle to me, Rebecca would descend the ornate carved staircase in front of me until she was by my side. This way everyone had the pleasure of the view over the lake out of the windows. Of course it also had the added bonus of meaning that I could keep my back to the crowd the entire time, which was just fine by me.

  As predicted, the ceremony only involved fifty people. Most of the gathered revellers were Rebecca’s family and friends with the exception of one row for my chosen few guests. Not that I minded, to be honest this was all for her benefit anyway, all I wanted was for Becky to be my wife.

  I wanted the world to know that she was mine and that I intended to have her for the rest of her life. Now it was just a matter of her arriving …

  Thirty-one – Rebecca

  ‘We’re going to be late,’ I groaned as Louise faffed with my hair for the hundredth time and insisted on re-pinning the bit behind my left ear.

  We had arrived at the hotel in plenty of time and had been in the specially allocated preparation room for nearly an hour now. I’d spent at least twenty minutes chatting to the registrar who ran through the order of events again and put my mind at ease, and now Louise was puffing, tweaking, and beautifying us all again.

  ‘You’re the bride, its traditional to be a little late.’

  Frowning, I fidgeted before gently batting her hand away. ‘Well I don’t want to be late. Stuff tradition, let’s go.’ The real reason for my urgency was that I knew Nicholas would be going crazy if I were even a minute or two late. To a stranger Nicholas must appear calm, demanding, dominant, and together, but after all the time we’d been together I knew the layer below that façade now. He was dominant and demanding, but Nicholas could also be incredibly insecure, especially where it came to me. I was probably one of the only people who saw that side to him. Apparently I was his weakness. Mind you, he was mine as well.

  ‘OK, everyone in order!’ Stella instructed. ‘Louise, you’re going first, then me and Jo and then you and your dad.’ We shuffled ourselves into a little procession as Louise pulled open the door to our suite. Seeing as I didn’t have a train on my dress that needed lifting I’d decided to be slightly mean and make my bridesmaids go first into the room. That way the attention wouldn’t be immediately on me. Claudine, my sister’s nurse, was also with us at the moment, just in case Jo changed her mind and wanted to return to the balcony area to just watch.

  My heart was pounding. Not from nerves about marrying Nicholas, I was actually more concerned about falling down the sodding stairs. Entering via the beautifully carved staircase was going to make a great entrance to the ceremony – only if I could avoid my usual clumsiness and not tumble down them. A nervous giggle rose in my throat as I tried to imagine the look on Nicholas’ face if I bowled down the steps and landed in a shrieking heap of silk and lace by his feet. Taking in a deep breath to reduce my near hysteria I stepped up to Dad, who held out the crook of his arm to me and gave me a wink. ‘You look beautiful, Rebecca. I’m so proud of you,’ he murmured, his eyes glazing up as he rapidly blinked to clear them.

  ‘Thanks, Dad.’ My voice was thick with emotion, but I was determined not to cry again. I wanted to look my best for Nicholas now, not tear stained and puffy; besides, Louise was like the make-up mafia and would probably demand we delay our departure so she could re-do me if she saw so much as a single tear stain on my cheek.

  It felt quite surreal as we stepped out on the walkway that ran around the perimeter of the room below. I didn’t dare look down yet, but there was a static buzz in the air that told me that even though it was quiet, there were lots of people packed into the space. Seeing us emerge onto the balcony, the harpist began to play to announce our arrival. Picking my entrance song hadn’t been too tricky, Nicholas and I had both agreed on Pachelbel’s “Canon” as a beautiful choice, but selecting the musician had been an absolute nightmare. Nicholas was such a musical snob. He didn’t want a pianist because he said he’d be able to pick up any mistakes they made and it would ruin the day for him. Violins were out too, because his father used to play one. So that left us a little limited, I mean you can hardly walk down the aisle to a trumpet fanfare, can y
ou? Now that I was preparing to descend the stairs and the soothing tones of the harp were surrounding me I was glad we’d opted for it; the floaty, gentle nature was perfect for calming me.

  The staircase curved around two walls as it descended into the room below, so it was split into two flights, the top being the longest, before it curved with just seven steps taking me to the ground floor. As I placed my foot on the top step the bridesmaids in front of me suddenly drew to a halt and I saw Stella briefly lean her head into Joanne before flashing me a concerned glance. Jo was turning, coming back up the stairs, her face stricken and eyes wide. ‘I’m sorry. I’m ruining everything. Everything. I can’t do it. Can’t.’ Her rambling told me that Joanne was having a little moment and instead of speaking straight away I pulled my sister in for a tight hug and simply held her to me. ‘Just having you here has made this day perfect, Jo-Jo.’ I murmured softly into her ear. ‘It’s totally fine, nothing is ruined. Go and enjoy the ceremony from the balcony with Claudine and I’ll see you after, OK?’ I heard Jo snuffle and then she leant back and nodded, a small smile on her face.

  ‘OK, love you, Becks,’ she murmured, and despite all my good intentions not to cry I felt myself welling up.

  ‘Love you too.’

  Claudine flashed me a reassuring nod and smile before helping Joanne back up the stairs and around to a seated area overlooking the main room. Taking a deep breath I heard the harpist continuing her loop of the song and nodded to Louise and Stella, who were now side by side, that we were good to continue.

  It was only once I was down the main staircase that I allowed myself my first proper glance around. First my eyes swept the room and I saw that it was decorated like a fairy tale with lit candles on every available surface filling the air with my favourite scent of orange blossom. Tasteful ribbons and flower arrangements were scattered about, containing the white of my dress and the blue of the bridesmaids. Next I took in the smiling faces of my family and friends, coming to rest briefly on my mum, who was smiling, but patting the corners of her eyes at the same time, still looking relatively composed – looked like the waterproof mascara had come to the rescue again.