The Good Sister: Part Two

by Saint James, London

  “I want to speak so Trinity can hear me.”

  “Go head, Trinity can hear you.”

  “Trinity?”

  “Yes, Aunt Jane?”

  “You need to tell your mother what’s going on. We are coming to see you next week.”

  “I’m not sure how to tell my mother.”

  “Well you told me without hesitation so I would suggest she hear the same.”

  “But she doesn’t know I’m here. She thinks I’m with you in California.”

  “Yes, well, we will both have a lot of explaining to do now, won’t we,” Jane said.

  “Okay, I will call her tonight, but Aunt Jane I want to tell her I’m engaged. Everyone here thinks we are engaged. We’re going to announce our engagement and plan a formal wedding,” I said, feeling the need to sit down.

  “Why does everyone think you are engaged if you are married?” Jane asked.

  “Well, it’s complicated. Ashton needs to tell his parents and there are traditions to be followed, obligations and…”

  “Ashton, would you care to shed some light on this?” Jane inquired.

  “Jane,” he said, “I had to marry Trinity.”

  “Lord God help me. She’s pregnant!” Jane screeched.

  “No, Jane,” Ashton assured calmly. Aunt Jane seemed to take a breath. “Trinity and I share a great passion; however, I would not take her for my own without the proper union of marriage. I did not wish to see her soiled in the eyes of God, but I can assure you I wanted her as my wife. I have wished for nothing more than your niece as mine, and mine alone.”

  “Let me get this straight,” said Jane, “are you telling me you and Trinity fell in love, but you would not sleep with her without being married first?”

  “Yes,” said Ashton. “I cannot and shall not have her reputation questioned. My family lineage is also very complicated; therefore, I have many traditions, as well as obligations, which must be followed. Trinity and I must follow them by having a formal wedding; therefore, we will be married again, only this time through the blessing of the church.”

  “I’m unsure of what to say,” Jane confessed.

  “Aunt Jane, I will tell mom, but I’m going to tell her we are engaged. Besides, if you are coming next week you will be present for our engagement announcement. I have planned a party.”

  Ashton looked surprised, but never said a word.

  “All right, Trinity. I’ll go along with this engagement thing,” Jane said.

  “Thank you, Aunt Jane.”

  “And Ashton?”

  “Yes, Jane.”

  “I will see you sometime next week, and if I were you, I would batten down the hatches because Francis will probably want to rock through your world like a hurricane.”

  Ashton guffawed. “I shall take heed of your warning, Jane.”

  “You do that,” she said. “And sweet?”

  “Yes, Aunt Jane, I’m still here.”

  “Please take care of yourself.”

  “I will.”

  “Kisses, my sweet,” Jane said, making a kissing sound into the phone.

  “Kisses, Aunt Jane.”

  “Good evening, Jane. I shall call you in a couple of days with your flight information,” Ashton said.

  “It’s more like morning here, five-thirty in the morning, but I won’t hold that against you, Ashton.”

  Ashton let out another guffaw. “Thank you, Jane. I appreciate that.”

  When the call ended Ashton pulled me into his arms.

  “You planned an engagement party, my dove?”

  “Yes.”

  “I am surprised,” Ashton admitted.

  “Not as surprised as my mother is going to be. I think you may need to hold on to me while I make this call.”

  “Is this your wish, Lady Archer?”

  “Yes it is,” I assured, dialing my mother’s phone number.

  Chapter Seven

  “Mom,” I said, hearing her voice on the other end of the phone.

  “Trinity Lane Winslow, I want to shake you. Do you know how worried I have been? You promised to call me every week, and it has been weeks. I don’t know if I should cry or laugh at hearing your voice.”

  “Mom, please calm down. I promise, I’m fine.”

  “Put Jane on the phone. I am going to give her a piece of my mind.”

  “Mom, I can’t put Aunt Jane on the phone because I’m not with her.”

  “What do you mean you are not with Aunt Jane, Trinity?”

  “Mom, I need you to take a breath, sit down, and listen to me with an open mind.”

  “Trinity, what is going on?”

  I figured if my mother’s voice got any higher in pitch, the neighborhood dogs would start howling.

  “Breathe, mother.” I heard her take a breath. “Are you sitting down?”

  “Yes! What is going on?”

  “I’m in France,” I stated without preamble.

  My mother broke into hysterical laughter. In fact, I wasn’t sure I’d ever heard that sound come from her before.

  “This isn’t funny, young lady. I don’t know why I’m laughing, but it’s not funny.”

  “Mom, I am in France. I have never been with Aunt Jane. I followed Reid to France.”

  “What! How in the name of Pete did you get to France?”

  “I took a flight, mother.”

  “Are you pulling my leg?”

  “No, mother, I’m serious. I took a flight to France in order to see Reid.”

  “I knew there was something going on between you and Reid. Is he there?” she asked me. “Put him on the phone.”

  “There’s nothing going on between Reid and me, and no, he’s not with me.”

  Ashton was rubbing my back as I spoke.

  “What in creation is going on, Trinity?”

  “Mom, I came to France to see Reid. I thought there might be something between us, but I was wrong. There will never be anything but a friendship, and right now even that is iffy. I had to make changes, mom. You know I had no life. I had to find a life; I had to be better than Bentley’s scared little mouse or Reid’s baby bird.” I puffed out my cheeks with air then released it. “Hmpf… The thing is mom, I went looking for a life, and I met someone. Someone who truly loves me. You always told me that someday a man would see me for who I was and fall in love with me. I didn’t believe you, but you were right, and if I hadn’t come here I might have never met him. So I guess what I’m saying is, even though I thought it was Reid, it never was. I came for him. It was him, mom; it was always him.”

  “Oh, Trinity.” She started to cry.

  “Please don’t cry, mom.”

  “I’m so happy for you, but I also want to kill you. You should have told me you wanted to go to France. I would have supported you.”

  “I couldn’t tell you because I’ve failed at so much, and if I failed at this, I didn’t want you to know. You’ve watched me fail at living for nine years. Nine years is a long time to be a failure, and I wasn’t sure I could beat my fears. I didn’t want to see the hurt upon your face if I couldn’t do better, be better.”

  “Trinity, I have never been disappointed in you, never.”

  “But I was disappointed in myself. I needed to prove something to myself by coming here.”

  “Tell me about this boy you have met.”

  “He is not a boy, mother. His name is Lord Ashton Braeden Willmont Archer, and he is an Earl.”

  Silence, complete and total, rang out in defining tones of naught.

  “Mom?”

  Stillness, zilch, nada, zero.

  “Mom, are you there?”

  “Trinity, how old is this person?”

  “He’s twenty-seven, but what does that matter?”

  “Trinity, he’s a man.”

  “Yes, mom, he is a man. Would you rather he be a woman?” I snapped.

  “When you say, ‘Lord and Earl?’”

  “I mean his father is a Duke, and he is an Earl.” />
  “Like from England?”

  “Yes, mother he’s from England.”

  “Are you in England?”

  “No, I’m in France. He has a chateau in France and well…we are engaged to be married.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “We are engaged to be married,” I repeated.

  Silence dead and deafening again.

  “Mom?”

  “Trinity, I need a moment to process this.”

  More silence then something like a scream, only muted, rang out. My mother might be having an actual conniption fit.

  “Mom?”

  “Trinity, please tell me I am having a nightmare. Tell me something so I know what I am hearing is—”

  “Mom, I am in love with Lord Archer. He is in love with me. We are going to get married. He would like to fly you to France next week along with Aunt Jane, to meet him. It will be our engagement announcement party. This is going to happen so you can either accept this and accept him or miss the wedding.”

  “Trinity, you are only nineteen.”

  “I know I’m only nineteen, but I’m going to marry the man I love.”

  “When is the wedding?”

  “We aren’t sure, possibly this summer. We haven’t decided on a date yet. We are going to tell his parents this week. In fact, we will be flying to England tomorrow to tell them and to go to a charity ball hosted by the Queen.”

  “The Queen of England?”

  “Yes.”

  “You are going to meet the Queen of England?”

  “Yes, mother. Would you like to speak with Ashton?”

  “He’s with you?”

  “Yes. I’m staying in his chateau.”

  “You are living with him?”

  “Yes, but I have my own room, if you’re thinking the worst.”

  “Put him on the phone, Trinity.”

  “You are going to be nice, right?”

  “Trinity, I am the parent here.”

  I turned and handed the phone to Ashton. I wanted to say “I’m sorry,” but he heard the conversation, so he had a good idea what he was in for.

  “Hello, Mrs. Winslow. I am pleased to finally speak with you,” Ashton said with his smooth honey tones.

  “Hello, Ashton,” my mother said with a tone of not quite hysterics. “I am sure you can appreciate how surprised I am to hear my daughter, who should be with her aunt in California, is now residing in your home in France. As well, I am sure you can appreciate how shocked I am to hear she is in love with you. And I am sure you can understand, as a mother, I am more than concerned to hear my nineteen year old daughter, who has never had a boyfriend, tell me she is going to marry a twenty-seven year old man whom she has just met. In addition to marrying someone who holds a title of Earl along with taking her to meet the Queen of England. Further, I am sure you can understand how, as a mother, I am questioning this entire conversation, as well as my own sanity at the moment, and fighting the overpowering need to somehow squeeze myself through this phone and strangle you.”

  Ashton chuckled. “Yes, Mrs. Winslow. If I were in your position I would be feeling much the same, I assure you. But let me also assure you, I am indeed who your daughter says I am. I do hold the title of Earl, and I am from England. The fact I am older than Trinity, I am unable to change; however, I can also assure you I am without question in love with your daughter. Further, I can assure you she is safe, healthy, doing extremely well, and I would rather fall upon my own sword than to allow anything or anyone to harm my lovely Trinity in any way.”

  “Ashton, I can only hope you love my daughter as much as you confess, because if you harm her or break her heart, you will know the meaning of hell hath no fury. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Crystal,” Ashton said.

  “Now, Trinity was saying something about an engagement party next week.”

  “Yes. I would like to fly you and her aunt to France next week. Will you allow me this honor?”

  “Yes. I will accept your offer, and thank you for making it.”

  “Mrs. Winslow, you are to be part of my family. There is nothing which I would not do for you. Therefore, you have nothing to thank me for.”

  “Yes, well, I realize the cost of this flight must be exorbitant.”

  “Money is not an issue, so please do not concern yourself with such worries. I will call you in a few days with the flight information. Please know I am looking forward to meeting you in person.”

  “Thank you. I can assure you, I am looking forward to meeting you in person as well.”

  Ashton chuckled. “Yes,” he said. “I will give the mobile back to Trinity. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Mrs. Winslow.”

  “Mom?”

  “Trinity, I hope you know what you are doing.”

  “I do, mom. I have to go. I’ll see you next week, okay?”

  “Okay. Please take care of yourself.”

  “I will, I promise.”

  “I love you, my sweet girl.”

  “I love you too, mom.”

  I hit end on the cell phone and fell into Ashton’s arms.

  “Do you feel better now, my dove?” Ashton asked, twining his fingers through my curls.

  “Yes. Thank you for flying them here to meet you. I know when they meet you, they are going to love you.”

  “My dove, they are your family, and you love them, so flying them here only makes sense; therefore, you have nothing to thank me for.”

  ****

  I was in quite the state, huffing, puffing, pulling at my curls, and standing with what had to be a look of confusion directed at my garment bag. After the phone calls to my family, I’d spent several hours packing or as Ashton had said, “Flitting about the room.” I was trying to prepare for our trip to England.

  “My beautiful wife, breathe,” he told me once I sat down in a puff of air and flailing arms. “There is no need to be flummoxed. I shall send someone up to assist you.”

  “No. I need to do this myself,” I assured.

  I went over everything, making sure I had all the right outfits, accessories, shoes, makeup, and other unmentionable undergarments. I wanted to be beautiful, look beautiful for Ashton. Of course I felt it important to make a good impression when I met his parents so I toiled, fussed, doubled checked and re-checked everything, feeling as though I had no more brain power left before slipping under the covers. With a content sigh I snuggled up onto my favorite spot on Ashton.

  “Are you quite done flitting about?” he asked. I nuzzled my nose into his neck.

  “It’s important I have everything, Ashton. I have to make a good impression. They are your parents.”

  Ashton kissed the top of my head.

  “My love, you need be nothing more than who you are.”

  “Ashton…” I started to protest in a whine.

  Ashton’s fingers had found a curl he liked so he wrapped it around his index finger.

  “You are beautiful, loving, filled with life, not to mention an ethereal enchantress. You must trust me when I say you shall be splendid. Everyone will find themselves enraptured as I find myself to be when I am within your presence; therefore, you have absolutely nothing to fret over.”

  I didn’t know whether to kiss him or cry.

  “You always say such things to me, Ashton.”

  “I speak the truth, my dove.”

  ****

  I woke in a panic. Ashton was gone, but the panic intensified when I noticed the time. It was two hours later than I had originally figured on waking. Don’t freak out, Trinity. The more sensible side of me knew Ashton wasn’t far, and it was only eight in the morning so I still had time. I rolled out of bed, stretched, and made my way into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, trying hard to ignore the thoughts of our impending trip, then gave in and worried.

  I rushed through my shower. Well, in my mind rushing a shower was an hour instead of two, but I took my sweet time with my makeup and clothing. After I attached my bracelet, I gazed at
my reflection in the mirror and took in a large breath.

  “You are Lady Archer. You will be splendid,” I said.

  I descended the stairs and transitioned into formality. I had learned so much from my time with Jacqueline and my sisters, so I would use this knowledge. I held my head up, chin high, shoulders back, straightening my posture, and allowed the palm of my hand to caress the stair rail. I took each step as if I were royalty. Ashton stood below, in the hall-shaped foyer, speaking with staff. He turned to see me and smiled. In that moment, I vowed to hold myself together.

  “Good morning, my lady,” Remington greeted with a bow as I exited the stairs.

  “Good morning, Remington.” I turned my attention to Ashton’s perfect face. “Good morning, my lord,” I said, and gave a half curtsy.

  Ashton took my hand and gently kissed the top.

  “Good morning, my lady. You are a true vision,” Ashton said.

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  “Are you ready to depart?”

  “Yes, my bags are ready.”

  “Remington,” Ashton said, “please ensure my lady’s things are transported to the Bentley.”

  “Yes, my Lord,” Remington replied.

  “Shall we?” Ashton asked. He placed my long black coat over my shoulders.

  “Yes,” I replied and took his arm.

  The staff loaded my bags into the trunk of the car. I made certain everything was in the trunk before I took my seat inside of the car. Without really paying attention, I heard Ashton speak with Wellington, felt the jar of the car door shut then watched the scenery pass. Ashton took a hold of my hand. I traced the ring on his pinkie finger.

  “My dove, why are you so quiet this morning?”

  “I’m nervous about meeting your parents,” I confessed.

  “Please do not be nervous. You are the picture of perfection.”

  “But no matter what I do, I’m an American from a simple family. I know I’m not what they are expecting, Ashton, even though you won’t tell me as much.”

  “Trinity, I truly do not care what my parents think about your place of birth or your family background.”

  “But they will think something, won’t they?”

  “Trinity, I love you. You are my choice for a wife. You make me happy; therefore, this is all they need to know, so please do not worry, my dove. It pains me to see you unhappy.”