In Love with a Stranger

by Rose von Barnsley

  “Penelope.” I worried about how much she’d seen.

  “He knew who my daddy was?” she asked confused.

  “He did,” I answered honestly. I wasn’t going to hide it from her.

  “Why? I asked him for a daddy. Why didn’t he want me to know him?”

  “You’ll have to ask him that yourself one day, Penny. For now, mommy and daddy are putting him in a time out from our family.”

  She nodded in understanding, with her brow furrowed. My dad was an idiot to think keeping William from Penelope wouldn’t hurt her.

  “I think I’m still gonna stick around for a few days. Lisa’s sister is visiting, and I really don’t want to encroach on their girl time.”

  “Ah, the real reason for your visit comes out,” I teased, hoping to lighten the mood.

  There was a knock on the door, reminding me I’d locked it. The pizza guy was standing there, holding up our pie. Brody let him in, and I grabbed some cash to pay him. I decided to close the store early, wanting time with William to settle myself down. There was a doorbell if anyone really needed something.

  Penelope sat in William’s lap instead of on her chair. He kissed the top of her head and didn’t care that she was too big to sit on his lap to eat. He made do and held her, knowing she needed him just as much as I did.

  She caught sight of my ring after lunch, and she squealed excitedly, when we told her it was an engagement ring. Come Monday, we were going to get William on the birth certificate and buy a marriage license. I think we were all anxious to get it done.

  WILLIAM

  I felt like I’d explode with joy, when they handed us the new birth certificate with my name on it. I was officially Penelope’s father, and there was not a damn thing anyone could do about it. She was mine.

  I had to go to work, and so did Hannah, but she promised me Shawna would be working with her today, stocking inventory or something. I didn’t want her alone, just in case Marvin decided to pop in. I didn’t know who he was, but I didn’t like him. He gave off a bad vibe, a guilty one. I’d watched their interaction, before I’d stepped in. He wanted her, and I didn’t like it. It was obvious by her body language, though, that she didn’t wanted him at all.

  I’d hated it when Hannah had defended him, saying he was her best customer. I was starting to rethink the whole staying in the U.S. to keep the shop thing. I didn’t like her being somewhere creepy strangers popped in regularly. If we moved to England, I could keep my job. She could stay home with our daughter and write her book, in a secluded room, away from creepy wankers.

  I sent her a quick text of “I love you.” I needed to make sure she was okay. We went back and forth all day. We sent messages about every twenty minutes. I knew I was not the only one who needed reassuring. I’d left my phone on the desk with Duncan, while I went to the bathroom. When I came back, it had five missed texts, each more frantic than the next. I called her immediately to let her know I wasn’t hurt, I wasn’t leaving her, and I loved her.

  I had to admit, I had a similar issue. She’d had her phone in the backroom with her, when a customer came in needing help. I went nuts, when three texts were ignored, and her phone was not answered. I had my coat and was rushing down the hall, when my phone rang with her number. I answered it, so relieved it was ridiculous. I took an early lunch that day, because I needed to see that she really was okay.

  My phone buzzed, and I smiled when I read, “I love you, too, Daddy.”

  Penelope had called me daddy from the moment we’d confirmed her assumption. Hearing it, after it being official, made me smile huge. I was a daddy, and I was loving it.

  A few texts later that day, Hannah sent me a frowny face. I took a break and called her. “Why the frowny face, beautiful?”

  “I’ve being looking into what we need to get married, and there’s so much paperwork and visas, and the wait times on all of them are horrible,” she sniffled a little, like she might cry.

  “We’ll figure it out, beautiful. Have you looked at having it go the other way? Maybe getting married in England instead?”

  “No,” she sounded hopeful.

  “Look into that. Don’t worry, beautiful. I will marry you, come hell or high water, you’re mine.”

  She giggled that sweet giggle, and I could picture the gorgeous smile that went with it. “I love you, William.”

  “I love you, too. You’re coming for lunch, then?”

  “Yeah, I’m counting the minutes.”

  “Alright, then, I’ll see you soon, beautiful.”

  Duncan poked his head around the corner and then waved me over. I rushed into the now-full conference room. I knew I had to land this deal, if I was ever going to have a shot at working over here.

  “Mr. Conner was just telling us that you’ve already found a piece to invest in,” Mr. Jackson asked with interest, and I was thrilled. That was one thing everyone was worried about, not having enough heirloom jewelry intact to have a viable market, but I was sure we would be able to find some.

  “Yes, Sir, Mr. Conner and I have been looking at local dealers to partner with, and I came across an original Georgian diamond crowned heart ring. It was created in c1780 and is in exceptional condition for its age. It’s highly collectible. It’s already been purchased and sent to the home office in London.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, and I suspect there’ll be several more exciting finds once we really start looking. I just happened upon that one, when I was shopping for myself, and I couldn’t pass it up.”

  “You invest in pieces personally?”

  “I do, but that particular one was a gift. I hold mostly loose gems with history or solids of some sort. I find tangible investments comforting. I’m also heavily invested with the Victor group, of course. I can’t sell you something I’m not willing to buy myself.”

  Mr. Jackson nodded with a big smile. “Good answer.”

  ~*~

  The meeting had gone great. We were sure to get the contract. “They were ringers, once you told them about your own stash. I thought you were mental when you proposed the expansion, but I think you might have a brain in that head of yours,” Duncan teased, as we headed to the bookshop.

  We were laughing when we entered the store, but we stopped dead in our tracks, when we saw Ophelia holding my distraught fiancée. I quickly pulled her into my arms. “What’s wrong, beautiful?”

  “It’s so hard to get married. It’s frustrating. England has a lot of the same mess we do here, with the added need to publically announce the engagement for fifteen days.”

  “That won’t work. I can’t have my dad catching wind of this.”

  “Why would that be so bad? Are you ashamed of her?” Ophelia snapped.

  “Not even close…” I started, but Duncan cut me off.

  “William’s dad is mental. He’ll lose it once he hears William wants to move here. He’s on the dirty side.”

  My eyes snapped to him. “How do you know?”

  “Please, the gossip rags in England are just as bad there as they are here. There are all sorts of rumors, and if it has anything to do with paper persuading or pictures being leaked, it involves your father. They don’t need a photographer with him in town.”

  I looked away embarrassed. There were a lot of reasons I wanted nothing to do with the title of viscount, and that was one of them.

  “So, it’s hard to get married here, and it’s hard to get married there. What about somewhere else? There are such things as destination weddings. Why don’t you guys do that?” Duncan suggested.

  For once, I thought the man was a genius. “I could kiss you!”

  “Can we have Ophelia kiss me instead? You’re not my type,” he razed me.

  After a bit of searching, we found that Scotland was very accommodating to foreigners marrying there. Duncan mentioned that his cousin, Nora, had been married in a castle there, and the girls were quick to jump on the list of castles. It was huge.

  I watched Hanna
h worry her lip and glance at her till. I realized she was most likely worried about the cost of it all. I wasn’t a millionaire, but like I’d told Mr. Jackson, I was well invested and had lost myself in my work for seven long years and hadn’t spent a pence. I had a decent savings outside of my retirement fund. That money would’ve been spent on her, if we’d been together. It would’ve been spent on my family, and I wasn’t going to let it go to waste. “I’ll cover the costs, beautiful. You just find a venue you like, something with rooms, preferably.”

  Hannah didn’t answer, but Ophelia did. “You got it, boss.” She saluted me and tugged the computer closer to her.

  We had to get back to work. I kissed Hannah goodbye and then turned to Ophelia. “You make sure she gets what she wants. Don’t let her skimp.” I tipped Hannah’s chin up, so I could kiss her again. “I want you happy. I can go first thing in the morning to turn in the papers for Penelope’s passport. Is that alright?”

  “Yeah, sounds good.”

  “Where’s Brody?” I asked, wondering where the behemoth was.

  “He’s sleeping. He crashed on Penelope’s bed. Apparently, the couch isn’t agreeing with him.”

  “I get that.”

  She pulled my shirt collar and kissed me. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, beautiful. We’ve got to go, but I’ll be back soon.” She kissed me again, and I wondered if Brody could be trusted with our wedding location. “Hannah, do you trust Brody not to tell your father the destination of our wedding?”

  “Why?”

  “If he tells your father, and he calls mine upset…I suspect they have each other’s contact information. I’d rather it not get back to either one.”

  “No, that’s fine, I understand.” She kissed me again to prove her point. My eyes caught site of the webpage that was up. It was a wedding photo at a castle. I smiled to myself, thrilled. “Get everything in order, and be prepared to tell me all about it when I get home.”

  She kissed me again. Duncan and Ophelia finally had to pry us apart, so we could get back to work. I was finally getting married!

  Chapter 15 – The Mummy Returns

  WILLIAM

  When I got home from work, Hannah, Ophelia and Camille had everything planned out. We were getting married at Balfour Castle on Shapinsay Isle of Orkney. She also let me know there was a cottage she wanted to rent for Duncan, Camille, Carter, Ophelia, Lisa, and Brody. I was surprised when she mentioned the last two. I didn’t hate Brody, but I was not particularly fond of him, either.

  She could see the doubt in my eyes. “He’s been my friend for a very long time. I figured Duncan and Carter would be your groomsmen, I’ll have Ophelia and Camille as bridesmaids, and Brody can walk me down the aisle.”

  “We’ll do whatever you want,” I said and kissed her softly. “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy,” I whispered against her lips, before I kissed her again.

  “Good answer,” I heard Brody comment. The little apartment was feeling much too small.

  “Did you tell him about the castle?” my sister asked, jumping around. “You’re getting married in a castle, William, a real one. It’s beautiful! Quick, pull up the site and show him.”

  I was about to tell her not right now, but the excited gleam in Hannah’s eyes made me stop and sit down with her, instead of dragging her off into the bedroom.

  She had everything planned out and our paperwork printed up as well. “I’ve spoken with the planners at the castle. I’ve got my papers in order. I had Shawna holding down the fort with Brody, while I ran all over getting my Certificate of Non-Impediment of Marriage signed by everybody. Once we get Penelope’s passport papers in, I can send my birth certificate in with our papers. You need to send in your birth certificate, too. Camille has volunteered to pick it up and send it off with your papers when she goes home. You won’t need a Certificate of Non-Impediment of Marriage, because you’re a UK resident. We just have to show our faces at the registrar’s office with IDs to wed.”

  “Thank you, beautiful. Do we have a date set?”

  “We were thinking maybe four to six weeks, depending on how long it takes to get Penelope’s passport. They need at least two weeks from the time they receive our paperwork for the marriage license, so…”

  I hugged her tightly, kissing her again. “I’m ready when you are.”

  “Oh, I’m ready,” she giggled.

  “I’m right here,” Brody reminded us sarcastically.

  I groaned. “Yeah, yeah, since you’re coming, you need to make sure your traveling papers are in order. Do you have passports?” I asked.

  “Yeah, Lisa likes vacationing in Mexico,” he said and flopped down on the couch.

  “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” my angel came running in.

  I caught her up in my arms. “There’s my Poppet, how was your day, my little Penny?”

  “Aunty Ophelia said I’m going to be a fairy princess at a castle!” she squealed.

  “Flower girl, fairy princess, it’s all the same thing,” Ophelia came in and tossed her bag toward the couch, hitting Brody in the face.

  “Do you think I’ll meet my prince?” my daughter questioned.

  “I should hope not. You’re a bit on the young side,” I worried.

  “But I want to get married in a castle like mommy.”

  “When you grow up, you can get married in a castle. I promise, and daddies keep their promises.”

  “Not all daddies do,” she pouted, breaking my heart.

  “This daddy does. You grow up, finish school like mummy, and then meet your prince charming. I’ll make sure you get your castle wedding, Penny.”

  “Can I live in one?”

  “Now you’re pushing it, sprite. I don’t have a castle, but if I did, I’d give it to you.”

  “Can you get one?”

  “How about a lolly?” I pulled the sweet out of my coat pocket, and her eyes lit up. I’d never get tired of that.

  She snatched up the candy and kissed my cheek. “Thanks, Daddy.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I’ll have to remember that move,” Brody grinned at me.

  “You can’t use candy to fix everything,” Hannah scolded me, but smiled while she did it.

  Camille and I froze, when we heard our mother’s voice downstairs. I honestly thought of telling everyone to be quiet and hide. It was a reflex left over from my childhood. When I was a naughty boy, I’d hidden to evade punishment.

  Camille’s eyes locked with mine, and it took a moment for everyone to pick up on our stiff posture.

  “Hannah, there’s a Lady Greyson here for you,” Shawna called up, her voice filled with disbelief.

  Hannah’s eyes darted to me, but it was Camille who answered, “It’s our mother.”

  I think Hannah contemplated hiding as well, because she paused before she told Shawna to send her up.

  “Ophelia, can you take Penelope to her room?” she ordered more than asked.

  I saw Camille’s eyes dart to the little hall. She wanted to go as well. She could get away with hiding, but I couldn’t. I nodded, and she ran from the room.

  Brody frowned at the mess unfolding before him. “Should I go as well?”

  I looked to Hannah. He was her friend, so it was her choice. “Yeah, just for a bit. I think we should talk to her on our own.”

  He got up, but paused in the hall. “I’m within earshot. I’ll know if you don’t defend her, and I will come out and kick your ass,” he warned before he left.

  My mother stepped into the open doorway at the top of the stairs. She looked around frowning, until her eyes landed on me. “So this is the place. I thought it was a mistake, because of the shop below.” She came in further, looking around. She moved to the table where our papers for the wedding were spread across, and I quickly moved in front of them. “You need to explain to me what’s going on here, William.” Her condescending tone must’ve annoyed Hannah, because she stepped between my mother and me, blocking
me from her glare.

  “Lady Greyson,” Hannah said lady like it was a ridiculous title, “You’re in my home, and I’ll thank you to not act rudely while you’re a guest.”

  My mother’s stance stiffened. “William, are you going to let her speak to me that way?”

  I wrapped my arms around Hannah and kissed her neck. “She’s just protective of me, Mum. Can you tell me why you’ve shown up on our doorstep?”

  “Your doorstep?” She looked like she was going to be sick. Her eyes darted around the tiny apartment. “You can’t possibly live here.”

  It was my turn to be defensive. “Yes, I can, and I will for as long as I like, because I’m twenty-nine.”

  My mother frowned, like she was confused. “Why would you do that? You have a perfectly lovely flat in London.” She focused on Hannah. “He does, and if you insist on playing this game, you should at least have the common courtesy to not let him throw his life out the window while you do it.”

  “There is no game, except for the ones our families have played. I don’t know why you’re in my home, but I suggest you start talking. I threw my father out, and I have no qualms with doing the same to you.” I was so proud of Hannah when she said that.

  I kissed the top of her head and moved next to her. “What’s brought you to the colonies, Mum?” I pushed.

  “I…I didn’t realize you’d taken up with that girl again, until your father informed me. He was furious.” She looked Hannah up and down, like she was trying to explain away my attraction to her. “It makes no sense to throw your life away for a woman who’s been bought off before. She can’t be trusted. I’ve come to make her an offer. I didn’t expect you to be here.”

  “An offer?” Hannah asked confused.

  My mother put her nose up in the air. “Yes, like the one you took seven years ago. I convinced my husband to let me come instead of sending one of his men.”

  “I never accepted any offer, ever. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Please, don’t act coy with me. You took the offer and disappeared. We have the bank records to prove it.” My mother was getting haughty.