Upon arrival in London, Monique saw the splashy headlines about her son and was forced to endure phone call after phone call. Of course, Monique told all of her friends and acquaintances (and some people she was not so friendly with) exactly how she felt about the scheming little American her gullible son had asked to marry him.
Unfortunately, these conversations reached the ears of both Oliver and Charlotte Forsythe, (upon hearing the happy news, the former, extremely pleased for his friend, the latter, hysterically giddy with delight for both Julia and Douglas) which meant they very swiftly reached the ears of Douglas. Per usual, Douglas even-more-swiftly went into action.
Monique’s phone rang again only days after the official announcement. It was Douglas’s PA, Samantha, a girl Monique had very little time for but had to suffer because she was making arrangements for the new flat.
Upon Monique’s curt greeting, the distasteful Samantha said, “I’m calling to inform you that Lord Ashton has reneged on the contract for the flat. He also wishes you to know that your monthly allowance will cease effective immediately.”
At this news, Monique was stunned speechless.
Samantha continued. “He will reinstate you, at a quarter of your allowance and will purchase and furnish a flat for you, again, at a quarter of your budget, if you publicly and liberally declare your mistaken impressions of his fiancée and officially announce your approval of the match.”
“A quarter?” Monique’s voice shook with angry disbelief and just a hint of fear.
“He’s instructed me to tell you that you can take it or leave it,” Samantha returned.
The tone of the girl’s voice left Monique in no doubt she was enjoying this tremendously and Monique shook with humiliated ire.
She had long since gone through the trust funds her parents and her husband had left her. The generous allowance her son gave her monthly (and often augmented at her request) was her only source of income.
Furthermore, she’d never worked a day in her life. She certainly couldn’t (and wouldn’t) start now.
Monique was not a stupid woman (just an evil one), she knew when her son said something, he meant it.
Therefore, she had no choice.
“I’ll take it,” Monique snapped.
Later, Monique had to get herself a rather unladylike portion of sherry (and brought the bottle with her) as she sat by the phone and started to make her calls.
At Sommersgate, the news of the impending nuptials met with mixed reviews. Lizzie was beside herself with delight. Ruby, taking the lead from her sister, was equally thrilled. Nick, Ronnie, Carter and the Kilpatricks were all obviously awash with joy.
Willie didn’t quite know what to make of it all.
Formally, in the library, Douglas and Julia sat with the children and announced it the day after they’d agreed to marry. While Lizzie and Ruby danced jubilantly around their aunt and uncle, Willie stepped back, once, twice then fled the room without a word.
Julia was horrified and immediately moved to go to him.
Douglas caught her arm and murmured under his breath, “Let me.”
She did but not without pacing at the bottom of the stairs, holding her new kitten Fred (who was not very happy at being held and stroked when he wanted to play and, if possible, scratch the wonderful carpet runner on the stairs which was the perfect height for his little claws).
When Douglas descended the stairs, Julia turned fretful eyes to him. He encompassed her waist with his arms and looked into her eyes.
“Give him time,” he said quietly.
These were not the words Julia wanted to hear but she nodded anyway.
Two days later at dinner, the mood had not changed. Lizzie and Ruby and the rest of the household were still ecstatic. Willie was unusually quiet and still undecided.
After the main course was whisked away and the pudding about to arrive, Willie cleared his throat and announced he had something to say.
“Thank you, Uncle Douglas,” he started, his young voice sounding solemn, “for asking me to be your best man. But I’ve thought about it and decided, since Dad isn’t here to do it, that I should give Auntie Jewel away instead.”
Julia’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes quickly filling with tears slid to Douglas who inclined his head soberly at his nephew, his face communicating he felt this decision wise.
“That is,” Willie continued, his eyes on his aunt, “if you want me to, Auntie Jewel.”
She didn’t trust herself to say more than, “Please.”
Taking his cue from his uncle, he inclined his head (somewhat arrogantly, Julia noted with a hint of amused dismay).
Lizzie let out a snort, betraying her attempt to hold back her tears. At the noise, Julia let her emotions go and burst into uncontrollable sobs. Lizzie followed suit and Ruby, never one to be outdone, wailed louder than the two other females even though the four year old wasn’t exactly certain why she was crying. Douglas and the newly-anointed Will (who had, that evening at the dinner table, forever lost the youthful “Willie”) found themselves thrust into comforting the howling women. Douglas pulled Julia into his arms and then steeled himself when Lizzie threw her entire body weight against them and he included the young girl in his comforting embrace. Will, for his part, patted Ruby’s back awkwardly.
Mrs. Kilpatrick walked into this scene carrying pudding and after hearing the story haltingly told by Julia, she joined the caterwaul. So overcome was she, Douglas had to phone Roddy Kilpatrick to come see to his wife.
Douglas and Julia’s first row came less than twenty-four hours after Julia agreed to the marriage.
Indeed, the morning after.
“I’ll ask Veronika to move your things up here today,” Douglas murmured against Julia’s lips, the water from the shower falling on them, his soapy hands on her body.
She smiled but shook her head, moving her mouth from his, she paused from running her lips across his jawbone to reply, “I don’t think so.”
Douglas’s slippery hands slid over her behind, pulling her wet body closer to his. “I do.”
She laughed (probably too aroused to realise the seriousness of Douglas’s intent). “I’m not moving up here. The children don’t even know we’re getting married.”
“We’ll tell them today.”
She nodded her agreement but said, “We have young, impressionable children in the house, we can’t carry on like this.” She brushed her lips against his. “I’ll move up after the wedding.”
His hands slid up to tighten around her waist.
“You’ll move up today,” he ordered, his voice brooking no protest.
Her head jerked back, (probably at his arrogant tone which she immediately changed her mind about and most definitely did not adore).
“I will not!” she snapped stubbornly.
He pressed her against the wall of the shower.
“Yes,” was all he said, his fingers finding spots that would (with any normal female) get her to go along with his plan.
Not Julia.
Still, she gasped (she couldn’t help herself).
Then she stated firmly, “No!”
“Yes,” he growled, his mouth finding the area behind her ear that he knew would get her to acquiesce.
Unfortunately, Douglas again misjudged his bride-to-be.
“We cannot carry on an illicit affair under the noses of the children,” Julia retorted (but her reply lost some of its strength due to its breathy quality).
Douglas, not one to fight fair, lifted her effortlessly, spread her legs, pressed her against the wall and entered her in one fluid movement, his hands on her backside holding her aloft.
Her legs immediately wrapped around him.