His warm hand covered hers and with a grimace he said, “I know.”
Sophia had had enough time and information from Alistair and Alice to realize that Tavish had also been through many dramatic, traumatic events. “You know what? In a way, I look at you and I see myself,” she told him.
Tavish stared at her for a long time.
“Some things weren’t supposed to happen,” he finally said, his voice gruff as the heavy weight that darkened his soul. He shook his head to send away the bad memories of those dark days. “You looked well on TV and in the newspapers. How did you do it, Sophia? They were there, wanting blood and in the end you had them wagging their tails at you.”
Sophia’s laugh ended in a gasp. She put a hand on her stomach. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, contrite. “I forgot...”
“No. Don’t be,” she answered with a smile on her face. “It’s good to laugh.”
Tavish tilted his head to the side, “From your behavior so far, no one would guess you had been through all that.”
“There’s no point in whining and complaining. I don’t have much patience for self-pity. And I find it immensely boring to be fussed over all the time.”
Tavish was eyeing her intently with a strange look in his face.
What?
He shifted on the seat and his eyes roamed over the maze. “Alistair Connor told me you aren’t pressing charges. Do you really think it’s wise?”
Sophia took a long time to answer. “No. I don’t think it’s wise. Not at all. However... I don’t want to draw more attention to myself. Yeah, she deserves punishment, but... Can you imagine what she would say about, uh, Alistair’s relationship with...” she made a vague gesture with her hand. Shut up, Sophia. You don’t know if he knows.
“With?” Tavish put a leg on the bench, facing her. When she thinned her lips, he said gently, “Alistair Connor’s relationship with the two sisters?”
Dammit! She exhaled a loud breath of air and closed her eyes. “Is it common knowledge?”
“Nae. But I knew,” he answered. “So, you are protecting Alistair Connor.”
“And myself, and Gabriela and the future of our relationship. I was shocked when she told me he-” She opened her eyes and raised her eyebrows high. “Can you imagine the scandal?”
Tavish nodded, “Indeed. Looking at it that way...”
“Tavish Uilleam?” She bit her lip and lowered her lashes. Should I ask? Well, he’s a doctor. But, Sophia, he will guess...
“Sophia, you can ask me whatever you want,” he said and waited patiently.
Oh. Dammit. “Have you heard about a STD called Mycoplasma genitalium?”
He frowned, “Yes. Why?”
“Is it true... that it can cause sterility?”
“Human reproduction... or gynecology were never my speciality, but...” he studied her blushing face, intrigued.
Oh. God. He thinks the problem is mine. She didn’t correct him.
“What I have heard recently is that it is often quite difficult to diagnose because it usually occurs in conjunction with other infections, but it can easily be treated with antibiotics.” He didn’t know what to make of her question. Sophia didn’t look like a promiscuous woman. “Well, to answer you, if Mycoplasma genitalium is left untreated, it may cause infertility, yes.”
Sophia’s previous happiness deflected, “Oh... And is there any-”
“Mama, Mama.” Gabriela arrived running, interrupting them. “Mama, Alistair told me there’re daffodils near the loch. Can we go there?”
Alice and Sophia followed Tavish and Alistair out of the maze and down toward the loch through a lane lined with tall, old sequoias. The girls ran ahead together, shrieking at Michael that he was a rotten egg.
She turned to Alice, “The estate is enormous.”
“Yes, it is. And it’s very costly to maintain. That’s why they are all resorts. We’re building airstrips and helipads at each one to make them more accessible.”
They talked about inane things until they reached an open lawn.
Sophia stopped short with her mouth agape.
To their left were the famous Airgead gardens. They covered sixteen acres of formal lawns and flowerbeds, in vibrant yellows, oranges and reds along with Conifers and fine specimens such as Sequoiadendron Wellingtonia, Cryptomeria Japonica and others, backed by an extensive woodland and forested mountains. On the other side, the castle gleamed under the sun with the Craigdale coat of arms flag on the top of the roof waving at them and in front of them the loch beckoned with its calm waters.
“This is...” Sophia had no words to describe the amazing view.
Alice smiled. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Otherworldly. This is where I want to get married. In an impulse, Sophia turned to Alice and taking her hand, asked, “Alice, you have received me with opened arms into your family and in your home. Would you help me with the wedding?”
“Oh, Sophia! I’d be delighted. Delighted,” Alice’s smile was emotional as she hugged Sophia. “We’re so happy that Alistair Connor has found you.”
“The traditions here are so different from Brazil. I went crazy with all those princes and peers on Alistair’s and your father’s guest lists. There are so many things to do and... I’m lost. I won’t be able to do it all alone. And Alistair is not very forthcoming with help.”
“You can count on me. For anything.”
They smiled at each other and followed the men down to the loch, chatting and laughing about Sophia’s inventive ideas for the wedding.
Chapter 32
Ethan Ashford’s Penthouse.
Friday, July 2nd, 2010.
3.07 p.m.
“I’ve never seen him so depressed. He’s thinner. And unshaved. What’s happening Scott?” Barbara’s leg was jerking up and down nervously as she sat in Scott’s office on the first floor of Ethan’s penthouse. “Do you think it’s something I’ve done?”
“Oh. Don’t flatter yourself, my dear. The problem is this. Or rather, her.” Scott handed her the biggest of the cream envelopes that were under a glass weight on his desk. “He has been like this since this arrived yesterday morning.”
“What is it?” Barbara took out a beautiful invitation from the envelope. A watercolor painting depicted the Craigdale coat of arms over the imposing entrance to Airgead flanked by sequoias and flowery shrubs. At the bottom of the card there was a stylized monogram with the letters S and AC . She opened the heavy card. “Ah... I see. Is he going?” she asked handing back the envelope and card to Scott.
“Of course. To all the events,” he tapped on the envelopes.
She raised her eyebrows and picked them up. She whistled. “Five parties in a row! I’ve never seen such beautiful invitations! All hand-made. Am I going?”
Scott crossed his arms and smirked at her, “Yes. And no! You are accompanying him but no, you aren’t going to the parties. But don’t you worry, my dear, he has already asked me to buy you a consolation prize.”
“A consolation prize! I bet he is buying her something memorable. This is so unfair,” she huffed. “You could help me with him, Scott. Praise me to him.”
“Mr. Ashford may seem frivolous and selfish. Sometimes, he is scary and insufferable, I know.” He uncrossed his arms and leaned forward. “But let me tell you one thing, Sophia. I thank God every day for having met him. He has been my fairy godfather. He knows how to value the people that serve him well. Do you remember that loan you asked him?” Scott opened a drawer and took out an envelope. “He is planning to give you the promissory note you signed as a birthday present. Plus the other present for accompanying him to Scotland for a week. Don’t be an idiot, Sophia. You have a treasure in your hands.”