“Not really,” Elias said from behind her, “you might be capable and independent, Mia, but you can’t do everything yourself, especially in a property of this size. Having help doesn’t make you a snob—it just means you like to make sure your home is taken care of. Alex and I have cleaners come in, and we don’t live in places nearly this big. I don’t know about Alex, but I work long hours, get home knackered, and the last thing I feel like doing is dusting or pushing a vacuum cleaner around. At the same time, I can’t stand a dirty home, so the solution is simple. I employ someone to help me out. I can afford it, I’m paying her a good wage… personally, I don’t see a problem with it.”
Mia reached the landing, and she turned and watched the men ascend the last few steps with a smile. “I never thought of it like that before. And since Dad died, I’ve had more stuff to deal with than usual, so I guess I can be excused, right?”
“There’s nothing to excuse, Mia, but all right, if it makes you feel better…” Elias replied.
She nodded curtly. “Thank you. Where do you want to start, then? Left or right?”
Just under half an hour later, they walked back into the kitchen to see Thomas approaching the back door. He spotted them and paused, waiting.
“All done?” he asked as they filed out. Alex pulled the door closed behind them.
“Yep,” Mia said. “Half of it was like giving myself a tour—haven’t been in some of those rooms in forever.”
Thomas chuckled. “Maybe not, but I’m sure you’ll be glad of all those spare rooms before long.”
Mia frowned. What did he…?
“For the wedding?” he supplied as though it was obvious, raising his eyebrows. “You’ll be able to put a fair few folk up here—not like there’s an abundance of hotels or B&Bs in the village.”
Her heart fluttered. She didn’t like where this was going, not one bit. “But we haven’t even discussed the wedding yet. We don’t know where, or when, or anything!”
“Oh,” Thomas said, his cheeks colouring, “my mistake. I did that thing you should never do… assume.” He glanced at Elias, who appeared nonplussed. “Sorry, mate. Take no notice of me.”
He spun on his heel and began walking along the garden path, launching into chatter about the layout of the gardens, his plans for it, what happened in the wider estate…
Mia tuned him out—she already knew most of it. Plus, all she could really focus on was his assumption the wedding would take place at the house. She had no idea why he’d come to that conclusion, but the more she thought about it, the more she realised he was right. It was obvious, really. The house, the estate, were what this wedding, this marriage—were all about. Making sure they passed into her loving, careful hands and not Quinn’s greedy, grasping ones. What better way to mark the occasion by holding the wedding on the very land that had brought it about? It also meant that, in a strange way, her mum and dad would be with her, too, since they were buried in the estate churchyard. It tied everything off with a nice bow, and suddenly she couldn’t fathom how she could even contemplate not holding the wedding here.
God, at times Thomas really did know her better than she knew herself.
She just hoped Elias would be all right with it.
Returning her attention to Thomas’s chatter, she found that he was currently telling the others about his vision for the flowerbed she’d seen him clearing up earlier that week. Elias and Alex appeared to be listening intently, nodding, smiling and making the occasional comment or asking questions as they went along, and Mia remained silent and allowed herself to be swept along on the tour.
After a while, they turned onto the path which led past Thomas’s shed. As they drew level with it, he and Mia exchanged a meaningful look, which Alex’s sharp eyes immediately caught on to. “Oh, like that, is it?”
Elias turned, having been facing the other way and missed it. “What? What’s like what?”
Alex chuckled and nudged Mia. “You should have seen the way these two looked at each other when we passed that shed.” He jerked his thumb at the structure. “Been indulging in some outdoor fun, have we?”
“We might share a woman, but that doesn’t mean we have to share stories,” Thomas replied with an enigmatic smile. “If Mia wants to tell you, that’s her prerogative, but I don’t kiss and tell.”
Mia squeezed her hands into fists, wondering if Alex would take Thomas’s words the wrong way. They’d all been getting on great so far, but she wasn’t expecting miracles, not with three smart, headstrong men around.
“Great answer.” Elias clapped him on the back. “I sensed from the moment Mia started telling us about you that you were a good man, but I’m glad to have it confirmed.”
“And he can take a bit of ribbing, too,” Alex added, beaming at Thomas. “Suppose that’s essential, really, with you around, Mia.”
“Suppose it is,” she quipped. “So,” she turned her attention to Thomas, “if we’ve finished teasing one another; where next?”
Thomas’s eyes found hers, suddenly serious. He gave the tiniest flick of his head towards the lawn and trees at the rear of the house, and raised an eyebrow in query.
She realised immediately what he was getting at. She thought for a second, then nodded. It would be okay. It was important they knew. The corners of Thomas’s lips lifted the tiniest bit, and he led the group onto the lawn and through the trees. “This,” he said, “is mostly what you see is what you get. Evergreens, pretty low maintenance, except for cutting the grass, of course.”
“Hey,” Alex interrupted, his eyes suddenly wide, “have you got one of those ride-on mowers?”
“Yes,” Thomas replied, frowning a little, then grinning with realisation. “And yes, you can have a go on it sometime.” He rolled his eyes good-naturedly as Alex did a fist pump. “As I was saying… this might be low maintenance, but there’s something very special about it, too.”
Elias and Alex said nothing as the four of them continued through across the lawn and approached the large pine tree adorned in fairy lights, which were now affixed to a gadget which switched them on when it got dark, and switched them off again when it got light. “Cool,” Alex said as he clocked the string of lights wound around the tree. “I bet this looks stunning in the dark.”
“It does,” Mia said softly, “but that’s not even the half of it.”
“Oh?” Elias said, clearly waiting for one of them to elaborate.
Mia glanced at Thomas, who gave her an encouraging smile. She reached out and took Elias and Alex’s hands, and led them around to the side of the tree that faced the house. “Look.”
It took them a moment, but she knew the second each of them had spotted them, as their hands tightened in hers almost simultaneously. “Oh, Mia,” Alex eventually said, dropping her hand and slipping his arm around her shoulder, then pulling her close so he could press a kiss to her hair. “They’re…”
“They’re perfect,” Elias supplied. Then, his tone serious, “Mia, we have to get married here. I don’t mean here on this very spot, but on the estate. In the church, on the parterre, on the bloody roof, if you want, but having the wedding here seems like the clear choice. It’s a part of you, your parents are here in spirit,” he raised a hand to the pair of silver angels hanging from the tree, engraved Mum and Dad, “and this is what we’re doing it all for, after all. Or at least it was to start with. It’s so much more than that for me, now.” He finally turned and made eye contact with her, and she saw sincerity there, and something that looked a hell of a lot like love.
She squeezed his hand, then released it, only to turn and fling her arms around him. “Yes!” she said, elation filling her so rapidly she felt like she’d float away. “As long as it’s what you want, too. There are going to be two people in this marriage,” she clapped her hand over her mouth as she spluttered out a laugh and looked over at Alex and Thomas, who looked equally as amused as she felt, “well, sort of. You know what I mean.” She hugged Elias tightly. “Wha
t I’m saying is, don’t say it just because you think it’s what I want. I’d very much like to think this will be the only time either of us gets married, so it’s got to be special for both of us, all right? I’m no bridezilla; I don’t want it to be all about me.”
Elias hugged her back, then set her away from him so he could look into her eyes. “You should know by now, darling, that I’m not a man to take things lightly. I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it. It honestly just feels right to me. Though I am very glad to hear that you’re no bridezilla.” He stopped talking and looked around, taking in the grounds. Then he turned to Thomas. “So, when are the flowers going to be at their best, mate?”
Thomas thought for a moment. “Probably June, July time.”
Elias looked back at Mia. “So, beautiful, how do you feel about a summer wedding?”
Mia’s jaw dropped. A summer wedding? And he obviously meant this summer, too, since next summer would be too late… “I-in a few months’ time, you mean?”
His lips quirked into the tiniest of smiles. “Yes, of course.”
“Fuck,” she replied. “I guess I’d better get planning, hadn’t I?” Then, her heart racing and her brain whirling, she turned and started jogging across the lawn back towards the path, throwing over her shoulder, “I’ll leave you guys to finish the tour—I’ve got some phone calls to make!”
Chapter Seventeen
Five months later
Mia looked at her three friends, clad in their bridesmaid dresses and looking stunning. Breath-taking, even. It had been quite the challenge to find colours and styles which suited all three of them with their vastly different hair and skin tones, but Lucia had managed it. She’d managed most of the wedding arrangements, in fact, since Mia had called her to get her opinion and advice on a dress, and their conversation had ended up with Lucia offering to help, and Mia jumping at the chance. She’d done an amazing job, too, leaving Mia with minimal tasks to complete—and most of those were the confidential ones to do with the prenuptial agreement and the transfer of assets to her once she and Elias had tied the knot.
“Ladies, you look amazing. You know bridesmaids aren’t supposed to upstage the bride, right?”
Gabrielle snorted in a most unladylike fashion. “Are you kidding, Mia? I mean, yes, we do look great, admittedly,” she glanced down at herself, then over at the other two, “but all eyes are going to be on you, for sure. That dress is just perfection. You are perfection. That hair, that jewellery, that makeup…” She gave a happy sigh.
After much deliberation, Mia had gone for a white sleeveless chiffon dress with a V-neckline, the hem of which hovered just off the floor when she had on her heels. A long train for an outdoor wedding hadn’t seemed like a good idea at all—the thought of grass stains, and not the fun kind, had made that particular decision for her. Her blonde hair had been teased into loose curls and left down, with a slim, silver jewelled headband sitting on top. Much to Lucia’s consternation, her shoes had a very modest heel, but after she’d argued about not wanting to fall over or sink into the grass, Lucia had reluctantly conceded. Her makeup was light and natural, and the look had been completed by small diamond drop earrings—no necklace, no bracelet. The ruby engagement ring, of course, was still firmly in place and had gained many admiring glances and compliments over the months in which she’d worn it.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling a little shyly and dropping her gaze to the carpet. She wondered what the guys would make of her. They, naturally, had absolutely no idea what she would be wearing—once the dress and shoes had been made, they had remained securely hidden away in one of the spare bedrooms, the door locked. Only she, Betty, and James had keys, and they had been sworn to secrecy.
The housekeeper, who was also dressed to the nines and had been delighted at the opportunity to buy a new hat and outfit, cleared her throat. “Ten minutes to go, love.”
Mia turned to her and smiled fondly. “Eek! Almost time. Okay, ladies,” she aimed her words at her friends, “would you mind heading down to the back parlour to wait for me? I just need a few more minutes with Betty, here, and then it’s showtime.”
The girls nodded and began filing out, giggling excitedly and nudging each other. “I’m so glad the weather is beautiful today—outdoor weddings are such a risk,” came Phoebe’s voice.
Mia smirked—that was Phoebe, pragmatic as ever.
“Yes, I suppose,” Gabrielle said, “but it also means there’s plenty of opportunity for illicit encounters in bushes and hedges. I’ve got my eye on the best man. Did you know he’s a doctor? He can test his stethoscope on me anytime!”
Mia shook her head as her friend’s raucous laughter rang out along the corridor, then smiled to herself. She felt sorry for both Gabrielle and Alex. Gabrielle because she’d get nowhere at all with Alex, since he was, by his own admission, utterly devoted to Mia. And Alex had her sympathy because Gabrielle could be a bit full-on. She’d frighten the life out of the poor bloke. They’d probably find him hiding in the bushes at some point today, trying to get away from her.
Pushing her amusing thoughts aside, she turned her attention back to Betty. “Thank you for being here, Betty. It means a lot to me.”
“Pff. Nonsense, love—where else would I be? I’m just honoured that you want me here. I only wish your parents could be here to see you. You look so beautiful. They’d be so proud of you—the way you’ve coped since losing your poor old dad, running this place, keeping everything running smoothly. And now getting married!” She dropped her gaze, then tweaked needlessly at the hem of Mia’s dress. “Speaking of which…”
Oh God, here we go. Mia resisted the temptation to roll her eyes.
“In the absence of your mum and dad, I feel it’s my duty to ask you this, honey, so please don’t get mad.” She lifted her head and met Mia’s eyes, her own blazing with intensity. “I just want to make certain you’re sure. Sure you want to go through with this marriage.”
“But I thought you liked Elias,” Mia replied, laying on the surprise she didn’t remotely feel.
“Oh, I do! I do like him. He might be one of them city boys, but he’s incredibly polite and well-mannered, treats you as well as you deserve, and he’s certainly easy on the eye, isn’t he?” She let out a giggle that made her seem twenty years younger.
“Yes,” Mia replied, letting out a giggle of her own. Betty’s sudden giddiness was catching, apparently. “He certainly is that!”
After a moment, Betty sobered. “Anyhow, it’s got nothing to do what I think of him. It’s about you. It’s all come about quite quick, hasn’t it? And at one point I thought you and Thomas… I’m sure that lad still holds a torch for you and—” At a sharp look from Mia, she changed tack, “I just want to make sure that it’s what you want. If you tell me now that you’re sure you want to go through with this, I’ll say no more about it.”
Mia took the older woman’s hands and looked her in the eye. “I’m sure I want to go through with this, Betty. Not only is he easy on the eye, he makes me happy and, most importantly, I love him.”
Betty let out a slow breath, seeming to deflate with relief. She squeezed Mia’s fingers. “That’s all I wanted to hear, and I’ll say no more about it. Though…” she gave Mia a warning look, “I will say just one more thing, and then I’ll shut up, I promise.”
“Go on…” Mia replied, her voice dripping with resignation.
“It’s about that Alex boy. The best man.”
Mia’s stomach flip-flopped. With a frown, she said casually, “Oh? What about him?” Oh God, she hadn’t seen something she shouldn’t have, had she? They’d been so careful!
“It’s just, er…” she let go of Mia’s hands and plucked at her own outfit this time, “if I were you, I’d watch yourself around him. He might be handsome and a doctor and all, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Not the way a lad should be looking at his best friend’s fiancée, that’s all I’m saying. Just be careful, okay?”
&
nbsp; Mia adopted what she hoped was a shocked expression. “Oh… er, okay. Thanks, Betty.” She thought about adding something like I had no idea, or I hadn’t noticed, or I’m sure you’ve got it wrong, but she’d tried incredibly hard not to tell lies when it came to her unusual situation, and she didn’t want to sully her wedding day by lying, either. Especially since, once everything was official between her and Elias and the estate was legally hers, she could start thinking about how best to fill Betty and James in on the situation, preferably without giving either of them a heart attack or a stroke. They were just too close to her to not notice anything amiss, and she knew she could rely on their discretion. It was part of their job, after all.
“Good.” The housekeeper beamed. “Right then, you ready? Excited?”
Mia nodded. Yes, she was definitely ready. But the second question gave her pause. Was she excited? The last few months had been such a whirlwind that she hadn’t had time to stop and consider how she felt. What with the wedding planning—even with Lucia doing the lion’s share, there’d still been plenty of decisions to make—sorting out the boring paperwork side of things with Elias and the solicitors; her hen weekend, which had been a lovely, relaxing weekend away at a luxury spa resort with the girls—once she’d talked them into it, that was. Gabrielle, in particular, had been horrified that they weren’t going out drinking and flirting with men, or to see a strip show. But that wasn’t what Mia had wanted, not even close. What was the point in going to see a bunch of gorgeous, naked men that she couldn’t and wouldn’t touch, when she had a bunch of gorgeous, naked men of her own that she could do anything she liked with? She also thought that avoiding excessive alcohol around the girls was a good idea—what if she had too much and her tongue started to loosen? She could let something slip, and she wouldn’t be able to take it back.
She’d also been spending quality time with each of the men—both together and separately. As she’d expected, dividing her attention equally between them was impossible, and since she’d stopped trying to micromanage everything and just went with the flow, things had become much easier.