A Sweet and Spicy Kind Of Love (5 page)

BOOK: A Sweet and Spicy Kind Of Love
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~~~

 

Lionel took his delicate, green leaf, china tea cup and smashed it against the wall in fury. The shards tinkled as the remains of the brown liquid dampened the Persian rug below. Valeria had just left the Manor after telling him of things he did not want to hear. Something to do with Julian and his apparent interest in some red headed, floozy called Molly.

 

Lionel could feel the rage boiling within causing his heartbeat to increase and sweat to pour like ribbons down his face. There was no way that Julian was going to throw away his life and career with some female who didn’t know the difference between a true work of art and illiterate nonsense. And yet caution was necessary. Lionel admitted that Julian was no longer a boy and did not take kindly to his father interference, if his bouts of sullen silence were anything to go by. A soft hand was needed to guide his son, and he knew just where to find it.

 

Chapter 4

 

                                                   

 

Rose Fenton’s brown eyes lit up, as her round cheeks flushed a delicate pink. She was an older woman with pleasant features, under silvery hair curled in a chignon at the nape of her neck. She wore a black, floral kimono with a red, sash which flowed softly around her large frame. It was strange attire for a housekeeper, but Rose had always been eccentric and she was glad to have found a household that ignored her unique behavior. With a whiff of her favorite lavender incense, she hugged her satin cushion to her chest and dreamed of what the future could become. Perhaps the Templeton Manor would live again and laughter would deck its halls. How she longed for such an outcome!

 

 It had been a long time since Lionel had been interested enough to ask her for a favor. She was glad that he had taken the time to visit, even if he had been his gruff overbearing self. It was more than the vacant glances she had received over the years. Much more than the ‘high master to a humble servant’ attitude, which Lionel never ceased to impress upon her. Ever since Elenora’s death the man had become a recluse and he was fast making his son Julian into a recluse as well.

 

It was only Rose’s maternal influence that had rescued some part of Julian’s soul, but if his father had anything to say about it, that too would soon be lost. Imagine trying to plot out his son’s life only to please his decaying years? Rose resisted the very idea with every fiber of her being. She would never allow Lionel to corrupt the only beautiful part of Elenora that remained.

 

Picking up the bedroom extension, she called to the North wing and waited for Julian to pick up. His deep voice reflected boredom and a certain wariness when he responded. Perhaps he thought it was his father. “Julian my love, it’s Rose. Please come to my room. I would have a few words with you.”

 

His pleasure at hearing her voice spilled over in his exuberant reply “Rose, I am so glad it’s you. Finally someone who knows what she is talking about. I’ll be there is a moment. Thanks for calling.”

 

With a small click, the call was over and Rose hugged a smile to herself. How she loved that boy. If only she could have one small say in his life, that would be more than enough for her.

 

~~~

 

Valeria was ecstatic and her joy bubbled over like a fountain of water, as she brought her parents up to speed “I am so relieved mom and dad. I visited Mr. Chambers today as you instructed and he told me not to worry. Julian will be brought to heel and I need not concern myself with the ‘trivial wandering fancies of a poor fool’. Those were his words not mine, by the way. He knows for a fact that his son will do what decency dictates, so he said to pretty myself because Julian will call on us this afternoon.”

 

Daisy Trenton heaved a sigh of relief “Valeria that is great news. As I see it will no longer be necessary to visit Molly’s mother. Your father and I were starting to worry, but now our minds are at peace.”

 

Bruce Trenton agreed with a slight grimace “That boy will have to be brought to the marriage table as quickly as possible, or at least a contract of some sort. Can’t afford to wait with these things. You can do it my daughter. You were born to be a Chambers and your mother and I will be eternally pleased. Tidy yourself up now. Must look your best at all times.”

 

With a gay shout Valeria ran up to her room with prancing feet. It was time to pull out every stop she possessed to ensure that Julian would stay at her side. Her mother had purchased a red, V neck dress with a plunging neckline and a flared bottom for a special occasion, and there was no occasion more special than this. The vibrant color suited Valeria’s sun kissed skin and would do justice to her black wavy hair. Surely Julian would be unable to keep his eyes off her, or any other red blooded male for that matter. Things were finally looking up.

 

~~~

 

Rose and Julian embraced as she invited him to sit on her soft couch. “Park it over there for just a moment and let an old woman look at what a strapping young man you’ve become.” With a quick smile she allowed her gaze to wander over his features and nodded. He was beautiful, just like his mother and no doubt half of the female population would lie at his feet.

 

But, she was happy to note that he appeared unaffected by his handsomeness and the remnants of that loving youth were still hidden in the depths of his green eyes. “We have not really spoken for a few years Julian. The boarding school kept you away for so long, that I didn’t know exactly how you’ve fared over the years. And yet I see a fine man before me who could be great, if you made the right decisions.”

 

Julian’s lips twitched with a hidden smile and he winked at her. “You have been talking to my father I see. I knew he would use you to bring me to heel.”

 

Rose’s eyes twinkled with delight as she shook her head “Not so young man. I have never had the intention of bringing you to heel. It is you that must make your choices. I only wish to guide you to make good choices, if you will allow an old woman to still have that liberty.”

 

Julian paced the room as he ran restless fingers through his hair. “You do have the liberty Rose. You are the only woman who does. I have not forgotten those nights you nursed my fears, cared for my wounds, cured my fevers and gave me guidance when I needed it. Without my mother I felt loss for such a long time and I have been ever grateful for your loving support. My father seemed to have lost his way after her death and for a while I lost my own. If it wasn’t for you, I would be just as bitter as him and just as controlling. And now, he wants me to make a choice I cannot make. And yet I have to try. Templeton Manor must remain in the family and a wife and heir would ensure this, but a woman like Valeria is not what I had in mind.”

 

Rose agreed with him “I do know of the Trenton family and of the girl in question, so I can see your point.”

 

At Julian’s puzzled look, Rose smiled secretly “I have my eyes and ears in the village young man, and know a lot of what has happened over the years. Sunnyvale has grown from a small village into a thriving town. It is not the city, but it has a charm all its own and Templeton Manor is part of that charm. The Trenton family is no different than any other. They would be glad to see their daughter joined to this family. Their little hotel, or Daffodil Inn as they call it, would benefit greatly from such a union. It would ensure the continuity of their way of life, which I hear is quite opulent to a certain extent.”

 

Julian laughed ruefully. “And here I thought you didn’t know what was going on. I see I have been fooled. What else do you know dear Rose?”

 

“Well now that you ask that question…haven’t I heard about a red head with an interesting affinity for you?”

 

Julian choked on his laughter as his eyes opened in disbelief “Molly? You know about Molly? Come on Rose, if you know about her you should know that she is the last person on my mind.”

 

Rose did not agree with that assessment, but she did not pursue it any further “Me thinks you protest too much! But let’s not worry about it right now. For the moment, let me tell you this. Go out and see the world for a little bit. Tell Valeria that you will have a sojourn in Europe, taking care of your father’s business abroad but that when you return, you will take up where you have left off. That will keep her in suspense for a while. If she should feel threatened by this, tell her you will call from time to time and that soon you will be reunited. And then send her a piece of jewelry from each place you visit. That should keep her together, until you decide what to do.”

 

Julian’s gaze turned reflective. “Excellent idea Rose. I will do precisely that. My father should not object to my hands-on offer. And if I tell him I will keep the lady in my thoughts, he should be content. As usual you have solved my dilemma and given me some breathing room.”

 

Raising Rose’s hands to his lips, he kissed it gently. “You are forever in my heart Rose. Sometimes I think you are the only girl that will be there. Love you.”

 

Rose’s eyes brimmed with affection as she watched Julian walk away, but her task was not yet complete. First she would visit Lionel and give him the good news, leaving out the more interesting bits and then she would visit Belinda Makepeace, Molly’s mother. It was time to come to some sort of arrangement if Julian was ever to have a chance at happiness.

 

~~~

 

Valeria could not believe what Julian was saying, but she kept her cool. There was no sense in upsetting the delicate truce they had agreed upon. “So you want to leave to travel to Europe for a few years? And then when you come back we can finalize our plans? Why?”

 

Julian turned his attention to a painting on the wall. He did not want Valeria to notice the whitening of his lips which indicated extreme displeasure. “I do not think we need to go tearing up the isle for a wedding right now. My father has extensive holdings abroad that I will administrate for him. Soon these years will have passed and I will return to Sunnyvale as promised. Surely you can be patient for just a little while longer, or is that too much to ask? Perhaps you might become interested in someone else when I am gone? That Tommy Livingston for example. Did he finally make his way back home the night of the prom?”

 

Valeria burst out laughing and dismissed the thought “Really Julian, must you talk about that sorry excuse of a human being? Tommy means nothing.” she said with a dismissing wave “I told him that if he drank himself to a stupor, I would leave him right there and I did. It was his own fault for being a klutz.”

 

Julian nodded “You can’t stand fools I know. Well then, do we have a deal?”

 

Valeria nodded and smooth her hair in a subconscious gesture. There was really nothing more to say. He had decided and if she wanted him, she would have to comply with his wishes. “I’ll be here Julian, just be sure to keep in touch as you have said and send me gifts. There must be some compensation for this ridiculous wait, don’t you think?”

 

“Of course my dear. I know you must be duly compensated. I would expect nothing less.” With an invisible sigh of relief Julian kiss Valeria on the cheek. He was relieved that she had taken it so well and he felt for the first time, that his future was somewhat in control. “I’ll be back in no time. Until we meet once more.”

 

When he left the house, Valeria watched his departure with mixed feelings. For some reason she felt a sense of loss, which was quite unexpected. But it made no difference. He would be hers and thanks to their agreement, there would be some nice gifts in the bargain. Now that was definitely something she could live with.

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

FIVE YEARS LATER

 

Molly tucked the tendrils of her red hair behind her ears with trembling fingers. She felt as though the entire world rested on her shoulders and her tired limbs begged for a soft bed, but the day was not yet over. The contemporary kitchen required cleaning and Daisy Trenton ran a tight ship. No dirty dishes were allowed overnight. No exceptions. With a tired sigh Molly scrubbed the pots and pans clean, as she allowed her mind to reflect on the course of her life.

BOOK: A Sweet and Spicy Kind Of Love
6.01Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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