Notice Me (8 page)

I had given up talking to them. It was no fun when all you got back was one syllable answers.

As we approached the driveway Megan stiffened. I was sure it felt like torture each time she came back.

The mansion was magnificent with the summer sun cascading across it. The large lake was complete with a new modern fountain making the grounds more glorious than usual. The house itself seemed larger, but I think it was more a case of forgetting how huge the house was. The mansion itself was set in old grey granite blocks. The house was 18
^th
century, once the home to Italian royalty. Large sash windows dominated the house. There wasn’t an outstanding view not captured by a sash window. Veronica loved natural light. The grand front door always made me feel like I was entering a palace with the old thick dark oak doors and diamond door handles. The Field crest was imbedded in gold within the centre of each handle. The place just screamed, ‘
look we have money’
.

I glanced at Charlie. I don’t think he could take it all in. It had been like that for me the first time I came here. Megan however looked like she was being sentenced back to prison.

“Well, here we go,” whispered Megan flicking her eyes between Charlie and me.

“It is going to be fine.” Charlie took her hand in his while kissing her gently on the lips.

The butler appeared at that moment. He was new. I didn’t recognise his face, younger than the previous perhaps. Tall, almost grace like. His grey hair shimmered in the sunlight as he began to collect our belongings.

“Sir Philip Field and Lady Veronica Field are awaiting your company in the drawing room,” the butler stated.

“Why can’t they ever be introduced as Mother and Father?” Megan muttered under her breath. She was still furious, that was good.           

We made our way towards the drawing room. The inside to me seemed more like a museum, centuries old paintings hanging on the walls. Pale dusty fabrics hung around the sash windows. Breakable ornaments placed on dark earthy furniture. There was no warm welcome making you relaxed. More like any other country estate opening their home for profit. The Fields of course never did this. For one there was no need. The other reason, it was far too dangerous. Kidnap and ransom being their biggest fear.

We entered the drawing room much like the rest of the house. I let Charlie and Megan enter first. I had no idea how they were holding up, but I was sure I could hear one of their hearts beating outside their chest.           

Veronica caught my attention first almost glaring at Megan and Charlie. Then her eyes widened. I could tell Veronica was realising just how stunning Charlie was. Sir Philip Field however looked very sceptically as if he was already planning how to separate them. It was a shame Megan’s father didn’t understand that no price would
ever
tempt Charlie from Megan.

“Megan, darling it has been too long. Come here, let me look at you.” Veronica wrapped her arms around Megan. Megan didn’t even attempt to hug her mother back. Veronica looked over her shoulder at Charlie. “So this is him then, the man who has stolen my baby’s heart?” I couldn’t tell if she was trying to be evil or if it just came natural.

“This is Charlie, mother, but no he didn’t steal my heart. I gave it to him freely.” Megan smiled warmly at Charlie as he smiled back at her.

“It’s lovely to meet you Charlie. I am sorry to say I have heard nothing about you. Only because Megan never calls or really cares about her own mother anymore.” Veronica spat out the last words. Megan just rolled her eyes.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Lady Field.”

“This is my husband Sir Philip Field.” Veronica took a step backwards as Megan’s father strolled closer to Charlie.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too Sir. You have a beautiful home.” Charlie was nervous I could tell by the shake in his voice. Megan held his hand even tighter for support.

“So you are the Photographer?” Megan’s father towered over Charlie trying to belittle him.

“Yes Sir that is right.” Charlie stood his own. He had nothing to feel ashamed of. He worked for one the best photographers in the world.

“I am going to lay it on the line young man. I do not like you dating my daughter. If you have any intentions of becoming a member of this family you need to forget them now.” His words were harsh. I sensed Megan’s heart begin to break.

“Father, you can’t…” Megan was beginning to cry. The panic in her voice didn’t even affect her parents like it did me.

“It’s alright, Megan. I will sort this out,” Charlie interrupted stroking the single tear away from her cheek before glaring at her father. “I understand the concern for your daughter, Sir. Your son has already had this conversation with me. I will tell you the same as I told him. I do not want your money. I am more than equipped to look after myself. I am just concerned you dislike me simply because of who my mother works for? You have a wonderful daughter. You should be proud of what she has achieved! I am not going to be drawn into this feud you have with the Downing’s and you need to realise Megan is a big girl and can lead her own life!” Megan’s parents appeared speechless. We all were. Megan just gazed at him in awe. Suddenly she was in his arms kissing him passionately.

“Well, you have some nerve. I will give you that.” Megan’s father even had a slight smirk on his face.

“Shannon, you are looking well,” I was sure Veronica was only talking to me to change the subject or the atmosphere.

“Thank you Lady V… I mean Veronica,” I corrected remembering she asked me to call her Veronica on my last visit.

“Will tells me you are excited about New York.”

“Very.”

“It’s an amazing opportunity do not waste it. I am still impressed you were offered the job. I was hoping you would work for one of my companies in your placement year. If you do change your mind I could arrange that for you. Will is very keen to work with you again.” Megan’s father darted his eyes at me.

“Oh, I know Sir. I have no intention of wasting it. I am really excited about New York, but thank you for the offer.”

“I see good things for you, Shannon. If you don’t get side-tracked like my daughter.” I couldn’t be sure if he had laughed slightly.

“Is Will here yet and where is Maisy?” asked Megan.

“Maisy has gone to Malan, did she not tell you?” asked Veronica.

“No, how wonderful.”

“Will is just finishing off an overseas telephone conference upstairs. He will be down shortly.” That sounded like Will. He really never stopped working.

We retired into my favourite room of the house, the library. Wall to wall with books it was heaven. Some books were first editions, priceless. Charlie was talking quietly to Veronica while Megan I was sure was arguing with her father. The light beamed through the window as I wandered round gazing at all the titles.

“So he survived then?” I had been so engrossed reading the titles I hadn’t noticed Will enter.

“You made me jump,” I breathed.

“Sorry, I forget how absorbed you get in here.”

“I just can’t believe how many books you have.”

“Well, it’s easy when they get passed down from generations.” I could feel Will’s eyes on my face, watching me as I ran my hands over my favourite book of poetry by Neruda. “I am quite impressed, that is one of your favourite books. It’s one of mine too.”

“Really?” I asked surprised. I had never seen Will read poetry.

“Do you want to go for a walk by the lake, leave them all to bond?” Will smirked. It was a good idea though.

“Yeah, sure,” I hoped I didn’t sound too keen.

It was refreshing to be outside. I would never tell Will or Megan for that matter, but their family home made me nervous. It reminded me of an orphanage I had lived in when I was younger. Not the size of course, but the smells, colours and ambience. The memories were not good ones from my childhood.

White clouds were beginning to break with the help of the sun as we wandered towards the lake. The fountain was breathtaking as the crystal water rippled against the round silver stone and danced in the few beams of sunlight breaking through the clouds.

“Shannon, I have to tell you something.” Will touched my arm pulling me to face him. I suddenly became very anxious as to what would happen next. “Megan told me something the other day, and well it gave me hope or should I say the courage to tell you that… well, I am developing feelings for you Shannon. Very strong and powerful feelings.” I was frozen completely. How had a stroll with Will suddenly turned into this?

“Shannon, please say something.”

“Will I… I.”

“A full sentence would be helpful.” He smiled touching my face gently with the back of his hand. I felt a tingle in my stomach from his simple touch. He was striking in the summer sun. His light brown hair looked more blond from the gleam of the sun. His eyes were burning deep into mine as he waited for me to speak.

“I am just shocked, sorry. I wasn’t expecting that. I mean what you just said… that was beautiful.”

“Thank you, but I was rather hoping to hear if you feel the same about me, Shannon.”

“Will, I… I do really like you.” I knew I did, but how far my feelings would go I wasn’t sure. “Did you write the letters?” I asked suddenly desperate to know was Will in love with me. It had to be him.

“Would it make any difference if I had?” I didn’t understand the question.

“What do you mean?”

“Did you like the man in the letters?”

“Yes, I liked the letters. I don’t know the man though. I want to know him.” Will smiled as I spoke pulling me gently towards him. His eyes were exquisite as he stared down at me. I began to tremble in his arms. I suddenly wanted this moment as much as he did.

“Then yes, it was me who wrote the letters, Shannon. I am in love with you.” My heart leaped at the words. Could this be a dream? I needed to pinch myself just to be sure. “Shannon, what are you doing?” Will laughed.

“I just needed this to be real,” I sighed becoming lost in his deep ocean blue eyes.

“This
is
real,” Will whispered. I was pulled closer into the warmth of his arms. Will stroked my cheek softy as he looked deep into my eyes. “You are so beautiful,” he murmured leaning down to kiss me. My heart broke into a different rhyme of its own as I felt his soft lips against mine. I wrapped my arms tight around his neck wanting him closer. His hands glided down my back as my whole body quivered in pleasure.

As we released each other my body felt light. Will still had his hand on my face.

“Well…” I really had no idea what to say.

“Yeah, that was something,” Will laughed, stroking my cheek again.

“Yeah.”

“Shannon, I know you need time. I am not going to rush you on anything. We don’t even have to tell Megan yet if you don’t want to. I just want to be with you, which is all I care about. I don’t care how long it will take for you to feel comfortable. I know how hard it is for you to let people in and trust them, but I want you to be able to trust me.”

Will really did know me. His words took me by surprise. I didn’t realise I was crying until he wiped the tears from my face. I wasn’t sure what I could offer Will. I knew I wanted him, that was clear but my life had always been in disarray. I cared for him too much to let him enter that.

“Will, I…”

“Just say you will try Shannon. That is all I ask. Please don’t say you can’t.” Will dropped his hand from my face to take my hand in his. “I couldn’t bear it if we didn’t at least try.”