So I know I recently updated (as long as we define recent as in the past 5 months). I had a few comments and reviews. And let me set the record straight by saying that I enjoy all of the comments. I had some help from hannibal1996; they helped me out by giving me some suggestions for this chapter, so props to them. Check out their stories because some of them are really interesting.
On another note I really look forward to finishing this story soon. It will probably end with the wedding of Holly and Greg. I may or may not do a sequel I am playing around with that idea. Let me know what you think.
Holly's P.O.V.:
We arrived at the London stop in no time. To be honest I wasn't all that shocked. Greg collected our stuff and we walked off of the train. When we stepped off, immediately someone was there to greet us. I didn't recognize him; even though we have visited the Heffley's a lot. However apparently Greg knew him and shook his hand. We were at the Heffley's London home within in half an hour, the traffic was horrendous.
It was still relatively early in the morning so we just went straight to the library to relax and read. Our train to Devonshire doesn't leave until after lunch. I don't exactly know why we are going to Devonshire first instead of exploring London, but that was Greg's call I am confident that he will explain later.
"Greg?" I asked trying to get his attention.
"Yes?" He replied almost in a daze.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"You seem a little lost, almost over focused for a vacation that we are supposed to be on."
"I know what you are saying. I guess I just am running through a lot."
"Why? Just relax. Enjoy the time we have together." I said I started walking towards him.
I kissed him slowly on the lips and he was quick to respond. I loved him and wanted him so badly. The clock as if trying to spite me rang signaling that it was 12 o'clock and time to get ready to get going soon. We broke apart as the butler walked in ready to serve tea.
Greg's P.O.V.:
"Thank you Charles."
"Will that be all sir?"
"Yes we will finish and leave for the train a little while."
"Very good sir"
As soon as Charles left I started having a laughing fit. I was dying. We were almost caught by the butler. I am sure that they are aware that Holly and I are engaged but there are still certain activities that are meant for other times when we are alone.
"Holly come on let's finish."
"Yes Greg."
"We have to be more careful you know."
"I know I was trying to take advantage of our alone time."
"Pardon me sir, but there is a phone call for you." Charles said as he walked into the library.
"Who is it Charles?"
"A Mr. Rowley sir"
"Rowley! Excuse me Holly I have to get this. Thank you Charles, we are done with tea." I walked out of the library quickly to the phone in the main hall. What could Rowley want? I haven't talked to the bloke in quite some time.
As I picked up the phone I said "Rowley?"
"Hey Greg, how is it going mate?"
"Fine yourself?"
"Great. I just wanted to talk to you to confirm some things."
You see Rowley and I went to boarding school together we were inseparable. If there had been an "attached at the hip" superlative we would have won it hands down. Right now he was in the printing industry he owned two papers and a magazine or two.
"Yeah what's going on? I mean I don't know much about the London gossip what could I confirm for you?"
"There was a tip to my office today that I bought the rights to. It was a tip that you assaulted the Earl of Shrewsbury's youngest daughter Holly." I went blank I was furious. But I was grateful that Rowley brought the rights to it.
"Greg are you still there?"
"Yes I am."
"Greg there are a few pictures. I think you should come in and see them."
"I was about to leave for Devonshire today."
"I mean it can wait I can bury the story as long as I want."
"Thank you for buying it and the rights Rowley; that would have killed my family."
"Greg, it's not true right?"
"Of course not, how much did it cost you?"
"Greg we aren't going there."
"No tell me!"
"100 pounds"
"Crikey!"
"I had to confirm it with you there was no way it was true."
"I and my family appreciate it."
"Any time we are the best of friends."
"Listen which office?" Rowley told me the address and I went to go find Holly.
"Holly?"
"Hey are you okay you look tense?"
"I am not okay."
"Why what happened?"
"There is scandal brewing about me and a girl."
"What's going on?"
"Rowley my old mate he bought the rights to the scandal and called to talk about it to confirm that it was made up."
"He's a good friend Greg."
"I know, which is why we have to go meet him now. I owe it to him. I know that you were looking forward to getting away but when we get back we are going to be so busy so I said we should meet now I am really sorry."
"No, no its fine. You should go."
"Can you come with me?"
"Yes…Greg?"
"Yeah"
"I think I know of a great way to pay him back"
"How so besides giving him the money he paid for the story?"
"We give him a new one."
"What"
"We tell him ours, that we are engaged that we are in love and that we are going to marry soon. We give him a new story and shut up who ever tried to sell him the story about you assaulting someone, only if you want to tell everyone?"
"That's brilliant. I love it, I am more than happy to tell the world that I love you and that you are my wife to be."
"Then later tonight we can leave for Devonshire, we weren't going to do anything anyway when we got there."
"Let me telephone Devonshire first and we will go." I gave her a quick peck on the lips. I just hope that she doesn't freak out when she finds out that it was her that I supposedly assaulted.
TIME BREAK-H&G-H&G-
We arrived at Rowley's quickly. Holly had a genius idea; the marriage of a Duke is bound to sell copies. I am so lucky to have Holly at my side.
"Rowley"
"Greg, how have you been?"
"Better."
"I bet. And Holly?"
"Hi it's nice to meet you Rowley."
Rowley's P.O.V.:
Why did he bring Holly? Maybe it was to corroborate his story. I was going to ask him how she was doing, if anything ever happened. Last time we meet for drinks he told me he ran into her at Cambridge and wanted to start 'courting her' as they put it.
"Shall we step into my office?"
"Yes let's. Come on Holly." I closed the door behind them.
"So I am sure both of you are aware of the story."
"Rowley do you mind telling me who the girl is, I mean the one Greg allegedly assaulted?"
"I though you knew who was assaulted. That's why you came here with Greg?"
"Know what?"
"Holly it was you."
"What that's nonsense."
"I figured as much Holly."
"So Rowley you mentioned photos on the phone. Can we see them?"
"Of course you can." I went into my desk to grab them.
As I handed them to Greg and Holly I could see their expressions drop and fade into ones of horror.
"Greg, they took pictures of us of our walks into the woods our time alone."
"I know, I know, it's okay because it is all fake."
"I just, how could we not know someone was taking pictures of us."
"So I take that the story is fake that these photos have been taken out of context?"
"Yes. Rowley there were."
"Great I can burn them."
"Rowley can I ask who gave you the tip?"
"The tip it came from Heather, Holly's sister. That's why it all just didn't sound right."
"Well thank you for everything and for giving us the chance to defend ourselves before printing it."
"Anytime you are best friend."
"Can we keep the photos Rowley?"
"Yes here."
"Rowley here are is the payment."
"Greg you didn't have too."
"No I did because you saved me, my family, and Holly."
"Like I said I did it because of you and you are my best friend. So I will see you out."
"Actually I…We wanted to do one other thing for you."
"What?"
"Well Greg and I are engaged to be married, that's why there are photos of us walking hand in hand and into the forest and such."
"That's great news Greg. This is great for you. Congrats mate."
"Thank you."
"So Rowley we wanted to give you rights to the story, the first chance to announce it. Only our family knows and I am sure that the marriage of the next Duke of Devonshire will be huge gossip to everyone."
"Thank you Greg and Holly, I really appreciate it."
They stayed for the next 2 hours. I got the full story behind their engagement and started drafting the article. It was going to be front page news for the next two issues. I also called in the photographer to take a couple of shots of the two of them for the new edition. Just as we were about to rap up the whole event Greg came to one more time to ask me something.
"Hey listen normally I think tradition says that my brothers are to be my groomsmen. But Rowley I want you to be my Best Man. You will be in charge of the stag party and everything."
"Yes Greg I will take of everything. Thank you for giving me this chance."
"Anytime mate. Thank you again for everything Rowley. It means the world to me and Holly. Seriously though stay in touch. We have to get going but enjoy yourself. I will send you the invite to the wedding when we get back from our wedding."
"Will do, and enjoy yourself Greg, you deserve everything you have."
Greg's P.O.V.:
We left Rowley's and headed for the train station immediately we needed to make the three thirty train to Devonshire. As we settled ourselves on the train I couldn't help but think about how mad I was at Heather. All she had done is try to break up Holly and myself and it was getting on my nerves. I don't care if she is family or not if she tries one more thing I will make sure that she is not at the wedding and things become very difficult for her. To be honest I think her hatred isn't only rooted in the fact that Holly and I are going to get married and holly will be at a higher social standing than her, but I also think it has to do with Roderick.
Roderick was infatuated with Heather years ago before he ran away. Even though Heather couldn't stand Roderick, quite a few times the idea of the two of them marrying was thrown around. But once Roderick realized that he would never be happy with Heather and that she would never love him the way he loved her he moved on. He moved on seemingly fast too because within a few months of this realization he fled for Paris officially abandoning his family. And now her younger sister was going to marry that same family and hold the title she once was supposed to have.
I pushed my thoughts aside and tried to relax. I pulled Holly closer to me and held her a little tighter. I gave her a light kiss and slowly drifted off into a light sleep waiting for us to arrive at Devonshire.
Next time on "No More Suitors, Lady Holly is Engaged":
They will tour the property. It will most likely be a relatively short chapter and span about a two or three days.
After that they will head back to London and then to Shrewsbury for the wedding.
Please R&R.
