Chapter 10
Knowing Remington's mood was still teetering between anger and grief, Laura had a suggestion. "How about we have a cup of tea then take a stroll down by the lough?" she asked.
Remington nodded, "Tea and a stroll, eh. I think I can handle that."
Together they wandered to the kitchen where, after starting the water for the tea, found Mickeline in the office on the phone with Mildred. "Yes, Mildred, I was able to work the deals with the bank, just like you suggested. I can't wait for you to return… how many more days is that? I'll be counting them down for sure," he said smiling, not having noticed Laura and Remington standing in the hall.
Without a sound Laura motioned with her finger for Remington to follow her, leaving Mickeline none the wiser to their presence. "Sounds like Mickeline and Mildred are having a long distance thing," she laughed.
"A thing? He sounds like a love sick puppy," Remington joked.
"Are you still up for heading to the pub with Mickeline tonight? If you're not, I'm sure Mickeline would understand," Laura asked softly.
"No, I supposed it would be good to head out tonight. Drink a toast to Daniel I suppose," Remington said, running his hand across his face, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"Hopefully find a band for our wedding while you're toasting Daniel," Laura reminded him of the real reason he was going.
Remington chuckled, "Did I share with you the name of said band, Laura?"
Laura narrowed her eyes at him, trying to figure out what the joke was, "No, but I think you're about to tell me, aren't you?"
"Hot...house… flowers," Remington said, chuckling still.
"Hothouse Flowers is the name of the band? You're going to book a band called Hothouse Flowers for our wedding?" Laura said attempting to sound serious when she really wanted to laugh just because he was laughing.
"I didn't say I was going to book them tonight, Laura, I simply said I would go to hear them," Remington tried to clarify. Just at that moment, the tea kettle began to whistle. "Saved by the bell," he muttered under his breath. Preparing two cups of tea, Remington handed one to Laura before taking her free hand to hold in his. "Shall we sit in the gallery or would you prefer to walk?" he asked.
"Walk, I think," Laura replied heading for the door just past Mickeline's office. As they passed, they could see Mickeline looking at a few sample catalogs. "Hello, Mickeline, what are you looking at?"
"Ah, Mrs. Steele, just a few catalogs of linens. We need to order more but the selections…. I wasn't aware there were so many choices to be made. I'm at a loss as to where to begin," Mickeline admitted. He was overwhelmed by all the changes being made.
"Maybe when Mildred arrives back at the castle she can sit with you and help you out," Laura suggested.
"Ms. Krebs, yes, that might be a good idea. She has such a keen eye for these things, doesn't she," Mickeline's eyes lit up at the mere mention of Mildred's name.
"That she does, Mickeline, that she does. Mrs. Steele and I will be outside walking about the lough should anyone else need us," Remington informed him. "And we are still on for our venture to the pub this evening?" he asked.
"Yes, my lord. Say we leave here about 7:30? Get a good spot at the pub. A few pints before the music begins," Mickeline suggested.
"Well then, Mrs. Steele and I will be needing dinner before that then. Don't want to be drinking on an empty stomach. Please tell the cook we'll be expecting our meal to be ready at six. And we'd like to be served in the gallery," Remington stated, watching Laura's face for any sign she wasn't agreeable to his plans. Seeing none, he continued, "We'll let the cook decide on the evening meal, although nothing too heavy this evening."
"Very good, your Lordship. I'll let him know," Mickeline said.
Laura reached out and took Remington's hand as they walked down the hall and outside. Sipping her tea, she walked, allowing Remington's long stride to set their pace. Once they reached the water's edge they followed it silently.
Looking around Laura stopped and released his hand as she was taken in by the scenery before her. Remington stopped, "Laura?"
"This is it," she declared. Looking around she took a few steps away from him before stopping again, looking from the castle to the water and said it again, "This is it."
"This is what precisely?" Remington asked suddenly confused.
"This is it. This is the spot. I don't know why we didn't see it before," Laura said excitedly.
"Mrs. Steele, excuse me if I seem lagging on the thought train, however, what are we talking about now?" Remington had no idea what she was looking at that had her so excited.
"As we were walking down here, I was thinking about our wedding. The music, the food and the photographer. This is the spot where I want our pictures taken. Right here. The water on this side, the castle on the other," Laura gestured with her hands, effectively spilling her tea in the process.
"Laura… give me your cup before you drop it…." Remington removed the mug from her hand. He placed the mugs down on a bench nearby, then turned to face her, a smile slowly forming on his face.
Laura stopped and looked at him, "What?"
"You. I don't know how you do it. When we came out here, I didn't know what to feel… angry at Daniel, grief… I don't know… but you. You just managed to twist my heart into… into….mush for lack of a better term," Remington said as he reached out to hold her in his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head.
They stood that way for a few minutes before Laura broke the silence, "You mean you don't agree this would be the perfect spot for pictures?"
Remington couldn't suppress the laugh that bubbled up from his chest. "This, Mrs. Steele, is the perfect spot just because you see it to be. Let's walk some more, shall we?" Remington said.
Collecting their now empty mugs, the pair walked, occasionally swinging their hands, now and then Remington bringing their hands to brush his lips across her fingers. After almost an hour, they made their way back to the castle. They had walked in almost complete silence, yet, it was the unspoken words that calmed Remington. By the time they returned to castle, his mood had improved greatly and a thought had occurred to him. Dropping their mugs in the kitchen, together, they moved to their bedchamber.
"Laura, how about before dinner, I run a bath for you, help wash your hair again," he suggested.
Laura looked at him, smiling, "That sounds wonderful but I thought I was trying to make you feel better?"
"You have, love, in ways you might not understand. We'll have to make plans to travel to London as well for the reading. I don't think I want to make it an extended stay so let's say we leave Wednesday and return Friday. That will put a damper on your plans to shop with Sarah," Remington said thoughtfully.
"Well, under the circumstances, I'm sure Sarah will understand if we need to postpone our shopping trip by one day. She and I can shop on Saturday," Laura answered.
Remington nodded in agreement. "Then it's decided. I'll have Mickeline make the arrangements for us for the trip to London. Now, let's get this bath started for you," he said as he moved to the bathroom and turned on the water.
A short time later, Laura's hair was washed and she was relaxing in the large tub when she heard the distinct click of the door to their bedchamber closing. Closing her eyes, she couldn't help but wonder where he was heading.
After getting Laura settled in the bath, Remington slipped out of their room. As he and Laura had walked, his mind kept wandering back to the last conversation he and Daniel had. He needed to feel close to him at that moment so he briskly walked the halls of the castle to the room Daniel had stayed in. His belongings had been removed but somehow, his presence still hung in the room. Remington touched the dresser lightly, traced the poster at the end of the bed with his fingers before moving to the bench Daniel had last sat.
"Ah, Daniel, I don't know what to say, mate," Remington said quietly to the empty room. "You've done it now, I'll tell you. If you ever thought I was angry at you before… well... " Remington paused. Was he really angry at Daniel? "I don't know, Daniel. I don't know why you did it, why you waited and I hope I find some answers in London, but bloody hell, if this is one of your cons… I'll never forgive you. But I guess that doesn't matter now does it. Laura's an amazing woman and if it wasn't for you… she and I would never have found each other, so for that, I thank you, my old friend."
Remington looked around the room again, sensing a change in the atmosphere but he couldn't find a reason for it. "Daniel… if you're…" he said quietly but shook his head, berating himself for his active imagination. Standing, he surveyed the room one last time before leaving, closing the door behind him as he walked back to where Laura was waiting for him.