Chapter 11
Knowing it would do no good to argue with Laura, Remington simply nodded. They had a 2 hour car ride back to the castle, he didn't want to start it with a fight. "Well, I think that's about all we can do for today then. Mrs. Steele, would you agree?"
Laura looked at the young men standing side by side, smiling. "I agree. Pace are you ok? Do you need anything?"
Pace looked at his friend, "Did you remember my sandwich?"
Christian just laughed, "You mean sandwiches… that stomach of yours would never survive on just one."
Laura looked at Remington then at Pace. "We have a few things left over from our lunch if you'd like. Some scones, grapes... " she trailed off trying to remember what else was in the basket.
"Scones? Did you say scones? I haven't had a good scone since I don't remember when," Pace tried to think back in his memory. His grandmother used to make scones every Sunday morning when he was a boy. He had the recipe and hoped one day he could continue that tradition with his own child.
"Well, son, I think you will thoroughly enjoy these. Made fresh this morning at Ashford Castle." Remington was already getting the basket out of the trunk of the car. "You're welcome to anything else in there. We can collect the basket when this is over."
The next few minutes were spent confirming the plan for the next day. Laura and Remington promised Pace they would stop that evening no matter how late it was to see Sarah. Knowing Sarah would still worry, Pace wrote her note on the brown bag Christian had brought his sandwiches in. A handshake for each of the young men and Laura and Remington found their way back to the road easily. Christian had given them simple directions to get back to M7 which would take them almost all the way back to Glen Cree and Ashford Castle.
The first hour of the ride was relatively smooth. Laura and Remington talked mostly about the landscape and history of the different areas they drove through. Laura was amazed one again at the breadth of knowledge he had. He seemed to know more about the history of any given area than most people knew about their own neighborhood. Another mystery.
Once they were closer to Kildare, Remington remembered a small pub on the outskirts of town. "Laura, would you like to stop for a bite before finishing our ride? It's getting late now and if we are going to stop and see Sarah on our way back..." Remington was going to say home but that didn't seem quite right to him. It was their home for now, here in Ireland for the next few weeks but it wasn't home. It reminded him they still needed to figure out where they would be living once they returned to Los Angeles.
Laura had been uncharacteristically quiet for the last few minutes. She was staring out of the car window, seemingly lost in thought. "Laura? Laura?" Remington called her name a few times. She finally turned to look at him. "Where've you been?" he smiled at her, remembering the last time he had uttered those same words to her, this time hoping he would get a different response.
"Sorry, I was just thinking," she answered.
"Anything you'd like to share?" Remington was nervous. He was usually in trouble when this happened.
Reaching for his hand, she squeezed it. "I was just thinking of Daniel actually."
"Daniel?" Remington wasn't sure if this was good or bad.
"I was thinking I never had the chance to thank him. For everything he did for you. I was always so… so…. Distrustful of him I never took the time to see all the good he did for you," she admitted, dropping her eyes down as she said it.
Bringing her hand to his lips, Remington understood. "I know. I don't think I've thanked him enough myself. He saved me, saved me from a life on the streets that could have ended badly. I was just a boy and he never thought twice."
"Well, I think once we figure out how to get Pace home, we should do something, something to honor Daniel. Maybe something at the Castle. After all, if it wasn't for him, the Earl would never have given it to you. Wasn't Daniel trying to pass you off as the Earl's long lost son?" Laura laughed lightly at the memory.
"Ah, Daniel's scheme. Yes, he did. But that was Daniel. Always thinking ahead, always planning," Remington felt his eyes moisten with tears he hadn't shed for Daniel yet. How did Laura manage to do that to him? How was she able to knock down the walls he spent so many years building and fortifying?
Laura was watching him, watching him struggle to hold his tears back. This was a side of him she never saw. He had only seen her cry a handful of times in the 4 years they had known each other, she had only seen him cry once.
Blinking hard to try to clear the tears without spilling them over, Remington focused on the road. He needed to get it under control, needed to maintain his composure because if he let the emotions take over now, he might not be able to stop it. Now is not the time, old chap. Icy calm, icy calm. "So… hungry Laura?" he needed to change the subject.
"What do you have in mind?" Laura thought about teasing him but decided against it. They still had an hour's drive and if they went down that road, it would be a tough ride.
"Well, if memory serves me right, there should be a small pub a few kilometers from here that has some of the best comfort food, as you put it," Remington replied.
"Lead the way, I think I could use some comfort food," Laura answered.
A few minutes later they pulled off the M7, following a small two lane road. The houses were tightly packed together. Remington navigated the road with ease, stopping in front of a small, unassuming establishment. He escorted Laura inside, scanning the interior, as if he was looking for someone. Catching the eye of an older woman moving between the tables, he waved. Laura just looked at him.
"Harry!" the older woman came over and wrapped her arms around Remington. "Look at you my boy. You've finally grown up!"
"Mary! Oh, it's so good to see you. You look as wonderful as ever," Remington hugged her back. Stepping back, he put his hand around Laura's back to pull her forward. "Mary, I would like you to meet, Laura, my wife."
Mary looked at Laura then back at him. Slapping his shoulder she said, "Harry, I didn't know… She's beautiful." Laura was pulled into a tight hug. Not sure what to do, she squeezed her gently, trying to wriggle free at the same time.
"What brings you to Kildare? It's been too long, Harry! You don't call, you definitely don't write. Oh, how's Daniel? Is he still pulling you around the world for his grand adventures?" Mary was smiling ear to ear.
"Well, Mary, your food has brought us to Kildare for starters. But actually, I am the new lord of Ashford Castle. The ah, Earl of Claridge took a liking to me a few months back and with no heir, he, ah, gave it to me." Remington explained.
"And Daniel?" Mary wasn't going to let it go. She missed her old friend.
"I'm sorry, Mary. I don't know how to tell you this. Daniel… he um…" Remington stuttered, his eyes filling again. Damn, what is wrong with me?
Laura slipped her hand in his. "Daniel passed away just over a week ago," she said for him.
Mary stepped back, putting her hand to her chest. "Poor Daniel. Harry, how are you… holding up?" She reached forward to touch his face, lovingly.
Remington looked up at the ceiling, fighting the tears. Laura knew exactly what he was doing. She squeezed his hand, reminding him she was there, "Harry told me you have the most delicious food here, and I am starving. Would you have a table we can sit at?"
Mary, took her hand and pulled them toward an empty table near the back of the pub, away from the door, that offered a little privacy from the rest of the patrons. Remington silently thanked both of them.
Sitting down, Mary handed them menus, "Order what you wish, it's on the house." She walked away toward another table that was trying to get her attention.
"She seems to be fond of you," Laura looked at Remington. She could tell by the look on his face he had himself under control again.
"Mary? Mary was like a dear aunt, I guess you could say. On a few occasions Daniel left me with her as he traveled. When I was too young to be left in London on my own." Remington was watching Mary move from table to table, remembering how he used to watch her as a young teen. "She would put me to work in the kitchen, washing dishes. I hated it but I learned how a kitchen worked because of her. Eventually, as I got a little older Daniel and I would come just to visit and she would pull me in to work the line. You wanted to know how I was able to pull off dinner last night? Well, Mary's the reason," he nodded at the older woman and smiled.
"I never would have guessed," Laura loved watching him, listening to him open up about a small piece of his past. It wasn't always about the con, the job. Parts of his history were just like everyone else she knew. Working an odd job, working with family even if that family wasn't through blood.
"So, my dear bride, what wets your appetite right now?" Remington asked.
They spent a few minutes discussing the menu. Mary came back to them to take their order. Laura decided on fish and chips, Remington ordered the lamb shank. Without asking, Mary also brought them two pints of Guinness. Sipping the bold tasting beer, Laura sighed.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Remington smiled at her.
"No thoughts, just enjoying the company," Laura reached across the table to stroke his cheek. Catching her hand, he kissed her palm and smiled back.
Mary walked over carrying a tray with their food on it, "Sorry to interrupt, kids. But your dinner is served." Placing their dishes in front of them, Mary patted Remington on the shoulder. "And you better eat it."
Remington laughed, loud and long. Laura just looked at him, smiling, shaking her head. "What's so funny?"
"Mary's only complaint about me was I would never finish anything she put in front of me. As hard as she tried, she could never fatten me up." Remington was still laughing.
"Well, let's not disappoint her," Laura was already sampling the fish and chips. Adding salt to her fries, she was practically inhaling them.
Remington watched her with fascination. He had never seen her like this. With each french fry she ate, she added a little more salt. "Laura, are you… are you ok?"
"Yes, why? These fries are delicious." Laura said between bites.
"I don't know how you can taste them under all that salt," he commented.
"Oh, oh that. I'll explain in the car," she wanted to avoid a private conversation in this public place. Finishing their dinner in relative but comfortable silence, Remington and Laura promised Mary they would come back to see her before they left Ireland.
Back in the car, Remington steered the car back toward M7 and Ashford Castle. Laura threaded her fingers into his, curling her legs up on the seat underneath her. She was watching his face, the intensity as he drove. She knew the conversation about Daniel had unsettled him. He still hadn't grieved, he hadn't let the tears fall. Somehow, she would help him with that. She knew from experience, holding it in would make it worse, once the dam broke.
"You want to talk about it?" she attempted.
"Daniel? No. But I am interested in your sudden fondness for salt and french fries. Laura, is there something you need to tell me? Hmmm?" Remington's emotions went from sadness to playful.
"Oh, that… I… well... " she was having a hard time forming words that would make sense. This isn't a conversation she's really had with anyone. Certainly not Wilson.
"Cat got your tongue?" he joked.
"No, it's just… We… wow… I'm not sure how to even say this…" Laura didn't embarrass easily and for some reason she was struggling to tell him it was PMS.
"Laura, you can just say it. I'm sure it's something I've heard before. Did I do something?" Remington was struggling emotionally as it was, if he had done something to Laura that he didn't know about it may just push him to a place he wasn't sure he could go.
"NO! No… no," her voice got softer. "It's nothing you did. It's pms," her voice was barely louder than a whisper.
"I'm sorry, Laura, I don't think I heard that last part, " Remington asked, his interest peaked by the fact she couldn't say it loudly.
"It's… PMS… Sunday… well, Sunday we may have to avoid... " Laura said louder, turning her head to look out the window.
"Laura, are you… are you trying to say we will need to find other ways to enjoy each other for a few days? Remington understood what she was talking about. He was finding it amusing she couldn't come right out and tell him.
"Yes. That's exactly what I'm trying to say," she sighed, thankful she didn't need to spell it out any more for him.
"Is there anything I can do for you? To make you more comfortable?" Silently, he thanked Daniel. He had insisted on explaining everything to Remington.
"No, not now," Laura smiled. He was full of surprises. Here she was trying to explain PMS and he was offering to make her more comfortable.
"Honestly Laura, I'm not a total dolt. I do understand the workings of a woman's monthly cycle. Daniel made that lesson very clear to me," he brought her fingers to his lips to kiss them. "If there is something I can do, a massage, cook you something you crave, whatever you need."
"Is there anything you aren't good at?" Laura laughed.
Remington glanced over at her, and seeing her smile, he settled down. They drove for another 20 minutes in comfortable silence. Pulling off, he headed toward the Dunne house. When they pulled up, Sarah immediately came outside as if she had been waiting for them.
Standing in front of the house, she looked very vulnerable. She was watching them intently, trying to read them before they even got out of the car. Laura got out first. Walking over to the young woman, she put her arms around her and simply said, "He's safe."
Sarah practically collapsed into her arms. Remington rushed forward to help catch her before she pulled Laura down. Lifting her, he carried her into the house, and laid her on the couch. Laura went into the kitchen to get her some water. Sitting up slowly, Sarah sipped the water. "Thank you, I don't know… I don't know what happened."
"It's ok, Sarah, I think the stress of him being gone… it's not healthy for you or that babe." Remington looked at the pregnant girl, concerned for her.
"Pace gave us this letter for you," Laura handed her the note he wrote. Sarah read it, wiping tears from her eyes as she did.
"So, he can't come home yet? But you'll bring him home, right? When it's safe?" Sarah looked from Laura to Remington.
"Yes. As soon as it is safe, we will bring him home," Laura replied. "We are going to do a lot of research tomorrow, hopefully going back the day after. We don't want him to be there any longer than he has to."
Sarah slowly stood up, "I don't know what to say. No one… no one has," she stopped.
"Sarah, when we do bring him home, he's never going back. I'll be damn sure of that." Remington stated firmly. "If he wants it, he can have a job at the castle. In the next month it will be a bed and breakfast and well, I'm sure the staff is going to need plenty of help. And, he will get paid, as will Fergus."
"Do you mean that, my Lord?" Sarah face brightened up completely.
"Of course, my word is my bond," Remington smiled, looking at Laura when he did.
