Chapter 52

The reception was still very lively, and a huge crowd reached for the champagne. Louisa took a glass, knowing she didn't even have to offer Martin one. While she sipped the bubbly, she said "Oh Martin, it's so nice here. Do you mind if we stay a bit?" knowing that he hated to miss his night sleep. "I simply can't face going home yet."

Martin didn't show any sign of response. So Louisa simply kept on drinking her champagne. Shortly before she had finished the glass, Martin told her. "I'll be back in a minute. Wait here." And off he went.

A minute later, Martin had reached the night receptionist.

"Do you still have vacancies for tonight?"

"Sir, it's a bit late to check in."

"Do you or don't you?"

"You don't understand, at this time…"

"Can't you understand a simple question?"

"I did understand quite well, but usually we.."

"This is not usual. I want a room, and if you have vacancies, I doubt that the manager would reject the surely exorbitant sum that you will charge for it. Can I speak to the manager? Now!"

"I think this will not be necessary."

"No? Maybe he can translate my simple question so that even YOU can understand it. For the last time – Are you fully booked?"

"No, Sir, but.."

"But you don't want the hotel to earn any money?"

"Yes, Sir."

"So what's the problem?"

"Check in is until.."

"Bullocks! I didn't know I need a room until now. You have a room. So simply hand over the keys. Even you should be able to do this."

"We just have the honeymoon suite."

Martin gulped. "Give me the keys."

By now the receptionist would have done almost anything to get rid of this customer. So she handed over the keys, and Martin filled in the registration.

Louisa was already wondering what Martin was doing. She scanned the room for his tall frame, but he was nowhere. After what seemed ages, he finally appeared and headed right towards her.

"Martin, it's getting late. If you want to go now?" Louisa sighed.

"No need to."

Louisa looked puzzled. Martin handed her the key card.

"You booked a room? You booked a room without telling me? You could have warned me."

"Sorry. I thought…you just said…You said you didn't want to go home."

"So you just checked in?" Martin nodded.

"At this time? I thought..:" Now Louisa knew what had taken so long. She felt dearly for the poor receptionist.

"Maybe that's a good idea. I think I would like to go up to our room now."

Louisa took Martin's arm and they both looked for their room. When Louisa inserted the card and the heavy wooden door opened, she was in awe. It was a beautiful room. Breathing in all the class of this stately home. "Martin, this is a lovely idea."

Martin looked at her, stopped and almost ran out of the room shouting "Just make yourself comfortable. I'll be back in a minute!"

Louisa stood in shock. What was that all about? They surely had passed the stage that he ran away at the prospect of being with her!

Meanwhile, Martin sped down the stairs. In no time he was face-to-face with a very unhappy looking receptionist. Not him again!

"I need champagne - and a rose!" He ordered breathlessly. The receptionist just pitied the woman who was about to spend the night with this boisterous brute. As businesslike as she could she answered coldly. "I'm sure you'll get champagne at the bar. It is open until 6 am."

"Right. The rose?"

"I'm very sorry, but we do not have any roses."

Martin pointed towards the flower arrangement in the lounge. "And what is that? Beet roots?"

"It is the flower arrangement for the New Years ball." The poor girl sighed. By now she didn't hide in her voice that she was really annoyed.

"The ball is over, isn't it?"

"Actually, there are quite a few still at the reception right now."

"And how many of them are still in a state to notice a rose more or less?" With this Martin headed towards the flowers.

"Sir, you can't possibly think…"

"Actually, I can think." A further attempt of contradiction was silenced by Martin with a determined Shush!. By now the receptionist decided that she wasn't paid enough to defend one bloody rose against such a pain in the neck.

Martin pinched one single red rose carefully, and then headed towards the bar. The barkeeper was far more useful and provided the requested alcohol without hesitation. "Two glasses, Sir?"

"No, just…actually, yes – two glasses."

Finally successful he carried his loot back to the room. On his way, he got his mobile out to inform Auntie Joan. There was no response for a long time. Finally a very tired and very grumpy Joan bellowed in the receiver "YES?"

"Sorry Aunty Joan. Did I wake you up?"

"No, of course not Marty. It's only about two o'clock in the morning. How on earth did you get the idea I could be possibly sleeping?"

"Ah…well…just wanted to inform you that we'll be staying overnight. We thought it was too tiresome to come back at this time."

"So you decided to make a phone call instead. Very sensible."

"Eeehm… just to say that we'll be back at noon latest. Is that alright?"

"Must be, mustn't it? So Marty, sleep we.., no actually – enjoy yourself!"

"But Aunty Jo…" He was cut short by her laughter, and then she hung up.

In the meantime he had arrived at the door just to find that Louisa still had the key card. Bugger!

He carefully knocked on the door. No reaction. He quietly called out for her. At last, Louisa, still in her evening dress, opened the door. She gasped when she saw lover boy with a single red rose and two glasses in one hand , and a bottle of champagne in the other. Martin saw the look on her face and explained sheepishly: "I thought…to…celebrate? Don't you think?"

"Why don't you come in first?" She turned around and he followed her in. After he deposited his load on the bedside table, he realised that Louisa was staring at him.

"What?"

"You know Martin, from all of your outfits this one is my second-favourite."

Martin was a bit bashful about the compliment. In his book it was the man that paid the compliment to the woman. He still didn't feel comfortable the other way around.

"Eeeh…what's your favourite then?"

Louisa pulled him close and whispered into his ear "I'll show you later."

"But Louisa. In case you haven't noticed. We've got absolutely no luggage at all. How can you possibly…" Louisa's knowing look finally allowed the penny to drop.

"Oh!"

"Yes, Martin…oh." Encouraged by this, Martin wanted to kiss her neck, but Louisa escaped his attempt, much to his disappointment.

"Martin, you must see this!" She exclaimed while she disappeared into another room. Martin followed unwillingly. He was even more puzzled, when he realised that she had led him into the bathroom. What could possibly be interesting in a bathroom?

Louisa stopped and in a big gesture she pointed toward the bath. "Just look at this!"

"A bathtub. So?"

"Actually, it's a whirlpool." Martin was still unimpressed. Louisa realised she had to be more specific. She came towards him, stroked his chest and purred "Maybe we could..:"

"Oh no, Louisa. You know well that I always take a shower. It is favourable, really. Far more hygienic than lying in this dirty water."

"It's not just about cleaning yourself, you know?" Martin looked puzzled, one eyebrow raised.

"Oh Martin!" Louisa exclaimed in desperation. He could be annoyingly clueless at times. "Let's start slowly. What do you do to take a bath?"

"I never do..:" Martin started to protest.

"Yeah, I know." Louisa cut him short. "But in principle."

"You get into that bloody thing!" Martin didn't know what she was up to and slowly grew impatient.

"And before you do that?" Louisa still tried to lure him.

"You take off…Oh no Louisa, you can't possibly suggest? In that thing?"

Now that he finally got the idea, Louisa approached Martin slowly, starting to stroke him in all the probable and improbable places, and whispered luringly: "So you've never heard? Whirlpools have quite a reputation. And as we wouldn't have a chance normally – why not just try it? Just this once?" By now Louisa had already started to remove his clothing slowly. "If you don't like it, we can still go to bed. But to celebrate…" She had already removed his shirt, stroking his chest and starting to kiss it. Her tongue driving him crazy, but suddenly Martin regained some control: "Wait! Just a minute!" and with that he stormed out of the bathroom.

Louisa was disappointed and was ready to give up. When she was about to go into the bedroom herself, Martin was rushing back – carrying champagne and glasses.

"I've just put the sign on the door. We don't want to be…disturbed?"

"Very thoughtful of you." Now she didn't protest when he started to kiss her shoulders. They took it very slowly, enjoying the whole process of getting ready for the bath. Then Louisa first went into the whirlpool – she had checked out how to handle it while Martin had disappeared to reception – and dragged him by the hand into it, too. When Martin went in, he jumped when he felt the bubbles. "Blimey!" And as Louisa laughed he added: "Bubbles." He obviously felt uncomfortable but tried to find a comfortable position, as Louisa seemed to enjoy it. Then he got the champagne, and much to her surprise filled both glasses.

"You drink champagne?"

"On this very special occasion – just a mouthful won't do me too much harm."

"Cheers."

"To a very happy New Year."

Louisa tried to prove to Martin the pleasures of the whirlpool, because she was quite enjoying it herself. However, Martin couldn't get completely in the mood. After some time, Louisa could not blame him for not trying, he started to lecture about the effect that too much exposure to water and the enclosed detergents had on the skin. Louisa had to realise that she wasn't going to get anywhere with Martin this way. So she got out of the whirlpool, picking up the hotel's bath towel and waited for Martin to get out and then rubbed him dry – slowly and sensually. That was more like it. Being ready for bed now, he took the towel from Louisa and enclosed her in his embrace, wrapping the towel around her. She took the opportunity to kiss him soundly and immediately felt the effect of her ministrations pressing against her belly. Now he was getting into the mood.

Still kissing they tumbled into the bedroom. Before they fell onto the bed, Martin's habitual suspicion took over. He broke away and declared breathlessly, that he would just check. So he bent over to check if the bed was clean. Louisa couldn't resist the temptation and grabbed his protruding bottom with both hands, kneading it firmly. Martin groaned and finally slumped into the bed. Quickly he turned around to take Louisa firmly into his arms. His lips travelled over her body, sending waves of sensations through it. He had to admit, that he also preferred this outfit of hers, although she was still wearing a solid rock on her finger. He was sporting something rock solid, too. Furthermore, Louisa had insisted that he should leave one thing of his suit on – the bow tie. She found it quite amusing seeing him with nothing but his soft skin and this symbol of formal dressing.

He tried to take things slowly and enjoy the slow, sensual lovemaking. When he was finally atop of her, Louisa giggled: "Here comes the groom!" And so he did.

When they finally cuddled together, satisfied and happy in each others embrace, Louisa said: "So shall I enquire about the church?"

"Actually, Louisa…"

"Second thoughts?"

"No, not at all. But…Do we have to get married in that ghastly church?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just remember the last time. The whole village was having a ball, except us."

"I don't know. I wasn't at church, and you neither, if I recall correctly."

"That's not what I mean." Martin answered guiltily. "But shouldn't that day be all about us?"

"But the village will be furious."

"The village! Always this blasted village! What about us!"

"Martin, we are both far too prominent figures in the village to ignore their needs. Besides, I don't want to infuriate them, even if I know that you wouldn't mind."

"Can't we compromise?"

"How?"

"Let's say we get married in private, just the four of us…"

"Four?"

"We have to take Peter and Aunty Joan, don't you think?"

"Oh, sure."

"…and then I promise I will grit my teeth and we can show ourselves to the village, just as you like. I just would prefer this special day to belong to us. Alone."

Louisa thought about it, still stroking his chest and feeling so damn comfortable in his arms.

"Maybe that'll work. But you won't find any excuses for not showing up at our village wedding party!"

"Promise, but I can't guarantee to be chatty."

"And if you're just standing in a corner stiff as a broomstick. You'll be present the whole time."

He nodded. Actually he had hoped to show up and then disappear at the first chance.

"So where would you like to go then?" Louisa inquired. He seemed to have planned everything already, but now she was mistaken.

"Don't know. I thought maybe somewhere like this. There are many houses doing weddings. And if a hotel is attached, we can go on honeymoon right away."

"You forgot Joan and Peter."

"They can share one room, we take another – the honeymoon suite maybe? Then we can spend some time together, and some on our own." He smiled.

Louisa thought about it. For her, marrying would always mean to walk down the aisle in front of the whole village in their well-known church. However, considering this alternative in her head, she had to admit that it didn't sound too bad. Actually, it sounded pretty good.

"So when do you want to tie the knot."

"In May, perhaps? The last May bank holiday weekend, maybe?"

"You old romantic!" Louisa exclaimed. "What did you say when you came back? That you wouldn't be romantic?"

"I researched a bit about what people find romantic. I'm not sure, but maybe I can see the pattern."

"I'd say you certainly do!" She cuddled even closer, kissing his chest. Looking upwards at him, she stated: "I'm really glad that you are such a good student."

Slowly they both fell asleep.

The next morning Martin had to face a problem. Louisa and he just had their evening clothes with them, but they couldn't possible go down for breakfast like that. While he was wracking his brain what to do, Louisa started to wake up. Louisa sensed that Martin was uneasy. When he filled her in on the problem, she just rolled her eyes. How can such an intelligent man be at a loss with such a simple problem? Louisa needed just two words to solve this: room service!

Martin was grateful for her help, and rang reception at once. So the couple had a wonderful, rather underdressed breakfast in their room.

To be continued…