Chapter 19 Alastair
Author Note:
My friend Accrossthepond is my sounding board when I need to bounce around an idea for my story. And my friend Manhattanite (the best ff writer by the way) is the special lady who reads my chapters and gives me feed back before I post them. They are a big help to me. Thank you my friends.
The next hour was spent with good conversation and delicious food as Elizabeth and Kami got to know each other. Being the gracious hostess, she was, Elizabeth made sure to include Hildy in the conversation as she got to know her also.
"So, tell me, have you two set the date for your wedding?" Elizabeth asked both Kami and Hildy. The ladies looked at each other before Kami replied.
"We have not set an exact date as yet, but my birthday is on the 30th of September and Hildy's is the 7th of October, and we were thinking of having it maybe sometime in the week between both our birthdays".
"Oh, that sounds lovely and romantic," Lauren said as she looked at the younger couple.
Feeling confident that her parents and her grandmother would resolve the conflict between them Kami went ahead and issued an invitation. "When we set a definite date, I will let you all know. I would be honoured if you can attend".
"I can't speak for Lauren and Harrison, but I feel honoured to be invited. I hope God will continue to bless me with relative good health, I assure you I will do my best to attend. I assume the wedding will be in the USA as you presently live there".
Hildy answered this time. "Yes, it will. We are planning a small intimate wedding, just family and our close friends. This will be followed by dinner and dancing, simple and elegant", Hildy smiled at Elizabeth as she spoke.
"It sounds like you have everything planned out already", Lauren commented.
"We have the broad strokes, but the details need to be sorted out still", Kami explained.
"My Nana is chomping at the bits to totally take over the wedding planning. Mom teases her about the plans all the time by making outrageous planning suggestions, all to get a rise out of her and it never fails", Kami laughed.
"Nana has repeatedly told me that I am her only granddaughter and she is staking her right to send me off elegantly". Hildy joined in the laughter as the ladies looked at each other.
"Your Nana sounds like a lovely lady. I look forward to meeting her when the time comes. It seems we have something in common, as you are also my only granddaughter. Harrison and Lauren have three sons and my daughter Charlotte has one. Two of my grandsons are married with children but thus far we only have boys in the family". Elizabeth smiled. "So, you see my dear Kami you are doubly special".
The conversation then moved onto the family relations and names. Hildy and Kami listened trying to memorize who was married to whom and the names of everyone. It was fun conversation and the mood was light.
The meal eventually came to an end; then the maid brought in dessert.
The ladies tried to refuse the dessert by reminding the Keefer family that it was getting late, plus they had a long day of sightseeing and needed to head back to The Ritz.
But both Elizabeth and Lauren insisted that they have just one scoop of the homemade ice cream their cook prepared. Even Harrison promised them that it was much better that the top brand store bought ones.
Kami looked at her lady and Hildy softly whispered "it is up to you love". Kami turned back to her family and agreed to one scoop. The ice cream was made from tropical fruits and truly tasted fabulous. The ladies ended up spending another fifteen minutes chatting and laughing with the Keefers. Just as the family slowly began standing to bid everyone farewell, a soft humming motor sound was heard coming towards the den.
Hildy looked at Kami with a raised eyebrow as she wondered what was making the sound.
Just then the Baroness sighed loudly before saying, "I had hoped he would have stayed in his room".
Both Kami and Hildy noticed the Baroness straighten her shoulders as her eyes took on a determined look. They also observed that Harrison and Lauren donned stoic expressions as they looked towards the door. Hildy instinctively took a protective step closer to Kami as she sensed the jovial atmosphere in the room change.
Just then the door opened and an elderly man in a motorized wheelchair came into the room. He stopped moving forward as he crossed the threshold. He looked first at Elizabeth before turning his gaze to Harrison and Lauren. Finally, he looked at Kami and Hildy, and after several moments he smiled. His smile however was nothing like his wife's nor his sons', because it did not reach his grey eyes.
"Elizabeth, I cannot believe you did not wake me when your guests arrived". Baron Keefer said to his wife with an expression on his face that neither Kami nor Hildy could identify.
Kami looked from her grandmother to her grandfather and knew immediately that their relationship was nothing like her Nana and Pappy. The atmosphere in the room changed from the moment the Baron entered. While not chilly exactly, the room became emotionally cooler. Hildy exchanged a look with her lady that asked, "What is going on here?" To which Kami replied in kind "I have no idea".
"Alastair, you know that rest is important on days like today. The nurse specifically instructed you not to physically exert yourself as your pain levels were high. Waking you after you finally fell asleep would have been counterproductive".
Alastair chuckled as he rolled further into the room. He looked at his wife as he narrowed his eyes. Then in a sarcastic tone of voice said, "Elizabeth my dear, I do appreciate your thoughtful concern", as he turned his eyes once more to his granddaughter and her partner. Keeping his gaze on the young couple he asked his wife, "Aren't you going to introduce me to your guests, Elizabeth?"
The hair at the back of Hildy's neck rose at the Baron's question. She could not put her finger on it exactly but there was something about the Baron that made Hildy feel the need to protect her lover against him.
Elizabeth stepped away from the couch and came and stood on the other side of Kami. It was as if both her lover and grandmother felt the need to protect her. Kami observed the two women on either side of her and she felt a rush of love for her fiancée, and even though she only met her grandmother a little under two hours ago, she felt warm affection for the effort Elizabeth was clearing making.
Kami wondered what kind of man her grandfather was, to be able to seemingly alter the atomic charge of the air around the room. From the little her Mom told her years ago, she knew he was a hard man to deal with, and his tongue could be very unkind. After interacting with her uncle, aunt in law and grandmother over the last couple hours, Kami realized that she was lulled into a state of euphoria. She was riding a high, believing everything would be OK with her Dad's family and him. But without even uttering a word to her as yet, the Baron's attitude and aura spoke volumes. Kami knew in an instant that Alastair Keefer would make the reconciliation between her Dad and his family difficult.
"Alastair", Elizabeth said his name softly but firmly to draw his attention back to her. Alastair slowly turned his eyes, and looked at his wife. Hildy and Kami also turned and looked at her, as they read her facial expression. Both ladies saw the same thing, which was sadness, pity, resignation and defiance in Elizabeth's beautiful green eyes.
"Alastair, I would like to introduce you to Hildy Mulligan from New York City, and our granddaughter Kami Keefer. Kami is Michael's and Kalia's daughter. Hildy and Kami are engaged to be married later in this year".
Alastair turned back and looked at Hildy with a stoic expression, and then he turned his eyes back on Kami. His grey eyes literally changed shade as he looked at his granddaughter. Everyone in the room held their breath waiting to hear what he would say.
"Well, well. The last time I saw Michael was over thirty-five years ago, but I knew he would come back. I did not know he would come back in the form of the fruit of his loins". Alastair said these words with an arched eyebrow and a smirk.
Hildy looked at him as she thought to herself "Is this man crazy? I wonder if he is suffering with some form of dementia?" Kami on the other hand looked at him with unwavering eyes as she too wondered if he was functioning with all his faculties intact.
Just then Harrison's voice was heard as he spoke to his father in a warning tone of voice. "Father, be respectful". To which Alastair turning and looked at his son with an exaggerated expression of hurt as he said; "Lord Keefer, you injure me with your reprimand. I assure you, I am the epitome of respect".
Hildy and Kami looked at each other.
"Ms Kami Keefer. What does Michael want? Why did he send you?" Alastair asked.
Before Kami could respond, Elizabeth replied. "Michael did not send her nor does he want anything. Kami came to visit, and she and Hildy were just leaving".
With those words Elizabeth deliberately embraced Hildy and then Kami as she thanked them both for a wonderful evening while deliberately ignoring her husband.
Kami realized that her grandmother wanted to limit her verbal interaction with her grandfather, so she followed her lead by not responding to the question he asked of her.
"I am looking forward to you coming to my presentation Grandmother …. you will still come, won't you?" Kami asked because the appearance of her grandfather made her wonder if Elizabeth's wish for reconciliation would damping.
"Yes, my darling, I will be there by the Grace of God", was her grandmother's reply. Kami smiled and began bidding farewell to Lauren and Harrison, but her grandfather interrupted her.
"Kami Keefer, where did you invite my wife", Alastair asked in a quite but stiff voice.
Elizabeth frowned at her husband and said; "Alastair, I will fill you in on my plans with Kami later. She and Hildy have had a long day and need to return to their hotel", she then turned to her son as she instructed him, "Harry, ask Miller to drive them over to The Ritz. I do not want Kami and Hildy having to taxi over there at this hour".
Harrison smiled at his mother as he reassured her. "Of course, Mother. From the moment Kami and Hildy arrived I told Miller he would be required to escort the ladies back to the hotel after dinner".
Kami thanked both her grandmother and uncle for their thoughtfulness, then she looked at her grandfather and wondered what to say to him.
Alastair met Kami's gaze, then he daftly maneuvered his wheelchair and positioned it across the threshold of the door as he gave his family the smile that did not reach his eyes.