Bell opened the car door and Agura stepped out first. She looked up at the large manse. It was almost twice as big as the Hub back home, though much grander in outward appearances. She had seen bigger and more decorative; but for something European, it was new to her and quite pretty.
"Is that what your impressed face looks like?"
"I'm not impressed, Stanford, I'm intrigued."
They walked up the steps and Stanford stopped short of the door. Agura turned and waited for Stanford to explain himself. Stanford shuffled anxiously for a moment, but after a pressing look from Agura, he gave in.
"Um, before we go in I should warn you, my parents can be a bit… Much."
"Stanford," Agura placated. "They can't be any worse than you and Simon."
Stanford's mouth quirked into a wry half-frown. A clear sign he didn't believe a word of what she said. Nonetheless, he opened the door and led her in. Two staffers, older women, took their coats and greeted them. Stanford, with a familiar air, greeted them in return. Stanford turned to the one who took his coat and asked:
"Lilly, where's mother?"
"Lady Rhodes is in the garden."
"And father?"
"Lord Rhodes is in his private study," said the one who'd taken Agura's coat.
"Thank you Audrey."
Agura was a little surprised. For all of Stanford's talk, she wouldn't have thought that he would know the names of the household servants. Stanford motioned for her to follow him. They made their way towards the gardens and Agura took note of the many heirlooms and paraphernalia along the way. Portraits of ancestors, all male, and all with significant resemblances to Simon and Stanford. More modern photographs were interspersed here and there, all very polished; with everyone in them dressed to the nines. It was pretty, but it didn't seem very real to Agura. She had just gathered her thoughts to ask something when Stanford pointed out someone on the well-manicured grounds. A woman in a powder blue, tea length sundress, dusty rose pumps, and a cream sunhat adorned with pale fuchsia flowers. She sat at a small table beneath a large parasol surrounded by papers and a laptop at her disposal, as well as countless other things Agura did not care to categorize properly.
They slowly approached; however, she was so engrossed in her work that she didn't seem to hear their footsteps crunching on the green grass. It was only after Stanford cleared his throat that she said anything at all.
"Not now, I'm busy."
"Mother, we have a guest," Stanford said, trying to keep the annoyance from his voice.
The woman finally looked up and Agura got a better look at her. She had auburn hair like Stanford, kept very long and styled in waves and loose curls that fell around her shoulders. She had a heart-shaped face and big hazel eyes. Her brows were just as auburn as Stanford's. Stanford had a Roman nose; she had a retroussé nose that suited her far better. Where Stanford's skin was clear, she had a very light dusting of freckles dappled across her nose, cheeks, arms and shoulders. She stood up and was just a centimetre taller than Agura in her heeled shoes. She held out her hand and Agura shook it, eyes still curious. This woman had claimed that she would pick them up from the airport only to seemingly have forgotten all about them. Stanford did the introductions.
"Agura, this is my mother, Catherine Rhodes; mummy, this is my friend and colleague, Agura Ibaden."
"Hello Agura, it's a pleasure."
"Likewise."
"Mother, what's got you so busy?"
"Planning issues. The flower arrangements for the wedding had to be cancelled. So now I'm looking for any shops that can do it so last minute."
Stanford walked over to his mother's workstation, looked over the notes on the table and frowned.
"Mummy, why are the flower arrangements just roses?"
"Ah! I'm glad you asked honey. That's that works into the colour scheme. Red and white roses fit right in with the theme of white, ivory, and eggshell."
Agura glanced to the side, seemingly interested in the lawn, secretly letting her eyes cross in in confusion. Letting the flower arrangements go so last minute? What on Earth had she agreed to? Stanford looked over the papers once more before turning back to the other two.
"Simon's favourite flowers are narcissus and hydrangea; and Genevieve's favourites are lily of the valley and freesia."
Catherine looked surprised. Stanford's face gave nothing away. Catherine leafed through her notes again.
"Neither of them said anything."
"Simon would be happy with whatever you pick, but you should take their favourites into suggestion, don't you think?"
"Of course. Now, if you'll excuse me I have phone calls to make."
Catherine waved and was off, already halfway through her greeting to the person on the other end of the call. Stanford watched her leave with a sigh. He looked back at Agura with a look of tired acceptance. Agura however looked suspicious.
"Why weren't the arrangements already like the ones you said?"
"Mummykins tends to get carried away sometimes; Simon and I usually don't object, and I imagine Genny's following his lead in regards to her."
Agura glanced at Catherine's retreating form, but said nothing. Stanford motioned for her to go along with him. Agura followed Stanford through the manor with varying levels of interest and discomfort. The manor was spotless, but hardly looked lived in. The entire house from top to bottom looked like a catalogue photograph. There were no sounds of laughter, no music playing; just the muted echoes of footfalls and the occasional staff member. Agura was uncomfortable to say the least.
Finally, they seemed to reach their destination. Stanford knocked on the door and waited. After nearly a minute, they heard a stern voice allow them entry. Stanford looked back at Agura and motioned for her to keep quiet. Agura gave him a look but complied nonetheless. Stanford hesitated for a split second before opening the door. Behind the desk sat a very stark figure with brown hair and blue eyes and a painter's brush moustache. He was broad shouldered imposing, and his stern steely gaze did nothing to soften the look as he stood and took them in.
"Hello father," Stanford greeted calmly.
"Stanford, it's good to see you."
By the look on his face, Agura couldn't tell if he really meant those words; his voice sounded formal, not a trace of sincerity. Agura instinctively fell back on years of training and schooled her appearance to one of impassivity.
"Father, this is my friend and colleague, Agura Ibaden. Agura, this is my father, Lord Stanford Isaac Rhodes III."
"A pleasure," Stanford the elder greeted, holding out his hand for Agura to shake.
"Likewise," Agura said with a polite smile.
When the formalities had been seen to, Stanford the elder turned to his youngest son. His stern look somehow turning more apathetic, dissecting the younger man almost methodically. After what felt like years to Agura, he finally spoke.
"You are not wearing your hair like that to your brother's wedding."
It was not a question. It was not even a statement. It was a clear and absolute command. Agura's face remained impassive, but behind the façade, she was surprised. She had only seen Stanford without his signature fauxhawk all of once; and that was a complete accident. She glanced at Stanford to gauge his reaction. Stanford's face hadn't changed a bit, but there was something in his eyes… a deadness if Agura had to put it into words.
"Of course not father," he said placidly.
As if a switch had been flipped, Stanford the elder's eyes were no longer harsh and instead he wore a smile. His smile, while not polite, nor bright, was enough to offset his severe appearance.
"Good, now have you met the bride?"
"Yes, old friends and all that," Stanford said.
"Really?" Lord Rhodes said, seeming surprised. "Why didn't you introduce us before?"
"She wasn't interested at the time," Stanford answered.
Agura had no idea how to explain it, but it was as if the life had been taken out of Stanford. He was still there, but the normal 'spark' in his eyes, the almost annoying smugness was gone. As if it had evaporated. In its place with a strange complacency that made Agura want to shudder.
"Really now, pity that," Lord Rhodes said.
Before anyone could say anything else, there was a knock at the door. Bell waltzed into the room, looking every bit the stern staffer he was.
"Lord Rhodes, Mr. Rhodes the elder has returned," he informed.
"Wonderful," Lord Rhodes called, already headed out the door.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Stanford let out a long-suffering sigh.
"Here we go," he muttered to himself.
