2nd of two to complete this story

Post script

Harry and James stood at the reception as the maitre de checked to see where Lord Winfield was waiting for his guests. He came back and led them both through to an informal lounge area with a bar. Harry and James followed, they were both feeling unusually nervous; Lord Winfield had rung and invited them both to dinner the day he had got Harry's message that Dempsey was back in England.

The Maitre de held open the door to allow them through, advising them that Lord Winfield was seated to their right. They made a proud entrance, Harry just slightly ahead of James; they paused as they passed through the door, as if to say to the world they were together, and both smiled at Lord Winfield as they made their way over to him. He was standing to welcome them with a smile stretching the width of his face as he noticed the joy of his daughter. Harry kissed him on the cheek as usual and Freddy shook Dempsey's hand warmly. Dempsey pulled a chair back for Harry to sit and as she did he bent over her and kissed her hair. He pulled another chair up and accepted the drink Lord Winfield passed him. "I asked for martinis all round" he sat back down feeling very satisfied already "James you will tell me about New York won't you?"

"I'm sure Harry must have bored you already"

"No Harriet told me very little"

"Not even about my old desk piled high with paperwork still"

Dempsey's hand had stretched back out to find Harry's knee and rest on it "my office didn't realise I'd gone - they thought I was lost behind the paper mountain....."

....Harry was describing how Dempsey had been offered Captain, but turned it down when the waiter came and invited them to make their way to the table for their meal. Dempsey's arm was gently guiding the small of Harry's backas they passed several tables to reach theirs. Harry's chair was drawn back first so she could sit, and then the men. Dempsey caught Harry's eyes and caught his breath; every time he looked at her he thought she looked divine. Harry flushed and smiled at him, she knew her father was happy with James and that meant a lot to her. He had never been very impressed with Robert, but had always been polite and attentive to him for her sake, Dempsey on the other hand her father had taken to before she had.

Lord Winfield was more than happy just to observe his daughters happiness. He thought Dempsey such a very different character to Robert, different to many people actually, but he loved his genuineness and natural disposition to respect everyone what ever, where ever, who ever. He was just glad that at last Harry had realised her own feelings and Dempsey's. Now their frequent glances, soft touches, and tale telling of each other delighted him.

They had got through two bottles of red wine by the time they had finished their main course. The conversation had been relaxed and finally they had got Freddy to talk about the latest gossip from Winfield Hall and the village.

The waiter suggested a light sparkling wine with the desert. Harry protested that she was full, but her father refused her protestations, ordering a brandy for each of them as well.

With the sparkling wine he toasted their future happiness and both Harry and James accepted it with grins as they caught each others eyes.

"Freddy, how are you getting home" Harry suddenly became concerned for her father, he had drunk far less than either of them 'but none the less' she thought.

"I have a car booked" he said with confidence, "and you my dear?"

"I think we'll have to get a taxi Freddy, you've poured far too much wine down us and that along with the cocktails to start and that fantastic brandy will probably mean we're still over a drink drive limit tomorrow" Harry laughed

Lord Winfield coughed, he felt slightly nervous, but he had had an idea "You have a late start tomorrow is that right?" he asked

"2.15 to be precise Freddy" Makepeace wondered where this was leading

"Well my dear" Freddy coughed again "I really hope you won't think this out of turn, but I just would like to offer you both my support and good wishes so along with treating you to this meal I would be happy to book you a room here for the night"

Harry blushed and looked down; Dempsey saw the maitre de approach and stood.

"Thank you Lord Winfield" he searched for the right words "We really appreciate it, thank you, thank you for tonight and… and for everything"

"Your car is here Sir"

Lord Winfield shook Dempsey's hand again, then moved around to his daughter. Harry stood, and realised how much she had drunk. She allowed her father to kiss her, and Dempsey put his arm around Harry's shoulder as they watched Lord Winfield make his exit. They were just about to sit again when a bottle of champagne arrived, along with a key. James took the champagne and Harry turned the key over in her hand, noting the label 'penthouse'. Dempsey turned and asked the waiter to send the champagne up then intertwining his fingers with Harry's, gently ran his other hand around the contour of her face under her hair line and kissed her cheek.
"Lady Harriet" he whispered in her ear "shall we continue in our room" - his breath caressed her neck

"My god I'm drunk Dempsey"

"I don't care"

"I love my father"

"So do I"