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Clary's POV
I woke up quicker than normal. I wasn't groggy or tired. I didn't have my hand itching to hit the snooze button and give me a few more minutes of sleep. It was one of those mornings when you wake up and you're wide awake, but you don't have to get up yet. I was lying on my back, my arms bent up over my head. I opened my eyes, I was facing out. I brought my arms down to my stomach as I lifted my head just enough to see the bright 6:02 shinning back at me. I had an hour-and-a-half, a whole hour-and-a-half before Jace's alarm would go off. It was cooler than it had been when I fell asleep. I could feel the blankets down around my waist, but I was comfortable, not too hot or cold. With the window open the morning sun was streaming in, it wasn't much past sunrise, it would warm up soon enough. I quietly turned onto my side to face Jace. He was lying on his stomach, his hands pushed up under the pillow. His body rose and fell slightly with the steady rhythm of his breathing. He was facing me, a few of his blonde curls falling forward into his eyes. I reached out carefully and pushed the hair out of his face, he didn't stir at all. He looked peaceful. A smile still touched his lips even in sleep and he looked completely relaxed. I watched Jace sleeping for what felt like a while, but I was getting antsy.
I was apprehensive about seeing my father today, much more apprehensive than I had been the other day. I felt like a weight now sat on my shoulders. My father spoke with more authority at the club, the way he commanded more than requested we come to have tea with him. He flexed his expectation of influence over us a little, made a point, he did it intentionally. I felt like I was running out of time to choose if I wanted to be part of his world. I knew I had one foot safely on solid ground right now and the other one floating in a black abyss of uncertainty. I was curious, I wanted to know what I would be getting into if I agreed to be a Morgenstern, but their was a labyrinth to get through to see what was on the other side, and I knew I may not be able to find my way back out again if I walked much father into the maze. I just needed a little more time. I wanted to get to know him a little first. I didn't want to base my decision on hearsay and later regret never giving my father a chance. Bottom line, I just wasn't ready to decide.
I turned back to the clock. It was only 6:20. It felt like a lot more time had passed. I couldn't just lie in bed like this and analyze everything, I was driving myself crazy. I would just go for a run, a long run; that would help clear my mind. I sat up carefully and moved to the edge of the bed. I sat there for a moment just staring out the window, my legs dangling off the edge, my hands resting on the bed to either side of me. I could see the sun glistening off the water and I could feel the warmth of the day heating up. It was another beautiful day, probably just as hot and humid as the days before. I stared out the window for just a moment. My revere was broken when I felt Jace's hand gently rest on top of mine. I looked over my shoulder and smiled down at him. He was smiling up at me, his eyes half closed.
"Get back here." Jace said sleepily. He curled his fingers around my hand and gently pulled me back towards him as he turned onto his side. I let him pull me back into bed. I laid my body up against his, face to face. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my lips softly. When he pulled back he rested his forehead against mine and closed his eyes.
"Where do you think you're going missy?" Jace joked groggily. I couldn't help but chuckle, he sounded so cute all tired like this.
"I thought I'd get a run in." I said quietly. He shook his head slightly.
"Nope. The alarm didn't go off yet. It's too early." I chuckled.
"Well, I'm wide awake, the sun is shining, and it's not hot yet. I think it's a perfect time to run." He took a deep breath, his eyes still closed.
"Hmm…Well that is a very compelling case." He still sounded like he was on the verge of falling back to sleep.
"Go back to sleep, you still have another hour anyway before your alarm goes off." I waited for a minute to see if he'd say anything else. I finally pulled back just enough to feel the weight of his forehead leaning against mine. He was asleep. I smiled to myself as I pulled back slowly. Unfortunately, Jace's head rolled foreword, he jerked his head up and blinked his eyes a few times. He looked really confused. I chuckled.
"Go back to sleep honey. I'm going for a run." I said quietly. I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. I started to move away from him, but he tightened his arms around me.
"You called me honey." He said sweetly with a smile. I chuckled as I gave up my efforts of getting up and melted back into bed. We lay with our faces just inches apart.
"Is that ok? You call me honey all the time." He nodded. He brought his lips to mine and kissed me gently. He pulled back with the sweetest smile on his face. He reached his hand up and gently grazed the back of it against my cheek.
"It's just…You've never called me honey before. I like it. I like the way it sounds when you say it." He said softly. He had a really sweet look on his face. We were both just smiling at each other for a long moment. Jace looked more awake now and his golden eyes looked so full of love. He moved his hand from my cheek and idly twirled a curl of my hair around his finger.
"How did you sleep?" He asked quietly. I shrugged.
"Good I guess. I just feel really awake." His smile turned into more of a smirk.
"You wouldn't by any chance be nervous about seeing your father today?" I chuckled. I wasn't sure if nervous was the correct word to use.
"No." I said somewhat warily. He nodded slightly still smirking.
"Of course not." He said sarcastically. He kissed my lips gently and when he pulled away he rested his hand on my cheek and looked deeply in my eyes.
"We're going to go over there, talk a little, have some tea, get fitted for clothes we don't even have to wear, and leave. It's going to be fine." He sounded so sweet. I just smiled at him.
"You're trying to reassure me, but it's not necessary. I went to my father's estate the other day. I'm fine." I could hear the uncertainty in my own voice. He nodded slowly with an amused look on his face.
"Ok." He brought his lips to mine again and kissed me softly. We stayed in bed for another minute or so exchanging a couple more gentle kisses before we decided to get up. It was only 6:40 when we got out of bed. It didn't take long for Jace and me to get ready and head outside. Jace planned on running for about an hour or so, but I planned on just doing about 30-45 minutes. We decided we would meet back at the cottage when we were done. Jace gave me a kiss before he headed out towards the trails in one direction and I headed in the other. The trail I went on was pretty flat and cleared, but he said after the first couple miles the path started to get choppy and overgrown; the way he was going had a decent incline in the beginning, but than it leveled off and was a nice path to run on.
I found my mind just wondering. I was replaying everything my mom ever told me about my father. I was wondering if she were here today would she really tell me she supported my decision to go see him, to possibly make him a part of my life or would she try to protect me. Maybe she had more stories that she was waiting for me to get old enough to hear and now I'd never know them.
I had been jogging at a comfortable pace, but unfortunately I was so busy analyzing my decision to see my father today I completely lost track of time. I glanced at my watch and noticed I had jogged for twenty-five minutes, so I turned around. I was pretty sure I couldn't keep up this pace for fifty minutes seeing I usually only run for thirty. However, I didn't want Jace to get back to the cottage before me and get worried.
I might have been heading back towards the cottage for three or four minutes when I could clearly hear footfalls behind me. I felt my heart start to beat harder, my breathing start to become shallow and staggered. I picked up my speed slightly. I couldn't race all the way back; I didn't have the energy. I had figured the last half mile or so would be a cool down walk anyway.
The footfalls behind me were getting closer. I tried to steady my breathing, I tried to think rationally. Lots of people run, lots of normal people run. The footfalls caught up quick, I felt myself nearly holding my breath, just waiting for the runner to pass, but I could see in my peripheral vision a tall figure just to my side, but I had a bad feeling they weren't going to go around me. I knew I couldn't outrun them; they caught up with me too quick. I couldn't keep up this pace long, my legs were too tired and I was starting to get a crap. I slowed down just a bit, and the runner started to pace me. I didn't get a good view, navy blue shorts and a white sleeveless top.
"Hey. Looks like it's going to be another nice day, huh?" The guy said and I felt my breath catch. I would have guessed from the height and build that the runner was likely a man before, but now I was sure. Why was he just running along side me and talking to me?
"What do you want?" I snapped a little harsher than necessary. I didn't bother looking in his direction. I just kept jogging. He chuckled.
"Not overly friendly are you?" He said sarcastically. I glanced at him sideways and shot him a little glare. I could tell he had very very short blonde hair, but the top was a little longer than the back and sides. He was wearing sunglasses. However, that's about all I noticed.
"Are you lost or something? I'm no good at giving directions." I snapped. He chuckled again.
"No I know exactly where I am. You on the other hand look like you could use some direction. Do you know where you're going this beautiful morning?" He said nonchalantly. I furrowed my eyebrows and glanced at him sideways.
"Yes. I know where I'm going. Why are you pacing me?" I asked in an irritated tone. He laughed.
"Who said I was pacing you? Maybe I just happen to be running at this speed. Am I bothering you?"
"Yes." I said shortly. I didn't need to be so rude, but I really didn't want some strange guy running with me. Maybe Bat was right, maybe I just gave off a vibe now that made guys hit of me. I guess it was possible this guy wasn't from around here.
"Fine. I'll leave you alone. I just thought I might be able to help you find your way. You look like you're about to make a wrong turn, but you don't seem like you're really open to suggestions." I looked at him sideways again with furrowed eyebrows.
"What the hell are you talking about? It's a straight shot all the way back." He chuckled.
"Sure. I remember thinking that once too. This path you're on can get really tricky though. There are a lot of distractions that could end up leading you off course. If you're not familiar with the territory you could get in a lot of trouble. Just don't lose your bearings." With that he just picked up his pace and took off. He never said another word. He sounded a little crazy, but I wasn't exactly friendly anyway. I stopped and walked a little. The runner just vanished up ahead. He was running a lot faster than I could.
I eventually picked up a jog again and I made it back in just under an hour total. As I opened the cottage door Jace was standing on the other side of it with a slightly concerned expression, but his face quickly lit up. He held the door for me as I walked in and he gave me a quick kiss.
"What took you so long? Get lost?" He teased. I rolled my eyes at him over my shoulder as we walked into the kitchen.
"I just figured I had extra time so I went for a longer run, I think I did about three-and-a-half miles, maybe closer to four, I'm not sure. I ran into some guy running though, kind of freaked me out." Jace finished filling two cups up with water and handed me one with an attentive look. We stood just a foot or so apart right in front of the sink.
"What freaked you out about him? Did he say something to upset you?" I shrugged.
"Not exactly. He just started pacing me for a little. He made some lame comment on the weather and then I thought he was lost, he thought I was lost. Once we established neither of us were lost, and I think he got the hint I wasn't interested, he just kind of took off running. I just felt a little creeped out by him." I shrugged again. Jace chuckled.
"So you got worried because a guy tried to hit on you? I'm amazed you dated at all before you met me." I whacked him in the chest with my hand and he laughed as he grabbed my forearm gently.
"If you're tense though, I could give you a full body massage." He raised his eyebrows up and down at me suggestively. I couldn't tell if he was joking or serious. I glanced over at the clock. It was almost 8:00.
"I should start getting ready. I rather head over there sooner than later. That way we can stop and get coffee and something to eat and just take our time driving there. It is a really pretty drive." Jace finished his water and put the empty cup in the sink. He smirked at me as he reached out and wrapped his arms around me. I still had my partially full glass of water in my hand, and I was holding it behind his back now. He pressed his lips to mine and kissed me softly. When he pulled away he looked very sweet, but somewhat amused.
"A couple short hours and we'll be out of there…We have the whole rest of the day we can spend just the two of us…What do you want to do today?" I shrugged.
"Let's see how long we really spend there first. I was there for less than an hour when I went alone, but I have a feeling we'll be there a lot longer today." He brought his lips to mine again and kissed me gently.
"We can leave whenever you want. Just say the word." I rolled my eyes.
"I don't think it's going to be that easy Jace. We probably have to be dismissed or something." I bit my lower lip. He looked very sweet.
"We can leave whenever you want." He said very sweetly. I rolled my eyes.
"Sure." He kissed my lips softly again and this time he let his lips linger. I heard approaching footsteps as Jace and I pulled apart. Jordan was opening one of the cabinets on the far side of the kitchen and taking out a glass.
"You guys really going today?" He asked as he walked over to the fridge. Jace seemed to shot Jordan a quick glare, but I just shrugged.
"Looks that way." Jordan nodded.
"I'm a little surprised to tell you the truth. After the other night-" Jace cut him off.
"Jordan." Jace said in a warning voice. Jordan shook his head slightly at Jace and returned his gaze to me.
"Just be careful ok. Be mindful of your surroundings.-" Jace cut him off again.
"Jordan can I talk to you in the other room?" I furrowed my eyebrows at Jace.
"He's fine Jace." I said as I shook my head slightly before returning my gaze to Jordan.
"Go on Jordan get it all out." Jordan took a deep breath.
"Clary, you know, your father is not a good man. You're going to end up disappointed when you realize that. God or worse." I rolled my eyes at him.
"Jordan, give it a rest. You're way over the line." Jace snapped. I glared at Jace as I crossed my arms.
"I think I can deal with this Jace. He's just trying to be helpful in his own way. If you have an issue with hearing what he has to say you can go start getting ready." Jace crossed his arms and continued to glare at Jordan. I rolled my eyes.
"Alright Jordan I get it. You think me trying to spend some time to get to know my father is a bad idea. Noted. I got it. If he tries to kill us why we're there you can throw a big I told you so in my face when I get home. " Jordan gave me a very disapproving look and crossed his arms.
"That's not funny Clary. You realize that don't you? If anything ever happened to you and I might have been able to prevent it I'd feel absolutely horrible. Letting you go today, letting you walk right into danger, that is against everything I strive to do every day as a police officer." The glare I shot Jordan was a reflexive reaction.
"Letting me? Oh, so your letting me go today is that it?" Maia walked into the kitchen, likely absorbing all the glares, crossed arms, and confrontational stances.
"What the hell did I miss? She didn't try to take your gun again did she?" I closed my eyes and grimaced as the room erupted into an array of arguments. I didn't keep it from Jace intentionally, it just never came up. Another short lecture later and I was somewhat sneaking out of the kitchen not far behind Maia. Jordan and Jace were still having a heated discussion. Last thing I heard was Jordan trying to convince Jace to let him put a wire on both of us, which seeing we were going for fittings, even I thought that was a completely ridiculous idea. Of course in my mind all I could imagine was the scene in Starsky and Hutch where Huggy Bear has all these wires taped to his chest.
About forty-five minutes later I was just finishing getting ready. Jace was reading sitting up in bed, his back was against the headboard and his legs were stretched out and crossed. He was wearing a pair of light weight khaki pants and a somewhat fitted deep sky blue t-shirt that he wore untucked; he was barefoot and his hair was still slightly damp. I must have lucked out big time, because I was going crazy looking through the closet for something conservative to wear when Izzy came into the room with my dry cleaning. I didn't even know she had brought a couple of my dresses to the cry cleaner for me. Most importantly, the dress I wore to work on Friday was among the items dry cleaned. The dress was off white, fitted, it had cap-sleeves, a scoop neck, a thin black belt, and it fell to just a couple inches above the knees. It covered all of my bruises, and looked very fashionable. I wore it with a pair of black strappy sandals. I wore my father's ring on the chain around my neck, as well as my engagements ring, my silver watch, and a pair of simple cubic zirconium stud earrings. I left my hair down and took the time to tame some of the curls. I kept my face makeup more natural with brown eye shadow, brown eyeliner, mascara, and a hint of lip gloss.
I transferred the items from my purse to one of Izzy's small ivory Coach Purses, but I hesitated when I came across a book of matches that said Pandemonium. I felt a shiver go through my body. I stood there holding the matches with my mind racing. I never took a book of matches from that club, but I remembered somebody that did. I had this purse on me at all times at the club. Nobody could have put matches in it without me noticing. My mind really started turning when I remembered this wasn't even the purse I brought with me to the club. I felt my heart rate accelerating. I brought the clutch to the club. This was the purse I brought with me to Panera Bread and then I locked it in Jace's trunk when we went walking. I felt myself start to panic. I turned around to face Jace, he was sitting on the edge of his bed now putting on a pair of brown leather sandals. I looked at him for a moment and he hesitated.
"What's wrong?" He asked with furrowed eyebrows as he stood up and walked over to me. I held the match book out to him.
"Did you put these in my purse?" He shook his head as he grabbed the book from me.
"Nope." He turned it around and glanced at it. I took a deep breath.
"Why?" He handed it back to me. I shook my head.
"I don't know where they came from…I mean I might, but…I just have this really odd feeling in the pit of my stomach." He smirked as he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him. He wrapped his arms around me and pressed his lips to mine gently. He peppered my lips with a few more kisses before he pulled away.
"Honey, are you nervous about today?" I gave Jace an irritated look.
"No. Somebody put these in my purse." Jace nodded a couple times, but looked amused.
"Ok. Why would somebody put matches in your purse?" I took an exasperated breath.
"You don't believe me." He chuckled.
"Well you have a book of matches in your purse from a club we were just at, it doesn't seem that crazy to me. Maybe Izzy used that purse?" I rolled my eyes.
"Jace, this isn't the purse I brought to the club, it's not the purse Izzy had either, then the guy at the bar, he asked for matches, and Bat gave him a book and I think it's this book-" He cut me off with a very amused look on his face.
"The serial killer?" He chuckled slightly.
"Yes…but no…I mean…I don't know if he's a serial kill but…don't laugh. He could be stalking me-" He brought his lips to mine and kissed me, in effect silencing me. He pulled back with an amused smirk.
"Don't you think you're getting a little hung up on these matches?"
"I'm serious Jace. You're not concerned that somebody was in my purse yesterday. I don't know when they…when I left it in the car, they had to have put them in my purse-" He kissed my lips again and quieted me. He pulled back still smirking.
"I locked the car honey. It was still locked when we got back, I'm sure of it." I furrowed my eyebrows at him. I was getting frustrated. He wasn't taking me serious at all.
"Jace." I could hear the whininess in my protest. He looked very amused.
"Honey, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I think you're nervous and you're fixating on these matches."
"I'm not nervous Jace. How about if somebody is stalking me? There was that guy this morning." He almost looked interested for a moment.
"The runner that hit on you? Did he look like the guy at the club?" I furrowed my eyebrows at him.
"Yes the runner, but no, they didn't really look alike, not that I looked that close at either of them, but one was blonde and the other guy had brown hair. The one guy looked a little geeky-" Jace was obviously suppressing a laugh as he cut me off bringing his lips to mine again gently.
"Ok. We'll get to the bottom of these mystery matches later. I'll go running with you next time so you don't get hit on again. You look so beautiful you know that? Are you ready to go?" I took an exasperated breath and broke free of Jace's arms. I turned back towards the bureau and shoved the rest of my stuff in my purse. Jace wrapped his arms around me from behind. My hair was all pushed back so my neck was accessible and Jace gently brought his lips to my neck for a soft kiss.
"Just relax. Today is going to be fine." He said softly.
"I am relaxed!" I snapped as I looked up at the mirror and looked at Jace's reflection. We were standing in front of the bureau. He gave me an amused look as he gently rested his chin on my shoulder.
"My mistake." He said softly. He looked really cute. I couldn't help but smile. I took a deep breath. I looked over my shoulder and our lips found each other's. I let my lips linger. I pulled away and sighed deeply. I leaned my head into Jace's.
"You know, running is supposed to release endorphins that make you feel happy? You've been on edge since you got back." I shook my head. He had no idea. I just had this ominous feeling.
"Yeah well, next time you go with me you can let me know what I'm doing wrong." He chuckled.
"Sure."
Jace's POV
Just as Clary had said it would be, the drive leading to her father's estate was scenic and beautiful. We twisted and turned following the bends of the lake as we drove into the woods. As we approached, the land cleared and the building seemed to be displaced in the forest. It was very large and very impressive. The gate was manned, though Clary had said she parked by the road and walked last time, this time the gate opened and we were waved to come inside. The driveway was fairly long and the gardens were elaborately manicured. We proceeded to the massive teardrop shaped ending of the driveway and pulled up to the entrance. There were no apparent parking spots, but we were quickly met by a man in a black suit, or more of a uniform than a suit really. He opened Clary's door before coming around and opening mine. He requested the keys and said the car would be called for when we left. After a brief back and forth, where he remained rather polite, but persistent, I finally relinquished my keys to him. We walked to the grand double door entrance and the doors were opened even before we knocked. We were met by Starkweather, whom I had remembered from the club.
"Mr. Wayland and Ms…" He hesitated, and raised his eyebrows inquisitively, clearly waiting for Clary to state her name. She smiled.
"Garroway." She said softly. He nodded.
"Mr. Wayland and Ms. Garroway, right this way." We followed Starkweather into the foyer and down the halls. The paintings along the walls were massive and amazing. It was like a watered down version of walking down the halls in the Sistine Chapel. We passed doors upon doors on the right side that were closed, but all those we passed on the left were open and gave way to the same view; an enormous grand ballroom covered in white tarps. The cathedral ceiling had to be three stories high, and a massive elegant double staircase curved from the ground floor to the second floor it appeared. At least thirty individuals in white coveralls were dispersed throughout the otherwise empty room, several standing on ladders, some standing on the ground, all appeared to be painting or renovating the room one way or another. I figured this was probably where the majority of the festivities would take place on Friday.
We were led all the way to the far end of the hall into a library that had thousands and thousands of books from the floor to the ceiling. There was a ladder that ran along the wall to reach the higher books. My fingers itched to thumb through the titles. The library had elegant Victorian furniture with a silver swirling pattern through the fabric and intricately carved mahogany wood arching contours to the upper portion of the piece and the feet. In the middle of the library, just above the furniture, hung an ornate crystal chandelier. To the far right from where we entered the library, were two large oversized stain glass windows. They were very beautiful, and though they may have had several small scenes depicted, from where I stood they appeared to be just an intricate display of colored glass that cast rainbows of color into the room.
"Please have a seat. Mr. Morgenstern will be with you shortly…" Starkweather said as he gestured to the couch. He seemed to hesitate for a moment.
"…Or if you feel so inclined, you are free to have a look around, though I must request that you remain in the library for the time being." I pealed my eyes off the books just long enough to look over at Clary; she was staring at the floor. I followed her gaze and noticed the floor itself appeared to be some sort of mosaic created by different colors of inlay wood, though a blue Victorian area rug covered part of the design. Without another word, Starkweather left the library closing the doors behind him.
"You said the house was big and elaborate; you didn't say your father lived in a castle." I muttered as I walked over to the elaborate display of literature and started to glance at the books.
"Jace." Clary said in a warning tone. I was holding a near mint condition, first edition, copy of The Great Gatsby as I glanced over to her. She was seated at the couch, her ankles crossed, and her purse in her hands resting on her lap. She looked very prim and proper. I held up the book.
"The Great Gatsby, First edition. Do you have any idea how much this book alone costs?" She shook her head with a disapproving look.
"Put it back." She snapped quietly. I turned and put the book back just to take another one out.
"Sense and Sensibility, another first edition. Any guesses?" She narrowed her eyes at me. I turned and put the book away, but grabbed another one.
"Ok Dracula? This book is signed by Bram Stroker himself." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Jace put it back." She hissed. I turned and put the book away with a shrug. I walked down the wall of books towards the stain glass windows. There was a painting hung center to the two large windows. I stopped in front of it. The painting was a very large oil painting, maybe four feet by 6 feet. It was just a pond with lily pads. Nothing fancy or elaborate, it almost seemed out of place in the room; though I guess the blue in the painting went with the blue in the rug. I absentmindedly wondered if Clary's mother could have painted it; I knew she was an artist, though I wasn't sure if Clary's father would have kept something she painted. I wasn't about to ask Clary either. The thick gold frame looked more expensive than the painting itself, though I really don't know anything about art. I reached my hand out.
"DON'T" Clary shouted in a panicked scream. I retracted my hand quickly as I turned to her with furrowed eyebrows. She was standing with her purse clutched to her chest with one hand and the other hand reached out towards me as though she could touch me from that far away.
"What?" I asked harsher than I had meant to.
"It's a Monet. Don't touch it Jace." She snapped. I turned back towards the painting. I wouldn't question Clary on art. I figured she'd know if it was a Monet or not.
"Yeah, but come on. It can't be real."
"Then I spent some $85.5 million dollars on a forgery." I quickly turned to see Clary's father walking in the room with a somewhat amused smirk on his face. He was wearing a medium gray three piece suit, a slightly darker gray tie, and a white dress shirt. His suit jacket was unbuttoned, but seeing he had a vest on it really didn't take from the formality of his attire. Starkweather trailed not far behind him. I had never even heard the door open…Holy shit did he say that painting cost $85.5 million dollars.
"It's so nice of you both to come and see me today." He crossed the room and approached Clary. He gently put his hand on her shoulder and kissed her cheek. He looked to me expectantly. I glanced at the painting one more time before I walked back across the room. Somewhat simultaneously we both reached out our hands for a social handshake.
"Have a seat." Clary's father flourished his hand in a gesture for us to sit. Clary and I sat on the couch side-by-side, both simultaneously reaching for each other's hand, while he appeared to stand for a moment. He gave me a brief look before he sat. I felt like I had done something wrong, but I wasn't sure what. We were all quiet for a moment.
"Starkweather." Clary's father called over his shoulder in a moderate voice. Startweather covered the short distance to stand before us.
"Yes Sir." He said simply.
"What is the schedule for this afternoon?" Starkweather nodded.
"Well Sir, Bridget will be bringing the tea in momentarily. Then you'll have approximately a half hour to visit before the tailor arrives…" He diverted his eyes from Clary's father to Clary and I.
"…You may choose who wishes to be fitted first. Mr. Morgenstern has afternoon appointments and will be unable to stay and entertain you. When you are not being fitted, you may sit and read in the library, or I can arrange a tour of the estate and the grounds. After you have both been fitted, you're welcome to spend the afternoon as you choose, though I might recommend a guided tour of the entire grounds on horseback. I understand you both ride and I'm sure we have riding attire that will fit you both. I've arranged for a 5:00 dinner and at that point Mr. Morgenstern will be available for approximately two hours for dinner and discussions…Will that schedule be agreeable with you all?" Clary and I exchanged a quick semi-surprised semi-anxious look. I hate it when people put you on the spot like this. You feel rude saying no and yet you don't necessarily want to do what they're asking either, but you don't have any good reason to decline the offer. It would have been nice for Clary and I to have a chance to actually talk in private, but we were being watched by both her father and Starkweather. The look was just a quick quiet exchange. I gave Clary's hand a gentle squeeze letting her know I supported whatever decision she made. She held my hand extra tightly as she returned her gaze to Starkweather and nodded.
"That all sounds very nice." She smiled at her father. I felt my body slump slightly; we were going to be stuck here the whole day.
"How lovely." Her father said with a smile, though there was something unsettling about his expression, something in his eyes. He really didn't look warm and friendly. Just at that moment a young woman in a rather simple gray uniform, Bridget I guess, walked in with a tray. A man in a black suit entered the room behind her, but he stayed right at the door. He looked like one of the guards that silently paced the halls. Starkweather walked over to meet the man while Bridge placed the tray down on the table in front of us. It had an elegant ceramic teapot on it, as well as a matching sugar bowl and creamer, three teacups, and a plate of small finger sandwiches. It also had a plate of scones. The man left and Starkweather crossed the room and whispered something to Clary's father, while Bridge poured Clary and I both tea. Clary's father placed his hand over his cup just as Bridget got to his and shook his head slightly as he stood.
"Unfortunately I need to step away to see to a pressing matter, however I do wish to mention one item of concern before I go. Clarissa, should you run into Jonathan while you're at the estate today, it's rather important that you refrain from revealing your identity to him for the time being." Clary's father stated evenly before he proceeded to leave the room without so much as waiting for a reply. Starkweather followed closely behind. Bridget offered us sandwiches and scones. I took a scone, but the sandwiches looked like cucumber sandwiches, and I'm not a fan. Clary took a sandwich and put a lump of sugar in her tea. I drank my tea black, it tasted like English Breakfast. The scone was pretty good, raison I think. It was small though and I finished it in just a couple bites. After drinking several sips of tea, Clary quietly took a bite of her sandwich as Bridget finally gave us some breathing room. She backed up and stood about ten feet from us. I leaned into Clary and let my shoulder gently bounce against hers.
"He's so weird. Wouldn't he want to introduce you to your brother?" She shrugged.
"Jonathan doesn't know I exist. I kind of get that if I decide I don't want anything to do with my father, he doesn't want me to come along and disrupt Jonathan's life and then leave. I think they're a packaged deal. Plus, apparently my brother is completely unfriendly or something, and my father thinks he won't like me very much." I furrowed my eyebrows at her.
"You're sweet, smart, funny, and attractive. Who could not like you?" She rolled her eyes.
"You're biased. Your opinion doesn't count."
"On the contrary, I thought my opinion mattered the most." Clary shook her head slightly. She looked down at her watch. I reached up and brushed her hair back behind her ear and over her shoulder. She looked up at me. She had a slightly tense look on her face.
"You know. We don't have to stay all day. We'll get fitted and leave." I said quietly. Clary shook her head.
"No it's fine. How often am I going to see him once we go back to Brooklyn?" She said just as softly, though the way she was looking down towards her sandwich I wondered if she was talking to me or to herself. The sandwich was small and she finished it with a second bite. I glanced towards the door and then back to Clary.
"Don't worry. We'll see how tea goes, and then we'll talk about how long you want to stay today while you're getting fitted. I'm not going off on a tour of the castle and leaving you alone." She furrowed her eyebrows at me as she looked at me sideways.
"It's not a castle! Do you see royal people? Did you notice a moat when we drove in?" She snapped quietly. I smirked.
"I bet this place has a lot of spare bedrooms. I know what we can do to waste the afternoon." I said softly as I dropped her hand and put my hand on her upper thigh. Clary's eyes just about bulged out of her head.
"Jace!" She screeched as she grabbed up my hand again and interlaced our fingers together tightly. She glanced around the room, but I just looked at her. I leaned in closer to her so I could talk even quieter.
"Just imagine me kissing just behind your ear…and down your neck-" I said softly.
"Shut up!" She snapped quietly, though her cheeks had started to turn rosy and she was definitely suppressing a smile. She squeezed my hand tightly, I think she was trying to hurt me, but it didn't hurt at all. I leaned in a little more.
"Our naked bodies pressed together." I said very quietly.
"Stop that!" She snapped. She scooted away slightly and tried to drop my hand, but I was holding on to hers too tightly. She cast me a glare, but she looked more embarrassed than annoyed, not that anybody else could hear me. Her cheeks were fairly red by now. I scooted next to her and leaned in hesitantly and kissed her cheek; she gave me that crazy glare the whole time, but didn't move away. I lingered close to her face, just lightly grazing my nose against her cheek as I whispered softly.
"I just know how absolutely relaxed you are after we make love." I said in a low husky voice. I kissed her cheek again before I pulled away and I could tell she was fighting the smile that had broken out across her face. She looked somewhere between amused and flustered as she rolled her eyes at me.
"You suck." She said playfully as she bumped her shoulder into mine. I couldn't help but laugh. Starkweather walked back into the room alone.
"Mr. Morgenstern will be unable to join you for tea after all. I'll come and check on you shortly as the tailor should be here momentarily. Please enjoy the refreshments in the meantime. Mr. Morgenstern looks forward to seeing you in the dinning hall at 5:00. I'll have some more appropriate attire laid out for you before dinner. Bridget, a word." Startweather walked into the hallway with Bridge right behind him. Once they were both out of the room I quickly dropped Clary's hand as I placed a hand on either side of her face and crushed my lips to hers. Well, I definitely managed to turn myself on and the idea of looking for an empty bedroom somewhere didn't sound that crazy to me if we were really going to be stuck here all afternoon. I thought Clary'd push me away, but I was surprised when she placed a hand on my cheek and another on the back of my neck as she deepened the kiss. If we weren't at her father's, I would have had her on her back by now. We broke apart to the sound of an intentional throat clearing. I looked to the door to see Starkweather with a slightly disgusted look on his face.
"The tailor has arrived." Clary and I both stood up as we laced our hands together and took a step around the table.
"Ladies first." Startweather said lightly. I glanced at Clary, she looked a little surprised, and so I looked back at Starkweather.
"It's fine really. We can go together." Starkweather glanced down and then back up at me.
"I don't doubt that you are able and willing. However, Mr. Morgenstern is very old fashion. It would be best to indulge his…delusions." Clary's hand was tight on mine as she pulled it to her side before I could even respond.
"It's fine. I'll go…Have a tour or something." Clary said hastily. I held her hand firm and pulled her to a stop as she attempted to sidestep me. I wrapped my arms around her and looked her directly in the eye. I spoke to her softly.
"Are you sure you're comfortable with this?" She rolled her eyes at me.
"I'm getting fitted for a dress Jace, I'm not going on trial. I'll be fine." I took a deep breath. I hated leaving her alone, even for a short time.
"Ok, but we leave together when we leave. No matter what." She smiled.
"I thought you were going to make a run for it when I wasn't looking." She joked. I shook my head and took a deep breath. She laughed.
"Team Clace." She said flippantly. I chuckled.
"That's right." I brought my lips to hers and kissed her softly.
"I love you." I said quietly.
"I love you too." She said back. I brought my lips to hers again before she was out of my arms and heading out of the door with Starkweather. Starkweather stopped just before they left.
"Mr. Wayland. I'll be right back. If you choose to have a tour, I'll arrange one for you at that time." I nodded.
"Sure." I said casually as I walked towards the bookshelves. Bridget scurried back in the room as Clary and Starkweather left.
"More tea Sir?" Bridget said as she picked up the teapot.
"No. Thank you. I'm fine." I said softly as I pulled out another book.
"Mr. Morgenstern?" Bridget's unsettled voice alerted me quickly as I looked up from the book. I expected to see Clary's father at the door, but nobody was there. I glanced to Bridget and followed her somewhat startled gaze to the back wall. The wall had appeared as just a wall of books when we entered the library, but now an area was missing. Walking into the library from this apparent secret entrance was a tall reasonably attractive guy. He must have been about my age. He was built too. He was taller than me, 6'8" or 6'9". He had almost white blonde hair that was shorter than mine, but stuck out randomly in messy gelled pieces; though it was obviously styled that way. He had a tanned complexion and these dark nearly black eyes, just like Clary's father. He was well dressed, wearing black dress pants and a gray button up short sleeved shirt, which he wore untucked. He held a bottle of Perrier-Jouet champagne, the kind with the painted flowers on the bottle. From the set of the clothes they looked tailored and expensive, just like everything else in this place. He had an air about him, he held himself in such a way that exhumed confidence; even from where I was standing I could tell. This had to be Clary's brother. The guy closed the passageway and gave me a once over as I put the book back on the shelf and walked towards him.
"Mr. Morgenstern, your father's been looking for you since he was notified you entered the grounds." He didn't seem to acknowledge Bridget as he walked towards me.
"Who are you?" He said in a very stern voice.
"Mr. Morgenstern if you please. Your father-" Bridget began but he cut her off.
"Bridget. Out. Now." He said in a firm voice. She left the room hastily.
"I'm a friend of your father's." I said cautiously. I just got this feeling Jonathan didn't know about Clary and I wasn't the one to break that news to him.
"My father doesn't have friends." He said in a measured voice. I nodded.
"I'm a very close, very personal relation to your father." I tried to use the exact words that Mr. Morgenstern had used the other night at the club. Jonathan nodded slowly.
"I was informed a very attractive woman was in the library. You are neither attractive nor a woman." I cleared my throat slightly.
"There's no fooling you, is there?…I don't believe we've met. I'm Jace." I took a few steps closer to him and held out my hand. He looked down at the hand and back up at me as he slightly furrowed his eyebrows.
"Jace? I've never heard such a name. It's a nickname at best I assure you and not a very good one at that." He said in a superior tone. I dropped my hand. I wondered if this is how I come across to people.
"Jonathan…my name is Jonathan." He looked amused.
"As is mine. A good strong name. Why would you go by any other?" He took the last step towards me and offered his hand. I reached out again and took it. It seemed like he was just having some sort of power trip. He smiled as it felt like he was trying to break every bone in my hand. Was there something in the water? Why are all these people so strong? I clenched my teeth, he wasn't quick to let go. Ow. Ow. Ow.
"Enough." The distinguished voice of Clary's father resonated through the room. Jonathan immediately dropped my hand and I retracted it. God I hope I'm not like this arrogant asshole.
"Father. I was just introducing myself to your new…very close, very personal relation." Jonathan sounded somewhere between sincere and questioning as he gazed expectantly towards his father, who looked less than pleased.
"Your schedule had you in Chicago until tomorrow. Is there a problem?" Jonathan proceeded to walk over to the table and put the bottle of Champaign down before he poured himself a cup of tea.
"No problem Father. I've decided to postpone some of my affairs until after my party." He said evenly. Clary's father nodded.
"Fine. You've returned early, lovely. The tailor is here today, you may have your final fitting this afternoon. Dinner will be at 7:30…" Clary's father turned his gaze to me.
"…Jace do walk with me." Clary's father waited expectantly as I left Jonathan and walked towards him. We left the room without another word. We walked down a number of hallways in silence. I happened to hear footsteps and glanced over my shoulder to see Starkweather a good twenty feet behind us. We walked out a back door and into beautiful rose gardens. We continued to walk a winding stone path.
"You do prefer being called Jace, am I correct?" I nodded.
"Yeah."
"Good. I just had a couple items to run past you. The first of which is Jonathan. Now he doesn't know he has a sister and I fear that he won't take the news very well. I'm waiting for just the right moment to tell him in just the right way. I am also waiting for Clarissa to decide if she wants to live the life I can offer her. Should she want nothing to do with the Morgenstern family, I see no reason in disturbing Jonathan with this information. Jonathan knows that for some time now I've questioned his interpersonal skills. Running a business is as much about giving orders as it is about making deals with people. Sometimes you must actually have a civil interaction with an individual to reach a beneficial agreement. Clarissa seems rather charismatic and I don't doubt she gives a very positive impression to those she meets. Yet she's not familiar with how to run a business and this work can be very demanding. Like her mother, I'm sure she's much too sensitive and unsure of herself to really be able to make hard decisions. This really isn't a woman's environment after all. Jonathan on the other hand, is strong and unyielding, and though his complete lack of compassion can be a bit unsettling at times, it's rather advantageous in running a company. However, we have a bad enough reputation to rise above without his show no mercy mentality of dealing with things. My hope is that Jonathan and Clarissa could run the company together, jointly. Clarissa would help balance Jonathan out. I see her as more of the face of the Morgenstern family as well, hosting social events and such. Of course, as is the case with any woman, she'd need a strong man by her side keeping her in line, keeping her emotions out of her business dealings. I don't wish to hurt her feelings, as women tend to overact to such things, by suggesting she would be unable to make important business decisions merely because she's a female. I'm sure she'd feel that she's more than capable of being rationale and making the most practical business choices, but in all seriousness women are ruled by their emotions and she's no exception. Ultimately, I believe this is the best scenario for all involved and I'm very eager to see it come to fruition. Although, at present I feel that Jonathan will take the news poorly that he has a sister. I don't see him bestowing any affection whatsoever upon Clarissa and he'll likely only focus on the fact that his inheritance will be divided, and his expectation of owning and running this business is not going to happen the way he thinks it will. So, for the time being, it's best you avoid interactions with him." I nodded slowly. I wasn't really going to sit here and argue he was being completely chauvinistic. He was acting like it was the 1950s or something. Clary was strong and smart, she may not know how to run a company, but it's not like I did either. Then there was the separate issue, I really had little if anything to do with Clary's decision to co-run her father's business with her brother. I could agree to steer clear of Jonathan though; he seemed like a dick anyway.
"Fine. Don't you have an appointment or something?" He glanced at me sideways.
"This is my appointment…A private dialogue with my future son-in-law…What could be more pressing?...Now Jace I have a question for you. How would you like to come and live at the estate with my daughter? I broached the topic with her the other day and she was rather apprehensive, though I feel if it's something you would like, she'd be inclined to reconsider. I would arrange for the two of you to have an entire wing of your own as well as a number of domestic staff. We have an occasional social event here and there, but your expectation to attend will be limited to a few times a year. The rest of the time you'll really have to yourselves, of course it would be nice to have you at dinner a few times a week, but it need not be an every night occurrence. I'm often out of town as it is, it'd really come down to a few times a month I'm sure." He stopped and looked at me expectantly.
"Mr. Morgenstern I understand you'd like Clary to come and live with you, and if that's what she wants, I won't stop her, but that decision is up to her, I'm not going to try to sway her for you." He nodded slowly.
"You know Clarissa is very taken with you Jace and I'm sure she has a high regard for your opinion. A minor suggestion, a little encouragement on your part, would likely go a very long way. I would be most appreciative if you helped to persuade her in the right direction. She would have a very lavish life here, you both would. You'd have no need to worry about money, though I doubt you do too much now, but one day you might. Not many have the ability to take off at a moments notice for a romantic trip to Paris or Rome on the family jet. A young man such as you is likely to daydream. You'd have plenty of money at your fingertips should you have the whim to buy a Ferrari say, you could have one custom made and shipped here in a couple of short weeks." He stopped again and looked to me. I really hated his cold penetrating gaze. I wondered if he looked at me that way on purpose, or if that was just natural for him.
"Mr. Morgenstern, I know what you're trying to do, but you can't bribe me to help you coax Clary into moving here. She will or she won't, it's up to her. She really doesn't like to be told what to do though, so maybe you should just back off a bit." He looked irritated.
"I don't believe I've ever had one tell me to back off before. I was just merely painting you a picture of what your life might be like should you choose to remain here. I needn't bribe you with money and objects that Clarissa could have at her fingertips if she so chooses. She is a Morgenstern, my daughter, and the last nineteen years of her life was stolen from me. I only wish to right the wrong that was committed. There are a variety of written tails where a young woman learns she is a long lost princess and she is overjoyed. Clarissa is not a princess mind you, but she seems put-off to learn she comes from an affluent family and I just can't fathom why that is. I wish to make up for the time I've missed, to give her everything she's ever gone without and yet she resists my efforts to make amends. I do understand ones affections cannot be bought, as evident by her mother which very much required more attention than I could give her. Clarissa has you and needs not my time, but I do wish to spoil her with everything money can buy that you are incapable of giving her. One may see my desires as selfish, I request you both turn your lives upside down and move in with me, but in return I can assure you, you shall live a life of luxury. You needn't feel compelled to give me an answer on the spot. As I told my daughter the other day I'll give her until Friday to make up her mind. I do hope to see you both more while your weighing your options however. If I could persuade you both to stay here a night or two, really make an effort to see what your life could be like, I would be much obliged." I ran my hand through my hair.
"Why can't she just see you at holidays like normal grown kids? Why do you want her to live here? I don't really get why it's all or nothing." He nodded slightly.
"I appreciate it's hard for you to grasp, but an individual such as myself has many enemies. Should I make it known that Clarissa is my daughter and I hold a high regard for her I am putting her life in great danger. Should she live here at the estate I can protect her, but should she return to her small apartment in Brooklyn I cannot. There are those that may attempt to kidnap her for a large ransom, or just merely kill her in an act of revenge. I have extensive resources at my disposal in this area to help assure her safety, but should she choose not to remain here, it would be very difficult for me to provide the level of protection that she will require. You must trust me that it would be safest for her to either have no connection with me at all or for her to reside here at the estate with me as Jonathan does. As you can imagine he is constantly attempting to spread his wings and move to his own residence, however that is not a practical option at this time. One day perhaps that might be an opportunity for both Jonathan and Clarissa, but I don't see that day in the near future." I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Who are all these enemies you have?" The words just tumbled out and I could almost here Jordan scream tread lightly, but the guy left himself wide open for me to ask. I couldn't even think about the fact he just bluntly said there are people out there that would want to kidnap or kill a child of his, though I guess Jonathan was kidnapped when he was little.
"Jace, I own several companies around the world. My net worth is valued at 22.6 billion dollars, placing me twenty-second on Forbes list of the World's Billionaires. I buy and sell companies regularly and I open and close locations practically weekly. Many people lose their jobs because of business decisions I make. When you're in the position I'm in, you realize a lot of people are adversely effected everyday because I made a decision that was best for the company, but not necessarily best for the individual employee. So if you're looking for a list of enemies Jace, the list is very long. I'd put the 7,000 employees that lost jobs on Friday because of a business merger I made on the top of the list…" He looked at me thoughtfully and I just didn't know what to say. I was just starting to grasp what he had said. Apparently being a Morgenstern came with some pretty heavy risks. Before I thought of a single word Starkweather came and stood next to me.
"…Give the young Mr. Wayland a tour of the estate. Should he show a preference for one of the rooms on the third floor, do have the entire wing spruced up a bit. If my invitation is accepted, they'll be staying with us this evening and I'd like everything to be in order before nightfall." Starkweather nodded.
"Yes Sir." Mr. Morgenstern returned his cold confident gaze back to me.
"Oh, just for your information Jace, the majority of the common areas in the estate are under video and or audio surveillance at all times. That's as much for my and my family's safety and protection as to safeguard our numerous invaluable possessions. While you are in my home, especially in the areas of my home I may wish to frequent, I ask that you maintain a certain level of decency. Should you remain at the estate permanently, you'll be thoroughly advised to all areas within your personal wing that are and are not monitored by our security team. Additionally, should you choose to overnight at the estate at any point, I expect you and my daughter maintain separate sleeping quarters until after you're properly wed. I understand this is not the modern day practice, though this is still my home. I would say I expected better of you than your little display in the library, but I'm afraid it wasn't nearly as unexpected as one might hope. Since I became aware that you were courting my daughter, I made several inquiries as to your character. I must say I was rather displeased with that which I learned. I won't dissuade my daughter in her choice to marry you, though admittedly when I first heard the news I did hope to do just that, but I don't believe voicing my pessimistic opinion of your deficient moral fiber will influence my daughter's decision in any way. I do however hope you make a gallant attempt to better my opinion of you as well as your overall self image. I wish not to have my daughter's reputation sullied by your own. Do I make myself clear?" He gave me a cold hard look and I just nodded. Ok, maybe Clary and I wouldn't be having sex in random areas of the house after all. I could probably argue several points he just made, like the fact that if we couldn't share a room that was going to be a deal breaker for me, but I really didn't want to get in a pissing contest with Clary's father. I still didn't know if she wanted this guy in her life, and I really didn't want him to completely hate me if she did. I could tell where Jonathan picked up his social skills.
"On that note, it has been so enjoyable conversing with you Jace. I do hope you'll accept my offer. I'll see you at dinner." He turned on his heels and walked away. I opened my mouth to speak, I should say something right, but no words came.
"Right this way Mr. Wayland." Starkweather said as he walked back towards the house. I just shut my mouth and followed him.
My mind was quickly shifting back to the whole danger issue. I had a very strong urge to run inside, find Clary, and hightail it out of there. This wasn't a lifestyle I was use to, but it didn't mean people didn't live like this, rich people anyway. That's why they had fancy security systems, and body guards, and shit. He sounded like he wanted to do his best to protect her from anything happening though, and he seemed to have a decent argument why she should either live at the estate or have no connection with him at all. I was leaning towards that whole no connection with him at all side right now, but maybe that was because he pretty much said he didn't like me and he thought I wasn't good enough for his daughter. Of course his cold demeanor and that eerie look in his eyes didn't make the guy seem all that warm and friendly, I mean I totally get why Clary's mom divorced him, but it was hard to find a solid reason to cut him out of Clary's life. Ok, unless he was just lying and he's really a crime boss, but I never saw bodies stacked up around his house, or any evidence of him being involved in organized crime or anything. Hey if I had, then we'd be making a run for it.
Clary's POV
The fitting seemed to last forever. How many parts of a person can you measure? I got to pick out the design for my dress, which was pretty cool. I was afraid I'd be stuck in some stuffy boring dress. Though she also had me thumb through a number of other catalogs as well. She said she was just trying to get a general idea of what style I liked. She really brought a lot of books with her. By the time I was done it had taken just about two hours. The tailor sent one of the maids out of the room to inform Starkweather I was done and I was somewhat surprised when my father returned with Starkweather.
"Clarissa My Dear, I had hoped we might spend a little time together. Would you be up for a walk through the gardens with me?" His voice was soft, yet he never sounded overly friendly when he spoke. There was always an underlying guarded coldness to his demeanor. I nodded and attempted to give him a warm smile, of course I probably looked more like I was baring my teeth.
"That sounds nice." I said simply. He offered me his elbow and I took his arm gently. We walked down the halls and out of the estate. He asked me trivial questions regarding how I was enjoying my time at the estate so far, how the fitting went, if I was content with the dress I picked out. The gardens were beautiful. They were filled with roses and a variety of other flowers. The floral scent in the area was so strong, but pleasant. When we were a little distance from the house my father's trivial questions seemed to take a turn.
"Clarissa, I wish to discuss how you became engaged to Jace. I spoke with your fiancé a bit ago and I fear his intentions may not be as honorable as I would have hoped. How long did Jace court you before he proposed?" I stopped walking and my father stopped reflexively.
"Why? What do mean?" I blurted out. Mine and Jace's courtship was a bit complicated, we only officially dated a few days before he proposed, but the nearly three years leading up to that moment were a bit hard to explain. He stood with his hands grasped behind his back, a very serious look on his face.
"My Dear, was Jace aware I was your father at the time he asked you to marry him?" I furrowed my eyebrows at my father and shook my head slightly. Jace didn't know I was a Morgenstern until after he proposed, unless Jordan told him he suspected I was, but I really doubted that. No, Jace didn't have a clue.
"No. I don't know what that has to do with anything." He looked down towards the ground and back up at me. He almost had a compassionate look to his face, though with my father, I couldn't be sure if that was the look he was going for.
"It's just…money tends to make people act…differently. I am a bit concerned the young Mr. Wayland may have only proposed to you after learning that you are the rightful heiress of a large fortune. He seemed rather fixated on the cost of several of the possessions in the residence. I'm just worried that had the young Mr. Wayland not had an inkling that you were my daughter he may not have proposed to you in the first place." I shook my head adamantly. That wasn't true. It was definitely a quick engagement, but that had nothing to do with money. We love each other. No, I wasn't going to let my father get in my head.
"Jace loves me. He proposed because he wants to marry me, not because of money. He has his own money anyway." My father nodded.
"My Dear, I fear you may to be a bit overly trusting and I'm just concerned that this may be one of those occasions. I've had my personal accountants looking into the young Mr. Wayland's finances and it seems that he does have a respectable net worth for a young man, but hardly anything compared to what the Morgenstern fortune consists of. Then there is the matter that the majority of his assets were the result of the death of his father and a large life insurance policy. Now I have recently been made aware that there is speculation that Michael Wayland is in fact believed to be alive at this time, and a couple of my employees have attested to seeing him just a couple days ago. This is terribly unsettling seeing as Michael was an employee of mine and that insurance policy that was paid out on his behalf was my money. Of course should the police be able to capture Michael I will put things in motion to recoup my losses. Now, that would unfortunately stripe Jace of his assets. Though, I'm more inclined to believe that Michael's death was a dramatic scheme to defraud me, and that Jace is well aware that his father is alive and well and he has been covering for his father's scheme this whole time. I'm under the impression at this time that the Wayland family is attempting to deceive our family yet again. I believe that Michael may actually be working with Jace, feeding him vital information, walking him step by step through how to complete this fraudulent scheme. He became aware you were the long lost heiress of a very large fortune and he devised what is referred to as a confidence trick, or simply a con. You are notoriously naïve and he easily gained your confidence by making you believe he was in love with you and he wanted to marry you. At this point he need only keep up the appearance that he is desperately in love with you and wait for the money to start flowing. He is well aware that it won't be long before I bestow lavish gifts upon you, and while you are on the grounds there is the potential he may just steal something of great value. Of course if he were to pocket say one of my rare books, it would be easy enough to track him down when he attempted to sell it. It's more likely he'd look to acquire cash money. Once he has swindled us out what he sees as a substantial amount of money, I imagine he will disappear, much like his father before him. Just be careful. Trust me when I say a person will do anything for the right amount of money. You mean a great deal to me Clarissa. I would give you all the money you requested My Dear, though I worry he'd take off with it no sooner than I placed it in your hand. Don't be blind by your feelings for this young man. The truth may hurt, but in the long run you'll be a stronger woman if you recognize early that you are being tricked…" I felt like I had been slapped in the face multiple times. There was a small part of me that could see things from my father's point of view, there was a very slight chance Jace knew I was a Morgenstern before he proposed, and he did propose extremely quickly, and he did seem to like to spend his money, and he did get his money from his father's life insurance policy, and he did seem to notice all the priceless books in my father's library, but the much larger part of me knew my father was just twisting facts around. Jace loved me and that was all that mattered. I couldn't let my father get in my head. I couldn't think of anything to say, nothing to discredit what he had just said to me. I didn't think telling him I knew in my heart Jace loved me would really convince him.
"…You are my daughter, but you are very new to this life. I just wish to protect you. I'm sure this won't be the last time somebody tries to steal from you by first stealing your heart. Just think about it Clarissa." My father said softly. He placed a hand gently on my shoulder and looked at me for a long moment before he just turned and walked back towards the estate. I was momentarily frozen, but when I finally turned back in the direction my father had gone in a woman was already heading my way, just a few steps away.
The woman greeted me politely and led me back inside. I asked to see Jace, but I was told they were running behind and unfortunately there wasn't any time at present to deviate from the schedule. I just wanted to see him, feel his arms around me. I tried not to think of what my father had said. Like a poison it was seeping through my brain giving me a shred of doubt and a major headache. She began leading me on a vast tour of the estate. I was getting tired as we walked through the estate. We saw floor after floor of lavishly furnished rooms and priceless artifacts. I couldn't understand why anybody needed so many rooms. Not just the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, but the offices, libraries, fitness centers, drawing rooms, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and game rooms. There was a cinema, a huge ballroom, and an Olympic size indoor pool. I couldn't even remember a third of what I had seen. I was just overwhelmed.
At some point the woman had taken me outside and we were now hiking around the outer gardens where there were a number of bushes shaped like animals and marble statues of Greek gods. Who really needs a bush shaped like a full size elephant? Why bother? It was all very pretty, but I had no interest at present in seeing any of it. It was a very hot day. Though the building did seem to stay rather cool, now we were walking all over the grounds. I was getting exhausted and thirsty. Not to mention these were not walking shoes and my feet were starting to hurt. I tried to politely ask that we go back indoors, but the woman said we couldn't come all the way out and not see the stables, she was rather pushy. We followed the path down to the stalls, which were all empty. The horses were all turned loose in the field, so we stopped and gazed in on them for a few minutes as the woman carried on as to their superior lineage. I glanced down at my watch; it was almost 2:00. I wasn't sure where the day had gone, but I was hungry, thirsty, tired, and stressed, never a good combination. I wanted to see Jace. I wondered if he was still being fitted or on some stupid tour somewhere else in the estate. I didn't have any more energy to carry on the polite pretense. I knew I was being childish, but I was done. I sat down on the ground, very unladylike. My skirt slightly hiked up, my knees bent up. Only absentmindedly I thought of the fact I was wearing an off white dress. A dress that I probably just got grass stains on the ass, and there was a good chance I was flashing the horses right about now. I just looked out at the horses and plucked a blade of grass from the earth.
"Are you ill Miss?" She asked very seriously. I glanced up at her. She was looking at me like I was crazy. I rolled my eyes as I plucked another blade of grass from the ground. I spoke looking down at the grass in my hand at first. I knew I wasn't only being extremely unladylike and immature, I was being outright rude. I had tried polite and subtle, she just wasn't getting it. Now I was going for rude and direct.
"Can you go away? Can you please just leave me alone? I'm tired of…" I looked up at her and motioned my hands up part way in the air.
"…everything. I'm tired of everything. I just want to be alone right now. This is all overwhelming. Can you do that for me? Can you leave me alone?" The woman looked completely taken aback. I immediately felt like I should apologize. I was so rude to her. My mother would have been so disappointed in me for acting like this.
"Of course Miss." She said softly. She bowed politely and headed back towards the mansion. I almost called after here, but I was too relieved that she actually left. I took a deep breath and looked out at the horses. I itched for a pencil, something to draw with. The horses stood and grazed. They occasionally whinnied, tossed their heads, or flicked their tales. They looked completely peaceful. I felt like that just the other day, but that feeling was gone right now. Completely gone. I had ripped the blade of grass in my hand into small pieces and tossed it before I yanked a couple more blades from the ground.
"They'll be no need to hire a grounds keeper if you keep this up." The voice was masculine and unfamiliar, but humorous and gentler than most of the voices I was getting use to hearing around here. I looked up slowly, hesitantly. The man before me was tall and muscular. He looked older than me, but still young, mid to late thirties I'd guess. He wore jeans and high boats. He had a light yellow polo shirt that was tucked in and buttoned all the way up, though his thick neck looked constricted at the collar. He had brown eyes and very curly short black hair that looked slightly overgrown the way a few curls hung just passed his ears. He had a pleasant, friendly sort of face, and a very amused smile. I smiled as I tossed the remaining blades of grass from my hands. I immediate noted he wasn't wearing a uniform, but I was sure he wasn't Jonathan either.
"Hi." I said with a sheepish smile. He inclined his head slightly.
"Ma'am." I took an exasperated breath. Ma'am! I just knew he worked for my father. He tilted his head slightly to the side as he furrowed his eyebrows.
"Is there anything you need?" I rolled my eyes.
"Normalcy. I could use a good dose of normal right now." He chuckled and it was rather refreshing to hear.
"You've come to the wrong place if you're looking for normal." I shook my head as I plucked another blade of grass from the ground.
"Would you like to see the spring foals Ma'am?" I smiled up at him.
"You have foals?" I said timidly. He smiled a toothy smile as he nodded.
"We have three Ma'am." I felt myself smile further.
"It's Clary by the way. Please don't call me Ma'am." He inclined his head slightly.
"I'm Thomas. A pleasure to meet you." He offered me his hand and I took it as he helped me up off the ground. I brushed my hands against my butt to dust off any debris. I was suddenly very aware I was sitting on the grass in an off white dress. I couldn't even think what I would tell my father. I was sure he'd notice my ass was green.
"May I ask why you're out by the stables alone Ma'am?" He cleared his throat.
"…I mean, Miss Clary." I chuckled as I rolled my eyes. I followed him towards the stables.
"It's just plain old Clary. No Ma'am, no Miss…I just…I felt a little overwhelmed. I'm not use to so much…class I guess." He chuckled again.
"Money doesn't equal class Miss…I mean Clary. Though please don't tell the master of the residence I said that." I chuckled.
"Your secret is safe with me…You seem so nice. Why are you working here?" He laughed a good hard laugh. I couldn't help but chuckle reflexively.
"See I know you're not from around here. Most people from these parts would ask how on earth did I get this job." He chuckled again.
"So it's a good job?" I asked hesitantly. He shrugged.
"It's a good paying job Clary. An employee of Mr. Morgenstern's is usually treated very respectable." I nodded. After we'd walked through the barn we walked down a short path, not long at all. We came to a small paddock with just three mares and three foals. I put my hands of the middle rail of the three rail wooden fence and leaned down to look in between the rails. The young horses bucked and jumped playfully into the air.
"These are the foals so far this spring. Would you like to name one?" I looked sideways at the man.
"You're asking me if I want to name a horse?" He smiled.
"Yes." I laughed.
"At some point I ended up in the twilight zone." I muttered to myself, though I got a laugh out of Thomas.
"Well?" He asked expectantly. I took a deep breath and looked at the horses. I didn't know many horse names. Two were dark, nearly black, and the other one was gray and looked a lot like Wayfarer.
"How about…Wayfarer II for the gray one." I looked at him sideways and he looked back at me.
"Good strong horse name. Good thing he's a little colt too. That name may not have been as appropriate for a little filly. Now, is that the one you want?" I furrowed my eyebrows at him.
"What do you mean?" He gave me a very kind look.
"Ms. Clarissa Morgenstern. Would you like one of the foals?" He said gently. I furrowed my eyebrows at him.
"You knew who I was?" He nodded.
"Yes…Though I'll still call you Clary if you prefer." I smiled.
"Yes, please do." He nodded.
"So, which of these little guys did you want Clary?" He looked at me expectantly. I looked back at the frisky frolicking foals. I never thought of having a horse before. Where the heck would I even put a horse? I imagine it really wasn't mine to take though, just to have here.
"Oh…I guess I like Wayfarer II." I said and looked at him sideways. He smiled down at me.
"The gray one. Correct?" I nodded.
"Yep." He chuckled.
"Very good choice. He has excellent lineage, handsome markings, and a very promising future. Much like you." He looked at me sideways. I rolled my eyes.
"Did you just compare me to a horse?' He chuckled.
"Yes, but I didn't mean any offense. I've worked in the stables most of my life. I often see similarities between horses and people. You tend to be very spirited, much like Wayfarer." I shrugged and looked back at the like kicking colt.
"He's just a baby. That's why he's so spirited. I'm just stubborn." He chuckled. He leaned his arms against the middle rail next to me and leaned down to look into the paddock just as I was.
"I thought you wanted that foal named Wayfarer II?" He jerked his chin. I nodded.
"Yeah." I said matter-of-factly. He looked at me sideways.
"I said you were spirited like Wayfarer not Wayfarer II." He said with a wink. I furrowed my eyebrows at him quizzically.
"You know Wayfarer?" He smiled.
"That horse was born right here on this farm. I helped break that horse. He was very spirited. Hard to handle." I shook my head slightly.
"I don't understand. I thought my father just moved here a couple years ago?" He gave me a curious look.
"This property use to belong to the Wayland family, arguably still does." I furrowed my eyebrows at him further.
"Wayland? As in Michael Wayland?" He shook his head.
"No Miss. This property belonged to Michael Wayland's grandfather. It belonged to Michael's father briefly, but he died shortly after inheriting it. The property ended up in a trust for Michael, to be handled by his aunt, until he came of age, but she held on to the property with her husband. Michael remained at a smaller manor on the grounds with his family during his life. A manor originally left to his aunt, though she never resided there. You should go and see the manor. It's about a mile away, so about a fifteen minute ride on horseback at a walk, five minutes at a canter. A beautiful ride. It's really worth the trip. I find nothing jogs one's memory like seeing something." I furrowed my eyebrows further.
"Jogs one's memory? Are you suggesting I've been there before?" He smiled.
"I'll ring up to the residence to have Mr. Wayland sent down to the stables when he's done with his fitting, he shouldn't be much longer. I'll have Bridget send him with a picnic basket. You look like you could use a bite to eat. Let me show you to the tack room. There are a number of items that belonged to your mother here; I imagine you're about her size." I could only absentmindedly register that he was saying my father kept my mother's things some nineteen years after she left him.
"Jace lived there? As a little boy." He nodded.
"Yes Miss. He did." I stood with an unintentional smile. It didn't take long for Thomas to show me to the tack room. Before he even opened the door I could here the crying of kittens. I found myself immediately seated on a small pile of hay next to a basket in the corner of the room. There were eight kittens and no mother, though Thomas assured me she was around here somewhere. The kittens were so little. Thomas said they were just three weeks old. Thomas offered to let me hold them and I had a gray tiger and a little black tiger in my lap in a heartbeat.
Unfortunately when Thomas called up to the house it sounded like Jace would be another half hour. I would have been content to sit with the kittens why I waited, but Thomas had another idea. Next thing I knew I was changed into a pair of boots, which my feet were thankful for, I had a bottle of ice cold water, which seemed especially refreshing, and we were back outside. We walked a little ways from the stables to a chicken coop. There were a number of baby chicks just a week or so old. After holding a couple of them we walked down a small path to where there was a much smaller barn. The barn had a small paddock attached that had sheep and goats and little baby lambs and kids. They were so adorable, though one of those goats did try to eat my skirt. We continued down to a pond and saw a number of ducklings swimming. I felt like I was at a zoo or something. I'd never been to a farm before. It was so amazing to see all the baby animals. Thomas informed me that one of the Border Collies at the estate was due to have her puppies any day, and he'd be sure to notify me when she had them. After walking around for a little while, I was back in the tack room and sitting on the ground next to the kittens again. I had an orange tiger and a little dilute calico in my lap this time.
I could hear the fast footfalls of a person jogging through the barn and Thomas excused himself to see what was going on. I didn't even look up when the door to the tack room opened again, but I glanced up when I felt a hand come down and smooth my hair. I caught just a brief look of concern on Jace's face before it shifted to a much more relieved expression, though he looked a little amused too. He shook his head slightly as he sat down on the ground next to me. He wrapped his arm around my waist and crushed his head into the crook of my neck with a frustrated noise. Any remaining shred of doubt as to Jace's feelings towards me fleeted away as I couldn't help but laugh at his relieved gesture. He peppered my neck with a number of kisses before he pulled back and gazed into my eyes. He looked rather flustered.
"Are you alright? How do you feel?" He put his hands on both sides of my cheeks and covered my face and lips with a number of butterfly kisses before I could even respond. I just giggled.
"I'm fine. Why?" He dropped his hands from my face and put his arm back around my waist. I picked up the little dilute calico from my lap and held it up in front of my face. His little paws reached out towards me extending his needle sharp nails as he cried out.
"I overheard some woman saying she thought you might be a bit under the weather…" I was only half paying attention to him as I put down the dilute calico and picked up the little orange tiger that was trying to climb off my lap and held it up to my face. I nuzzled it gently against my cheek.
"…She said you spontaneously sat down in the grass and appeared to be a bit irritable when you ordered her away, though you insisted you were fine… I was afraid you were on the verge of passing out. You look alright though, maybe a little flush, but not pale."
"Isn't he the cutest thing you've ever seen?" Jace laughed.
"You're the cutest thing I've ever seen…You're ok though? You feel alright?" I nodded. I pulled the kitten back from my face and held it in front of Jace. He pet it slightly but didn't seem as excited about the kittens as I was.
"I'm fine. I just got fed up with her leading me all over the estate in a never ending tour. Want to go riding?" I glanced over my shoulder, but didn't see Thomas anywhere in the tack room. Jace put his hand gently under my chin and guided my face back to his. He kissed me softly. He looked at me for a moment after he pulled away.
"I don't think riding is a great idea today. I don't even think we'll have enough time. You know it's almost 3:30. Starkweather told me that there are clothes that were put out for both of us to wear tonight. Apparently I'm not dressed well enough to have dinner here…" Jace laughed.
"…It's so hot today anyway and you do look a little flush. What have you had to eat or drink today? I'm starving and tired. Why don't we go get something small to hold us over until dinner and then if we have time we could take a nap or I could go for a nice shower about now?" I furrowed my eyebrows at him.
"Who goes to somebody's house for the day to visit and takes a nap or a shower while they're there?" He shrugged.
"I talked to your father for a little this afternoon. He'd really like us to stay here a night or two to test drive the lifestyle…" I furrowed my eyebrows at him further in a disapproving look.
"…I'm not saying we have to stay, or that I even necessarily want to stay, but the offer did sound very genuine and as heartfelt as I think anything your father says can be…" Thomas made a noise that sounded a lot like a laugh or a cough behind me, but when I glanced over my shoulder he just appeared to be putting grain in a bucket. I wasn't even sure when he came back into the tack room.
"…I'm sure they're already done making a room up for us. We might as well at least take a look. We do have close to an hour-and-a-half to kill. I really wouldn't mind taking a quick nap, but if we don't have time, a shower would be relaxing." He sounded really sweet. He pressed his lips to mine gently.
"It's either that or we can keep taking guided tours of the estate. I guess we could also sit in the library and have Bridget stare at us if you prefer…Come on, even if we don't sleep, wouldn't it be nice to have a little quiet time alone before dinner?" I took a deep breath. That did sound good. I looked over my shoulder at Thomas.
"I'll have to take a rain cheek on that ride Thomas." He turned around and inclined his head slightly with a smile.
"Any time Miss…Sir." Thomas inclined his head again before he walked back towards the door with two buckets of grain.
"Oh and Miss…" I looked over my shoulder at him again.
"…If we make it down to the manor house, you'll get to see the cows and the calves on the way." I couldn't help but smile. I looked over to Jace and he was just shaking his head with an amused look on his face. I guess he wasn't really into farms. Jace scooped up the dilute calico kitten that was sleeping in a little ball in my lap, and though I thought he was going to hold it, he just put it back in the basket. He stood up and offered me his hand. I gave the orange tiger kitten a quick kiss on the head before I put him back in the basket. The other kittens looked like they were all curled up in little balls asleep, but he was climbing all over his siblings crying. I reluctantly took Jace's hand and let him help me up. He intertwined his hand in mine and led me back to the tack room door. I was very happy to see a big calico cat sneaking in to the tack room around us and the kittens all erupted into loud screeching cries as she jumped into the basket. Jace chuckled as he towed me out of the tack room shutting the door behind him.
We weren't quite halfway down the barn when Startweather came hastily around the corner and started walking towards us.
"Ah. There you two are. Mr. Wayland, might I have a quick word with you in private?" I glanced up at Jace and he just shrugged.
"I'll go wait outside." I said softly. Jace gave me a measured look.
"Ok…Just don't go far." I rolled my eyes. Where was I going to go? He gave me a brief kiss before I headed passed Starkweather and out of the barn. Once outside I couldn't hear a word Jace or Starkweather were saying. I walked the ten feet or so just passed the edge of the barn and looked out into the field. There were horses in the distance, but none close.
I felt a hand at my wrist as I was quickly pulled a couple feet completely behind the barn in a quick, yet not too forceful movement. My heart raced as I suppressed a scream. I thought it was just Jace playing another one of his jokes on me, but I soon realized I was wrong as I looked at a man with almost white blonde hair and sunglasses. My breath hitched.
"Who are you?" His voice was low, not harsh, just full of question. I couldn't speak. He was tall, so much taller than me. Strong too, obviously so. I took in the tan complexion, the hair, the angular face. He was the right age and similar look.
"Why is my father keeping you such a secret?" His voice was still low, but he sounded more forceful, his hand tight on my wrist, almost to the point of being painful. I felt my breathing shallow as my heart raced. Was this my brother? Was this Jonathan?
"You said my father…Who are you?" I said hesitantly. There was a part of me that could plainly see this had to be Jonathan, but part of me needed confirmation. I just spent so much of my life believing Jonathan was dead. He furrowed his eyebrows at me.
"Jonathan. Jonathan Morgenstern." His voice was very soft. It was Jonathan. I put my free hand over my mouth as I gasped. I had spent so much of the time thinking about if I wanted to get to know my father, I really didn't spend any time wondering if I'd want to know my brother. I seemed to push the thought of even having a brother completely out of my head.
"Don't be afraid. I know you've probably heard…things about me. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise I just want to know who you are." His voice was low, it sounded gentler somehow. I was quiet. Too shocked and fascinated. This was my brother. I had a brother. My father described Jonathan as lacking any resemblance of sincere compassion and his social interactions as leaving much to be desired, yet the man in front of my seemed gentle and kind. Maybe he put on a guarded front for my father. Maybe he wasn't as unfeeling as everybody made him out to be. Maybe he secretly wanted to have a sister as much as I use to always wish I had a brother. He reached his hand out and loosely grabbed my hand that was covering my mouth. He gently pulled my hand from my face. I was too stunned to move away.
"Don't cover your face. You're so beautiful." He said just above a whisper. Before either of us could speak again I heard Jace's semi-panicked voice from just outside the barn, not far away, and it broke my trance.
"CLARY?" In a quick blur of events I had started to turn, but Jonathan held my hand and wrist firmly. I opened my mouth to yell a reply, but Jonathan's hand dropped mine and was cupped over my mouth in a second. He still held my wrist firm. My free hand flew to his hand that was covering my mouth, but he was much too strong for me to pry his hand away. My pulse skyrocketed, but before I could really register the panic coursing through my body I heard Jace's voice.
"Let her go Jonathan." Jace growled from slightly behind me. Without a word Jonathan removed his hand from over my mouth and released my wrist. He crossed his arms over his chest as I hastily backed up a couple steps and was quickly wrapped in a comforting set of arms. Jace had his arms around my waist and pulled me tightly to him.
"Touch her again and you'll be sorry." Jace growled. Jonathan was looking directly at Jace. He had an odd smirk on his face.
"If your weak handshake is any indication of your fighting skills, I'll take my chances. Now I thought you didn't know what young lady I was referring to when we met last?" Jonathan said with a smug look on his face. Jace didn't say anything, he just turned me around in his arms. He put his hands on my cheeks and looked over my face. He looked concerned.
"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" He said softly. I swallowed hard. I was still trying to control my breathing. I just felt like I had a lot to process right now. Part of me wanted to sit down and talk to Jonathan, part of me felt suddenly terrified of him, and part of me wanted to go find my father and confront him, find out why he felt I shouldn't interact with Jonathan.
"I'm fine. Let's go." I could hear the slight waver to my voice. Jace looked into my eyes for a moment longer. I was sure he had to see the uncertainty I was attempting to hold back. He looked strained and concerned. I could hear movement behind me, though I didn't turn around. Jace pulled me tightly to his chest.
"Based on that ring on her pretty little finger there and the way she clings to you, I imagine she's your fiancée? You may have found favor with my father, but he quickly loses interest in people. Better keep a close eye on her when he does, she is most certainly worth fighting for." Jonathan's voice sounded cold and venomous, any hint of warmth or kindness that it held before was gone. It sent a shiver through my body. Thomas came running around the corner at that very moment.
"Very good. You found her Mr. Wayland. I-" Thomas stopped talking abruptly. His face fell and he hesitated ever so briefly before he turned around and jogged back the way he had come. Jonathan laughed a very unsettling laugh.
"Mr. Jonathan Wayland is it? Oh, I see now why you're being kept on the hush hush." He said in an amused voice.
"Enough!" I glanced around Jace. I had half expected to see my father, though I knew the voice wasn't my father's, it held the same stern authoritative tone. Starkweather paced towards us.
"Jonathan, your father explicitly instructed you to leave the guests alone. Besides, you're late for your fitting...Jace, Clarissa, right this way." Jace dropped his arms from around me, but quickly intertwined his hand with mine as we followed Starkweather. About halfway back to the main residence I just couldn't take it anymore. Starkweather was walking several feet in front of us, but I just raised my voice so I knew he could hear me.
"Why the theatrics? Why does it matter if I talk to Jonathan? Maybe it's not fair for me to make this decision without him knowing. If the situation was reversed I'd want a say. Does it really matter if he knows who I am?" Starkweather fell back so he was walking next to me and spoke with a lower voice.
"Those aren't really the questions I'm at liberty to answer, though I do understand your father wishes for you to maintain silent for the time being…Unfortunately I do believe your father had hoped to keep Jace's true identity from Jonathan a bit longer, but there is nothing that can be done about that now-" Jace cut Starkweather off.
"Why? Why does it really matter if Jonathan knows who the hell I am? Why did he act like it's a big deal when he found out my last name was Wayland? How come I feel like there is something you're not telling me?" Starkweather nodded.
"Again. Questions I'm not at liberty to answer. Just understand Mr. Wayland that knowledge is power, and around here Mr. Morgenstern likes to control both…Dinner is confirmed for 5:00. I presume you know your way back." Without another word, Starkweather turned and walked back in the direction we had come. I hesitated as I glanced back towards Starkweather, but Jace held my hand firmly as he towed me back towards the house.
Jace's POV
I was above pointing out to Starkweather that his little warning about keeping an eye out for Jonathan was too late. Now I had another stupid private meeting with Clary's father at 4:45 too. Like our last talk was so warm and fuzzy, I really didn't want to have another heart to heart with the man. I was still having a hard time grasping why they didn't just tell Jonathan he was Clary's brother, maybe he'd stop acting like he was going to try to steal her from me. I get that he might just see Clary as competition for his inheritance, but I was with Clary on this one, didn't the guy have the right to know. If the Lightwoods all of a sudden had some girl around the house that was my sister and she knew and they knew, but nobody wanted me to know, I'd think that was pretty fucked up when I found out. They weren't even giving Jonathan a say at all, they were letting Clary decide completely. I don't know if there could really be a good reason behind keeping it from him, but the reasons I'd heard so far were pretty crappy. I really didn't get the big hoopla about Jonathan knowing who I was either. Everything just felt like a big power play with these people.
When we arrived back at the main residence we were greeted by two maids. It slowly felt like even people that hadn't been introduced to us knew who we were. We were brought to the kitchen first for a quick snack. Just as we were finishing up another woman arrived, she had brown hair that was all pined up and brown eyes. She was actually rather pretty and she wore a dark gray skirt suite, unlike Bridget and the other maids, who had been clearly wearing a medium gray uniform. There was elegance to her walk and gestures that Bridget had lacked and she seemed much softer spoken. She introduced herself as Sophie and said she would escort us somewhere we could rest and change before dinner. I grabbed an apple for the walk and we followed her back out of the kitchen.
The walk was quiet. Clary and I walked hand in hand with Sophie just five feet or so in front of us. We were led through a number of hallways, up the stairs to the third floor and down more hallways. It took me a little time to recognize the third floor east wing. When I had been brought on a tour of the estate and asked which wing on the third floor Clary and I wanted to stay in I said I didn't know if we were staying, so it didn't matter. The tour I had earlier was brief and I really wasn't paying attention. Earlier much of this wing happened to be covered in white sheets, though now all the sheets were gone. Of course it was clear by the dozen or so staff polishing, dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and carrying baskets of laundry, that the entire third floor east wing was intended for us. Clary looked over at me with an uneasy look and I put my arm around her waist and held her tighter to me. The walls were bare down the hallways and the smell of fresh paint was in the air. There were several open doorways with additional staff cleaning and painting. There were a number of windows that faced the lake and they were all pushed open with a very nice breeze drifting down the hall. All the staff smiled as we walked by, some nodded, bowed, or curtsied, while others greeted us as Miss and Sir. Even Sophie was addressed as Ma'am and treated with a formality that was above that of a normal domestic worker. She was asked a number of questions as we walked the halls and she gave instructions in an authoritative manner making it clear that she was a senior level employee. Sophie pointed out the rooms as we passed. There was an office, a much smaller library than downstairs, a drawing room, a room being converted into an art studio, a formal dinning room, a kitchen, a game room with a billiards table and a 60 inch television, three bathrooms, four bedrooms besides the master suite, and a fitness center with a hot tube and another bathroom attached. The wing was amazing and looked more decked out than a five star plush resort. The bombardment of formal gestures and extravagant decor seemed almost amusing, but Clary still looked uncomfortable.
After walking the full length of the wing, Clary and I were led back towards the center of the wing where there we were kindly requested to remove our shoes before we entered the master suite. The first room Sophie walked us into was large and lavish. Though, nothing in this place could be described as small or simple. We were informed that the master suite on this wing was 1,100 square feet, more like a medium size apartment than a bedroom. Sophie guided us through the entry into the suite which opened to a decent size dining room on the left and a living room on the right. The dining room table seated six and had a small kitchenette attached. There was a microwave and a small fridge. The fridge was already stocked with a few items including a bottle of Champaign and a bottle of white wine. A number of bottles of wine were in a wine rack on the counter. There was also a list next to the fridge to check off any items that would be requested to have stocked in the fridge. Attached to the living room were a full bathroom, and also the master bedroom with its own large full bathroom. The master bedroom's bathroom had a large whirlpool bathtub besides a very large standup shower and a large vanity with double sinks. There was a slightly separate room for just the toilet off the bathroom. The master bathroom alone was bigger than my bedroom back at the cottage. The bedroom itself was huge and had a king size bed and large windows with views of the estate and the lake in the distance. The living room had the same large windows with the same beautiful views, though the rest of the suite didn't have any windows at all. The suite was beautifully decorated. The curtains and comforter matched with a swirling gold pattern that followed through the furniture in all three rooms. The dining room set and the living room furniture had that same Victorian look that the library had with intricately carved mahogany wood arching contours to the upper portion of the pieces and the feet. Unlike downstairs, the suite had plush wall to wall cream colored carpeting throughout the bedroom and living room area that appeared newly installed. The dinning room had hardwood floors that looked new or freshly polished. Off of the living room and master bedroom there were fireplaces, though they weren't currently lit. Just about anybody would think this place was a dream place to live.
We ended the tour of the master suite in the bedroom. There were large double closets and Sophie opened the doors to each of them and gestured to us with her hand. Clary and I both walked over to the open closets. The closets already had a few items hung in them. There were two pairs of dress pants and three dress shirts in mine and a number of dresses it appeared in Clary's. I thumbed through the items quickly. I also noticed there were a couple pairs of dress shoes in each of our closets.
"There are a few items that have been sent up for each of you, though you can expect more tomorrow and over the days to come. Please be advised that absolutely any changes you request can be made to the master suite and the rooms on this wing. I am the housekeeper for this wing, which is not to be confused with a maid. I am entrusted to oversee all of the other staff assigned to your wing. If you have any concerns or requests they may go through me and I will delegate the work accordingly. If you have any issues with any of the staff please direct your comments and concerns to me as well and I will see to it that staff are reassigned or reprimanded as need be. There are twenty staff at present assigned to your wing, though once all of the remodeling and renovations are complete there will likely be a smaller staff, somewhere in the vicinity of ten employees besides myself that are specifically assigned to your wing. I see that you have just about an hour to rest and prepare yourselves for dinner. If you would like I can see if dinner can be pushed back a half hour if that would better accommodate you." I glanced down at my watch and realized it was already 4:10. If we were supposed to be at dinner at 5:00, Clary would be hard pressed to be ready in time. I looked at Clary, but she had moved on to looking at the clothes in her bureau and looked a bit overwhelmed. She picked up something red and lacey and glanced at me with a disbelieving look on her face at the same time Sophie and I were looking at her expectantly. She dropped the red lingerie out of her hand as her cheeks turned bright red and I had to suppress a laugh. Her father might have certain expectations, but whoever did the shopping didn't seem to get the memo.
"If dinner can be pushed back that would be much appreciated." I just about gagged. I was starting to sound like these people. Sophie nodded with a somewhat amused smile, though absentmindedly I was hoping she didn't think that lacy little red thing had anything to do with why I was asking for dinner to be pushed back.
"Very well. Unless you are otherwise informed, please be in the dinning hall at 5:30." She started to walk out of the room and the thought just hit me.
"Hey, I thought it was all improper for Clary and I to be left alone in a bedroom until we were married or something." Clary was glaring daggers at me, and perhaps this wasn't the best time to ask seeing as Clary was just looking at lingerie and I just asked for dinner to be pushed back. Sophie smiled an amused smile.
"Mr. Wayland, I have no authority over the members of this household. I am not here to enforce the propriety of your relationship. If I were under any illusions that you would both remain in separate quarters under your own volition, I would arrange it; that is what Mr. Morgenstern desires. However, I trust that this arrangement is the preference you both share and under no circumstances do I wish to intervene in your private affairs. Of course, should Mr. Morgenstern inquire, I'll inform him that I attempted in every way to encourage you to maintain separate sleeping quarters. Unfortunately, my most gallant attempts were met with the highest resistance." Sophie sounded slightly sarcastic as she finished and I couldn't help but chuckle. She seemed pretty cool. If we ever really lived here, though I didn't see that happening, she would be the kind of woman I would want in charge of my wing.
"Sounds perfect." I said with a wink." She smiled.
"If there is nothing else I'll leave you both." I glanced at Clary, she was going through a jewelry box and pulling out a number of items and looking at them. I shook my head.
"No Sophie I think we're good." She inclined her head slightly and turned and walked away. She shut the bedroom door behind her. Clary was seated on a chair in front of a vanity in the corner of the room. The small chair she was sitting at had the same elegant wooden arches and gold swirling fabric. She was looking through the drawer and pulling out a variety of makeup. She still had this terribly overwhelmed look on her face. I walked over to her and draped my arms around her neck from behind. The chair looked like it was stationary, but as I put my arms around her I realized it swiveled at the base of the seat. She reached one of her hands up and gently grabbed on to my arm I kissed her cheek and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Want to break in the bed?" I said softly. Not that we really had time, or that I was really in the mood, if that's even possible, I just wanted her to smile, to laugh, to look happy. She made a noise that sounded more like a whimper than a laugh. I gently spun her around until she was facing me. I kneeled upright on the ground just to the side of her crossed legs and gently put my hands on her hips.
"Honey, look at me." I said softly. She opened her eyes and looked at me; we were pretty much eyelevel. She looked so sad.
"What's wrong?" She took a deep breath.
"He doesn't want me to leave Jace. He's making this whole wing over because he wants me to stay here with him. The clothes, the jewelry, the makeup, it's all for me." I shrugged.
"That's probably true. I don't really think he wants you to go back to Brooklyn, but you can do whatever you want. It's really your choice." She shook her head.
"I just have this feeling, this feeling of dread. I just don't think he's going to let me leave. We had plans. We were going to find a place together. Jordan, Simon, and Alec were going to help me move. We still had like a week left of our vacation. I want to spend some time with Izzy and Maia and Simon before I move. I was going to enroll in the university with you. We were going to start a life together. I just feel like the rug is being pulled out from underneath me and none of that is going to happen anymore. I want the life we talked about Jace. I want to live with you, not with my father. I want-" I couldn't help but chuckle as I cut her off. She was sounding more and more panicked.
"Clary, you've been a little overstressed all day. I think everything is just happening at once and you're just having a little trouble processing it all. Don't you think you might be over thinking this all? Your father told me he's giving you until Friday to decide. If you choose to go back to Brooklyn, I think he's just going to let you. You can have everything you want; you don't have to feel like you're giving anything up. He wants you in his life, but I really think he's going to let you decide weather you want to be in his life. He made it pretty clear to me that it's safer for you either to have no connection to him at all or to live here with him. I kind of get what he was saying, but I think he's really trying to make you as good of an offer as he can, but ultimately it's up to you if you want to accept or refuse." She furrowed her eyebrows at me and looked a little irritated.
"Us Jace. It's up to us. Unless you're telling me you're leaving me here with my father if I decide I want this lavish life." I cupped my hand under her chin and gave her a soft look.
"Whatever you want I want Clary. We're engaged. You're going to be my wife. We do things together now. We're a team remember. Hand in hand, side by side, we deal with things together. I'd never leave you here…" I brought my lips to hers and this time her face softened some. I kissed her gently a number of times until she was smiling again. When I pulled away I rested my forehead against hers.
"…You mean everything to me honey…If this is what you want, if you want to live here with your father, if you want this life, I'll be right here by your side. It doesn't sound like this would be the safest life for either of us, but I think your father really would try his hardest to make you as safe as he could." She looked concerned a bit.
"I don't want to put you in danger Jace." I smirked.
"Nor do I want you to be in danger, but if you woke up and found out you were the next in line for the throne to some country you never heard of, would you turn down being a princess just because there would be added risks associated with your new title?" She rolled her eyes.
"I'm not a princess; I'm the daughter of a mob boss." I gave her a disapproving look.
"Is that what you really believe?" She shrugged.
"I don't know." I nodded.
"Maybe he's just a filthy rich businessman." She took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I don't know Jace. I just have a feeling." She shook her head and looked at me. She looked strained. I brought my lips to hers for another gentle kiss.
"I know…Like the feeling you had about the matches-" I tried to keep a straight face. She took an exasperated breath.
"Jace-" I cut her off with a smirk.
"Or the serial killer." She glared at me.
"Jace!" I smirked a bit more.
"Or that runner." I chuckled. She whacked my chest with her hand, but I quickly grabbed her wrist.
"Don't hurt me." I joked. She jerked back her hand and crossed her arms.
"You're an ass." She snapped. I had to suppress a laugh.
"Honey, I just don't want you to be all stressed out. You have time to decide…But if we stay here this whole suite will have to be redone. There is way too much color. I'd like the walls painted white, white rugs, white blankets for sure, white curtains, white furniture for the living room, maybe we can have the whole bathroom redone in white tile, minimally white towels." She rolled her eyes and was chuckling by the time I finished. I brought my lips to hers again.
"…I have to get ready. I'm going to be late. Want to pick me out something to wear?" She took a deep breath, but she seemed a little better. I kissed her again briefly.
"Why don't you also pop that couple hundred dollar bottle of Dom Perignon that's in the fridge? It will cut the edge a little." I winked at her. She rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly. I smiled. I peppered her face with a number of butterfly kisses before I went to take a shower.
The bathroom was awesome. The floor and walls were varying sizes of several different shades of brown marble tiles. The shower was huge and had clear glass doors. The oversized soaking tub had jets that could turn it into a Jacuzzi. The cabinets under the sink and all of the fixtures throughout the bathroom were very dark brown. There were dark brown towels with a swirling golden pattern on the bottom six inches of the hem. The double sinks had a lot of counter space. There were a number of little baskets set out with assortments of sample size toiletries. The assortment of sample size soaps and shampoos to choose from was ridiculous. I soon gave up my efforts to find a bar of Irish Spring or a bottle of Pert Plus and just ended up grabbing anything. There was also an assortment of moose, hairsprays, and gels, though I passed on all of them. I browsed through the sample size toothpastes and mouthwashes and quickly settled on one and brushed my teeth.
I took off my watch and left it on the vanity with my wallet, but I remembered I had misplaced my phone and keys earlier. When I overheard that woman talking about Clary I reached for my phone and it wasn't in my pocket. That's also when I noticed my keys missing. I figured they must have fallen out of my pocket when I took my pants off for my fitting, but I never went back and checked. I was too focused on getting to Clary. I was sure they were around here somewhere though. I absentmindedly wondered where Clary's purse was. I didn't remember seeing her with it.
I took a quick shower and glanced through the baskets for some deodorant and colognes, which I was immediately regretting putting on. I was a swirl of fragrances I didn't recognize. Of course there was another little form in the bathroom where we could request whatever items we wanted. Part of me felt like Clary's father was really trying hard to make us comfortable, but part of me knew he was just trying to bribe us. I walked out of the bathroom with a towel around my waist. Clary was standing looking out the middle of the three bedroom windows with a glass of Champaign in her hand, the bottle on the window sill next to her. She had taken off her dress and was just wearing a simple white cotton robe that went down to her knees. Her hair was pulled up in a scrunchy. There were clothes laid out on the bed, but I really didn't pay attention to them as I walked across the room, put my arms around her from behind, and placed a gentle kiss on the crook of her neck. She smiled up over her shoulder at me with rosy cheeks and I pressed my lips to hers. Her eyes sparkled, but I had a feeling that had a lot to do with the Champaign. I was glad to see she looked a lot more relaxed.
"Feeling a little better?" I said softly. She nodded.
"Yeah…Want some Champaign?" She started to stir, but I just tightened my arms around her. She smiled up over her shoulder at me an amused smile. I brought my lips to hers again. She made a content little noise in the back of her throat. This time she reached her hand up and gently rested it against my cheek as she deepened the kiss. I was quickly finding myself shifting gears and wishing we did have some time to break in that bed. I needed to focus. I was already going to be so late to meet with her father. After a long intimate kiss I had to bring myself back to reality.
"I have to get ready." I whispered against her lips between butterfly kisses. I reluctantly pulled back as I dropped my arms from around her. It seemed like just a brief glace as our eyes both opened, but I could see the desire clear in hers. Every nerve in my body seemed to react to that look in her eyes, but I was trying so hard to stay focused. She quickly moved her hand from my cheek to my neck and pulled my lips back to hers as she turned to face me. Our eyes both closed as my lips reflexively responded to hers, though a fading voice in the back of my head was yelling at me to get dressed. With the glass of Champagne still in her hand she draped her arm over my shoulder. My arms automatically tightened around her. Her lips danced against mine, just delicate caresses of our tongues between soft kisses. There was no sense of urgency, it was tender and romantic. I really wanted to stay here with her, but I knew I shouldn't. I wasn't going to make any points with her father blowing him off completely for our meeting and then showing up late to dinner because I was having sex with his daughter. I brought my hands down to her lower back as I found the strength to detach my lips from hers. I rested my forehead against hers and kept my eyes closed. I couldn't look into her sparkling green eyes and not get lost in them.
"I have to get dressed to go see your father and you have to take a shower." I said just above a whisper.
"Don't go. Stay with me." She said softly. She brought her lips to mine for a soft kiss. I took a deep breath. It was hard enough detaching myself from Clary without her asking me to stay.
"Honey, I wish we had more time." She brought her lips to mine again gently.
"I want to have sex." She murmured against my lips between gentle kisses. I felt a slight shiver go through my body. As if I wasn't already completely turned on and aroused enough; she was really testing my self-control.
"God honey I know, I want to too." I pressed my lips to hers briefly. I pulled back and put my hands on both sides of her face gently and gazed into her eyes and smiled at her.
"As much as I wish we had time right now, we don't. Later. It will give us both something to look forward to." She made a whiny little noise of protest as her eyebrows furrowed and her lips slightly pouted. I couldn't help but smile an amused smile as I brought my lips to hers for another brief kiss. She was so cute.
"I'll be counting down the minutes until we pick up where we left off." I said softly. She took a deep breath as she nodded slightly and dropped her arms from around my neck. I pressed my lips to hers again before I dropped my hands from her face. I grabbed her glass of Champaign and downed the rest of it. I'm not a big Champaign person; I just wanted something to calm my nerves before I talked to her father.
Clary went to take a shower and I started getting dressed. I glanced at the clock; it was already 4:43. Shit. Luckily Clary had laid clothes out for me, because I had no idea where anything was. I was glad that there were actual boxers, there was no way I was wearing some constricting tightly whities, especially with this erection. I put on the black boxers, black socks and black tank top undershirt. I pulled on the pair of medium gray dress pants. They fit perfectly and I had a feeling that they were custom made since my fitting. I put on the medium blue button up dress shirt and tucked it in. I was grateful Clary didn't put a tie out for me, I would have cringed. Without a tie, I left the top couple buttons unbuttoned. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to put the cufflinks on, but I had seen Robert wear cufflinks before, so I figured it out. I put on the black leather belt and black dress shoes that fit perfectly and were definitely expensive. I put on the matching suit jacket, but didn't both buttoning it. I felt awfully formal just to be having dinner. Luckily the mansion was always on the cool side, so I didn't feel hot in the clothes I was wearing. I walked back in the bathroom and grabbed my watch and wallet off the vanity.
Clary was getting out of the shower as I was giving myself a once over in the bathroom's huge full length mirror. She smiled with a few compliments of how debonair I looked. Her hair was still up in the scrunchy, which I assumed was why she was able to take such a quick shower. I got a quick kiss and she grabbed a watch off the bureau for me to wear. It was a nice stainless steel Rolex with a black face. I hesitated, but ultimately declined the watch for my much simpler Seiko. Though, when she showed me the watch box with a half a dozen designer watches including Breitling, Rolex and Tag Heuer; I reconsidered and decided I could wear a nice Rolex just to dinner and take it off afterwards. How many times would I have an opportunity like this? Another quick kiss and I was hurrying out of the room.
Starkweather was waiting for me just outside our suite, though I had no idea he had been there waiting. He informed me that dinner had been pushed to 5:30; however my appointment time had not been changed. He gave me a displeased look and glanced down at his watch before he led me down the stairs one flight and through a maze of hallways. We stopped in front of a room on the far end of the second floor. Starkweather knocked and opened the door.
"Mr. Wayland is here for his 4:45 appointment Sir." Clary's father gestured with his hand for me to come in. Starkweather stepped to the side, remaining outside as I entered. He shut the door behind me leaving me alone with Clary's father.
"You're late!" Clary's father said firmly. I looked down at my watch. It was 4:58, oh well.
"It was harder to find than I thought it would be." I said with a slight shrug. He gave me an annoyed look, but then shifted to his normal cold somewhat guarded expression.
"The tailor has done an excellent job. You nearly look like you belong here. I'll arrange for a hair stylist to come by tomorrow." I furrowed my eyebrows at him.
"I just had my hair cut like a week ago." He scoffed.
"It looks to me like you haven't had a haircut in a couple months. I have this argument repeatedly with Jonathan. What is it with you young men nowadays? When I was your age I had a respectable hairstyle. You look like you just rolled out of bed and got dressed..." He flourished his hand in the air as he shook his head.
"…I'll have a stylist come by all the same. Should you refuse to have your hair cut there isn't much I can do about it. I'll be having the same conversation with Jonathan later this evening…moving on…I just have a few quick items to run by you before dinner. Would it be correct for me to assume that you've spoken with Clarissa and you'll both be staying at the estate?" He looked at me confidently.
"I really don't know. I might be able to convince her to stay a night, but she's really not into the idea of moving here. She just moved out on her own, she wants to go to college." He nodded his head slightly.
"Well of course she could attend college, I won't restrict her from getting an education, though I would like for her to move in here all the same. There are several schools she could commute to in the area, and many people are getting online degrees these days." I shook my head slightly.
"I'll talk to her again, but we've been talking about getting an apartment together, and she's really looking forward to setting up a place of our own. I think she just wants to go back to the cottage and have her vacation and hang out with her friends." He looked rather annoyed at this point.
"You can still see your little friends if you stay here, they can come to the gala on Friday. I'll send invitations right out to them. As for enjoying your vacation, you're free to do whatever activities you'd like. We have private lake access at a number of locations, 6 tennis courts, 4 outdoor swimming pools, 2 hot tubs, a cinema, a library, over 100 acres of land to horseback ride on, a variety of trails, and a number or instructors that could be called at a moments notice if you feel like taking lessons and just about anything imaginable. Oh, and of course you'll have all the flexibility to decorate and furnish a wing of the estate to your liking, within reason." I took a deep breath. This man just couldn't take a hint.
"We'll stay for dinner, head back to the cottage. I'll talk to her some more. It's been a really full day. Maybe if she just sleeps on it, takes some time to think about it, but I can't promise you anything."
"Jace, you do realize I'm being extremely lenient with you, don't you? Though, you're really trying my patients. I want my daughter in my life, end of story. You I really could care less about. I'm prepared to offer you a very generous incentive for you to leave right now." I furrowed my eyebrows at him and shook my head. He really shifted gears fast. I didn't like what he was saying at all.
"Clary's not staying here if she doesn't want to and you can't pay me to leave her." He chuckled.
"Just as her mother before her, I would never force Clarissa to stay here if she didn't want to. However, I'm inclined to think you're the main obstacle preventing her from even considering the life I could offer her. I'll give you $100,000 dollars to go and never step foot in my house again; never see my daughter again." I ran my hand through my hair. Not that I was contemplating the money, I was suddenly feeling a lot less comfortable.
"No…I don't want your money…You can't pay me to never see Clary again." He nodded with a creepy smile. He took out a checkbook from his drawer and a pen. He started taking bricks of hundred dollar bills out of another drawer and laid them out on the desk in front of him. Each brick was wrapped in a $10,000 paper band. He took several of them out. I furrowed my eyebrows at him.
"What are you doing? I'm not taking your money." He chuckled.
"I only have $100,000 in cash. I find money speaks louder than words. You proclaim you love my daughter, I understand that, but you don't seem to want to live this life with her, so I'm offering you an out. I'm feeling generous. I'm prepared to write any number on this check Jace. How much will it take to make you walk out of her life forever?" I shook my head at him and crossed my arms over my chest.
"You want Clary in your life; you're stuck with me too. I'm not going anywhere without her. There's no amount of money in the world that would make me leave her, especially here with you." He looked rather irritated. He picked up his pen and he started to make out a check.
"Everything has a price tag Jace, you'll soon learn that. I'm leaving the $100,000 cash and a check made payable to you for one million dollars in a bag in the lower left hand drawer of this desk. Security has been made aware of my proposal so there isn't any chance you'd be accused of stealing. If you find this is all getting too much for you, you need only take the bag and leave, no need for a formal goodbye. I can't say I'd be sorry to see you go. I find your insolent outbursts to be rather grating. Your rude arrogance is infuriating to say the least. I cannot quite comprehend why my daughter couldn't pick out a more compliant companion?" I glared at him.
"Maybe she's like her mother. I doubt you were ever all that compliant." He looked almost amused for a moment.
"There's a lot of truth to that, however I was intelligent enough to know when to be respectful and do as I'm told. I'm not use to having one challenge my authority such as you make it a point to do on a repeated biases." I smirked.
"I'm-" He raised his hand as he cut me off.
"Enough! We needn't speak of this further…You know what I'm offering and should you choose not to accept my generous proposition and you prefer to remain a thorn in my side, we'll both just need to adjust…The last item I wish to address with you is in regards to some bruises that were observed on my daughter. The tailor indicated she saw a number of small bruises on my daughter's collarbone and shoulder area. She inquired as to how Clarissa received them, and she was very vague in her answer. She also noticed two large bruises on you and you were very forthcoming that you got them in a fight at a club; I imagine the very fight I broke up. I would just like to know if Clarissa received hers the same way. Oh, and don't attempt to lie to me Jace. I really don't like to be lied to." I rubbed my hand over my face. I didn't really think Clary wanted me telling her father about what happened with Sebastian, though I was already feeling increasingly uncomfortable with her father at this point and I really didn't feel up to lying for Sebastian's sake.
"No she didn't." I said simply. He looked to me expectantly.
"Do elaborate." I glanced down at my watch it was 5:25.
"Aren't we expected at dinner?" He just kept his cold penetrating gaze on me and remained quiet.
"You know what, you should really ask her." He just continued to stare me down.
"I'm asking you Jace. Your evasive responses are rather disheartening. Should you not be more straightforward with me, I'm forced to assume you caused those marks." I shook my head adamantly.
"No way. I would never hurt her like that." The anger of the memory of what happened was probably written all over my face and his face looked darker in response.
"I see. I imagine she's not inclined to divulge what happened, is she?" I shook my head slightly.
"I don't wish to put you in an uncomfortable position. I'm sure you feel divulging anything further would compromise the trust my daughter has in you. I have a vast network of contacts. I should be able to figure out the rest easy enough." Clary's father's face returned to his guarded cold nearly expressionless look and he looked at his watch and stood up.
"Look at the time. We should head down to dinner." I glanced at my watch; it was 5:30 exactly.
When we got downstairs Clary was already seated and sipping on a glass of Champaign. She smiled a big smile at me and stood up as I walked into the room. Her cheeks were really rosy and I wondered how much she had to drink so far. She looked amazing as always. She had on a black fitted pencil skirt that stopped just a few inches above her knees. She had on a fitted black polyester shirt that she wore untucked. It went to her elbows. There was an inch of frilly trim around the sleeves and up the center of the front. The trim seemed to be covering however the shirt clasped. There was a surprisingly low v-neck that gave her quite a bit of cleavage. The way the trim continued up the front of the shirt I wondered if Clary had chosen to actually leave that many clasps undone, or if that was how the shirt was made to be worn. It almost appeared as though it could have been clasped all the way up to her neck. She was wearing her father's ring as a necklace. Her hair was down and fell in soft curls around her face and down her back. She had on a pair of black strappy high heels, but not the ones she had worn here, these were much higher, more like something Izzy would wear. She walked over to me and did a little twirl in front of me. Her father acknowledged her with a tip of his head before he walked over to his seat at the table. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her cheek before I intertwined my hand with hers and walked to the table.
Dinner was lavish, and consisted of a number of courses. We started with an appetizer that was some sort of scallop thing, which I didn't eat; then some orange colored soup, I think it was pumpkin, which I tried, but I didn't like; then a salad that had goat cheese on it and walnuts and cranberries, again I had a bite and moved on; then we had sorbet, which was lime and alright, but I only had a couple bites; next we had quail with some sort of fruit chutney over it and roasted red potatoes, which was pretty good, but I didn't eat the chutney; last they brought out flan for desert, not one of my favorites. Clary seemed to eat some of all her courses, but she only finished her appetizer, the sorbet, and the flan. Though we had a number of courses, I ended up eating a lot of bread. I wondered if he really ate like this every night, or if he just put out this spread for us.
The conversation over the evening was light and consisted of Clary and I discussing our day and complementing her father on the estate. Starkweather seemed to come in a number of times to whisper something or another to Clary's father before leaving again. Clary's father also took the opportunity to tell us more about the expectations for the party on Friday, which sounded to me more like him bragging about how expensive and extravagant the event was going to be and all the famous people he knew that would surely be in attendance. He brought up the subject of our wedding, and began talking about how large and lavish he pictured the event. He referred to it as his biggest social event ever. Clary was quick to say we planned on just a very small event with close friends and family, nothing extravagant. This was news to me, not that I minded at all, but I wondered if she was just trying to avoid the topic. After a brief back and forth between the two of them, her father ultimately said it was probably a bit premature to start talking particulars.
After dinner was over and it was clear Clary wanted to leave, we conveyed our appreciation for her father's offer to let us stay, but politely declined. I expected more of an opposition, but her father seemed very understanding and just said he really hoped we'd come back again before Friday. He also reiterated his invitation for us to stay at the residence one or both of the following evenings. Clary said we'd think about it. One of the maids seemed to appear without being called and brought my keys and phone as well as Clary's purse. Another maid accompanied her with our clothes that were all cleaned and pressed as well as a bag that contained our shoes and other personal effects. Though we both commented on changing, her father was insistent that would be absurd seeing as the clothes were custom tailored to fit us. He also informed us that should he not hear from us again before the week is through, the clothes that have been ordered for us both will be sent to the cottage first thing Sunday morning. That sounded really kind and heavily ladened with guilt all mixed together.
The only resistance we met when we attempted to leave was Clary's father informing us that we would be driven back to the cottage by one of his drivers and that my car would be returned before morning. I started to object, however he was quick to state the matter was not open for discussion. He may have no issues with us both drinking underage, he even provided the wine, but there was absolutely no way he was going to allow me or Clary to drive after consuming any quantity of alcohol. I only had a couple glasses, but I really wasn't going to argue the point with him. It was an understandable concern. We left the estate just about 7:30 and were driven back to the cottage. I absentmindedly remembered that Clary's father had told Jonathan dinner would be at 7:30, though I couldn't see how the man could eat another huge dinner like that. We got home just around 8:00 and were met with a kitchen full of craziness.
"Oh. My. God. What are you wearing? You look amazing!" Izzy screeched as she detached herself from the counter she had been leaning up against in the kitchen and rushed over to us. She started feeling the texture of mine and Clary's clothes. As I took off my jacket Izzy grabbed it out of my hands to try on. The cottage seemed oppressively hot right now after spending the day in the cool mansion.
"We had some clothes made." Clary said nonchalantly as she walked into the kitchen. There was a pitcher of frozen margaritas on the table and Clary poured herself one.
"These are amazing. What tailor in New York does same day turnaround?" Magnus asked as he grabbed Clary's hand and spun her around in a circle, margarita in hand.
"We had them done at her father's." I said lazily as I grabbed a beer out of the fridge and popped the top and downed a couple swigs. Not that we did that much today, but I felt oddly drained.
"You had clothes made while you visited Clary's father?" Simon asked with one eyebrow raised. I shrugged. Magus was brushing my shoulders down and checking the length of my sleeves and examining my cufflinks, it was a little excessive.
"Yeah, apparently we weren't appropriately dressed for dinner." I muttered.
"I bet these are diamonds?" Magnus mumbled as he removed one of my cufflinks. I furrowed my eyebrows at Magnus as I took the cufflink from him and glanced at it. I really didn't bother looking at them closely when I put them on. The cufflinks were silver squares and in the center were a number of small stones shaped as a square as well. There were probably 30 or so stones from the look of it and I wouldn't be surprised to find out they were diamonds. I put the cufflink in my pocket and grabbed the other one out of Magnus's hand and put it in my pocket as well. I didn't even notice him taking it off. Alec chuckled.
"Must be hard. Had to dress up for your high class dinner." Alec said sarcastically.
"Clary, look at those heels. I'm so proud of you." Izzy squealed as she ran over and hugged Clary from behind. Clary was now sitting at the table sipping on her margarita.
"Can I keep this?" Magnus asked as he stared down at his wrist. I realized he was wearing the Rolex I had forgotten to take off. I furrowed my eyebrows at him as I held my hand out.
"No. You can't keep that. I forgot to give it back." Clary glanced over towards me.
"What did you forget to give back?" I was snapping the Rolex back on to my wrist.
"Your dad's watch."
"Now, now, that's not just a watch that's a Rolex." Magnus said with a manic smile. Alec and Simon flocked to the watch like the girls had flocked to Clary's engagement ring. They just wanted to try it on. Of course Magnus bragged he got to try it on first, after me of course.
"Must have been a terrible day. Very dangerous. New clothes, diamond cufflinks, Rolex watches. How did you survive? Were there any other dodgy things you wanted to tell us about?" Maia said sarcastically as she shot Jordan an amused look. Jordan was leaning his back up against the far counter with his arms crossed scowling. I hadn't realized he hadn't said a word since we walked in.
"It was actually fine. We had tea, got fitted, went on a tour, had dinner, and came back." I shrugged. Clary was sitting down staring at her drink like she was waiting for it to predict her future.
"So beside new clothes and the Rolex what other unbelievable things happened today? You have open bragging rights. Don't leave out a detail." Izzy shrieked as she took off the suit jacket and draped it over the back of a chair before she sat down at the table across from Clary. Clary shrugged.
"I got to see a bunch of baby animals. I held some adorable kittens-" Izzy gave Clary a funny look and Simon laughed as he cut Clary off.
"How did you guess that's exactly what Izzy was secretly interested in? She wondered all day if you got to see any baby animals." Simon said sarcastically. The room erupted with laughter. I was beginning to think he was spending too much time with our family. He doesn't usually torment Clary. I couldn't help but chuckle all the same.
"Impress me!" Izzy snapped as she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. Clary just rolled her eyes and took a sip of her drink.
"What would impress you?...We had Dom Perignon…" I said. Izzy looked up at me and her eyes lit up.
"…her father has an $85.5 million dollar Monet…" Magnus put his hand dramatically to his chest as he pulled out a chair and sat down.
"…He has more books than you'd probably find in most libraries, including more first edition books than have probably ever been in the same room together. You'll like this Simon. He has a copy of Dracula, which was signed by Bram Stroker himself." Simon gasped as he took a seat.
"It's really sighed by Bram Stroker?" Simon said softly. The kid's got some vampire fetish.
"I've never seen anything like the inside of this mansion." I said as I shook my head slightly
"Mansion?" Izzy questioned as her eyes sparkled.
"Yeah. Were you really impressed with all the things his dirty money bought?" Jordan snapped.
"You don't know that." I said back as I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, I pretty much do-" Jordan started, but Clary cut him off as she stood up abruptly the palm of her hands coming down hard on the table in front of her.
"Enough!" She snapped. I couldn't help but laugh.
"You sounded just like him." Clary glared at me and I tried to hide my smirk.
"It's just money! He has money. Lots and lots of money, which he likes to show off. He's a powerful business man, probably involved in organized crime. I get it." Clary stormed out of the kitchen. I started to follow her, but she walked all the way down the hall to the bathroom and slammed the door. I took a deep breath and went back in the kitchen.
"She's been a little touchy all day. He wants her to come and live with him and it's clear he's trying to bribe her into saying yes." Izzy's eyes just twinkled.
"He can bribe me into living with him any day." She said with a huge smile. Simon raised an eyebrow at her. The doorbell range and Alec went to get it. I wondered who would be here at 8:30 at night.
"Well it sounds like you're all going to be invited to that big party on Friday, so you'll get to see all the lavish crap for yourselves."
"I'm going to be so underdressed. I can't get anything this fine in such a short amount of time." Magnus muttered as he plucked the suit jacket off of the back of Izzy's chair.
"You can wear this if you want, though we're not exactly the same size." Magnus furrowed his eyes at me and gave me an incredulous look.
"I'd look absurd. What are you wearing anyway?" I shrugged.
"A tux." Magnus dropped his head back dramatically.
"I have a perfect white tuxedo at my apartment, but no I'll be stuck in some over worn plain old black rental. This is a fashion nightmare." Magnus slipped the suit jacket on.
"If you're really concerned I can see if that tailor can have you sized for something. She made me and Clary a number of outfits today and we're supposed to have more stuff ready tomorrow and later this week." I shrugged. Magnus's mouth was gaping, but he wasn't speaking. I don't think I've ever seen him speechless.
"So are you going back tomorrow?" Jordan questioned somewhat harshly. I shrugged.
"I don't know. He wants to see more of Clary in the next couple days. I don't know what she wants to do. I'm supposed to get my hair cut tomorrow." I shook my head. I finished my beer and grabbed another one out of the fridge.
"Didn't you just get your hair cut?" Izzy questioned. I nodded.
"It's not conservative enough or something." Magnus laughed.
"Yes well, I don't suppose Clary's father is going to be too fond of the glitter I'll be wearing to that ball now will he?" There were several chuckles in the room. Magnus walked towards the door, and I absentmindedly realized Alec had been gone several minutes now.
"So where do you live if Clary lives with her dad?" Maia questioned.
"I live with her. He's already renovating a whole wing for us. The master bedroom suite alone is bigger than this entire cottage-"
"Moving in with the mob?" Jordan muttered under his breath. I glared at him.
"Well you've made your opinion pretty clear Jordan. I think Clary's sincerely concerned that he could really be some sort of mob boss or something." I snapped.
"He is Jace-" Jordan started, but was cut off by Magnus yelling from the doorway.
"ALEXANDER NO!" Magnus shrieked in a scolding tone as he ran out the door. We all exchanged a quick confused look and jetted to the front door. There sitting in the driveway was a cherry red brand new convertible Ferrari with the top down and Alec sitting in the driver's seat with the door wide open. We all circled the car.
"Where the hell did this come from?" Jordan asked as he ran his hand over the hood like he was petting it. Alec was calling out specs on the car like he had the owner's manual in his hand. I had a feeling I knew exactly where this car came from.
"Alexander this isn't yours!" Magnus snapped in a reprimanding tone. Alec just ran his hand over the dashboard and had this overly happy smile on his face. He looked like he was high.
"Alec what did the guy at the door say?" I asked with a bit of a chuckle. It was hard not to laugh a little at how crazy everybody was acting over the car. They were all touching it and gaping in astonishment. Alec was still spouting off all the idiosyncrasies about the car. I was wondering if it was odd I wasn't drooling just like everybody else. I mean, it's just a car after all. God, one day in a mansion and I was a snob.
"Alec…Earth to Alec…ALEC!" He finally stopped rambling.
"What? Are you going to get all pissy because I'm sitting in your new ride? You said I could use your car whenever you weren't. You're obviously not using it right now." He snapped without ever taking his eyes off the car. I rolled my eyes.
"No. I just wanted to know what the guy said that dropped the car off…Did you say my new ride?" He chuckled as he looked over his shoulder at me.
"Yep. The guy said this car is courtesy of Mr. Morgenstern…"
"…should you prefer a different color or any alternative features, you should just let him know…" He threw his voice out in a sarcastic attempt at sounding overly snooty.
"…Though, I completely forgot his name." Alec muttered as he returned his attention to fiddling with every dial on the dash. I think he was programming my radio stations. I ran both my hands through my hair and intertwined my fingers together on top of my head. Alec put his foot on the gas and revved the cars engine loud.
"Was that necessary?" I muttered.
"It does purr like a kitten." Magnus cooed as he opened the passenger side door and sat down. Alec was nodding his head adamantly at Magnus.
"Sounds more like a lion to me." Simon said under his breath.
"Don't drive it anywhere. You've all been drinking and I'm not keeping it. I'm not risking you wrapping a couple hundred thousand dollar car around a tree. Clary's going to kill me. Her father is just trying to bribe me so I convince her we should go move into that mansion with him. He made some comment about getting me a Ferrari earlier today. If any more lavish gifts show up send them back. I have to go figure out how to tell Clary about this." Alec was looking at me like a three year old that I had just taken their birthday cake away from them.
"If you don't want it, give it to me." Alec whined.
"I'm your favorite sibling Jace, don't deny it. I get any gifts you don't want." Izzy chimed in as she crossed her arms. Simon was standing next to her nodding his head.
"No, all unwanted gifts go to the oldest sibling, it's the law, sorry…I'll take the cufflinks and the Rolex if you don't want them." Magnus said with a twinkle in his eye.
"You're not even related." Simon snapped.
"Alec doesn't own one shirt that you wear with cufflinks and he doesn't even wear a watch half the time. He'd just give them to me anyway. I'm bypassing a step." Magnus said as he crossed his arms.
"Two words…Blood money." Jordan muttered, though he was checking out the car like it was a nude Playboy Bunny.
"You got some drool there Jordan." Maia said sarcastically as she reached her forefinger up theatrically to whip at his mouth. He swatted her hand away and glared at her.
"Cufflinks I could go without, but I'd wear a Rolex if I had one." Alec muttered.
"No. No. No. You can't have the diamond cufflinks, the Rolex, and the car. That's not fair." Izzy stomped her foot on the ground.
"Those are all kind of guy things anyway Izzy." Maia said with a shrug.
"They are not! A Ferrari is not a guy thing!" Izzy snapped.
"Well you can't have the car, but fine, you can have the cufflinks." Alec said with a shrug.
"Jace!" Izzy screeched.
"Well maybe they'll bring home something cooler tomorrow." Maia said thoughtfully. Jordan just glared at her.
"Cooler than a Ferrari?" Magnus said skeptically.
"Like a kitten?" Simon said and burst out laughing. Izzy glared daggers at him.
"There you go Izzy. You can have a kitten if they bring one back." Alec said with a chuckle.
"I'd take a kitten." Magnus said with a shrug.
"Never mind, you can't have a kitten either Izzy." Alec said as he shook his head.
"Jace tell him that's not fair." Izzy screeched. I raised my forefinger and started to open my mouth, but I didn't even know where to begin. I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"It's all going back. Nobody is keeping any of it." I turned around and walked back into the cottage with everybody still arguing about who should get what. What a mess.
The bathroom was empty, so I hit it up real quick before I headed back to my room. I reached down routinely and turned the knob to my bedroom door, but was brought up short when the knob didn't turn. The door was locked. Clary might have locked the door to change, but she would have likely unlocked it when she was done. Everybody knew we were back, it's not like anybody else was apt to go walking in my room. Of course my mind immediately jumped to the assumption that she was mad at me, though I still found it odd she'd lock herself in my room and not hers. I guess it was really our room now. I knocked lightly and luckily she was quick to answer.
"Jace?" Her voice sounded pleasant. Not pissed off or anything.
"Yeah." I said lazily.
"Sorry. Just a sec." I let out a relieved breath of air. At least she didn't sound upset. Now I just had to figure out how to explain the Ferrari to her. Not that the car was my fault in any way, but she'd probably find something to get all worked up over. I would have expected her to open the door quicker. I was wondering what she was doing in there. I knocked lightly again, but she didn't answer this time. I turned the knob and the door opened.
"Clary-" I started, but my breath hitched as soon as I saw her. I don't even know what I was going to say. I was momentarily speechless as a big smile started to spread across my face. Clary was kneeling upright on the bed. She was wearing a really really hot little outfit; a flyaway Babydoll that fell just below her ass and had little spaghetti straps. The outfit was satin around the bralette area, but the rest was just a completely see-through black lace. She was wearing a matching black satin and lace thong. The split up the front of the Babydoll was open at a V exposing her very very sexy midsection, and she had a little bow at the center of her chest with two long thin black satin ribbons that came down to almost her belly button. She was looking directly at me with a very seductive look her face. Her hair was down, which I always love, but she had one hand in her hair pushing it back out of her face; her other hand rested gently on her upper thigh. She looked like a very attractive posed model out of a lingerie catalog. I didn't realize I was just kind of frozen there for a moment until Clary smirked at me.
"Didn't we have a conversation to finish?" She asked heavily. Her hand that had been resting on her thigh reached up and she gestured to me to come over to her with her index finger. I quickly walked into the room, though I almost thought I heard somebody somewhere in the cottage yelling my name. I locked the door and practically charged the bed. Though I was completely dressed and wearing shoes I was kneeling on the bed in front of her in a heartbeat.
My hands smoothed hastily across Clary's exposed midsection as I parted the front of her outfit and pulled her tightly to me. I ran my hands along her silky back and over her ass as my lips hungrily rushed to her neck, down her collarbone, and across her cleavage. I covered her exposed chest, neck, and shoulders with a number of kisses while she unbuttoned my shirt. My shirt was off and thrown across the room with my undershirt right after it. I brought my hands to either side of Clary's face as I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her fiercely. With Clary's help my belt, shoes, socks, and pants were expeditiously removed. She snaked both her hands up around my neck and tangled them into my hair as she held my lips firmly to hers. I guided Clary's back towards the bed, our lips and tongues still entangled in a heated kiss. I laid on the side of her; her body much more accessible. Though, I loved the outfit when I came in the room, now it just seemed to be in the way. Clary had such a beautiful body, I wanted to see it. It only took a few seconds for Clary to realize I was trying to figure out if the thing snapped in the front or back or what, but in a fairly swift move she sat up slightly and pulled it up and over her head. It was gone. Clary's hands rushed up my abs and chest and over my shoulders as I brought my lips back to hers. My hand gently caressed her silky smooth skin. I broke away from her mouth and slowly moved my lips across her cheek and neck as I gently ran my hand over her chest and down her body. She moaned softly at my touch and arched her back as I kissed the crook of her neck passionately. I led a trail of soft kisses along her chest and stomach as her hands smoothed over my upper back. It didn't take very long before both her thongs and my boxers were flung across the room. After a little more exploration with our hands and mouths, we gave into the mounting need to be united.
I lay with my eyes closed, my arms wrapped around Clary's naked body. It had been several minutes since we exchanged a few affectionate words and our lips met one more time to seal the night. After such a long odd day, my thoughts couldn't even settle on any moment except right now. We were both still sticky with sweat, but I could feel Clary's breathing becoming more even, her chest rising and falling steady, her heart no longer racing. I fell asleep, completely relaxed, peaceful, and content, with the fan gently blowing against my back.
Starsky and Hutch (2004) (Ben Stiller & Owen Wilson)
