Chapter Nineteen

London's Calling

The next morning it dawned bright and clear. We'd made an appointment to meet the estate agent at the final house on her list. Devon decided to take Kitt with us and we went exploring in the neighbourhood of the address the young woman had given us.

I disliked the house at first sight. It had nothing going for it. "Oh, no, I don't think this is the one for us." I looked across at Devon who was sitting in the driver's seat.

I felt a deep sense of disappointment and I could see his dissatisfaction with the area and how far back from the ocean it was. The house was large and very modern, but it lacked anything romantic. What we'd agreed we wanted was what Michael and Stevie had found in their lovely home. I felt a stab of jealousy that we were still so far away from what we had come to enjoy.

The agent drove up and we all got out. The young woman was full of apology as soon as Devon told her we didn't wish to go inside. "I'm truly sorry you don't like it. I had real hope for this one. It has been completely renovated with all the modern conveniences and everything is laid out on the ground floor."

"Sorry, but it's just not for us." I tried not to smile.

I gathered from her comment she thought we could do without stairs at our advanced ages. I was beginning to feel sorry for her youthfulness. She had tried very hard to please us and was now floundering.

"We're sorry too," Devon replied evenly. "We're thinking we should leave this search for now. We're wasting your time if you have nothing else to show us."

"Well, I do have one more house…" the agent hurried to say, giving us her best smile as she consulted the folder in her hands. "I… it's only just come on the market late last week and I was finally given the keys this morning."

She looked at us hopefully. "You'll be the first people to see it. I'm told it's something very special." Her bright smile faltered a little. "I haven't seen it myself, yet. But the address is excellent, and I know it will have great views."

"I see…" Devon looked at me doubtfully and shrugged. "Do you feel like looking at one more house?"

"We've come this far, I guess," I said, not really wanting to look at another house and being disappointed all over again. "We might as well. We told Stevie we would be out all morning. She'll be upset if we return too early."

"Then please follow me," the agent said with renewed hope in her eyes. "It's not too far from here…" She hurried back to her car and we got back into Kitt.

"There are times when I am glad all I need is a roof and four walls to shelter me," Kitt remarked as soon as his doors were closed. "It seems to be very wearing, trying to find just the right fit. You humans appear to have very intricate and complicated needs."

I couldn't disagree with his logic. "Well, it's not as if we're asking for a palace," I replied a bit crossly. "Just a nice house with a lovely view of the ocean. Somewhere peaceful and elegant."

"Then we must hope that this next house is the right fit because we're running out of time," Devon commented as we followed the agent's car back down the hill without much hope.

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"I do think you'll find that this house is everything you've been looking for," the estate agent assured us hopefully the moment we arrived and Kitt's doors opened. "The current owner has said he's keen to sell, but he has also said that it must be to the right people. He wants the house and grounds to stay intact. It was a binding stipulation in the late owner's will."

"That sounds fair. But we'll need to see it first," I replied, looking down at Carolyn as I held the passenger door open for her.

"Of course. Please follow me." The agent waved a set of large keys enticingly. She didn't give us any chance to reply as she turned and led the way up a long concrete driveway, her high heels clicking with renewed determination.

"It does look promising…" I said hopefully as I took Carolyn's arm and looked around. "The grounds are excellent. And we've come back down to Butterfly Beach. Is that a good omen?"

"It is certainly in the right area," Kitt remarked. "I think it's worth a look."

"You could be right," I replied cautiously, not wanting to be disappointed once more.

The mature gardens and lawns surrounding the house were extensive and beautifully kept. Huge old trees offered welcome shade from the sun. I could hear the wash and retreat of the ocean in the distance and the cries of gulls.

"Well, I'm not holding my breath," Carolyn replied softly as we walked up the hill and the house appeared through the trees, slowly revealing itself like a shy woman unsure of her finery. "I don't want to be disappointed all over again."

Ahead of us, the agent had sensed our growing interest. She was reading her folder like she was quoting a mantra. "This beautiful and elegant Victorian home was built in the early 1900s by naval carpenters for their sea captain. It's all been kept in original and impeccable condition. The last owner was an elderly widow who had lived here for the last fifty years until her death last year and…"

The young woman droned on, but I could sense Carolyn was no longer listening. I turned my attention to her and ignored the agent's rising enthusiasm for her subject.

"Oh, look…" Carolyn's hand tightened on my arm and we both stopped walking. "I don't believe it. I think it's just beautiful…"

"Yes, it is…" I smiled slowly and with relief. I could see exactly what had arrested my love's attention.

Two-storied and elegant with a long, porticoed front porch, the house sat neatly within its beautifully kept gardens. On the first floor, a round turret room with a bow window dominated one end of the upper floor, obviously built to look out over the sea and catch every last ray of sunshine.

"Stairs…" I whispered against Carolyn's ear.

"Yes…" She nodded eagerly. "Maybe more than one set too." She chuckled.

I studied the tall French windows that filled the middle space, and another bow window dominated the other end beneath a peaked roof. Above it all was a widow's walk, taking up a large part of the roofline. It looked as if it could offer a fine view for miles around and out toward the beach and the ocean beyond.

Knowing she finally had our attention, the agent turned back to smile at us. Beckoning to us to follow, she walked to the bottom of the steps leading up to the deep front porch.

She continued reading her description. "…and this house actually became something of a Hollywood star back in the sixties when it was used in the filming for the Emmy award-winning television show, The Ghost and Mrs Muir..."

She looked very pleased with her find. She smiled with obvious relief as she led the way up the steps and inserted one of the large keys in the front door lock. "Excellent. I think you will find this house is well worth its asking price. Now, if you would both like to follow me, we can step inside and go right into the formal living room…"

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I didn't need to hear any more. As soon as I crossed the threshold and walked into the large, well-appointed living room, the house seemed to welcome me with a warm embrace. It enfolded me in its quiet elegance like it had been waiting for us to come and find it. And to rescue it. I couldn't shake that feeling as I explored further.

I took my time looking around while Devon continued to pay close attention to what the agent was saying as she hurried to the end of her extensive notes. Then she smiled brightly as she looked up and named the price the current owner was asking.

It was a more than fair price and less than what had been asked for the houses we'd already rejected. I caught my breath and tried not to look too eager. I had the sense it was meant to be. As I walked back toward the open front door, I felt a soft brush of air across the back of my neck almost like a caress. I put a hand on the side of my neck and smiled. It did feel as if we were coming home.

"As I said, it's well priced to sell quickly. But only to the right people," the agent emphasised again. "But I guess I could leave you two to look around. Take all the time you need. I'll be outside when you're finished looking. I have the feeling this house was made for you."

I could see she was scenting a potential sale, and I couldn't deny her instincts. But I tried not to appear too eager. "Thank you…" I nodded, taking Devon's arm to draw him away and further into the house.

We heard the front door shut behind the young woman and the warm silence of the house settled in. It had the slightly musty smell of being shut up for too long and I wished I could throw open all the windows and let in the light and air. The house seemed to want that too. The more I looked around, the more it seemed to be speaking to me in whispers from the past.

I shook my head. "You know, I do remember watching that television series the agent mentioned. It was about twenty years ago. I was a little smitten with the ghost at the time. He was a rather good-looking sea captain, even if his attitudes toward the fair sex were very nineteenth century."

I smiled. "I wonder if the place is actually haunted, given its recent history," I teased lightly.

"Well, there's only one way to find out," Devon replied as he tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow. "Let's go searching and see if we can raise a ghost or two."

We wandered slowly, arm in arm through the house, with growing anticipation. Thankfully, no masculine ghost made his presence felt. Every room we looked into or entered was as charming and well-appointed as the last. Beautiful period furniture set the stage everywhere.

"We should ask if all of these pieces come with the house," I said as we made our way up the wide staircase to the first floor and the numerous bedrooms.

"It would certainly mean that we didn't have to spend too much time furnishing the house," Devon agreed.

"Come on. Let's look outside…" I couldn't resist walking through the main bedroom to open the French doors that gave access to the front balcony overlooking the driveway. The fresh air was very welcome and the views toward Butterfly Beach were amazing.

Seeing us above her, the agent waved happily and then gave me the thumbs-up. I waved back before I turned to Devon. "I think it would break her heart if we said we didn't like it. Which is quite impossible now that we've seen it."

"I agree. I think the whole house is charming and elegant," Devon replied, putting his hands on my waist and drawing me back inside to kiss me. "I am amazed it's not out of our price range. The grounds are extensive and the ability to subdivide would make it very acceptable to a developer."

"Oh, I love this house already and I couldn't bear that to happen." I shook my head as I smoothed one fingertip down the curve of his cheek before putting my arms around his waist. "Or should I say Edward Grainger can afford to buy this house for us. We really can't let it fall into the wrong hands."

"Well, I'm not short of a dollar or two myself," Devon corrected me gently. "We haven't discussed it yet, but I won't argue with you if we decide to go into this purchase fifty/fifty. I think that's only fair."

"Then I accept. And I do love you, Devon Miles…" I sighed. "I'm so glad we've finally managed to find a truly beautiful house. I couldn't be happier."

"And not before time…" Devon sighed as he rested his forehead against mine. "We will have to leave for London soon. There's still so much to do."

"I know and I still have my manuscript to complete. Miss Amanda Knight is a heart stealer who has taken up a great deal of our time." I kissed him before I pulled back to look up at him. "I did just say I couldn't be happier. But one last thing would truly make me very happy. Are you finally going to ask me what you wanted to say the morning Amanda was born? Remember that we promised each other there would be no more secrets between us."

"Yes, we did say that…" Devon nodded slowly as he looked down at me.

I held my breath and waited. Streams of early afternoon sunlight warmed my back as he held me close against him, his large, powerful hands resting easily on my hips.

He smiled as he tilted his head at me. "The sunlight becomes you," he said then, studying the rays of light streaming into the room behind us.

"Devon…" I said warningly, grasping fistfuls of his shirt in the small of his back and shaking him. "Ask me. I might even say yes."

"Minx…" He chuckled. "You know very well what I was going to say to you that day."

"Yes, but I want to hear you say the words." I shook him again. "Right here, right now. It would be the most perfect end to a truly magical day."

"Will you marry me, my Luciana?" he asked softly, his blue eyes full of love as he looked down into mine. "Are you willing to make an honest man out of me, finally?"

"Yes, I'll marry you…" I nodded, trying not to cry. "How could I not? You are my life and we have wasted so much time."

"Thank you…" Devon sagged with relief. "Now we must—"

"Oh, there you are!" the land agent commented with relief from the open doorway. "You were taking so long, I thought you two might have gotten lost. It is a big house."

"No, we're not lost," Devon replied, looking down at me. "In fact, I think we've only just been found."

"Oh…" the agent said, confusion in her tone. She paused then asked, "Well, what do you think?" She waved an expansive hand. "About the house…"

Still looking down at me, Devon replied, "Subject to all the usual due diligence and a builder's report, we've agreed we'll take it."

The agent beamed. "Oh, I'm so glad! The vendor did say he wanted a quick sale, but he did stress it had to be to the right people. And I do think you are so right for this house. It's like it was meant to be. As soon as I get back to the office, I'll set the ball rolling and…"

She went on talking brightly about her plans but neither of us was listening to her. We were too wrapped up in each other right then and how far we'd come in such a short time.

I sighed as I looked around the main bedroom of our new home. Our future together beckoned, and I couldn't wait to share it with Devon. Whatever happened now and whatever may come, we were together and that was all that mattered now.

"We should go shopping this afternoon and buy you an engagement ring," Devon whispered close to my ear. "We need to make our love official, and your hand looks bare."

"Yes, please. But not just yet…" I shook my head slowly. "Let's wait a little." I looked up at him. "If you don't mind."

"Of course, I don't mind…" He hugged me close as the agent finally ran out of words to say and stared at us expectantly, waiting for us to leave. "Anything you want is fine with me. But do you have something in mind?"

"London…" I raised my brows at him as we followed the agent from the bedroom and down the stairs. "I think that would be so romantic when we're back where it all began for us."

I threaded my fingers through his and leaned closer as I raised his hand to my lips. "And I would love for you to surprise me…"

"I think I can manage to do that." His answering smile was immediately intimate, and it made my toes curl. "Just like Edward Grainger would surprise his lady love?"

"Yeah… Just like that," I whispered in complete happiness.

"London, it is then." Devon nodded and kissed me as we walked through the open front door and back into the warm sunshine.

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"Engaged, is it?" Michael declared happily as he pumped my hand and slapped me on the shoulder. "Well, I must say, it's about time! We'd almost given up hope of you making an honest woman out of Carolyn."

He grinned as he turned to my love and picked her up in a bear hug to swing her around before kissing her cheek soundly. "It's great to see that there's still life in the old dog yet!" He chuckled richly, kissing her again.

"We'll have less of your cheek," I replied darkly, smiling, nonetheless. "But I do agree, it's time."

"And you've found a house," Stevie said quietly. "I'm so glad. And you're so close to us as well. It was meant to be. Will you get married there?"

Her gaze flickered to Carolyn's naked left hand, and I shook my head at her questioning look. I'd secretly asked her to size Carolyn's discarded rings for me and Stevie had willingly obliged. She smiled her understanding that I wanted to buy a very special ring.

"Yes…" Carolyn finally managed to breathe as Michael put her down. "It is such a lovely house. It will be perfect for a wedding."

"Well, I think this great news calls for a celebration," Michael declared, pointing at their living room's well-stocked bar. "I have some excellent champagne I've been saving for a special occasion. None better than this."

We all settled on the stools at the bar as Michael opened the bottle of wine and set out the glasses. "And, of course, we'll expect to be your very first guests," he added with a wide smile. "What plans do you two have now?"

I shrugged. "As soon as the house is settled, we must get to London. Organising the exhibition will take up most of our time."

"And I have a pressing deadline I need to meet," Carolyn added. "My publisher wants my manuscript as soon as I can get it to him."

"So, it'll be a spring wedding then," Stevie enthused. "Oh, that will be so lovely." She turned to Carolyn. "I'll help you organise it, of course. If you'll allow me."

"Oh, I would love that…" Carolyn hugged her close. "Thank you."

"Then while you're away, Bonnie and I will start making some plans." Stevie raised her brows. "Um, but what about your sons?"

She hesitated, obviously feeling her way forward. "Have you told them yet? I mean, will they want to attend? I know Lucy was so happy to be able to help with getting you two together again in Sedona. I still have her phone number in Paris."

"I'll telephone all of them before dinner tonight and tell them our news. Edward and Danny do know about us getting back together. I told them before we left Santa Fe." Carolyn paused as she turned to me, linking her fingers through mine as her eyes silently asked for my permission.

"It's okay…" I nodded. "It'll be all right."

It was past time for the ultimate truth to be told. These two wonderful people were the closest to a family I'd ever had until Carolyn came back into my life with her incredible confession about her eldest child. It was fitting that the truth came out now on this very special day of days.

"All right…" She smiled mistily as she turned back to Michael and Stevie who were both watching us with deepening curiosity. "After Devon died…"

Her breathing hitched. "…after our blasted masters lied to both of us, I couldn't stay in that world. It was just too painful and full of too many memories. I ran away from London and went to Paris. I guess, in a way, I was still looking for Devon. Even though they'd told me he was dead."

She shrugged. "I knew him as Edward back then, and Paris had been his next assignment after he left me at the Piccadilly train station promising to come back for me." She looked briefly stricken by the painful memory.

"I wasn't given a choice about my leaving Carolyn behind…" I reached to put my arm around her waist, drawing her close to me as I leant my courage for her to go on with her story. Our story… "That decision is one I will always regret."

"It wasn't your fault. None of it." Carolyn looked up at me, her eyes saying once again that she forgave me for everything that happened back then and since. She had let go of the past in favour of our future together.

I knew I needed to forgive myself. I nodded slowly, finally accepting that our past couldn't be changed. It would remain that far away foreign country that we couldn't revisit.

"Well, go on…" Michael encouraged, us as he poured our champagne and passed the glasses out. "Don't leave us hanging here. What happened next?"

"Ssshhh…" Steve admonished him with a finger across his lips. "Let Carolyn tell her story in her own time."

"All right…" Michael shrugged, shaking his head. "I was only asking."

Carolyn took pity on him. "I found employment as a concierge in a small hotel. That was where I first met my future husband, Ian. He quickly proposed after a whirlwind romance." Her lips thinned. "He said he loved me and promised to take care of me."

"But he let you down," Stevie deduced, taking Carolyn's hand in hers.

My love sighed. "I was lost, grieving and wilfully blind to Ian's less appealing qualities. But he did give me a way out. He needed a competent wife to help with his growing business venture. He was a means of putting the past behind me and finally being able to move on."

"Except…" Stevie looked at me, her brows drawing together. "You brought something of your past with you into your future."

"Yes…" Carolyn breathed slowly. "I didn't know then. And by the time I did, it was already too late. I was married and living in Santa Fe with an unfaithful husband who wanted to control everything I did. There was no way out. Not then. I had to make the best of it."

"I'm lost…" Michael looked at each of us in turn, trying to divine the truth of what he was hearing. "What are you talking about now?" He looked aggrieved.

"Men…" Stevie rolled her eyes at him even as she reached up to kiss her husband's cheek. "As always, they're the last to understand anything about women."

She shook her head as she turned and smiled at me, reaching to take my hand even as she held onto Carolyn's. I could see her eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

"All right, then tell me," Michael demanded. "What's going on? What am I missing?"

Stevie shook her head. "I'll let Carolyn tell you. It's still her story." She smiled at me. "And Devon's…"

"I named my eldest child, Edward," Carolyn told him quietly. "After the man, I thought I'd lost thirty-five years ago. I never expected to see Devon again."

"Until you did see him again, walking down that street in LA and you just knew you'd been lied to all those years ago…" Stevie whispered, wiping at her eyes. "Oh, this is such a romantic story. A true happy ever after. I couldn't be happier for both of you."

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him again…" Carolyn agreed, turning to me with her eyes full of tears. "I thought I must have been dreaming…"

"While I wasted time arguing with myself that she wasn't real…" I raised my love's hand to my lips and kissed the back of her fingers. "I was so sure she couldn't be real. My beautiful Luciana belonged to a past that was long dead and gone. And on another continent entirely."

"Oh, I love that name…" Stevie sighed dreamily. "How pretty…"

"Okay, I still don't get it," Michael complained, looking to me for support in his honest confusion. "What are you all talking about?"

"My Edward is Devon's son," Carolyn told him simply. "Ian Bridges was not his father. I didn't know it then but I was already pregnant when I arrived in Paris."

"Well, I'll be…" Michael stood open-mouthed as he absorbed the news for a stunned moment before he reached across the bar and grasped my hand again in a punishing grip as he grinned widely. "You're a dad! Congratulations! This day just keeps getting better and better! I say such great news calls for another bottle of champagne!"

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