A Very Exclusive Engagement

“I have someone with me. Henry has been by my side for more than forty years. He’s held my hand through every treatment. Sat by me as I cried.”

Henry. He’d never understood why her butler stayed around, even at his advanced age. Now perhaps he comprehended the truth. Neither of them had ever married. They’d grown up in a time where they could never be together due to the wide social chasm between them, yet they were in love. Secretly, quietly making their lives together without anyone ever knowing it.

And now Henry was going to lose her. It made Liam’s chest ache for the silent, patient man he’d known all his life.

“I don’t know what to say, Aunt Beatrice. I’m so sorry.”

“Is there anything we can do?” Francesca asked. Her hand sought out his under the table and squeezed gently for reassurance. He appreciated the support. Like her mere presence at his speech, knowing she was there made him feel stronger. As if he could handle anything.

“Actually, yes. I’d like the two of you to get married this weekend while I’m in town.”

Anything but that.

“What?” Liam said, his tone sharper than he would’ve liked after everything they’d just discussed.

“I know our original agreement gave you a year, but I’ve taken a turn for the worse and I’m forced to move up the deadline. I want to ensure that you go through with it so I have enough time to have all the appropriate paperwork drawn up. I also want to see you married before I’m too much of an invalid to enjoy myself at the reception.”

Francesca’s hand tightened on his. It was never meant to go this far. He never expected something like this. “This weekend? It’s Monday night. That’s impossible.”

“Nothing is impossible when you have enough money to make things happen. I’m staying at the Four Seasons while I’m here. I spoke to the manager this morning and he said they could accommodate a wedding and reception there this Friday evening. They have a lovely terrace for the ceremony and the Corcoran Ballroom is available for the reception.”

Liam felt a lump in his throat form that no amount of water or swallowing would budge. He turned to look at Francesca. Her gaze was focused on her plate, her expression unreadable. She looked a little paler than usual, despite her olive complexion. Obviously, she was as pleased with this development as he was.

“I see no reason for you to wait any longer than necessary,” his aunt continued, filling the silence at the table. “After all, you’ve found a lovely woman. By all accounts you two seem to be very much in love.”

Her pointed tone left no doubt. His aunt had nailed them. He thought they had put on a good show. That it would be enough to pacify her until he could find the funding to buy her out. But he’d already heard from his accountant. The amount of money he needed was nearly impossible to secure, especially with the network in such a vulnerable place. They were looking at some other alternatives, but it would take time. Certainly longer that the few days they’d been given with her new deadline. That would take a miracle.

The Queen Bee was calling their bluff and he had too much riding on this hand to fold.

The waiter arrived then, setting their dessert selections in front of them. His aunt had never been much for sweets, but he noted a glimmer of pleasure in her eye as she looked down at the confection before her. He supposed that once you know you’re going to die, there was no sense holding back on the things doctors told you were bad for you. What was the point?

Aunt Beatrice lifted a spoon of creamy chocolate mousse and cheesecake to her mouth and closed her eyes from pleasure. Liam couldn’t find the desire to touch his dessert. He’d lost his appetite.

“Don’t make my mistakes, Liam. Life is too short to wait when you’ve found the person you want to spend your life with, I assure you.”

At that, Francesca pulled her hand from his. He suddenly felt very alone in the moment without her touch to steady him. “We’ll have to discuss it, Aunt Beatrice. Francesca’s family is from California. There’s a lot more to pull together than just booking a reception hall. But we’ll be in touch.”

Liam pushed away from the table to stand and Francesca followed suit.

“Aren’t you going to finish your dessert?” his aunt asked, watching them get up.

“We’ve got a lot to sort out. I’m sorry, but we have to go.”

His aunt took another bite, not terribly concerned by their hasty exit. “That’s fine. I’ll take it back to the hotel with me. Henry will enjoy it.”

*

Liam’s car pulled up outside Francesca’s town house, but neither of them got out. It had been a silent drive from the restaurant. They must’ve both been in some kind of shock, although Francesca was certain they had different reasons for being struck mute.