He smiles his gratitude. ‘I will admit I had my doubts when I heard the news regarding your inheritance. And it came as a huge shock to my wife—which I’m sure you can understand. There was no forewarning. And, if I’m honest, Carina hasn’t come to terms with Katherine’s death. Their relationship was always strained at best, but that’s not to say she doesn’t feel her loss or mourn what might have been. I know you thought the worst when she refused to return for the reading of the will, Edward. But if you’d seen her lately you’d know how much she’s struggling... Anyway, I digress—and I’m making excuses again, I know. But what I wanted to say—’
‘Rupert!’ my mother hollers from the hall, and I pray that most of the guests are still ensconced in the ballroom and distracted by the music.
My father spares the doorway the briefest of glances before coming back to Summer and taking her hand in both of his. ‘You have done Glenrobin and my wife’s family so very proud tonight, Miss Evans. Katherine obviously saw in you what some of us missed...to our own detriment, might I add.’ He gives me an odd look. ‘But I see great things in Glenrobin’s future with you and my son at the helm, and I wish you every success with your charity ventures. If there is anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to call.’
Summer blinks...blinks again. Like me, she can’t believe her ears—her eyes, even. My father looks moved to tears. Hell, I’m moved to tears.
‘Right, I’d best go. I think your mother’s going to need some talking down—or a talking-to. Maybe it’s high time for the latter.’
I think he’s teasing, but after tonight’s turn of events I can’t be sure.
He places his hand on my shoulder. ‘Let’s get together soon for a drink, son. It’s been too long.’
I clear my throat, nod.
‘Goodnight to you both.’
And with that he walks away, leaving us staring after him.
Dumbfounded doesn’t even come close.
But a flicker of excitement comes alive inside me—a surge of emotion that builds and builds as I recall the whole scene... The way Summer stood up to my mother, the way she defended me, talked about me, the way she acted.
Is she finally ready to accept her place here?
To accept that she belongs?
And not just temporarily...
The future fills with possibility—marriage, children, family...a true home in every sense of the word. Everything Gran wished for.
I can’t breathe for the excited rush I feel, and as she turns to me, her blue eyes so bright, her cheeks so flushed...
‘Wow!’ she breathes, her hands on her hips as she gives a rapid shake of her head. ‘Did that just happen?’
‘Sure did, Princess.’ I reach out and tug her to me. ‘You were incredible.’
‘Not too much?’
‘No, definitely not too much.’
‘It’s just that when I saw her strike you in the ballroom, I was ready to give her both barrels.’
I wince. ‘You saw that?’
She nods, her eyes sad as she strokes her finger over my smarting cheek. ‘I pondered dragging her out by her hair and telling the children it was all part of the entertainment, but then I’d have been lowering myself to her level.’
‘Now, that would have been a sight to witness—but you’re right. What you did was far more powerful.’
‘You reckon?’
‘There’s no doubt in my mind that your words had a greater impact.’
‘I hope so, Edward, I truly do.’
‘I couldn’t stand it any longer—the snide little comments, the digs...’
‘I know. She needs to realise she’s brought this on herself. I came in here determined to make her see why Katherine did what she did, and how different things could have been—how different things could still be—if she saw the error of her ways, but I don’t know... Has it gone in? Any of it?’