“Bastard…” Despite being pissed off at Piers, Crispin couldn’thelp but smile at the anger in Gwen’s voice. The sight of the cutelittle scowl on her face as she spoke of her ordeal warmed hisheart. “What did you say to him?”
“I told him he was full of shit! But by then he’d driven awayand didn’t hear me. I was too stunned at first. I wish I could havefound my voice. I would have told him to stuff his money up hisass! How dare he? What was he–”
Crispin couldhold back any longer, and he cut her off with a kiss of gratitudeand admiration. “Who the fuck cares?” he gasped when he drew awayfor a second to gaze upon her face. “I’m so proud of you. I loveyou, Gwen, and that’s all that matters.”
“I love you, too!” she declared, hugging him tight, burying herface in his chest.
“Apparently.” He chuckled, falling backwards on the bed withher. “Thank you for being you.”
“Seriously, Crispin! If I ever see him again, I’ll let him haveit!”
“Well, perhaps you’ll get your chance.” He chuckled and tuggedher up so she rested comfortably beside him, her head on his chest,her arm around him. This is where she belonged, tucked snuggly athis side. To think, before meeting her, he would never haveimagined being so assured and content in another’s embrace. Yetnow, especially now, to be held, to hold her so near, without fearof abandonment, was the most beautiful feeling.
“What do you mean?” she asked, suddenly not so sure ofCrispin’s intentions. “We leave for home tomorrow,right?”
“Damn right. I can’t wait to get back. But first, I think we’llstop in and say a proper goodbye to my dear UnclePiers.”
Chapter 37
Suitcasespacked and placed in the rental car, Crispin and Gwen were morethan ready to get to the airport to catch their afternoon flight.But before they did, they had one last stop to make. Before theyleft England and returned to Canada, Crispin needed to settlethings, once and for all, with his uncle.
“Are you sure about this?” Gwen asked as they made their way tothe back patio where Piers awaited them. She couldn’t help butfrown at the sight of the man. All the anger and hurt at how he hadtreated her came rushing back and she subconsciously clenched andunclenched her fists.
“Absolutely,” Crispin said on a wince at her tight grip on hishand. “It’s my fingers I’m currently worried about.” On a chuckle,he tugged her into his arms. When she released his hand, he shookit and flexed his fingers. “I don’t think I’ll ever play guitaragain.”
“Oops, sorry! Just the sight of him makes me somad!”
“Well, just promise me, you won’t knock him out until he hearswhat I have to say.”
Jones greetedthem first, a worried look on his face. “I’m so relieved to see youagain.”
“Good morning, Jones,” Gwen said with a politesmile.
“Hello, dear. Thank goodness you’re both here. I feared youmight have left the country without allowing us to say a propergoodbye. It would have been such a shame. My wife Iris wasinconsolable when she heard what happened. Oh, and, Crispin, goeasy on your uncle. Underneath it all, he really is a good person,although his judgement isn’t always spot on. I blame his bastard ofa father for that.”
“Fear not, old man,” Crispin said with a slight bow of hishead. “Things are not as dour as they seem.” With a conspiringwink, he then tucked Gwen’s hand into his elbow and approachedPiers.
“Very well, I’ll bring out some coffee, and tea for the younglady,” Jones said with a smile in Gwen’s direction before runningoff inside.
“Oh, my dear boy, forgive me.” Piers stood up as theyapproached the patio table. “Gwen, my sincerest apologies. I hadyou all wrong. I see that now. For whatever it’s worth, Crispin,know that I was only looking out for you.”
Both Crispinand Gwen were caught off guard by Piers’s words and apparentcontriteness. Crispin had come prepared for war or at the veryleast a battle. But now, all he felt was pity for his misguideduncle. Sharing a glance with Gwen, he could tell she was just asconfused. At the same time, looking at her, reminded him of whatPiers had done and his anger returned with a vengeance.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Crispin snarked, with adismissive roll of his eyes. “Sit your ass down, Uncle, before I dosomething I won’t regret.”
Gone was thepity Gwen had seen moments ago, in its place, she saw only cooldisregard in Crispin’s steely gaze. He then nodded at her andpulled a chair out for her to sit. While Piers looked on, obviouslytaken aback, Crispin sat in his own chair. With much reluctance,Piers eventually acquiesced.
Gwen waitedand watched the dynamics unfold. Both Piers and Crispin sat staringeach other down for the longest time. It was a good thing they wereoutside in the fresh air with the birds chirping in the background.If they were inside, with this much tension between them, it wouldmake it impossible to breathe. When Jones appeared with the tea andcoffee, she was almost relieved, but when she noticed neitherCrispin or Piers had broken eye contact, she couldn’t help butcrack up with laughter. For some reason, they reminded her ofcharacters from a book. None in particular, but the scenarioitself. Two indignant English gentlemen glaring at each other overtea in a garden setting, it was almost surreal!
When they bothturned to her with incredulous looks on their faces, she nearlylost it again. But feeling a tad guilty, she placed a hand onCrispin’s forearm. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I did that. Well,actually I do. I’ll explain later, though.”
Crispinquirked an eyebrow and turned his attention back to his uncle.“Right then, before I start, since Gwen’s feeling better, I think Ishould let her speak first.” He then gave her hand an encouragingsqueeze.
Caught offguard, Gwen cleared her throat and nodded. “Thanks, Crispin.” Shethen
