Be Mine Forever_Darcey's_Book 2 Read online

  The new Warwick venture boasted an 18-golf course, world-class restaurants, a state-of-the-art gym and a heated indoor swimming pool designed by Italy’s top interior designer. Each room in the hotel came with its own Jacuzzi, and guests could enjoy breathtaking walks while savoring the bucolic English countryside.

  “I’m quiet excited for the Dickensian evening. Heard of it? It celebrates the famous works of Charles Dickens, especially A Christmas Carol.” She couldn’t stop grinning. She was reminded of how she was working in her dream job. Writers around the world would kill for her position at C’est La Vie magazine, and she wasn’t going to let her breakup with Nathan Cromwell get in the way of her job or gratitude.

  Luis nodded and placed his camera down. He had been busy taking pictures of sheep while wondering out loud if they’d make the best coat for winter. “Yes, because maybe, Darcey, it’s almost Christmas in, what, two weeks?”

  “Can you believe it? If Trisha and Matt got married, they’ll own so much together.” Darcey quickly turned to glance at Luis before looking at the road again.”

  “The Warwick’s have hotels, department stores and villas all over Europe,” Luis replied.

  She nodded in agreement. “But Trisha’s family is keeping people alive. A pharmaceuticals company, plus hospitals in Switzerland, new drugs waiting to be patented. I’m sure their kids will never want for anything.”

  “Hmm, but knowing Trisha, she’ll make her brats work for an allowance, and she’ll be quite hands on. I can’t picture her with a nanny.”

  She nodded in agreement as they passed over a quaint old bridge. “It’s amazing how wealthy she is, yet she’s one of the most humble persons ever.”

  “Let us not get ahead of ourselves.” Luis snapped a picture of the prettiest cottage as their car rolled lazily across the green English countryside. “They just got together as a couple, I mean, hopefully their story ends up with a happy ending.”

  “I’m sorry that I have disappointed you with my love story. I wanted it to end happily, too!” Her voice was strained with emotions.

  Luis patted her hand. “If I were to be honest with you, I really thought you and Nathan were meant for each other. I thought you’d come back engaged this Christmas! I already had my outfit planned for your engagement party. Now, I have to call my tailor and cancel the project. Your relationship appeared very serious. Oh, but it’s not how long you know or date someone. It’s how much you love them.”

  She could only nod some more in agreement while Luis prattled on, “Trisha had a whirlwind romance, and now she’s set to get married.”

  They rode in comfortable silence and before Darcey knew it, their car was on the road leading to the Manor. The winding road passed through perfectly manicured trees.

  Before their eyes, the massive and impressive Warwick Highgate Manor stood. It looked no less than a little castle out of the most exciting fairy tale. The lake in front of the castle, along with floating swans, added to the manor’s ethereal charm.

  “Oh my!” Luis took out his camera and began snapping away like a fiend. “Leo Warwick has a castle. He’s a prince, Darcey! Go get him, my tiger!”

  She laughed cheerfully, feeling more excitement for their trip. “And I thought you wanted Leo Warwick for yourself!”

  A hotel employee in formal garbs directed them to a parking lot about a hundred metres from the castle. Darcey grinned as she eyed the other vehicles in the space. Next to them were Italian sports cars, over three Rolls Royce and countless vintage cars. Her rented Peugeot suddenly looked shabby.

  Leo waved a nonchalant hand in the air as he got out of the car. “Leo is straight as straight goes. You can have him. I came here for the weekend with a friend’s pass.” He winked.

  Another employee hotel, dressed even fancier than the first, placed their luggage in a trolley. He didn’t bat an eye at Luis’s huge luggage. Darcey figured he was probably used to the extravagant travelling methods of the hotel’s guests.

  As they walked towards the manor’s front door, a gentleman in a golf outfit headed towards the door at the same time. As he drew near, Darcey realized with a astonishment that the man was no other than the Prince of the castle himself. Her heart skipped a beat. No one could ever look so princely than a Warwick.

  Before she could help it, however, her mind also assailed her with images of Nathan, his stunning looks appearing just as royal.

  Darcey, stop over-thinking!

  A hotel bellhop appeared at the front door to help them with their suitcases. She couldn’t bear to look at Leo straight in the face, she gave the bellhop a small smile instead.

  “Good morning to both of you.” Leo’s smile was a ray of sunshine in the gloomiest of December mornings.

  “Oh, hi. I see you’re here, too,” came Darcey’s mumbling reply.

  “He owns the place, he can come whenever he wishes,” Luis reminded her with a nudge.

  Leo grinned. “Actually, I was playing golf with my father and his friend. They’re still playing. I was on my way to check on some paperwork.” His damp head of thick and luscious hair made it impossible for her to ignore the man. She managed a small smile.

  “Come, I’ll let you guys get checked in so I can personally take you around. And, since it’s Christmas season, there are plenty of markets and festivities going on.”

  Leo led them through the plush hotel lobby. It was quintessentially English. The memories of yesteryears were artfully maintained. She noticed the gorgeous pillars and ceilings.

  “Good morning, Mr. Warwick.” A stunning lady at the front desk with the most radiant red hair Darcey ever saw greeted them. “Welcome to Highgate Manor, Mr. Santander and Miss Vaughn.” The woman’s cheerful Irish accent mildly annoyed Darcey.

  Was she flirting with Leo? Just as quickly as the thought arrived, she admonished herself for acting possessive over someone she didn’t own.

  “Are you two staying in the honeymoon suite?” Leo asked.

  “No, as much as Darcey is stunning and irresistible, I’m very much immune to her charm,” Luis replied curtly.

  “The honeymoon suite isn’t necessary,” Darcey politely informed Leo. “That would be too much of a luxury. I’d like to see it, though, Perhaps when I get married, I’d want to check in there. It’s a gorgeous hotel, Leo.” She had to admit. The hotel’s beauty was astounding.

  “Ah, well, might I invite the two of you for a walk and dinner tonight?” Leo’s penetrating eyes glanced between Luis and Darcey.

  “Well, we don’t want to get in your way. I know you’re a busy man.” She smiled as graciously as she could muster. “I’m sure you have more important things to do than show us around. Besides, Luis wanted to take photos, and we wanted to go to the Dickens event this evening. We do have an itinerary. Thank you for your kind offer though.” She hated how she could feel her face blushing, the heat rising from her neck up to her cheeks.

  Luis immediately replied, his eyes large with cheekiness, “Darcey, I just realized, I want to experience this fabulous hotel’s spa. I plan to sign up for services that will most probably take hours. My skin is in need of professional care and as for my muscles, well, I’m sure this luxury hotel can cater to my luxury needs.”

  As Darcey was about to admonish Luis for his high-maintenance ways, her friend continued, “So, yes, Leo, you may take Darcey for a walk around this vast estate of yours. I’m sure she needs all the experience she can get for the feature she’s supposed to write.”

  Before she could protest, Leo turned to the beautiful redhead behind the front desk. “Anna, please make sure Mr. Santander gets the ultimate spa package. Complementary, of course. Champagne and all. Give him whatever he needs.” Leo smiled at Luis before turning to Darcey.

  The redhead nodded. “Yes, Mr. Warwick. Spa package includes, massage, body wrap, mani and pedi, facial and a one-on-one session with our guru from India. If you also want golf lessons, tennis lessons, horseback riding and croquet lesson, we could arrange thos
e for you.” Anna smiled at Luis with the grace only an employee at a seven-star hotel could muster.

  Darcey felt horrified. She expected Luis to be around her and Leo. She tried to catch her friend’s devious eyes, but Luis was clearly too excited. He browsed the brochures the lovely front desk clerk handed to him, and not once turned to Darcey to ask for her opinion.

  With a wave of his hand, Luis continued to browse the brochures. “Thank you so much, Leo. I hope you and Darcey enjoy your stroll. And, if my spa date makes me miss dinner, please, by all means, go have dinner without me. I’ll simply order room service. Who knows, I might be too tired to even walk to the restaurant.” He grinned and took a cup of green tea from another hotel staff member, one dressed in white.

  “Don’t worry, Luis,” Darcey replied. “I can come and join you. We can have a movie marathon.”

  “Sorry, no,” Luis replied, gingerly sipping the hot tea. “I want a bit of me time.”

  Leo was grinning when Darcey turned to face him. “So, once you guys are settled in, you can find me at library, okay?”

  “Sure, but really, you don’t have to.”

  “I know, but I want to. You’re both Trisha’s best friends, and Trisha is family to me now. It won’t be long before she becomes a real part of our family. Allow me to extend that warm hospitality the Warwick Group is known for. We, after all, only strive for excellence.” His smile was cheeky, like that of an overconfident schoolboy.

  “Indeed, outstanding service.” Darcey had no choice but to agree.

  Leo led showed them to a lift, explaining it would take them to their respective suites. He then excused himself, but not before informing his staff that whatever Darcey and Luis needed, the hotel should willingly oblige.

  As soon as Leo was out of earshot, Darcey turned to hiss at Luis. “Some friend you are! Why are you abandoning me? Do you know that I could get in trouble at work for bribery, with that spa package of yours?”

  “Earth to Darcey, I’m Luis Santander, PR head of my own firm and hardly an employee of C’est La Vie! And, besides, it’s quite rude to turn down an offer. Leo was being kind and not bribing us. Even if he handed me a million pounds in an alligator-skin suitcase, I can’t make you fall in love with him, correct? Am I right or am I right?” He eyed her with exasperation as he pressed the button on the lift.

  “I can never win an argument with you.”

  “Yes, only Trisha can beat me in a debate. You’re a softie, darling. But think of it this way, this will give you time to think about your relationship with Nathan. If what you had was true love, no man can ever replace Nathan in your heart.”

  “What are you talking about? It isn’t as if Leo is genuinely interested in me,” she replied as they entered the lift.

  “Don’t be daft. Fool of a Vaughn! Everyone but you can tell that Leo Warwick is smitten. It’s not a crime to be admired. You’re a single woman, so stop thinking too much and enjoy the ride!”

  As the lift’s door was closing, a figure suddenly came into view and kept the doors from shutting.

  It was Leo.

  “Darcey.” He held something in his hand as the doors opened wide. “You left your planner.” She stared at the Filofax he handed her.

  “Thank you.” And with that she gave him a smile as the doors of the lift closed once more. To her surprise, a piece of paper fell from organizer. Filled with curiosity, she bent over to pick it up as the lift ascended.

  She opened up the folded piece of paper. Inside was a Polaroid photograph, a photo of Nathan and their dog Merlin. The caption read, Darcey, Merlin and I wait for your return. We love you. xxx Nathan.

  She let out a big sigh.

  Luis was quick to glance at the contents of the image. “Oh boy,” he proclaimed with a giggle. “A Warwick-Vaughn-Cromwell love triangle will be an epic tale.”

  Nathan’s Chapter 2

  She can’t be like Lena. She couldn’t betray me.

  Nathan stared at the stunning ring on the oak desk. Since Darcey left for London, it hadn’t taken over a day for him to decide. He knew it in his heart, knew he couldn’t be apart from her. This time, unlike most of his life’s decisions, he was listening to his heart.

  He booked a flight, grateful there was an available seat on his favourite airline. If that hadn’t been the case, he wouldn’t have given a second thought and booked the company plane, something he only did when work demanded immediate attention.

  The flight was the longest he had ever taken. Not because of the hours it took to arrive in Europe, but because he couldn’t wait to see her, to tell her what he truly felt about her.

  As soon as he landed in London, he headed straight to her grandparents’ country home. The long-time Cromwell family chauffeur drove without asking any questions.

  Nathan’s mind was racing on the way to the country, his heart beat quickly in his chest.

  He was going to propose.

  With all his soul he knew she was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, knew it without a doubt. Her kindness, the way she glowed at the sight of a simple pancake breakfast, her intelligence, that adorable laugh, even her stubbornness, these were things he treasured more than life itself.

  He wanted to see Darcey’s grandparents. Katherine, her mum, had already given her blessings over the phone. It wasn’t difficult to convince her, she was more than happy to have her only daughter married off to a hardworking and loving man, she had told him.

  It was the grandparents he was worried about. They were as close to Darcey as any parent to a child. He didn’t know what to say, a new situation for him. He had always known what to say or do in the most pressing situations. Sissy, for all her flaws as a mother, had instilled confidence in him. He was provided with the best schooling in the world, surrounded by the most successful people in Europe and America, people who taught him early in life to never feel intimidated by anyone.

  But asking her grandparents for her hand in marriage was something he wasn’t prepared for. The thought of uttering the words made his knees weak. And despite the December chill, he was sweating under his shirt.

  As expected, the elder Vaughn couple welcomed him sweetly. They brought out tea and French pastries in the cosy family room. Amanda, a cousin of Darcey, was visiting. She welcomed him as if he was her own relative.

  There was no way about it but the direct way. He couldn’t take the suspense any longer. He cleared his throat as soon as Grandma Vaughn finished a charming story about a recent family trip in Greece.

  “I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m here. I wanted to ask your permission and blessing. I—“ he stuttered. This wasn’t happening.

  Grandma Vaughn gave him the kindest smile. “Yes? Go on, dear.”

  Jules, her husband, looked worried. “Is something the matter?”

  Nathan saw Darcey’s own face in her grandmother’s chocolate brown eyes. A fresh wave of courage coursed through his veins.

  “I came to ask your blessings. I want to marry your granddaughter.” His voice was low, his eyes shifting from Jules to his wife. A huge smile grew on Amanda’s face.

  It was difficult to read the expression on Grandpa Vaughn’s face, making Nathan nervous. He quickly added, “I know we haven’t been dating that long. You might not trust me as of yet, and would want to know more about me. But I assure you, my intentions are pure.”

  Pure? Did he just say that? But Nathan knew he meant every word.

  After several tense seconds, Jules finally spoke, “Do you love her?”

  “Yes, I do. Of course. With all my heart.” Nathan knew his voice was tense. Missing Darcey was unbearable, and not knowing what was going through her grandparents’ heads was almost as difficult.

  “Will you promise never to make her cry?” Jules’s voice was stern.

  “I can’t promise she’ll never cry, but I know it will never be because of me. I’ll be there to hold her, make her laugh.” Nathan paused. “Make her feel loved and happy.”
r />   Grandma Vaughn sighed, tenderness filled her eyes. “I trust you, dear.”

  Her husband wasn’t as easy to convince, just as Nathan feared. Jules studied him with intensity. “Darcey can be bullheaded like her grandma. She can be feisty, and she might one day disappoint you.”

  “Oh, Jules, stop!” his wife exclaimed.

  Nathan laughed nervously. “I know, trust me. She could be impossible sometimes, but that is one of the reasons I love her. Her passion. When she’s passionate about something, she’ll argue until her cheeks turn red. And how she cries easily, I know it’s because she’s so full of life. She can be emotional, irrational and infuriating, but all that makes me smile. I know her heart is full and her soul is beautiful. She makes me feel alive.”

  “Darcey is lucky to have you.” Amanda was beaming.

  Nathan turned to Jules. “Mr. Vaughn, if I were to be honest, Darcey and I grew up in different worlds. I grew up with a nanny, and I wasn’t fortunate to have such a warm family. When she brought me to meet all of you, I couldn’t wait to have one with her. She made me realize that marriage isn’t something to be feared. It isn’t about being tied down and losing freedom. It’s about sharing and building a life with the one you love, someone you can’t live without, and create a life of happiness. Together.”

  Grandma blinked back tears, a huge smile on her face. But Jules cleared his throat. “Nathan, marriage isn’t always happy. It isn’t always perfect. Life can, and will, throw curve balls.”

  “I’m fully aware of that. But I also know, I’ve never been surer of anything. Mr. Vaughn, I want to spend the rest of my life with Darcey, and I look forward to a life discovering the ways to make her smile.”

  Old yet alert and wise eyes studied him. There was a sparkle that glimmered behind the serious gaze. “Like you say, Darcey didn’t come from a wealthy family. We’re all aware of your status. I’m sure she’ll sign any pre-nup your lawyers in California prepare. You are American and British, yes?”