Page 106 of Beyond Her Manner
“No, sorry. You’re right. You are going to give me everything I want. I won’t need to take anything.”
Her warm breath against Gillian’s wet skin shot a cooling sensation across her neck until Viola’s greedy mouth kissed it again.
“Mmm, cotton, not silk?” Viola remarked, her hand having reached as far as Gillian’s underwear. “It feels very comfortable.”
“Indeed.”
“Do you think you’d feel even more comfortable if they were on the floor?”
A soft moan escaped her lips as Viola’s fingers tugged at the fabric. The sound of a knock on the door to the great hall made them jump apart. It creaked open, and Bridget’s voice floated through.
“Perhaps you could put a lid on it. Everyone has arrived, and the waiters need to come through for more champagne.”
Gillian smoothed down her dress. “I never thought I’d say I’m looking forward to some time away from here.”
“So am I,” Viola laughed, pulling her in for a final kiss before they checked their appearances in the mirror and joined their guests.
At the heart of the packed-out hall, crisp, white linens and vases of pastel tulips adorned the oak banqueting table. The table was a feast, laden with a delectable spread of triangular sandwiches, mini quiches, vibrant macarons, mouthwatering petits fours, and baskets of scones.
“Let’s get this done,” Gillian said with a deep exhale as she turned to Viola. A reassuring smile awaited her, spurring her on.
“I’m right with you,” Viola replied, taking a spoon from the table and handing it to her. “You’ve got this.”
With a long breath to calm her racing heart, Gillian stepped up onto the staircase and chinked her glass, only realising now how sweaty her palms were as she gripped the crystal.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please? I promise not to keep you from the delicious treats Mrs Johnson has prepared for our tea party, but I can’t let this moment pass without saying a few words. It was well over a year ago I stood here at Jonathon’s wake to announce that changes would be happening on the Kingsford Estate. It may have taken a little longer than anticipated to begin those changes, and even as they begin to happen now, they aren’t quite as I first envisaged. A great deal has changed over the last year."
Gillian’s voice wavered until her gaze fell on Viola. The love shining in her eyes dissolved all her nerves and replaced them with a surge of confidence. She still couldn’t believe someone so extraordinary was hers. The way Viola’s eyes sparkled at her made Gillian’s chest tighten with emotion.
“Everything has changed. I lost my dear manor, only to find it again… but whilst it was lost, I found something dearer to me than I could ever imagine. I found someone special,” she began, her voice steady despite the rush of emotion rising within her. “Someone who has shown me life doesn’t have to follow a single path, and that there can be beauty in doing things differently. Someone who has made every moment brighter simply by being in it.” Gillian paused, her lips curving into a tender smile as she raised her glass. “Viola, happy birthday!”
As the room erupted into applause, Viola stepped up beside Gillian, her cheeks flushing pink. Suddenly blanking on everything she had planned to say, Gillian realised words weren’t necessary in that moment. Without hesitation, she closed the distance between them, pulling Viola into a kiss that she eagerly returned.
The clapping faltered, a momentary hush falling over the crowd as gasps rippled through the room. The pause was fleeting, though, as the applause swelled again, louder and more enthusiastic than before.
Gillian tried to focus on the woman in front of her, but she struggled, listening instead for every sound, filtering for words of disapproval. None came. Slipping her hand into Viola’s she pulled back, finding a beaming smile to match her own.
She continued her speech, finding her legs were quivering from the adrenaline pumping around her.“I hope she comes to realise that now she is part of Kingsford, she will never be lonely.”
“Hear, hear,”Louisa and Elouise shouted, clapping enthusiastically at the front of the crowd.
“Viola leaves for a European tour shortly, and I will be going with her.”
More gasps echoed around the hall.
“Don’t get too excited. I will be back, and nothing at Kingsford will change. I have been repeatedly assured life will go on without me, though I’m yet to be convinced. I will leave you in the competent hands of our dear Bridget. I have every faith in her. My rock and my loyal friend for thirty-five years.”
“Over thirty-five years,” Bridget shouted from the front of the crowd, much to everyone’s amusement.
“Yes, thank you, Bridget,” Gillian replied dryly, realising her eyes were beginning to moisten. “To finish, I’ve added a circular walking route around the outskirts of the estate so even if the manor has an event, anyone who wishes to enjoy its parkland can. I’ve even added a few benches to offer…” She was about to say ‘rest points’, and although factual considering the average age of Kingsford’s residents, she finished with, “Reflection points. Crafted from the finest teak, these sculptures capture the landscape of the South Downs and its wildlife in intricate detail. We have our local artist, Arte Tremaine, to thank for them,” Gillian announced with a gracious nod in Arte’s direction, as she spotted her and Charlotte at the front of the group. “She has worked for several local celebrities, including Beatrice Russell.” An excited hum of reactions rippled through the crowd. “Now I’ve kept you long enough, so bon appétit!”
As the hall filled with a lively buzz of conversation, Gillian’s grip on Viola’s hand tightened as she led her down the staircase towards Arte and Charlotte, who were mid-discussion.
“I told you they were a couple — ” Arte’s voice cut off abruptly as Gillian gave a deliberate cough, eyebrows raised. Arte’scheeks flushed. She quickly recovered, flashing a mischievous smile in their direction. “Sorry. We had a small bet on — "
“Well, less so a bet since we both agreed that if you weren’t already a couple when we saw you, you very soon would be,” Charlotte clarified with a grin.
“It turns out you were both right then,” Viola said, kissing Gillian’s cheek.
