Page 36 of Things We Do for Love and Science
She hopped off the radiator and sat beside Gabriel, suppressing the impulse to put her arm around his shoulders. That would probably be a bit much. But man, he was in need of a cuddle; even she could see that. “Then that’s what we’ll do. It’ll be fun in a risky sort of way. Riskier for you than for me. I’ll probably never see the man again after our performance.”
Gabriel broke into a smile. “You have no idea how grateful I am that you’re willing to do this for me. I mean, it’s terribly irresponsible of me to even suggest, but it is my only shot at saving the Hall. It will be grueling work, but it will keep me out of trouble.”
“Let’s make sure we put on a good show then. It’s quite the high-stakes gamble.”
He wrung his hands and dropped his gaze. “I know it is a lot to ask of you.”
She dismissed his remark with a wave. “I kind of love it that you’re putting it all on the line for something you deeply care about. You’re a radical, Gabriel Kirwan. I’m impressed.”
He gave her a crooked smile, and his cheeks dusted with red.
A thought flashed through her. She sat upright and put her hand on his forearm. “Wedding rings. Do we have to buy those?”
“I was... We could... If you don’t mind...”
She tapped out a quick rhythm with her foot. “What?”
“I can wear my dad’s ring and we could see if my mother’s fits you,” he said.
“Yeah, sure.” She put a finger on her lips and hummed. “Better try it now in case we need to get it sized.”
~ * ~
Gabriel’s ancient NATO-green Land Rover came to a halt in front of the Brady-Greene residence in the posh and leafy part of Renwood.
Delia jumped out of the car and studied the building, a large Georgian townhouse with a black wooden door flanked by white pillars and topped by a gloriously lavish fanlight. She whistled through her teeth. “Nice pad.”
Gabriel joined her. “Are you ready?”
“Sure.” She tore her gaze away from the façade and studied his face instead. “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. We’re friends, we like each other, and they’ll feel it. But since we’re newlyweds, we’ll have to act a bit lovey-dovey. Not too much, just the right amount of gushing, dreamy gazes, and light touches.”
He laughed, took her hand, and intertwined his fingers with hers. “Shall we?”
She nodded. “Let’s do this.”
“Erm, Delia...” He cupped his neck with his hand and looked at her from the corner of his eyes.
“Yes?”
“I have to warn you, Mr. Brady-Greene is very formal. He’s going to Lord-and-Lady-Renwood us throughout the visit, so please try to keep a straight face.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “I’ll do my best.”
Alister Brady-Greene and his wife Florence welcomed Delia and Gabriel warmly into their gracious home. Lunch was relatively easy, all food and polite small talk, but now, with coffee and tea taken in the living room, a grilling was imminent. Delia suppressed a shudder. This was crunch time, and her performance needed to be on point.
“Would you mind running through your detailed plans for the manor house again, once it has been renovated, Lord Renwood?” Mr. Brady-Greene asked with a genial nod.
“Yes, sure.” Gabriel sat forward on the sofa, started the presentation on his tablet, and slid it toward the banker. Delia, seated beside him, grasped his free hand and pressed it in encouragement.
He inhaled deeply. “Well, we’re planning to establish Renwood Hall as an exclusive venue for special occasions, with a particular focus on weddings. Couples are willing to spend a significant amount, especially if you can offer a unique experience. We have the perfect setup for this at the Hall.”
He tapped the screen, moving the presentation along. “The park allows for outdoor photoshoots if the weather is fine. And the guests can go for picturesque walks while waiting for the wedding couple.”
He flashed a quick smile at Delia, and a fizz of excitement sparkled through her. They were in the middle of their tight rope act, and neither were allowed to look down.
“The ornamental lake with its late Victorian tea pavilion will form a beautiful backdrop. Should the weather be inclement, Renwood Hall is big enough to accommodate large wedding parties, while smaller parties can be catered for in the new wing.” Another tap brought up the next page. “I consider the private chapel a unique advantage. Not only does it boast original features and a truly impressive ceiling fresco, but it also provides an intimate family experience, so far only enjoyed by previous generations of Renwoods.” His shoulders lowered, and he relaxed by increments.
Mrs. Brady-Greene, a silent, friendly bystander until now, perked up. “Is that where you will be having your church ceremony?”
