Page 37 of Things We Do for Love and Science
Sensing the requirement for female rapport, Delia put a hand on Gabriel’s arm and focused on the older woman.
“Oh, yes, we’re aiming to be the first couple to get married in the newly renovated Hall and chapel. We’re eager to continue the family tradition, even if it means making it available to others outside the Renwood family in order to pay for it.” She bathed him in a loving gaze, hoping the Brady-Greenes were suitably charmed.
“I’m sure it will be a beautiful ceremony,” sighed Mrs. Brady-Greene. Shehadto be fishing for an invitation.
A speaking glance passed between Delia and Gabriel before he said, “You will see it for yourself when you and your husband join us for the celebrations.”
Florence Brady-Greene clapped her hands. “Oh, goodness. Lord and Lady Renwood, how kind of you. We would be only too delighted to attend.”
“We’d better get the renovation underway quickly then,” Gabriel said and quirked an eyebrow at Delia. Smart man, using this opportunity to drive his point home.
Amazing how excited people got by the prospect of a posh wedding. Delia cheered inwardly. Gabriel had reeled them in, she was sure of it.
The bank manager was equally pleased about the invitation, nevertheless, he steered the topic once more to the financing of the renovation.
“I went through your proposal in detail, and I was wondering, are there any family jewels to be used as collateral? The necklace Lady Renwood is wearing in the portrait for instance?” He glanced in Delia’s direction and smiled.
Gabriel coughed. “Unfortunately not. The necklace was sold to pay for the new roof.” He paused and the corners of his mouth ticked up. “My wife suggested we commission a Swarovski crystal duplicate to be put on display in Renwood Hall.”
“At a later date of course,” Delia cut in without missing a beat, “once the Hall is profitable as a venue for weddings and other special occasions. Profitability before glamour, I always say.”
“Quite right, quite right, Lady Renwood, I couldn’t agree more,” Mr. Brady-Greene said with a grin.
Gabriel moistened his lips and continued, “Furthermore, the wedding dresses of five generations of Renwood brides will be on permanent display in one of the unused reception rooms. The dress collection will soon be sold, but my wife persuaded me to hold back the wedding dresses that are part of it.”
“Yet another feature that will set Renwood Hall apart from competing venues,” Delia put in.
“Yes, very well.” The banker cleared his throat. “Now to the loan itself. You seem to think that four-hundred-thousand pounds will suffice, and I see that you have priced the required renovation works in detail, but such a large building swallows a significant sum in running costs.”
Gabriel folded his hands in his lap, his knuckles white in the firmness of his grip. “My income as an accountant is sufficient to cover these expenses.”
“And there’s also my salary,” Delia added. “I’m a tenured faculty member of Renwood University.” She glowed with pride, fully expecting the older couple to be suitably impressed.
“That is excellent, Lady Renwood, a tenured position in academia. Should we maybe include this in your loan application? It would certainly have a positive effect on the interest rate.”
“No,” Gabriel almost shouted.
Delia’s lips curved upward, but she hid her mouth behind her teacup.
He retrieved his tablet, brought up the excel-sheet with the financial overview, then handed it to the older man. “We’ve discussed it in detail, and we want my wife’s income not to be taken into consideration, as we’re thinking of having children soon.”
Mrs. Brady-Greene clasped her hands in front of her chest. “But, of course. We understand, what could be more natural than to provide the House of Renwood with an heir.”
Delia focused on the woman opposite her. She had an inkling that Mrs. Brady-Greene had a significant influence on the outcome of this meeting. “We were planning on having our children quite close together, and that would mean I’d be on maternity leave for an extended period. After that, I’ll return to work full time in the confidence that my husband is running the Hall in a profitable manner which will allow me to build up a fund for our children’s education with my income.”
The banker gave his wife a small nod, then to Delia he said, “Very sensible, Lady Renwood, very commendable, in fact, to keep those two incomes apart.” He leaned back in his seat. “I can see you are a wonderful team, and it bodes well for Renwood Hall and the Renwood family as a whole that you two have found each other.” He glanced at his wife, then both beamed benignly at Gabriel and Delia.
Gabriel grasped Delia’s hand, and she cast her gaze down. The performance was perfect. She was sure they had the Brady-Greenes convinced that there’d be little Renwoods running through the Hall’s rooms and corridors before too long.
A pang of guilt gnawed at her for deceiving the couple. They were kind people, if somewhat sentimental and a touch snobbish, but Gabriel’s needs came first.
She took a last sip of tepid tea, then placed her cup on its dainty saucer, when Mrs. Brady-Greene unexpectedly grabbed her left hand.
“I’m surprised to see that he did not buy you an engagement ring.”
Delia resisted the impulse to jerk her hand away. Panic zinged through her bloodstream, but she was nothing if not a fast thinker. “Oh, I didn’t want one.” She lifted her head and forced her lips into a curve. “I normally don’t wear any jewelry other than my wedding band; it’s not practical at work, since I spend a lot of time in the lab where I have to wear gloves. An engagement ring would be an unnecessary expense.”
“Of course, yes, I didn’t think of that.” Florence Brady-Greene released her hand with an affectionate smile. “But, tell me, how did he propose?”
