Page 17 of Brix

“I’m sorry. I forget my strength sometimes. It’s nice to meet you both. Daphne has spoken very fondly of you.”

“She’s one of our favorites,” smiled Heath. “We all went to school together, but Daphne was the best. Never judging the two of us for our choices.” Brix kissed her temple, loving her all the more.

“Your mother is on quite the tear,” frowned Timothy. “She’s been screaming at everyone that can hear that she’ll be throwing the premier gala of the decade. Your poor auction house is running ragged for her.”

“It’s not my auction house, but I understand what you mean. She wanted to do this auction to raise money for the gala, but it’s such a difficult thing for the house. They have to transport the items from London, ensure security is in place, all of it. Is she choosing the items?” asked Daphne.

“Oh, no, darling. Duchess Margaret and Duchess Talia are choosing the items along with the auction house personnel. They insisted since they both have degrees in art history. Of course, your mother was not happy about that, claiming that she knew far more about art than either. I thought they would take a skillet to her head.”

“I bet Mother loved that,” smirked Daphne. “I always liked Margaret and Talia. They were very kind to me.”

“That’s because you were kind to everyone, darling,” said Timothy. “Come, let’s get you all settled in your rooms. And by the way, what exactly do they feed you back home? These men are spectacular, and that woman with the silvery white hair and glowing eyes is positively marvelous!”

“That’s my grandmother, Gabi,” smiled Brix.

“Grandmother? Darling, I might just have to switch sides for her,” smirked Heath as they ascended the steps.

“You’d have to get by me first,” said the big bass voice. Heath gasped, turning to see Zulu. He stared up at the colossus, his mouth wide open. “Don’t worry, little man. I’m only joking. I trust my wife.”

“I think I just shat myself,” said Heath.

While they all had a good laugh, the men showed them to exquisitely decorated period-appropriate rooms. The massive four-poster beds, antique furniture, and Persian carpets were spectacular. There were magnificent oil paintings from the many owners of the castle before.

“This is really beautiful, babe. Thanks for arranging this,” said Brix.

“My pleasure. This was always my secret getaway when my parents annoyed me, or I should say my mother. I would claim to be going back to London but would come here. It’s about halfway between the city and my parents’ home.”

“Your parents are very different,” said Brix as he hung up his clothes. “Your father seems calm and quiet, thoughtful is maybe the word I’m looking for. But your mother, no offense, babe, she seems to be self-serving and a bit of a climber.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” said Daphne. “I can’t help but feel she has something going on in her head that isn’t good.”

“Your instincts are probably right, honey. We always say trust your instincts above all else. Is there anything we need to do today?”

“My father is meeting us over here for dinner tonight. Apparently, my mother went into the city yesterday and decided to stay a few days. She told him that she was going to be buying some things for the gala. I don’t believe it, not for a moment. I think she’s planning something terrible. I can feel it in my bones.”

“Is this the first time she’s held this gala?” he asked.

“The first time that I know of. I know she’s probably trying to make quite an impression, but my father is right about a few things. She will never reach the heights she wants to reach simply because most of those titles are hereditary or given by the King or Queen.

“I’m still trying to wrap my head around what she did to my sister. She said that she didn’t want to be pitied. It’s just ridiculous. Lord and Lady Clive have a daughter with Down’s Syndrome. She’s lovely and attends a special school. She’s at their functions all the time. No one pities them. Marquess Winslow adopted a young boy from Vietnam who is in a wheelchair, and he’s a brilliant young man.”

“She obviously is hiding something, Daph. Don’t concern yourself with it. Just do me a favor. Don’t leave my side this week. Not even if you need to use the bathroom, don’t leave me. I’ll go with you.”

“To the loo?” she grinned.

“I’ll stand outside,” he smirked. “just don’t leave my side.” He hugged her tightly, and she inhaled his fragrance, loving the smell of his cologne.

“You make me feel so loved. So safe.”

“That’s because you are. You’re mine. My wife, the other half of my soul, Daphne. You’re going to be the mother of our children. Many, many children,” he whispered, kissing down the side of her neck.

“Brix,” she said, breathing heavily. “Brix, we have to change to meet my father downstairs.”

“We have forty-five minutes,” he said as he continued to kiss down her neck. He squeezed her breasts, lifting the blouse over her head.

“Wh-what are you doing to me?”

“I’m undressing you,” he smiled. “I’m helping you get ready.”

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