Page 47 of Storm of Bells
‘Ah. Mother.’ He nodded stiffly. ‘I see youhave arri—’
‘Oh, Ricky!’ Rushing forward, the Marchionesshurled her arms around her son. Well, halfway around. That was asfar as her little arms could reach. ‘I’m so, so happy for you! Ican’t even say…oh…’
‘Mother!’ He stiffened as if covered inconcrete and left out to dry. ‘Control yourself!’
‘I don’t bloody want to! You’re going to bemarried and be happy and…and…I’m just so happy for you! I…I…’
‘…have to excrete ocular fluids? Cease it atonce! I will not have my tailcoat stained.’
‘You…you…!’ She was crying and laughing atthe same time, and Mr Ambrose just stood there like a pillar ofgranite, unmoving, unmoved—until his eyes met mine.
In those eyes, I saw a sea-coloured stormswirling, betraying what was really going on deep inside.
I smiled and nudged him.
Slowly, very slowly, he raised his arms andput them around his mother, his left little finger twitching allthe while. He moved so hesitantly, you might have thought she was abomb, about to go off any moment.
Squeeze,I mouthed.Gently.
He narrowed his eyes infinitesimally. I couldread the words in his eyes as clearly as if they had been printedon his forehead.I. Do. Not. Hug.
I cocked my head.You do with me. Goon.
That muscle in his jaw twitched once—then, hecarefully squeezed. His mother broke out into a whole new round ofjoyful sobs, while Adaira stood by, watching with a mixture ofincredulity, glee and awe. Reaching over towards me, she squeezedmy hand.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered.
I cocked my head innocently. ‘For what? Ididn’t do anything.’
She smirked and squeezed my hand again.
It took a moment or two, but finally, theMarchioness managed to collect herself enough to stop excretingocular fluids, and untangled herself from Mr Ambrose’s arms.
‘Th-thank you,’ she muttered.
He cocked his head, his face expressionlessas ever. ‘For what? I was merely greeting you.’
Ella and Eve gave me a look. Behind me,Adaira uttered a groan. ‘Good God. The two of you reallyaremeant for each other. You poor girl.’
Her mother heard that. ‘Well, of course theyare! What did you think?’
Adaira shrugged, smirking unapologetically.‘I was still holding out hope she’d come to her senses.’
‘Adaira Louise Jannet Melanie GeorgetteAmbrose! I will thank you to keep such comments to yourself. Go andsee to it that our luggage is brought inside!’
Her smirk widening, Adaira sauntered out ofthe room. Lady Samantha turned to me, and snatched my hands, as ifafraid I’d run off any minute.
‘Don’t let her talk bother you, my dear. Youcouldn’t find a better, stronger, um…kinder err…more considerateman than my son. Not particularly quickly, anyway.’
‘Thank you for that ringing endorsement,mother,’ came Mr Ambrose’s cool voice from somewhere behindher.
‘Don’t you take that tone with me, boy!’Turning around, she put her hands on her hips. ‘Now what is thisnonsense about you not having a venue you for the wedding?’
‘We do.’
She blinked. ‘You do?’
‘Yes.’
