Page 56 of Last Comes Fate

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“So that’s it, then?”Jagger asked as Ben pulled the car up to Heathrow later that afternoon. “All you’re bringing is the one bag?”

It had been a busy day. After therapy, I’d spent a few hours finishing up the last reports to the board of directors for the Parker Group. Elsie and Jagger had ridden with me to the airport, reviewing a few details of the things they would manage in my stead. Elsie had been promoted from CFO to assist Jagger in his operating capacity. I’d never had a CFO—not when I had my fingers in everything about the business. But right now, I needed someone who could essentially do my job for me. Considering Jagger had been doing that for the last few months, it was time to make it official.

I’d be back, of course. London was only a flight away. But for all intents and purposes, Jagger and Elsie would be running the Parker Group while I scouted possibilities for another restaurant stateside and, more importantly, fixed things with my family.

I shrugged as I accepted the suitcase from Ben. “It’s all I can fit in the wardrobe at her place. Not much room.”

“I’ll send more shoes if you want, boy,” Elsie said. “I can’t imagine you’ll be satisfied with only two pairs.”

“It’s all right. New York’s a great place to add to the collection,” I replied with a cheeky grin.

I was trying to think on the bright side. And in terms of longevity. No timetable, Dr. Hazelwood said. Patience. Kindness. That would be the key to success here.

“Anything else before I’m off?” I asked them.

“No,” Elsie said. “The next box of journals was shipped to Francesca last week.”

I nodded. “Good.”

Giving my family’s personal records to Francesca, one box at a time, was becoming a ritual every time I returned to New York. If I couldn’t have her kisses, I could at least have her smile every time she opened up a new package like a kid on Christmas morning.

My girl loved books of all types.

And I loved to see her happy.

“Nothing else of note,” Elsie continued. “Except, well. One thing. There have been some rumblings from the Lords. This arrived today from Lord Ortham.”

“Oh God,” Jagger mumbled. “Let’s not waste his time with that.”

“Show me,” I ordered. Then, remembering my session, I added, “Please.”

Elsie handed me a letter.

Your Grace—

It may interest you to know certain neighbors of mine have recently submitted to the House of Lords a packet of evidence regarding a Japanese marriage license. Or lack thereof. I personally have reviewed several interviews, testaments to the absence of certain events, and I must say, it is rather alarming. You may find them worrisome as well, and I advise you to be prepared.

Yours,

Lord O

As soon as I read it, I understood why it had been sent by messenger and not electronically. As a member of the Committee of Selection in the House of Lords, Bernard Douglas, otherwise known as the Viscount of Ortham, Imogene’s father, and my neighbor in Kendal, was privy to information coming out and wouldn’t want a trail of this communication.

He was alerting me to a potential ambush. The question was why.

“So, what do you want to do?” Jagger asked after I was finished reading. “If you stay, you can probably make it go away. I looked it up, and more than one of the lords on the committee has dealings with the Duke of Kendal or the Parker Group. It will take some finessing, though.”

“But if you go, you won’t miss any of Francesca’s pregnancy. And you can make sure she’s not harassed by any more terrifying letters, too. Not to mention you’ve got a bit of work to do to get out of that basement, don’t you, love?” Elsie countered.

“When you put it that way, I’m not sure if there’s even a question about it,” Jagger said with a sly grin. “Parliament or Francesca? Which is more important to Xav?”

Elsie just folded her arms across her chest, looking rather smug.

“Parliament can kiss its own arse,” I told them, handing Jagger the letter. “Burn that. I’ve got to get back to my girls.”

THIRTEEN

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