Sommersgate House (Ghosts and Reincarnation #2)(143)
Nick quickly approached holding three full glasses of champagne and Douglas took two, handing one to her.
“What are you doing?” she whispered. “I thought we agreed there would be no toasts.”
“We agreed that no one else would make any toasts but I can say what I want in my own house,” Douglas returned, the warmth in his eyes showing he was teasing.
There was a time when she would not have believed that Douglas Ashton could tease.
But he could, very well.
She beamed at him, too happy to be cross, and then turned to the crowd and linked her arm through his.
“Firstly,” Douglas’s strong voice carried throughout the cavernous space, “I’ll tell you that my wife is rather fond of lists so I’ve decided to take my cue from her and recite a list of toasts. I ask you to charge your glasses because there will be several before I reach the end.”
Julia felt a blush creep in her cheeks at the fondness in his tone and leaned into his side. Some of the hired staff (because all of the Sommersgate regulars were guests this day) were wandering around carrying two bottles of champagne each and filling glasses, others were carrying heavy trays on which filled glasses rested for those who had no drinks at all.
Finally, Douglas started, “I would like to thank you all for coming and celebrating this very special occasion.”
“A long time coming,” Patricia grumbled loudly and people laughed.
Douglas wisely decided to ignore her.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. and Mrs. Roderick Kilpatrick for their years of service to myself and my home. They have been faithful to me and my family in more ways than we often deserved. They have been exceedingly kind and welcoming to my wife and my new family and I,” he turned to Julia, “we are lucky to have them. To Roddy and Margaret Kilpatrick.”
He lifted his glass and Julia watched his gorgeous throat as he drank down a sip. She was already near tears, her hand clutching at her husband’s arm. She swiftly took a drink and turned her eyes to the Kilpatricks who were both visibly moved by his toast (indeed, Mrs. K’s eyes shone with tears).
Before she could respond further, Douglas began speaking again.
“I publicly acknowledge the interference of Charlotte Forsythe, interference which greatly hastened this day.” Julia watched Douglas’s chin dip to look at Charlie and he finished. “Thank you, Charlie.”
The last three words were said more quietly as Charlie was standing at the foot of the stairs and they were directed warmly to her.
Julia noted, as the tears pricking the backs of her eyes began to spill, Charlie’s own tears were falling over. The congregation twittered in curiosity but they took their cue from Douglas who lifted his glass in a salute to Charlie and took a sip.
“To Charlie!” Oliver shouted and everyone concurred.
Charlie’s toast complete, Douglas carried on. “I must pay tribute to Patricia Fairfax, a good woman, a fine mother and a wonderful grandmother who has accepted me readily into her family, a position I hold with great honour. To Patricia,” he toasted and Julia gave up the pretence of attempting to control herself and, letting the tears flow freely, she wrapped her arm around Douglas’s waist and went up on tiptoe to put her mouth to his ear.
“I love you,” she whispered, as he shifted his own arm around her waist to hold her tightly.
His only response was to kiss her temple then he looked back to the crowd and continued. “And now, to Elizabeth, William and Ruby Fairfax, who have, these last months, showed great courage and strength. Could you three please join your aunt and me?” Without further coaxing, the children melted out of the crowd and self-consciously (except Ruby who barrelled up to the steps with great vigour) joined them on the stairs. “I ask you all to lift your glasses to the courage of my nieces and nephew.”
“Here, here!” Roddy Kilpatrick sang out.
“To Lizzie, Will and Ruby!” Nick shouted.
Mrs. Kilpatrick and Ronnie burst into loud tears.
Everyone toasted and took their sips and Douglas continued. “And lastly, I should toast my beautiful wife but I will salute her in an altogether different way later.” He turned to give her a sexy smile and Julia’s cheeks, already pink with emotion, flamed. He turned back to the crowd. “I will finish with a toast to two people who could not be here today. To Gavin and Tamsin Fairfax who bestowed on us the great honour of rearing their children in their absence and, in so doing, led me to Julia. I cannot find words to express my gratitude so I shall not try.” When everyone began to lift their glasses to drink, Douglas went on. “But especially to my sister, who always had faith in me, who was, in every way, a kind and loving soul, the light in an often dreary life. To Tamsin Fairfax!” His voice rang loud and Julia forced her face into his neck, too overcome to join in the shouts to Tammy.
“Thank you all,” Douglas, finally, (and thankfully, Julia could take no more) was finished. “Please continue to enjoy –”
“Hold on a blasted minute.”
Douglas quieted and Julia peaked out from her hiding place to see Patricia shouldering her way through the crowd. Luckily she’d divested herself of her hat or she might have caused injury.
“I have something to say,” she announced upon arrival at the step.
The children were shifting uncomfortably and Julia stiffened at whatever dramatic pronouncement might come out of her mother’s mouth. Douglas, however, was the soul of amiability and he smiled, actually smiled (and warmly too) at his new mother-in-law.