Prolonged endurance tames the bold. —Lord Byron
Chapter 28
During the eight months she lived on Tony’s estate, she never saw visitors, business or personal. The house remained busy with staff and employees. People who clean, cook, and fulfill other responsibilities filled the house. The grounds often bustled with gardeners and maintenance workers, but there were never guests. That was why as they approached the house, winding up the drive, it seemed strange to see multiple cars parked on the brickyard in front of the main steps.
On the plane and again in the car, Claire received the rules speech. It seemed incredibly redundant. She’d heard it hundreds of times, literally. She knew the words by heart. Follow my rules: number one, do as you are told, do not divulge personal information, actions have consequences, appearances are of vital importance, and public failure is not an option. Apparently, being Tony’s fiancée didn’t exempt her from the rules. As a matter of fact, it made them all that more critical.
Shelly, Tony’s publicist, released the prepared statement to the press. It simply read, Anthony Rawlings, entrepreneur and world-renowned businessman happily announces his engagement to Claire Nichols,
originally from Indiana. The two plan a December wedding.
Details are not available at this time.
The press release made the engagement public. She now directly represented him. Changing her mind at this point would be unacceptable and a public failure. She didn’t plan on changing her mind.
However, if she needed a reason for changing her mind, last night would have been it. Apparently, Tony’s newfound gentleness and affection evaporated during his discussion with John. Claire told herself that it was a momentary setback. The discussion upset Tony. John’s behavior had consequences. Claire willingly accepted her brother-in-law’s consequences in his stead. She knew how to compartmentalize, and even believed she was getting good at it. From experience, she believed that with the morning, the new caring Tony would be back. She was mostly right.
When they entered their home, Catherine met them at the door. Her smile beamed from ear to ear, and she hugged them both. Claire truly loved her. She was the heart of their home. Tony obviously respected her opinion, and she his. Catherine’s approval pleased Claire. It was probably the one that mattered to her the most other than Tony’s.
“Ms. Claire, I am so happy. I have known for a long time that you are exactly what Mr. Rawlings needs in his life.” She beamed at Claire as Tony listened.
“Umm, am I what anyone needs?” His tone and face smiled. Catherine hugged him and told him that many people need him. Then she informed him that he had guests in his office. Claire suddenly thought about her restrictions regarding his office. Why could others be in there without him, but she couldn’t? Walking toward his home office, she debated this in her mind. The answer was painfully obvious. Everyone else in the world had access to telephones, computers, and the Internet—except her.
The double doors to Tony’s office stood ajar. The conference table was cluttered with books resembling photo albums and an open laptop computer. Two women and a man arranged the materials and talked to one another. Claire and Tony stood silently hand in hand in the doorway and observed. Finally, one of the women looked up and acknowledged Tony. “Mr. Rawlings, hello. Let me introduce you to your wedding planner and consultant.”
Tony stepped toward her. She was an attractive, tall, professional-looking brunette who looked about the same age as Claire. As she stepped toward Tony, he turned toward Claire. “Patricia, let me finally introduce you to my fiancée, Claire Nichols. Claire, this is my number one assistant, secretary, and right-hand man/woman, Patricia.” His introduction revealed his admiration for her abilities.
They both extended their hands. Claire spoke first. “I have heard so many wonderful things about you. It is very nice to finally meet you.”
Patricia’s greeting sounded less gregarious. “Hello, Ms. Nichols, I have heard about you.” Claire definitely detected animosity but chose to wait and let the chips fall. Patricia continued with the introductions. “Brad Clark and Monica Thompson, may I introduce Mr. Anthony Rawlings and his fiancée, Claire Nichols. Mr. Rawlings, Brad is your wedding consultant, and Monica is your wedding planner. They come highly recommended and have some wonderful ideas to share.”
Claire and Tony shook their hands and told them how happy they were to meet them. Tony looked at his watch, 12:30. They were due to arrive at two. In Tony’s book, they had made bonus points. Claire, on the other hand, had anticipated lunch. She was less pleased, but smiled and proceeded with their meeting. Brad and Monica showed Tony and Claire to Tony’s conference table.
Brad and Monica began by explaining how honored they were to be chosen to assist with their wedding. Then they presented a very informative Power Point presentation with endless options available to Mr. Rawlings and Ms. Nichols. They also displayed photos of their previous work, examples of decorations, cakes, receptions, etc. They asked questions, both of Tony and of Claire. What did they want their wedding to say? How many guests do they anticipate? Where on the estate would the wedding and reception be held? What would be the time of the ceremony? What colors did they want? What type of food? What type of music?
While the questions were tedious, Claire couldn’t help notice Patricia’s stares. She was excessively attentive to Tony. “Yes, Mr. Rawlings.” “I can get that for you, Mr. Rawlings.” “Let me take care of that, Mr. Rawlings.” For the first time since John’s consequences and the multiple rule discussions, Claire was happy to be the future Mrs. Anthony Rawlings. It even amused her that as an adult the cattiness of another woman could readjust her attitude. Claire found herself holding Tony’s arm, looking at pictures of cakes and lights and tables and flowers, and saying all the right things. He smiled affectionately and she radiated happiness. Patricia sat on the sidelines taking notes.
Tony then asked Claire to show Brad and Monica around the main level of their home so that they could brainstorm. They would get back to them on Monday with possibilities for the ceremony and reception. As she walked them from room to room, she saw the mansion from a new perspective. In their eyes it was a magnificent display of architecture and an exquisite home. It hadn’t been that to her, it had been a prison. Tony referred to it as their home, both now and last night with John and Emily. She smiled as she thought, this is my home.
Tony and Claire promised to get a guest list together very soon. They, with the help of Brad and Monica, decided that being a Christmas wedding, red, green, and black would be the colors. The question still remained whether Emily’s dress would be green, red, or black. There would be Christmas lights, lots of lights, starting from the gates and going up the drive to the house. The house would be decorated very chic Christmas. The number of guests would determine the setup of the wedding and reception. The music during the wedding would be provided by a string quartet and a harpist. Brad and Monica would put together some demo CDs and Tony and Claire could chose the music.