Lies and Weddings(132)

“Rufus, why on earth did you tell Pa to come over and spoil our sound bath?” Bea prodded.

“I thought it best for all of us to talk before your wedding this weekend, since we haven’t been able to have a proper discussion about the future of Greshamsbury.”

Augie cut in. “I’m glad you’re bringing this up now, because I’ve found a brilliant solution for us. I was having lunch with my friend the Contessa Vivi Chupi, who told me that it’s possible to rent a palazzo here. Apparently the little secret of all the jet-setters showing off their exquisitely decorated palazzos is that they don’t actually own them. The old Venetian families tend to hold on to their palazzos forever, but they do lease them out to all those wishing to live out their Brideshead Revisited fantasies. And it’s shockingly affordable—an entire palazzo costs less to rent than some flats in SW3! I think we should find a smart one to rent. It will be a step down from the manor, for sure, but I think living in a chic palazzo would allow Mummy to still hold her head high.”

“It’s a marvelous idea, Augie, but I don’t think you understand fully what it means to be insolvent,” Francis interjected.

“How insolvent are we? Don’t we have enough to rent a little palazzo?”

“Augie, we’re flat broke. As of next week we won’t even have a pot to piss in.”

“No one’s going to be pissing in pots, because we’re not going to lose Greshamsbury Hall,” Rufus announced.

“Really? Have the new heirs of Rene Tan decided to show us mercy?” Francis asked.

“Why don’t you ask the new heiress yourself? She’s standing right here,” Rufus said, turning proudly to Eden.

Everyone aside from Rufus and Thomas stared at Eden in stunned disbelief.

“It’s true. Eden is actually the niece of Rene Tan. Her mother, Mary, was his sister, and this makes her his sole surviving relation. She has inherited everything,” Thomas confirmed.

“Good god! I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it,” Francis said. “Rene came through for us after all, didn’t he?”

“He did,” Thomas said.

“My dear Eden, you won’t force me to give up Greshamsbury just yet?” Francis asked humbly.

“Lord Francis, as far as I’m concerned, Greshamsbury has always been yours and shall remain yours forever!” Eden proclaimed.

“You’re an angel. An absolute angel sent from heaven!” Francis said as his eyes became misty. Bea and Augie were still gawking at Eden with jaws to the ground. Now they rushed to her like excited teenagers.

“You’re really not going to throw us out?” Bea asked.

Eden gave her friend a shocked look. “Why would I ever do such a thing?”

“I thought you coveted my bedroom!” Augie said.

“Nah, too drafty for me. I’ve always loved my own room at the cottage.”

“Imagine you living at the cottage now! You could buy your own island!” Bea squealed with laughter.

“Speaking of islands, Martha, Eden, and I have been talking, and we’ve come up with a wonderful idea for Bella Resorts that will help rejuvenate the brand,” Rufus said to his father.

“It’s your wonderful idea, Rufus,” Eden corrected him.

“Yes, it’s a terrific idea and I want to be the lead investor in it,” Martha said, returning with her butler in tow bearing a tray full of champagne for everyone. “I believe this calls for a celebration?”

“Indeed it does!” Francis cheered.

Suddenly, the telltale clop of Aquazzura stilettos against Venetian terrazzo could be heard as Arabella entered the portego.

“Mother! When did you get here?” Bea gasped.

“I’m not really here. I’m only here because Rufus said he had urgent news to share,” Arabella said as she glared coldly at Bea and Gopal Das. She turned to see Martha and Rufus standing next to each other holding champagne flutes, and her heart began to flutter excitedly. “Does this mean what I think it means? Rufus, have you finally come to your senses and asked this lovely lady to be your wife?” Arabella inquired, smiling at Martha.

The room went dead silent as everyone looked awkwardly at Eden.

Francis walked over to his wife with a big grin on his face. “You don’t have to worry anymore about anything, my love. We shan’t be evicted from Greshamsbury Hall, ever.”

“How can you be so sure of that?” Arabella shot back.

“I heard it from our new landlady, darling. She’s standing right here,” Francis said as he raised his glass to Eden.

“Have you gone mad?” Arabella scoffed.

“Yes. Mad with joy!” Francis said.

Augie walked gingerly to her mother and thrust her phone in her face. On the screen was a photo of Eden accompanying a headline from the Daily Mail: Greshamsbury Doctor Inherits Rene Tan’s Gazillions.

Arabella stared at the screen, her eyes bulging out before suddenly rolling back in her head as she fainted to the floor with a thud.

“Mary mother of god!” Francis exclaimed.

“She’s cracked her skull!” Bea cried.

Without thinking, Eden rushed to Arabella’s side and examined her head. “All good, she’s fine. Thank god for yoga mats!”