Blue Moon (Book One in The Blue Crystal Trilogy) (12 page)

By this time, he’d already been
to our house, visiting after college on Friday, to meet my mum and
Granddad, which had been every bit as cringing and embarrassing as
I knew it would be, but had to be endured, as a rite of passage. He
handled my mother’s flirting and Granddad’s third degree with good
grace, and was in every sense the perfect boyfriend. He spoke of
his life in Egypt and how they’d had to leave in order to escape
the unrest that had come with political reform, of his parents’
diverse property interests and plans to turn Hartswell Hall into a
luxury hotel and conference centre. He spoke of the private tuition
he and Violet had received while in Egypt and their excitement at
being able to attend college and meet other people of the same age.
He even put up with my mother asking about his beautiful skin and
beauty routine. Asking a boy about his beauty routine! How much
more embarrassing could you get? But he took it all in his stride,
answering candidly and politely, explaining that he followed a
strict vegetarian diet and always avoided sunbathing.

“When you’re living in such a
hot country, it’s more important to cover up than go out in the
sun,” he explained, “especially when you’re as fair skinned as we
are.”

My mother hung on his every
word and totally monopolised him. I could hardly get a word in
edgeways, but a few smouldering glances from Theo while my mother
re-filled the tea cups more than made up for the lack of words
between us. I could almost feel the air crackling with electricity,
such was the connection between us.

My Granddad asked more down to
earth questions, like where they’d lived in Egypt, what was
happening out there, what had happened to their Egyptian
properties, and why they’d chosen Hartswell-on-the-Hill. He
questioned Theo with all the thoroughness of a seasoned interviewer
and I prayed he wouldn’t start asking where they got their money
from and how much they paid for Hartswell Hall. Some things needed
to remain private. Thankfully, he desisted, eventually sitting back
and beaming at us both. I breathed a huge sign of relief. It seemed
Theo had passed the preliminary stages of the interview with flying
colours, and we were free to get to know one another a little
better.

Afterwards, Granddad said, “A
very nice young man, Emmie. Polite, well turned out, articulate.
Couldn’t really fault him on anything. That’s my only concern,
really. A bit too perfect, a little too composed for someone of his
years. It was as if he’d heard all my questions before and knew all
the answers off by heart.”

“Granddad,” I exclaimed, “if
being too perfect is Theo’s only fault, I don’t really think
there’s a problem. What do you think, mum?”

“I think he’s gorgeous,” she
said wistfully, “and I think you’re very lucky. I just hope he
doesn’t hurt you.” She looked suddenly sad and I put my arm around
her.

“What’s the matter, mum?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” she said,
forcing a smile. “He reminds me of someone I used to know many
years ago, that’s all.”

“D’you mean dad?” I asked,
curiously.

“No,” she laughed. “Just
someone I fell for many years ago. He broke my heart at the time.”
She looked at me closely. “I hope Theo doesn’t do the same to
you.”

“Mum, don’t pour cold water on
it before it’s even begun,” I remonstrated. “You obviously think
he’s going to dump me at the first opportunity. Thanks very
much.”

“Of course I don’t, darling,”
she said. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Be glad for me, mum,” I
instructed her. “I have a boyfriend. A gorgeous, good-looking,
lovely boyfriend. If it ends, it ends. But at least I’ll have fun,
and I’ll be living, rather than hanging around here all the
time.”

“Okay, I take your point,” she
said, laughing. “Enjoy yourself, Emmie, just don’t get too involved
with him.”

Her advice was good, I knew.
But it was too late. I was already far more involved than she could
ever know. And a great big alarm bell was ringing loudly in my
head.

The day I was due to visit
Hartswell Hall it was bright and sunny. A perfect spring day. The
sky was an unbroken blue, the breeze warm and gentle and the
gardens a mass of colour, as late spring flowers came through,
polyanthus competing with primroses and early bluebells to create a
vibrant backdrop.

I told Theo I’d walk over to
Hartswell Hall and meet him there, and as I walked up the main
driveway, my feet crunching on the new gravel under foot, I began
to feel anxious and nervous. What if Aquila was there glowering at
me? What if Violet was unfriendly? What if his parents didn’t like
me? I’d already met his mother and she seemed lovely, although
impossibly glamorous. What if she thought I was too awkward and
young for Theo?

The closer I got to Hartswell
Hall, the more exposed and inadequate I felt. It was one thing
meeting your new boyfriend’s parents, but when they lived in a
place as imposing as this, and were so obviously rich, it was a
whole different ball game. These people lived a totally different
lifestyle to me. They had poise, finesse and beauty; they were
people of the world, with a sophistication I could only dream
about. I began to feel sick with nerves and nearly turned round and
walked back down the driveway, so acute was my sense of dread the
closer I got to the big oak front doorway.

Then the door was opening and
Theo was standing there, looking fantastic in a white shirt and
faded jeans, a huge smile on his face, radiating happiness. I
relaxed. I was here because Theo had invited me and wanted me to
meet his family. What could be so bad? He entwined his fingers in
mine, looked into my eyes and kissed me on the cheek. Once again,
his magic started to work and as his energy flowed into me, I felt
instantly refreshed and strong, his glow and radiance transforming
me from a gauche adolescent to a creature of confidence and style.
I had no idea how he did this, only that he did. And I also knew
that only he could make me feel this way.

“You look divine,” he whispered
in my ear. “Come on, they’re waiting to meet you.”

He led the way across the black
and white tiled entrance floor, through another oak doorway and
into a huge foyer, tastefully decorated in cream, lilac and maroon.
Stunning works of modern art adorned the walls and a glittering
silver sculpture of a woman held pride of place by the reception
desk, contrasting with the bas-relief coats of arms set into the
old stone walls. A dark plum carpet felt thick and luxurious under
foot and a resplendent chandelier hung from the elevated ceiling,
its crystalline elements sparkling and glinting in the sunlight
that streamed through the main window.

“It’s beautiful,” I said,
looking round in wonder. “So pretty and so tastefully done.”

“Thank you, my dear, it’s
always nice to have your handiwork admired.” A soft, shimmering
voice sounded behind me and I turned to see the most exquisite,
beautiful woman I had ever encountered standing in the doorway to
one of the rooms that led off the foyer.

“Emily, this is my mother,
Viyesha,” said Theo proudly.

“Yes, we have met once before,
have we not?” asked the beautiful vision.

“Er, yes,” I stuttered, feeling
inadequate and ill at ease, “when I came to have a look, a couple
of weeks ago…”

Seeing my discomfort, his
mother held out a slim, white, perfectly manicured hand.

“I am so pleased to meet you
properly, Emily, I’ve waited a long time for this.”

I went to shake her proffered
hand and simply cannot put into words the sensation I experienced
when our hands touched. Her hand was cool and smooth, her touch
light yet strong, and I felt warm and happy, without a care in the
world, as if I were bathing in a pool of amber nectar.

I looked into her face. Her
beauty was breath taking and I recalled the last time I’d seen her
she was wearing large sunglasses. Now I was able to see everything.
If Theo was beautiful, his mother was out of this world. I
struggled to find the words to describe her. She radiated light,
warmth and serenity. Her skin was alabaster smooth, with an even,
ivory complexion. Her nose was small and perfect, her cheekbones
high, and her lips full. Her blond hair was swept up, giving
prominence to her large blue eyes, which shimmered and twinkled,
like beautiful sapphires. Her figure was amazing, as slender and
well proportioned as a Vogue model, and she was wearing a long,
clinging blue dress that emphasised her perfect curves. That was
it. She was perfect, not a hair out of place, like an airbrushed
face in a magazine. And yet, despite the perfection, she seemed
kind and friendly. Looking into her eyes, it was like gazing in to
a summer’s day, full of golden sunshine.

I couldn’t help but be
mesmerized by her, but at the same time, she made me feel at home
and at one with the world. Now I could see where Violet got her
amazing looks. I had truly never encountered anyone like this ever
before. On her wrist was a silver bangle, decorated with blue
gemstones, and round her neck a pendant bearing a large blue
crystal, both emphasizing the blue of her eyes and creating an
overall impression of luminous blue. I couldn’t help myself, I
stared, unable to take my eyes off her.

“It’s all right, Emily, my
mother always has this effect on people,” said Theo, breaking the
spell. “She can’t help being so beautiful.”

“I’m sorry,” I gasped, suddenly
aware of how rude I was being. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Mrs
de Lucis.”

“Let’s not be formal. Call me
Viyesha, please,” said the vision before me.

“Okay… Viyesha…..” I felt like
I’d stumbled on to a film set, so unreal was the whole
situation.

“Come and meet the family,”
Viyesha instructed, and led the way through one of the many
doorways leading off the reception area.

Theo gestured for me to go
first, his hand brushing against mine, and as it did, I felt a
spark of electricity flash between us, rendering me powerless and
passive. I found myself in a large room, possibly a ballroom,
beautifully finished in delicate shades of mauve and lilac, with
enormous windows looking out onto the grounds. Sunshine streamed
in, giving a warm glow to the room, and my eyes took in heavy
purple velvet drapes, a large, ornate fireplace where logs burned
brightly and a magnificent chandelier that gleamed and sparkled. A
white grand piano stood to one side, its lid raised high, and
fabulous pieces of modern art adorned the walls. It was
contemporary, luxurious and quite simply, magnificent. Around the
fireside were three sofas of immense proportions, each in a light
purple fabric, and it was here that the family sat.

They each stood up as I entered
the room and a tall man with tousled blond hair stepped towards me,
offering his hand.

“This is my husband, Leon,”
said Viyesha.

“Emily, pleased to meet
you.”

My hand was gripped in a
powerful handshake and I knew instantly if I ever had a problem,
Leon would take care of it. He emanated strength, power and
position. I looked into his face and was met by the same intense
blue eyes, slightly darker than Viyesha’s and Theo’s, flecks of
grey combining with dark blue and black. I had the immediate
impression that this was one man you did not want to cross.

“Hi, Leon,” I said shyly,
taking in the physique, the muscles and the handsome features.

This truly was like being on a
Hollywood film set. He reminded me of at least three leading men
all rolled into one. I couldn’t decide between Brad Pitt, Daniel
Craig and my mum’s heart throb, a young Robert Redford. He was an
older version of Theo, as you’d expect, although he didn’t seem
old. He had Viyesha’s youthfulness about him, the same smooth ivory
skin, the chiselled features, the amazing blue eyes that sparkled
and shone, making me feel important, wanted, valued… putting me at
ease, yet drawing me in.

I broke my gaze with him,
afraid of being hypnotised by the intensity. Leon seemed to be
studying me curiously, looking into my face as if searching for
something and I felt an intimacy that was somehow premature, as if
I was being pulled towards him.

“Hi Emily,” said Violet, from
behind her father. “How are you?”

I was glad of the diversion and
pleased to see Violet looking friendly again.

“Hi Violet, I’m good,” I
answered. “I can’t believe this place, it’s magnificent.”

“That’s mainly down to my
mother,” she said, “and Joseph, of course. He’s seen to the
grounds.”

On cue, the third person who
was sitting around the fireside stepped forward to shake my hand
and I found myself looking at a boy possibly in his early twenties,
with the same alabaster skin, blond hair and twinkling blue eyes,
and the biggest smile I had ever seen. He was lovely.

“Hello, Emily, I’ve heard all
about you. I’m Joseph, Theo’s cousin.”

As our hands touched, I felt
kindness, gentleness and friendliness, as if I could tell this boy
anything and he would be my friend for life.

“Hi Joseph, I’m sorry, I didn’t
realise you were here, Theo didn’t say…” I felt momentarily
confused. Why hadn’t Theo mentioned a cousin staying with them?

“It’s okay, don’t worry, I
haven’t been here long,” Joseph grinned at me. “I’ve been
overseeing the renovation of the grounds from a distance, a sort of
remote landscaper.”

“Well, from the little I’ve
seen, you've done a fantastic job,” I said. “I can’t believe how
you’ve transformed the gardens in such a brief time. When we were
kids we used to play in the grounds. It was jungle-like, great for
hide-and-seek and making dens. Now I imagine it looks how it did in
Victorian times.”

“Yes, I followed the old
photographs and plans carefully,” he explained. “We wanted
authenticity, combined with every modern comfort and extravagance
the hotel could offer.”