Consequences (41 page)

As soon as Eric pulled away from the curb John began speaking. His voice strong and direct as if he were addressing a jury or judge, “Anthony, I apologize for ambushing Claire in the hallway. And, Claire, I apologize to you for making you uncomfortable.” Emily looked at John with horror in her eyes, completely unaware. Claire exhaled and sat back, thinking only, oh god, he
is
going to pursue this. She deferred to Tony. “But I have known Claire since she was a small girl. I have done my best to look out for Emily and for Claire, especially since the death of their parents. I love her like a sister.” He smiled at Claire, then back to Tony with all seriousness. “I am an attorney, and I believe that Claire deserves rightful representation regarding the legal ramifications of your marriage.”

Claire didn’t speak, Tony did, “John, I definitely appreciate the fact that Claire has someone else that cares about her well-being. I must emphasize the fact that she will be
my
wife and
I
will look out for her. I can assure you that we have an entire team of attorneys that will represent her in any necessary legal circumstance.”

John continued undeterred. “With all due respect, your legal team will look out for
your
best interests, as they should. Claire is obviously in love with you and trusts your decisions.”

“Are you implying that you do not trust my decisions?”

“No, I am not implying. I am saying that as Claire’s brother-in-law and attorney I should review the prenuptial agreement prior to her signature.”

Claire didn’t feel good about this discussion. Maybe she could help. “Thank you, John, for your concern. I do trust Tony—” She immediately knew she shouldn’t have spoken. She stopped.

Tony continued, “Your concern is admirable. And your persistence is commendable. As Claire’s attorney, not her brother-in-law, I will inform you that we do not plan on having a prenuptial agreement. I want Claire to have half of everything. I do not plan on divorcing her, leaving her, or her leaving me. I believe she should be my partner in every way with everything. She will have half of everything I possess as of December 18.”

John sat in silence and stared at Tony. He hadn’t expected that information. Finally, he spoke. “Have you consulted your team of legal counsel?”

“Excuse me? Are you asking as Claire’s attorney?”

“No, I am asking as your future brother-in-law. I know Claire. I know she is a wonderful woman who is in love. But as an attorney, a man of your wealth should not enter a business deal without a contract, and you should not enter into a marriage without a prenuptial agreement.”

Tony smiled, amused. Amusement did
not
imply a good thing. Claire prayed it was all a figment of her imagination, perhaps she was sleeping again and this was a nightmare. Emily sat in awe, dumbfounded by the verbal debate that transpired before her. Tony decided the conversation was over. “John, thank you for your advice. Thank you for your legal consultation. Your care and concern for Claire is duly noted and welcomed. I look forward to more lively debates with you in the future. May I make one suggestion?” John said yes. However, his answer was inconsequential. The statement formed as a question was purely rhetorical. Tony would offer his suggestion either way. “These conversations should and
will
take place in private.” John agreed.

They sat in silence for a while. Finally, Emily broke the uneasy stillness and told Claire she would miss her and couldn’t wait until they were together again for the wedding. Then she turned to Tony. “If we are still welcome?”

His mouth smiled. Claire didn’t need to look to know his eyes did not. “Of course, we look forward to your visit.” Once the car reached their hotel, Eric opened the door and Tony got out first. Emily and John both hugged Claire on their way out. Emily told Claire to call more, and they both shook Tony’s hand as they went into the hotel.

Tony got back in and Eric shut the door. Tony laid his head back on the seat. Claire still didn’t think she should speak. She wanted to tell him how pleased she was with what he had said. She did trust his decisions and she didn’t care about the money. However, it was obvious Tony wasn’t happy. She chose to remain silent. As the car pulled away Tony squeezed Claire’s hand and spoke, his tone was neither warm nor playful, “I believe it is good that you had a nap this afternoon.” Eric drove them to the apartment.

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.

The reception would be on the grounds, either in the house or perhaps in the backyard. Claire thought that sounded cold. Brad promised a tent, decorated and heated. He even had pictures of previous tent receptions. With the decorations, tables, and people, it didn’t appear that it was a tent, only a reception hall. The next hurdle was the cake. They must have looked at fifty different pictures of cakes. Regarding flavors, Tony said he liked traditional white. Claire went out on a limb and said she liked chocolate. She hoped for some taste testing. Monica smiled and explained they had other options such as carrot, red velvet, caramel, chocolate raspberry, and more. Claire felt once again overwhelmed by too many choices.