CORAL - Fallen (A Romance Trilogy, Book 2) (45 page)

“
The chap who had
this ring made, fell in love with a woman he knew he wouldn
’
t be able to marry without an occupation as
he wasn
’
t wealthy, and she was
high society, but she
was madly in love with him too, so
when he asked her, she said yes. He commissioned this ring to be made using the
last of his small inheritance, then he joined the navy, so he could become a
prosperous gentleman, but two years in the ship was sunk in high seas.

“She got the letter of course, telling her
of her fiancé’
s unfortunate end, but she refused to
believe he had died. She had many other offers of marriage but turned them all
down believing he would come home to her. Eleven years later she gets a letter
from a chaplain based on a Caribbean Island, apparently a
fisherman had rescued a man from a distant island.

“They thought he was mad at first because
all he kept mumbling was her name, he was sick when they found him. She wrote
back explaining who he was and that he was her long lost love. The man
recovered and was shipped home by the navy.”

I swallow hard. “
And
they lived happily ever after?
”
I
whisper.
This better have a nice ending.

Tristan smiles down at me. “
She was there
, at the dock, waiting for his
return. They embraced lovingly after so many years apart. He couldn’
t believe she had waited for him,
and she
couldn’
t believe he had survived, that he was still
alive. They went straight into town, announced their wedding, and a week later
they married
.”
I fe
el the tears well up in my eyes again –
Shit!

“
That
’
s beautiful Tristan, I'm so happy you
picked this ring
,”
I gush.

“
You are?
” He asks, his eyes wide, cautious.

“
Yes,
”
I smile.

“Good, because I had a difficult time choosing,
there were two that I thought you might like, but when I was told the story
that went with this one, it made the decision for me. I just thought their love
was timeless, and it best represented you and I.”
I'm speechless!

“
Do you really like
it?
”
he asks firmly. I
’
ve seen rings like this on the Antique Road
Show
; this must have cost a fortune!

“
Yes I do, it
’
s beautiful
Tristan, thank you,”
I say. I
wonder for a moment how much it cost, but I know it’
s
rude to ask.
“
Tristan you haven
’
t gone over the top have you?
”
I admonish.

He face contorts, his cheeks flush and his
eyes dilate –
Uh-oh!

“
I
’
ll spend as much as I want o
n my future wife’
s engagement ring
,”
he scolds.
Crap!
It did cost a fortune!
Yet, as I gaze down at it
sitting perfectly on my finger, I couldn’
t care less.
It
’
s the most beautiful thing I
’
ve ever been given.

I feel tears prick my eyes again –
Damn
it, my make-up!

“
I love it
,”
I tell him, sniffing loudly as I do.
I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck, holding him close to
me. Tristan chuckles then pulls me back, he gazes down at me for a moment then
he kisses me, softly at first, but growing deeper with passion and love. When
he pulls back, we are both breathless.

“
I love you
,”
he tells me solemnly.

“
I love you
,”
I choke gazing down once more at the
ring.

“
I really chose the
right one?
”
he says a little
smugly.

“
Yeah, you did
,”
I chuckle leaning
up and kissing his cheek, leaving a light lipstick mark there.

Tristan looks relieved. “
We have a few minutes before Stu gets here, shall we have that drink
now?
”
he asks.

“
Stuart
’
s here?
”
I ask a little surprised.

“
Yes. I didn
’
t want to have to drive, can't dr
ink if I'm doing that,”
he answers.

“
Oh
,”
I nod. His boyish smile appears, his
dimples deepening.
“
Oh!
”
he mocks. I slap his shoulder.
“
So drink?
”
he asks again.

“
Yes please
,”
I answer sweetly,
still thrown by his romantic, sweet proposal.

“
Champagne? I
brought some with me. I was going to ask you last night...”
He stops and swallows hard. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet. I
need to change the subject, now!

“
I don
’
t like champagne
,”
I say, smiling sweetly at him.

Tristan cocks his head to the s
ide then shakes it in laughter. “
I should
have known
,”
he titters.
I smile back at him. “
Wine?
”
he asks.

“
Yes please
.”
I watch Tristan get
a bottle of wine out of the fridge and pours two half glasses. As I
watch him walk over to me, all my insides feel like they have liquefied, he
really shouldn’
t be allowed to wear suits
; he just looks too good in them –
My future husband!

“
To us
,”
he says handing a glass to me and holding
his up. I click mine against his.
“
To us
,”
I repeat, we
both take a sip.

“
I was thinking
…did you want to choose the wedding bands together?”
he asks casually.
I almost spit my wine out
–
This is really happening!

“
Um
....”
I don't even know if that
’
s what people do?

“
You can choose
your own
,”
he tells me,
laughing at my expression.

“
Um...no, I don't
mind. I just…I
s that what other people do, choose them
together?”
I ask
my voice a few
octaves higher than I would like.

Tristan shrugs. “
No
idea
,”
he
says.

I think about it for a second. “
Do they have to look the same?
”
I ask –
I mean, how would I know? I’
ve never done this before!

“
No, I don't think
so.
”
He takes my hand in
his. “
What are you really worried about
Coral?
”
he asks.

I swallow hard and stare at the floor, then
start blurting out in one long breath, how I really feel. “
Just…you know, going off and choos
ing rings
together it just...seems so real, like it’
s reall
y happening you know. I can't pretend it’
s a
dream or a strange fantasy I'm having anymore, this is real, this is it, I'm
soon to be Mrs Coral Freeman
. It just feels so surreal,
that’
s all
.”

I finally look up at Tristan
, he’s gazing quizzically at me.

“
And I'm scared
,”
I say breathless
ly.

Tristan looks crestfallen and panicked all
at the same time.

“
Not of marrying
you,
”
I quickly say.
“I know that now, it’
s more the concept of
marriage, it
’
s scary you know,
but like George keeps on telling me, a life without risk is no life at all. S
o I’
ll take that risk of marrying you and
give it one hundred percent, I want to build a future with you Tristan, not
because it means I'm no longer alone, but because in the short amount of time I
’
ve known you, you
’
ve come to be my best friend, my lover
and
my confidant. I want to be the best wife I can possibly be, a good wife to you.

“I trust you like no other, and I love you
more eternally than I ever thought possible. I didn’
t
think I could love at all, you opened my eyes and made me realise the life I
had, wasn
’
t a life worth living
. I’
ll always be gr
ateful
to you for that.”
I take a gulp of wine hoping I haven
’
t hurt Tristan by being so honest.

“
Thank you
,”
he whispers and softly kisses my neck.

“
What for?
”
I ask my voice wobbling.

“
Being honest
,”
he answers.

“
Are
you
scared?”
I
ask looking up into h
is deep chocolate eyes.

He shakes his head. “
Not one bit. I completely and utterly believe that we will grow old
together, I'm fearless about this
, I’
ve never wanted anything more. So keep telling me when you
’
re scared, and I
’
ll
give you my word that I’
ll
do everything within my power to ease
your fears, and make you see that you’
re doing the
right thing, that us being together is right
.”
I exhale loudly. He says the sweetest things.

“
I will
,”
I squeak and gulp back some more wine.
Tristan laughs heartily
at me. “
You
’re mocking me,”
I scold half laughing as I do.

“
Yes!
”
he chuckles
. “
Don't ever change baby, I love you like this
.”

“
What
? You always wanted a freaky wife?”
I tease
shaking my head at him.
“
You
know what they say it
’
s always
the quiet ones!
”
I
add dryly.

Tristan laughs at me again then kisses my
temple. “
I like the way you
’
ve done your hair
,”
he tells me softly.

“
Thanks
,”
I say, feeling a little shy again.

“
So where are you
taking me?
”
He asks taking a
sip of his wine.

“
You
’
ll see
,”
I smile smu
gly. I really hope he likes it!

Stuart announces his arrival by honking the
horn. Tristan grabs his jacket and I pick up my clutch bag, noticing my
engagement ring as I do.

As I stare down at it, my stomach flutters
wildly…
Mrs Coral Freeman…Whoa!

Taking my hand in his, we head out into the
balmy summer evening…

ALFRESCO’S I BUILT OUT OVER THE SEAFRONT IN A
SHIP-LIKE DESIGN.
It’s a very quirky kind of place,
which is one of the reason I chose it.
When you enter
from the street, you really do feel as though you are walking down a gangplank,
ready to set sail. The decor is very minimalistic and elegant, with a
contemporary design set in a rich palate of deep reds and dark browns.

The open plan Rotunda dining room is
surrounded by a wall of windows, which gives a panoramic view of the shoreline,
and looks directly over the historic ruins of the West Pier.

During the day the place is flooded with
sunlight making it a light and airy place to dine, once the sun sets and the
soft lighting comes on, the place takes on a completely different feel, very
intimate and romantic.

Stuarts pulls up on King Street, next to
the restaurant. I only took us ten minutes to get down here
– I really don't know why we didn’
t just get
a taxi
. As usual, Tristan helps me out of the car and
tightly clutches my hand in his. I smile widely at him.

“
We
’
re eating here?
”
Tristan asks staring up at the strange looking building.

“
Yes
,”
I chuckle.

“
It looks like a
ship
,”
he says in mock horror.
I can't help giggling.

“I know,”
I
chuckle. “You sure you want to eat here?” I add.

“
Sure, why not
,”
he answers sarcastically.

“
The sunsets are
amazing from here, I thought it would be nice
,”
I say
, pulling him down the gangplank. “
Food
’
s good too
,”
I add looking back at face, I can see h
e’
s
not sure about
this place.

I stop walking and face him. “
Do you want to go somewhere else?
”
I ask as a couple walk past us, the guy blatantly staring at me
. Tristan must have caught on because he wraps his arm around my
waist, throws me backwards making me squeal with delight and kisses me, hard.

“
Yes, we
’
ll eat here
,”
he says, bringing me upright.

As we walk through to the Rotunda
Restaurant, I can hear soft music playing; I think it’
s
Norah Jones. The restaurant isn’t too packed, but I guess that
’
s because we
’
re
early. I can see couples sitting face to
face, girlfriends enjoying cocktails, and families outside on the decked
terraces. It’
s certainly warm enough tonigh
t.

“
Good evening
welcome to Alfresco
’
s
.”
We both smile at
the hostess. “
Do you have a reservation?
”
Shit!

“
No
,”
I answer guiltily.

“
No problem, where
would you like to eat this evening
. The Rotunda,
outside on the decking, or the Shoreline restaurant downstairs?”
she asks.

Tristan turns to me. “Coral?”

“
In here please
,”
I s
ay. “
Like I said, amazing sunsets
,”
I whisper
to Tristan.

We silently follow the hostess to our
table. Tristan pulls my chair out for me, and I take a seat. He goes to sit
opposite me, but I shake my head and pat the seat next to me. Smiling deeply,
he moves around the table, places his jacket on the back of the chair and sits
next to me.

“
Good idea
,”
he says taking my left hand and kissing
my engagement ring
…

THE TIME FLIES BY
as we
enjoy a couple of starters and some bread and olives, drinking far too much wine
as we talk the night away, thoroughly enjoying each other’
s company.

“
You said you would
tell me
,”
he says.

“
Tell you what?
”
I ask staring blankly at the menu, unable
to make
my mind up what main meal to choose, it all
looks so yummy.

Tristan puts his menu down. “
What you had to tell me about Susannah
,”
he says.

I swallow hard and put down my menu. “
I still don't know if it
’
s my place to say
,”
I whisper.

“
Well I'm giving
you
permission,”
Tristan says
sharply –
Whoa!

“
Alright keep your
pants on!
”
I squeak.

“
I don't like
things being kept from me
,”
he
states firmly.

“
Well
she
should have told you,”
I snipe back –
Stupid Blondie has us
arguing already.

“
I'm asking you
,”
he
says.

“
Fine!
”
I snap frustratingly
. “
She
’
s getting divorced
.”
I glare ba
ck at Tristan he looks shocked. “
Now can we drop talking about her
?”
I plead.

“
When did she tell
you?
”
he asks.
Why is he so bloody concerned about her?

“
I don't know, I
can't remember. She
said she was thinking about moving
areas,”
I blurt –
Keep a lid
on it Coral!

“
Moving areas?
”
he says darkly.

“
Yeah...what
’
s the big deal Tristan? A member of staff
wants to leave, so what?
”
I
snap feeling annoyed.

Tristan ignores me, and gazes out to sea. “
I wonder why she hasn
’
t told me?
”
he
mumbles to himself.

“
I don't know
,”
I gripe picking my menu back up so I can
hide behind it. I don't want Tristan to see that I'm keeping more from him, so
much more.

“
Is that all she
said to you, that she
’
s getting
d
ivorced?”
he questions.

I pull my menu down and roll my eyes at
him. “
Yes. Actually no, she did say she likes the sea
air and how it must be nice to live by the coast
,”
I say with as much sarcasm as I can.

“
Do you think she
wants to move here?
”
he asks.

“
I
don't know,”
I answer dryly
. “
I don't know her
,”
I add.

“
Well it
’
s
pretty obvious
you don't like her,”
Tristan snaps.

I glare back at him. “
No, I don't
,”
I
answer sharply –
Shut up Coral!

“
Why?
”
he asks incredulously. I purposely do not
reply.
“
She
’
s a n
ice girl
Coral, I just don't understand’ – “
Tristan, I really
don't want tonight to be ruined by us disagreeing about a member of your staff
,”
I say softly, trying to placate him.

He looks uncomfortable for a moment, then
nods in agreement –
Phew!

“
You
’
re
right. I’
ll speak to her on Monday. Strange she hasn
’
t told me though…
”
he says d
rifting off again.
Grrrrr!

“
You know, it doesn
’
t make me feel very good knowing your
thinking about another woman whilst sitting here with me
,”
I say staring down at the table.

Tristan sighs heavily and takes my hand in
his. “
You
’
re right, again. I'm sorry
,”
he says softly, leaning in to kiss me.
Now
I feel utterly guilty for making him feel guilty.

I can't wait to get the P.I. report about this
woman so we can put an end to all of this and get her out of our lives.

“
Don
’
t be sorry Tristan
,”
I say leaning into him and returning the kiss.
“
Let
’
s order and enjoy the sunset
.”
Tristan agrees and we both go back to perusing our menus, b
ut now I can't stop thinking about Blondie, and all the things that
have happened. As I run through the strange week I’
ve
had with her, I suddenly remember about the suicide.

“
Tristan, she to
ld me about the chap who...who committed suicide,”
I
whisper then swallow hard, instantly
regretting bringing it up.

“
Sh
e…she did?”
he stutters in shock.

“
I'm so sorry that
happened
,”
I
softly say.

Tristan nods once and stares down at his
menu. I can see it’
s not something he wants to discuss.
I need to change the subject.

I frown deeply trying to think of something
else to say. “
I spoke to Karen
,”
I pipe up chirpily.
“
She
’
s really nice
,”
I add taking a drink of wine. Tristan
smiles weakly at me.
Great!

“
Wish you
’
d have sent her to train me
,”
I mumble getting up from my seat
.

I need a bathroom break and some time away
from Tristan, his broodiness about Blondie is starting to get on my nerves –
I
hate her so much, if he only knew
what she’
s been up to, what she
’
s said
. I wonder for a moment about
telling him everything that’
s happened, maybe then
he will shut the hell up about her!

“
What was that?
”
he asks staring up at me.

I purse my lips and shake my head at him. “
Nothing Tristan, it was nothing
,”
I say sulkily. I don't want this night ruined –
Then keep your mouth shut Coral!

“
I
’
m going to the
ladies.”
I smile sweetly at him.

Feeling totally frustrated with myself I
march off to the restroom. Whilst in there, I come up with a plan. I’
ve been throwing the idea around my head ever since Gladys made me
rich in my own right – I decide to tell Tristan
about
it, maybe it’
ll take his mind of Blondie and work.

“
Hey
,”
I say sitting next to him again.

“
Mrs Freeman,
”
he teases – My heart stutters hearing that
said…
Whoa!

The waiter comes over for the fourth time
asking if we are ready to order, I think he’s getting impatient with us.
Tristan offers for me to go first, picking up the Menu I blast off the first thing
that catches my eye.

“
I
’
ll have the Langoustine & Scallop
Ravioli
,”
I say glancing at
Tristan; he seems to have recovered and is back to his old
self.