The Law of Attraction (18 page)

As they took their seats, Alec saw her glaring at the empty spaces. She caught his eye and raised her eyebrows in question, as if Alec might know something. He shrugged. He wasn’t his brother’s keeper. They’d never been close and rarely had any contact between family gatherings.

Caspar arrived halfway through the starter. He burst in with a stunningly pretty girl on his arm. Well, a woman, really, Alec supposed, but she looked awfully young, with a blonde waterfall of hair and a dress that showed off her model figure. All eyes in the room turned to them.

“I’m terribly sorry we’re late,” Caspar said loudly. “We got stuck behind a damn horse box doing about fifteen miles an hour down the country lanes, so I tried to take a different route, and then we got lost.”

He went to greet his parents first, introducing the girl as Serena. Serena smiled and shook hands with them before they made their way down the table to their seats opposite Alec.

Alec stood to greet him and offered his hand across the table. “Caspar, making an entrance as usual, I see.”

“Some things never change.” Caspar’s smile was broad and genuine and Alec couldn’t help smiling back. Life was never boring with his brother around.

He lowered his voice to murmur, “I thought Mother was going to have kittens when she saw your empty seat.”

Caspar chuckled. “I bet. Alec, meet Serena. Serena, this is my big brother, Alec.”

Close up she was even more beautiful. Alec took her small, smooth hand in his. “It’s good to meet you, Serena.” And it was good, although surprising, to actually get to meet a girlfriend of Caspar’s. They rarely lasted longer than a week. Caspar was a fashion photographer with a penchant for dating the girls he photographed. None of them seemed to hold his interest for long.

“You too.” Her grip was strong and sure, and she met his gaze with a smile that would probably make any straight man’s knees go weak. “Caspar’s told me a lot about you.”

“He has?” Alec raised an eyebrow. “All good, I hope.”

“Absolutely. I’m a law student, you see, so I was interested to hear about what you do. Tell me, how do you find it working in M&A? I want to work in corporate law eventually… if everything works out.” A shadow passed over her beautiful face. “How did you get into it?”

Pleasantly surprised at the turn the conversation had taken, Alec talked about his job and answered Serena’s avid questions. She clearly knew her stuff.

Caspar grinned at Alec when there was a gap in the conversation. “I finally found one with brains as well as beauty—
ouch
!” He yelped as Serena nudged him hard in the ribs. “That was supposed to be a compliment.”

“Not to any of your exes, it wasn’t, and it makes you sound like a sexist pig.”

“I
am
a sexist pig.”

“If you really were, we wouldn’t be together. So stop acting like one.”

Alec laughed. “Nice to see someone’s seen through him at last.”

Chastised, Caspar shook his head, smiling ruefully. “Old habits die hard.”

“So, when do you qualify?” Alec asked Serena. “If you’re thinking about applying to Baker Wells, let me know. I can put in a good word for you.”

“Oh, not for ages yet. I’m only in my first year.”

“Oh.” Alec shot a glance at Caspar, who flushed. Well, at least she was legal, Alec supposed, even if she was probably still a teenager. She certainly gave the impression of being more mature than most first-year law students were.

“Sorry.” Serena winced and put a hand on Caspar’s arm. “I’m talking too much.”

“Alec’s the least of our worries. We’ve got my parents to deal with,” Caspar replied. “But let’s save the drama for later.”

Alec frowned. Lowering his voice, he leaned closer to Caspar to ask, “What’s going on?”

“Long story,” Caspar muttered. “You’ll find out once the rest of the guests have gone.”

The plan was to go back to their parents’ house later for a quiet family dinner. Alec had agreed to stay over, and he presumed Caspar had too.

After that little exchange, Alec watched Serena and Caspar carefully during the rest of the meal. Their affection seemed genuine. He’d never seen his brother look so smitten before. He also treated Serena with a respect that was new. His previous girlfriends had been trophies rather than partners, but this was real. Serena seemed happy too. She was warm and genuine but didn’t take any shit from Caspar, and Alec admired her all the more for that.

However, despite their obvious love for each other, there was tension there too. Caspar kept glancing nervously at their parents and squeezing Serena’s hand reassuringly. Alec wondered what the drama Caspar had promised would consist of exactly.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

They drove back to the family home in two cars. Caspar had been drinking, but Serena had stuck to mineral water, so she slipped in behind the wheel of Caspar’s flashy Porsche with his keys in her hand and a smile on her face.

Alec’s parents had got a taxi to the restaurant, so Alec offered to drive them. His back seat was wider and more comfortable than Caspar’s.

“See you back at the house,” Alec said to Caspar.

“Alec, wait.” Caspar came close and spoke quietly. “I could use your backup when we get home. I don’t have time to explain now. I should have told you before, but—” He looked over Alec’s shoulder to where their father was helping their mother into Alec’s car. “—the last few weeks have been a little crazy.”

Alec frowned. “You’re not giving me much of a clue here, Caspar.”

“Yeah, I know I’m being cryptic. It’s nothing bad, quite the opposite in fact. I’m just not sure how Mum and Dad will take it.”

“What’s the worst they could do?” That was a question Alec had often asked himself when he considered coming out to them.

“Cut me out of their will?” Caspar grinned. “I earn enough that it wouldn’t be the end of the world. I hate pissing them off, though. You know how it is.”

Alec knew exactly how it was. “I’ve got your back,” he said. Although he and Caspar weren’t particularly close as adults, they’d always covered for each other when they were younger.

“Okay, thanks. See you at the house.”

Alec got into his car and turned the key, making the engine purr.

“Caspar’s new girl seems charming,” his father said as Alec reversed out of the spot.

“She does,” his mother agreed. “She looks terribly young, though. I assume she’s another of those model types. I wish he’d settle down with someone a bit more suitable. He’s thirty now—it’s about time.”

Alec gripped the steering wheel tightly. Ignoring the pointed remark that was clearly directed at him as much as Caspar, he said lightly, “She’s actually a law student.” Caspar might not thank him for giving a clue to Serena’s age, but at least his parents would respect her for her career choice. “I was talking to her about it over lunch. She’s very bright.”

“Oh. Well, good for her,” his father said, sounding begrudgingly impressed. “Maybe there’s more to her than meets the eye, then.”

Alec bit his tongue. His father’s judgemental attitudes had long been a source of friction between them.

“What about you, Alec?” his mother asked. “We were sorry you couldn’t bring Belinda. She’s such a lovely girl.”

“She’s not a ‘girl,’ Mother.” Alec bit back a smile as he imagined Belinda rolling her eyes. “And she sent her apologies, but she’s incredibly busy with work at the moment.”

His mother sighed theatrically. “Young women these days, they’re so career driven. It’s a different world.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Alec replied mildly.

“Is it so wrong to want to see my sons married and settled? I just want you to be happy, darling. It must be lonely going home to that empty flat every night.”

“I’m fine, Mother.” But her words poked at the empty place inside him. He wondered what his life would be like if he had Ed to go home to every night. If his mother truly wanted him to be happy, surely she’d eventually accept it if Alec ever found the courage to be honest about his sexuality.

They’d reached Alec’s family home now, and he was saved from continuing the conversation as he parked in front of the large stone house. They got out of the car as Serena pulled up behind them.

Alec and Caspar carried in their overnight cases, Caspar insisted on carrying Serena’s too.

“I can manage it myself, Casp.” She closed the boot of the car.

“It’s fine. I’ve got them now.”

Their mother directed Alec and Caspar upstairs. “Alec, you’re in your old room. Caspar, I put you and Serena in the green room. It’s a little larger, so I thought you’d be more comfortable. Serena, let me take you through to the living room.”

Caspar looked at Alec and jerked his head towards the staircase. “After you.”

Alec led the way upstairs. The rooms they’d been allocated were next to each other at the far end of the landing. As soon as Alec had left his case in his room, he went next door to catch his brother alone.

“What the fuck’s going on?” he demanded, closing the door behind him. They wouldn’t have long before people got suspicious about their absence, but Alec wanted to know what he was getting into before his brother broke whatever his news was to their parents.

“Okay, well”—Caspar rubbed his hands together nervously—“the good news is that Serena and I are engaged. But the reason we’re rushing into it a little is, um, well. It’s because she’s pregnant.”

“Bloody hell.” Alec let that news settle in. “Well, congratulations, of course. But are you sure you want to get married? How long have you even known her?”

“We’ve been seeing each other for a few months. I’m crazy about her, honestly. I already knew she was a keeper even before the baby… that simply made the decision even easier.”

“She’s so young, though, Casp.” Alec reverted instinctively to the nickname of their childhood. “Are you sure it’s what she really wants? She doesn’t just feel pressured into marriage?”

Caspar snorted. “Serena isn’t the type to be pressured into anything. She’s nervous about it, of course. This wasn’t part of her life plan, but she wants to be with me, she wants this baby, and she’s not going to let it stop her following her dreams. She’s carrying on with her degree. She might need to study at home for a while, and maybe take a few months off after the baby comes. She’s already talked to her tutor, and the university is prepared to be flexible as long as she keeps up with her studies. I can plan my schedule to fit with hers, so one of us will be at home with the baby as much as possible, and we’ll hire a nanny to cover when we can’t be there. We’re going to make it work.” Caspar’s face showed pure determination.

“And what about you, Caspar. Is this what you want?”

“Yes,” he replied simply. He smiled, and Alec could see the excitement and love shining in his eyes. “I didn’t know I wanted it till it happened. But I love her, Alec. She’s amazing. And I’m excited about being a father. I’m going to be the best dad anyone can be.”

“Well, I’m happy for you.” Alec stepped forward and gave Caspar a rare hug.

Caspar hugged him back and murmured, “Thanks,” into Alec’s shoulder.

“God. This means I’m going to be an uncle!” Alec grinned as he pulled away. “You know, although Mum and Dad might be a little disapproving of the shotgun wedding aspect of this, but the fact you’re giving them a grandchild will probably cancel out the rest once it sinks in. Mum will be over the moon that one of us is finally breeding.”

“I hope so.” Caspar chuckled. “I really hope so. Right, come on. I need to go and face the music. They’ll be wondering what the hell we’re doing up here.”

“Good luck.” Alec put his hand on Caspar’s shoulder and squeezed. “And congratulations again.”

“Thank you.”

Caspar left the room first, leaving Alec alone for a moment, his thoughts whirling.

It had been years since he and Caspar had connected with this level of honesty and intimacy. Maybe they never had. That awful summer, when Alec had been kicked out of school and was at loggerheads with their father, Caspar had been the one to rub ointment onto the cuts on Alec’s back. He’d tried to get Alec to show their mother, in case Alec needed to see a doctor, but Alec had refused. He didn’t want his mother to see what his father had done. Caspar had tried to get Alec to talk, but Alec hadn’t been ready to discuss what happened with anyone. He’d told Caspar the same as he told everyone else: it was a stupid mistake and it didn’t mean anything; he wasn’t gay. Eventually Caspar had given up trying to get Alec to open up. Now, Alec found himself hoping he could count on his brother for support when he eventually came out to his parents.

For the first time in his life, he was thinking of it in terms of
when
rather than if.
When did that change?

Downstairs, their mother had made a tray of tea and was already pouring it into china cups when Alec came in. Caspar was sitting beside Serena on a two-seater sofa, and Alec took one of the armchairs.

Once they all had their tea and they’d finished passing around milk and sugar, Caspar took advantage of a break in the conversation to make his announcement.

“So.” He sat up straight and cleared his throat. “Mother, Father, I have some exciting news.” Caspar glanced at Alec, who gave him a small smile of encouragement, and then he took Serena’s hand and squeezed. Turning to their mother, he said. “I’ve asked Serena to marry me, and she’s accepted.” As his parents made sounds of surprise and congratulations, he quickly cut in. “That’s not all…. We’re having a baby.”

Their mother gasped and put a hand to her throat. Shock, a hint of disapproval, and excitement warred with each other on her features for a moment before social convention won out. “Oh my goodness,” she managed. “That’s wonderful news, if a little unexpected.”

“It was a little unexpected for us too,” Caspar replied, obviously having decided honesty was the best policy. “I know it’s rather sudden. But we couldn’t be happier about it.”

“Congratulations,” Alec’s father said. His expression didn’t give much away as he addressed Serena. “Welcome to the family.”