A Different Class - 15

Chapter 15

An hour later his alarm woke them up.

“Come on sleepy!" Rebecca threw the duvet back. "As much as I can’t wait to be put down by your father, we really do have to get going! We've got an hour!” 

Nate was shaving in the bathroom wearing just a pair of snug black boxer shorts when she stood in the doorway, her copper hair piled up onto her head, the lavender dress - a perfect fit was snug around her breasts, but floated all the way to the floor in light layers, her heeled sandals were the exact same shade of purple. She stood in the doorway, 

“Aren’t I supposed to be the one spending hours in the mirror?”

He turned mid razor stroke at her voice and his mouth dropped open. 

“Wow!” he looked her up and down several times before dropping the razor in the sink and pulling her into his arms, his excitement evident. As he stooped to kiss her she ducked away.

“Oh no! I am not getting covered in foam. You'll ruin my make up AND my dress. Get ready and get downstairs! We have a party to go to!”

She was drinking a cold glass of wine when he finally made his way down the stairs. His blonde hair was neatly brushed, his face clean shaven, his white shirt and bow tie crisp, his tuxedo well fitting. 

“Aren’t you just the dapper man?” Though that was an understatement. He looked devastating.

He laughed, “we’re a damn good pair!”

They drank the wine together, then began the short stroll to the house. Sullivan opened the door to them and he voiced a subtle approval of their appearance as he stepped back to let them in.

With a squeeze of her hand, Nate looked down at Rebecca, smiled, then led her into the full ballroom. Probably a hundred people of various ages milled around the room. 

“Nathaniel!” instantly an older man came rushing over to them. “I don’t think I’ve seen you since this bash last year. How the devil are you? And who is this delicious young thing?”

“Jerry!” he shook hands. “I don’t get out this way very often, you know how banking is! This is Rebecca Taylor, Becca, this is Jerry Sable, the family lawyer.”

The two shook hands as the older man obviously racked his brain to place the name and face, Nate expertly directed her away as the penny and Jerry’s mouth dropped simultaneously. He took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Bec. 

“He won’t be the only one to act that way!” she announced a little concerned as she accepted the delicate flute of champagne.

He shrugged, “do I look concerned? I am happy that you are with me, that’s the most important thing!”

“Natty?...Natty?” another voice almost shouted across the room, and they both turned to come face to face with a girl, not much younger than Bec, with a ruddy outdoorsy complexion, and rather limp mousy hair. She threw herself into Nate’s arms, “stranger! How are you? We’ve all missed you.”

“Cheers Lizzie. How are you?” he unwrapped the woman, who Bec deduced was his sister from around his neck. “Lizzie, this is Becca.”

As Lizzie turned excitedly to meet her brothers’ partner she froze, instantly recognising Bec. “Is this a joke Natty? Are you trying to wind Daddy up?”

Nate shook his head, “not at all. We are here together, and I’d appreciate a little civility.”

She was introduced to several more people before the gong was sounded for dinner, and it was all a little less stressful than she had really imagined. Nate led her through to the dining room, and to a large table to the left of the room.

There were several people already sat at the table, and Nate introduced her to Michael an old family friend and his wife Sara, Sebastian, his cousin and Emily his fiancée, and then Henry, the other twin, a rather unassuming looking boy who like his sister had lost out in the looks department to Nate. Lizzie was also there, giggling with her friends. Despite the friendliness of the two older couples, she was ignoring the twins and their rather childish and giggly friends, Rebecca sat quietly staring around the room at the upper end of country society, and suddenly she felt way out of her depth.

The room was all that she imagined, from the velvet drapes that hung from the high ceiling, to the highly polished oak floor. There were at least fifteen large circular tables, all full by the time she'd relaxed into her seat. Everyone was immaculately turned out in either a dinner suit or floor length dress, if she wasn't so out of her depth Rebecca knew she'd have admired a lot more of the decorations and clothing. 

At that moment, Bec's gaze locked onto a very familiar pair of eyes, Sir Edward. For a moment Rebecca could see a look of puzzlement on his face as he tried to place her. Then his mouth dropped open and he struggled to control the shock sweeping across his face. She'd never seen a man turn such a gross shade of puce, if it wasn't for her knowledge that he was fit and well, she'd have been tempted to call an ambulance. Nate sensed her tense and he followed her eyes to see a glimpse of a thunderous look on his father’s face.

A hand squeezed her thigh, “It'll be ok. I promise!”

Rebecca looked up at him and smiled, "yeah right! Lamb and slaughter come to mind!" Bec didn't share Nate's confidence that her father was a human being underneath, and she was suddenly really nervous.

They ate the elaborate meal of asparagus soup, butternut squash risotto and game pie quietly, Sebastian and Michael were obviously close to Nate and she enjoyed observing the banter between them. It wasn't until coffee and dessert were being distributed that Sir Edward got the attention of the room by tapping his glass and standing at the centre of the dance floor. He smiled around the room before beginning to talk.

“As usual I am eternally thankful to you all for attending this very prestigious event. As you are all aware the local hospice has been identified as the charity of this year's Wiseworth Hunt. And this is the official launch of the new fundraising year.

“Last year saw an unprecedented total of £250,000 raised for Greyhound rescue, and everyone contributed to that total. Me included." That raised a few laughs, and Nate squeezed her hand, both apprehensive at where Sir Ed may take this speech. "Not that I intend to put myself through that sort of torture again, not even for charity. I mean as if it’s not bad enough being cooped up in a home the size of a stable, I had to endure the drinking of pints, mess...give me the Young Farmers induction any day, they are at least hygienic.” 

He glanced across at her very briefly, “I find it all rather uncouth and distasteful, so I’m hoping that some of the other big players out there will stoop equally as low in the name of charity!” 

Bec flushed from the neck up as Nate leaned across, “don’t bite please Bec, not like that.”

She turned to him and hissed, “he’s trying to humiliate me, and everyone in this room knows that!”

“Oh my!” she heard fake surprise in the voice of Sir Edward and felt a waft of fear and dread sweep over her. “As if by magic – the perpetrator of my torture and my new nemesis appears in front of me! I suppose it’s only fair that she has the chance to sample hospitality in the opposite direction. Ladies and gentlemen, sat there is Miss Rebecca Taylor!” He gestured to her and the whole room turned to stare. 

Nate was furious, leaning close, “do you want to leave?”

She shook her head, “I’m better than that!”

“So,” Sir Edward continued, directing everyone's attention back to poor Rebecca. “How are you finding things? Do you want a bucket to drink your champagne? If some people would like to start throwing food then I’m sure you’ll start to feel at home.”

It was then she saw red, she stood slowly, aware of a hundred and fifty sets of eyes focusing on her, “Sir Edward," She smiled briefly to the room, before turning back to him, "let me assure you that the few weeks that I had you share my home were the worst weeks I have experienced in a long time. A homeless man with nothing would show more gratitude, more graciousness then you possess in your little finger. You may feel that my standard of living is not up to yours,” she gestured around the room, “to this. But let me just say one thing, your manners and behaviour were below what I expect from a child, and whilst the materialistic advantages you have in your world can be bought by anyone for the same price, manners, gratitude and politeness are innate qualities, developed in childhood, and no amount of money can buy that.” The whole room was silent as everyone looked at her, Sir Edward looked redder than she’d ever seen him.

“But as I am trying to say Sir Edward I am not about to start bad mouthing you whilst I am a guest in your home, and what a beautiful home it is too.” With a beaming smile and a slight curtsey, she sat back into her seat.

A few isolated claps met the end of her speech, but the thunderous glances that they received from the top table squashed them straight away. As the Hunt Secretary started to sum up the years activities, and return some form of order to the room, Nate leaned across to her, kissed her cheek and smiled, “I could not have put it better myself, aren’t you glad you didn’t burst into the press conference now and antagonise things then? This was the perfect put down darling.” 

She turned to him and touched his cheek, with long fingers that still shook from the earlier adrenaline rush, “if you hadn’t I wouldn’t be here now. And whilst the location isn’t my ideal, the immediate company is second to none!”

He smiled, his whole face lighting up, “I’m so glad that it happened then!”

As soon as the formal part of the evening came to an end everyone started to mill in to the ballroom for dancing. “Fresh air?” he asked.

She shrugged, “whilst I’m the centre of attention shall we dance? In for a penny, in for a pound?”

Smiling at her with pride and admiration, he led her to the centre of the ballroom, usually the committee started the evenings dancing, but flouting all tradition, he pulled her with him onto the dance floor, ignoring the glares from so many faces.

Rebecca had learnt to dance as a child, so she was adapt at waltzing much to Nate’s amazement. “Is there no end to your talent?”

She was still laughing when Sir Edward approached them, “son, may I have this dance?”

Nate looked at her and when she nodded he stepped back, adding, "be nice or you'll regret it!" to his father.

Sir Edward pulled her into his arms and moved her expertly around the dance floor in silence for a few moments before he started with the expected tirade of abuse.

“That was some speech earlier Miss Taylor!”

She shrugged, “you have been very unfair Sir Edward, and have tried to humiliate me. And that was unjust and rude.”

He scoffed for a moment then glared at her, “Well you have more than made up for that tonight. As if ensnaring my son is not enough you had to make that little speech.” He was not a good looking man, and after meeting the family, Rebecca was wondering where on earth Nathaniel Groves had come from. Sir Ed had a bulbous red nose, which appeared to be a physical sign of his overindulgence of fine wine or brandy, and tiny beady eyes, as he became more angry, his face contorted into a grizzly mask and instead of fear, she found the whole situation ridiculous.

She fought the instinctive smile that threatened her lips, “I had no intention of saying anything, but I do feel that if you are going to throw insults then I should have the right to reply. It’s only common courtesy. I have not said anything that isn't true...unlike you.”

Frustration inflamed him and he snarled through clenched teeth, “you have no right to be here, and no right to speak, do you hear me? You can have your free dinner and you can drink your body weight of MY champagne, but you will NOT get your claws into my son. Our worlds WILL not cross again.”

She refused to respond, she knew she didn't see Nate as a Golden Ticket to a better life, she was falling in love with a man who, when stripped of his family and friend connected with her on a cerebral level, a sexual level and a friendship level. 

As the music ended, she stepped back and nodded to the older man, “thank you for the dance Sir Edward.”

For the next half an hour, Rebecca didn't leave Nate’s arm, not feeling brave enough to venture too far. The only time she did was to visit the bathroom. As she emerged, she saw Sullivan hovering. 

“Are you okay Miss Taylor?”

She smiled at the older man, “I am thank you!”

He nodded back, “can I just tell you what a concise and elegant speech you made earlier.” He leaned close ti whisper, "the staff were...delighted that someone voiced their concerns!"

She laughed, “I’m glad there are people here with common sense!”

"And manners!" he added with an almost ridiculous giggle of laughter!

Rebecca was still smiling when she wandered back into the ballroom, she couldn’t see Nate anyway, but she felt more in control now that she'd stood up to the bully that was Sir Ed. Though that didn't mean she didn't need Nate at her side. Moving into the dining room she groaned, there was still no sign of him, as she turned to retreat back to the ballroom, she froze as she heard voices.

“Such a cheek Lizzie, your family must be devastated!” The comment was met with a round of sympathetic groans.

“Oh yah!” added another voice with a ridiculously overpronunciation of every phoneme, “except your brother, but then as my mama always says, generations of our families have had common whores for fun, one just does not marry them.”

Rebecca recognised the chuckle of Lizzie before a male voice added.

“She has got a fantastic pair of breasts though, so I don’t blame Nathaniel for his little dalliance!”

The first voice added, “I bet she thinks she’s got a share of this house! Gosh your Daddy will have to sort out the terms of his will!”

Lizzie chuckled, “as if Nate would marry a woman who drinks beer! It is all just a joke, he likes to push Daddy, stress him out. That is all this is.”

Taking a deep breath Bec stepped into the room and the group of five all stopped. Lizzie blushed, but her two friends, both of whom shared the ruddy complexion with Lizzie, scowled.

“What are you doing creeping around?” it was the first voice she'd heard.

Bec looked at her, and almost gasped, she had a dreadful chiffon dress that seemed to be one large bow, huge skirts and huge puffed sleeves, but it wasn't the dress that captured her...attention, it was the huge set of front teeth that the girl possessed,  she could barely acknowledge her eyes, “excuse me?”

“Don’t you know it’s rude to eavesdrop?” this was the second girl, a dark haired small girl, wearing a matching scowl.

Rebecca shook her head in confusion, looking between the five people, “what is it with you so called upper class and your lack of manners?”

With a brief look of disgust, she turned on her heel to dramatically leave the room, and bumped into a hard chest a few inches behind her - Nat.

He was furious, frown lines burrowed deeply between his eye brows and his jaw clenched as he tried to control his anger. It was only then she noticed the five others had become silent, “You may be feeling gracious Bec, but I’m not. Lizzie," he held up a hand to silence her as she started to protest, "don’t get me started. Rebecca is MY guest in this house, and I will NOT have you being so rude. This family has embarrassed me enough already. I suggest you take your friends here and get out of my sight, because I am about to lose my patience. And you know what that means!”

Once they’d left in a very dramatic fashion, he pulled her into his arms, “I think we need to get out of here darling. I had no idea things would be this bad.”

She shrugged, “threatened by your dad, made fun of by your sister. What else could a girl ask for?”

Nate froze, “my dad?” He asked quietly, anger disappearing to be replaced by concern, fear even.

“You didn’t think he really wanted to dance with me did you?” She reached up to cup his cheek, "but it's ok, I promised I wasn't gold digging!" She tried to make a joke but it plummeted like a lead balloon.

“That is it Becca, we are leaving. I am going to hide in my shame and embarrassment.” Turning, he directed her through the ballroom, his eyes challenging everyone who looked at them.

In the hallway he found her wrap and laid it around her shoulders as Sullivan emerged from a door to the left.

“Thanks Sullivan as always you were correct, she needed rescuing!”

Bec smiled at her ally, as he handed them a large chiller bag.

“Some champagne and supper Sir, seems a shame to miss out.”

Nate smiled appreciatively, “thank you Sullivan, could you inform my father we’ve left and we’ll be leaving early in the morning.”

He nodded, “very good sir. You shall be missed. I’ll arrange breakfast for eight o’clock?”