London Loves - Book 3 - Love's Great Adventure Series Read online

  “My head’s swimming in a sea of confusion,” Tess said wearily as they sat down for a late lunch at Harrods.

  “I know, but we said we were going to make the decision today.”

  “We will,” she agreed. “Can we start by eliminating any properties?”

  “We should knock out the two in Camden Town. I don’t feel completely safe there. I’d be worried about you and Mattie.”

  “I liked the two near Regent’s Park. We can take Mattie there to play and it’s near the zoo,” Tess explained.

  “I liked them, but the prices—two hundred thousand pounds. Are you okay with spending that much? They are smaller than the condo we have back home.”

  “I know. You warned me about that, but it was still shocking to see. The kitchen was so tiny—and that mini-refrigerator. Are you going to be happy cooking there?”

  “I can just go to the market every day and buy fresh food to prepare our meals.”

  Tess looked back and forth between the two photos of the properties. “I guess it all comes down to the garden. If we take the first floor unit, we gain outdoor space. If we take the third floor unit, we get the view.”

  “You decide. I like them both,” Sebastian said, taking her hand.

  “It’s so much money.”

  “I’m twenty-five now. The money Nanny left is ours. We can afford it, and I’m sure the prices will only swell as time goes on. It’s a good investment, Tess.”

  “Let’s go with the ground floor unit with the garden.”

  “Excellent—I’ll ring Mr. Hume in the morning and we can stop by the agent’s office to let him know our decision before we head home.” Penny and Mattie walked over to their table. They were carrying shopping bags from various stores. “Well, what have we here?” Sebastian said, picking Mattie up and setting her on his lap.

  “We had a brilliant day,” Penny said, taking a seat at the table.

  “Were you on your best behavior for Aunt Penny?” Tess asked.

  “Yes, Mummy.”

  “And did you find Paddington Bear today?” Sebastian asked his daughter.

  “Not the real one,” she replied with a frown. “Only stuffed animals.”

  Sebastian wasn’t exactly sure how to respond to that, so he asked another question. “And what did you buy at Hamley’s?” It was the local upscale toy store on Regent Street.

  Mattie’s face lit up and she grabbed for the bag that Penny had set on the floor. Reaching inside, she pulled out a twelve-inch Steiff teddy bear. “Look, Daddy. He’s the baby brother of Charles!”

  The mohair bear did resemble Sebastian’s own teddy bear. “He certainly does look like Charles. Do you think he’ll like having a little brother after all this time?”

  “I’m sure he’ll love it!”

  “What did you name him, Mattie?” Tess asked.

  “I’ll call him Bas.”

  “You’re naming the bear after me?” Sebastian asked.

  “Mummy calls you Bas all the time and she loves you,” Mattie replied. “I love you, too.” She reached up and kissed him on the cheek.

  Sebastian shook his head. Mattie was too observant and smart for her own good. She definitely took after Tess in that regard. “Well, you know, Charles has been an ‘only bear’ for many years. I’m not so sure he’ll take kindly to a sibling.”

  Penny tried to conceal her smile as she watched the two interact. She leaned over and whispered to Tess, “I think that is the most adorable thing I have ever seen. If you would have told me this is how Sebastian’s life would have ended up ten years ago, I would have said you were mental.”

  Tess watched Bas and Mattie as they carried on a conversation about two stuffed animals. This was her family and her life couldn’t be better.

  Chapter 3 - No Place Like Home

  Three weeks later, most of their belongings were packed in a freight container and sailing across the Atlantic toward their new home in London. They decided to keep the condo and not sublet it. If Tess or Sebastian had to travel back and forth for business, they would need a place to stay. The fact that Henry and Alice lived in the same building also gave them peace of mind that the property would be looked after.

  Sebastian spent the last morning in New Jersey sipping his coffee while staring out over the Hudson River. Tess walked up behind him and placed her arm around his waist. “What has you so deep in thought?” she asked.

  “I was just remembering the first time we stood in this spot and talked about our future. So much has happened in five years.”

  “Ready for the next step in our life together?”

  Sebastian looked down at his wife and smiled. “Yes, I’m excited. I’m also sad because I didn’t think I would become so attached to this place. I’m glad we’re keeping the condo. It will be comforting to know it’s here waiting for us to return.”

  “That’s very sentimental of you, Bas.”

  Just then Mattie came running into the room. “Is it time yet?” she asked with excitement, leaning up against Tess' leg.

  “Yes, today is the day,” Tess confirmed.

  “Yippee!” Mattie exclaimed, jumping up and down.

  “Come and get dressed. Uncle Henry and Aunt Alice will be here to take us to the airport soon,” Tess explained as they walked to Mattie’s bedroom.

  Sebastian smiled to himself—his two girls, giddy with excitement about their new adventure. He was happy he could give them this life, but even more happy that they were his family.

  There was a knock at the front door. “It’s open,” Sebastian called out as he washed his coffee mug in the sink.

  Henry and Alice entered the condo. “Good morning. All set to go?” Henry asked.

  “Just waiting on Mattie to get dressed.”

  Mattie came walking out of her bedroom, holding her teddy bear. She made a beeline for Henry, who scooped her up in his arms and gave her a hug. “I’m going to miss you,” he told the little girl.

  “You’ll just have to come and visit us, Uncle Henry.”

  “Yes, please say you’ll come and visit once we get settle in,” Tess agreed.

  “We’ve never been out of the country,” Alice revealed. “We can’t wait to come and visit.”

  “But when?” Mattie impatiently asked.

  “As soon as we get our passports, okay?” Henry explained.

  “Okay, let’s go!”

  “Henry, can you take Mattie to the car and give Tess and me a moment alone?” Sebastian inquired.

  Henry nodded while Alice grabbed Mattie’s carry-on. They left the condo, giving Tess and Sebastian some privacy.

  Sebastian walked over to Tess and took her in his arms. She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with excitement. He leaned in and kissed her. “I love you, Tess.” He grabbed the last carry-on bag and took her hand in his.

  “Thank you for doing this for us, Bas.”

  “Anything for my girls.”

  They locked up the condo and took the elevator to the garage, where Henry waited to drive them to the airport.

  Mattie was becoming an old pro at international travel at the ripe old age of four. Sebastian marveled at her resilience. She was completely unfazed by crowds, long queues of people, and changes in time zones. He was so proud of his little girl.

  They followed the same routine as three weeks earlier and took a cab into Kensington. They were staying with Penny again until Sebastian and Tess could get their flat unpacked and safe for Mattie.

  “Why can’t we live with Aunt Penny?” Mattie asked Sebastian in the cab.

  “Because, it’s not polite to be a permanent house guest.”

  “But she doesn’t work. She likes the company,” Mattie announced.

  “Oh, really, did she tell you that?”

  “Yes.”

  “But we have a wonderful flat with a nice garden you can play in. Not to mention, we’re near Regent’s Park and the zoo.”

  “I think Aunt Penny is lonely. We should find her a boyfriend,�
� Mattie thoughtfully added.

  Sebastian looked to Tess in exasperation. He had no clue how to stop her barrage of questions.

  “What type of boyfriend do you think Penny would like?” Tess questioned.

  Sebastian rolled his eyes. He wanted Tess’ help to squelch the inquiry, not encourage it.

  “He should be rich and like to shop,” Mattie explained.

  “Well, London is full of bachelors, I’m sure we can find her a few candidates.”

  “What’s a candidate?” Mattie asked.

  Sebastian chuckled. “Yes, Mummy. What’s a candidate?”

  “A man who would like to be Penny’s boyfriend,” Tess replied, not missing a beat.

  “When can we start looking?”

  “As soon as we are unpacked and moved into the flat.”

  The next day, Sebastian took the call from the movers. Placing the receiver back on the phone, he said, “They’re delivering the container at one o’clock today.”

  “Right on schedule. If we start with the bedrooms, we can stay in our own place tonight,” Tess said, excited by the prospect. “Do you think Penny will mind watching Mattie today?”

  “Considering they’re upstairs going through Penny’s closet right now, I don’t think that will be a problem.”

  “We should go check on her,” Tess suggested.

  They walked up the staircase and down the hall toward Penny’s room. The door was open and Sebastian and Tess stopped to watch what was happening inside. Penny had pulled several dresses out of the closet and spread them out on the bed. A half dozen pairs of designer shoes where neatly stacked on the floor. Mattie sat on the floor looking over the contents of Penny’s jewelry box.

  “What are you two doing?” Sebastian questioned as he walked into the room.

  Mattie stood up from the floor and rushed to Sebastian’s side. “I’m helping Aunt Penny pick out a dress for the ball.”

  “So what did you decide?” Tess asked.

  Mattie walked over to the black silk Chanel evening gown and pointed to her choice.

  “She has great taste,” Penny agreed. “We’re going with the Chanel. Thank you for your help, Mattie.”

  “You’re welcome. You should wear these shoes,” she added, picking up a pair of leather pumps decorated with crystals. She walked back over to her father and said, “Daddy, can you buy me a Chanel dress?”

  “Darling, you’re four years old. Where are you going to wear it? You have to wear a uniform for school in the fall and your mother and I won’t be throwing dinner parties anytime soon.”

  She gave a pout and it tugged at Sebastian’s heart.

  “I’ll tell you what: when you’re sixteen, I’ll buy you Chanel.” Then he added an additional caveat: “As long as you keep your grades up.”

  “Well, that shouldn’t be a problem since she takes after me. He didn’t buy me my first Chanel until I was eighteen,” Tess said in mock horror.

  Sebastian laughed. “That’s not fair, Tess. I didn’t know you when you were sixteen.”

  “I want to see your Chanel!” Mattie exclaimed. “Can I try it on?”

  “Once we unpack, you can try it on,” Tess agreed.

  “Penny, the movers are arriving today. Do you mind watching Mattie until we can get her bedroom sorted out?”

  “No problem. She’s a joy to have around.”

  “Can we have tea at Harrods?” Mattie asked.

  “Yes, that’s an excellent idea. You’ve been a huge help to me today, Mattie.”

  “It’s settled then. Give us hug,” Sebastian said, kneeling down in front of his daughter.

  “Do you want to ring me when you’re ready for Mattie?”

  “Yes, that sounds perfect. Thanks, Penny.”

  Mattie opened the door to their new flat and raced inside. Sebastian and Tess were bent over boxes, unpacking the kitchen. “Hi, Daddy,” she said jumping onto Sebastian’s back. He teetered a moment, thrown off balance, but steadied himself to prevent falling over.

  “Whoa, what’s this all about?” he asked, laughing.

  Penny followed behind, setting her purse on the counter. “How are you making out?”

  “Mattie, your room is unpacked. Do you want to see it?” Tess asked.

  She furiously nodded her head up and down and reached for her mom’s hand. The two of them disappeared from the kitchen, leaving Sebastian and Penny alone. “I hope she wasn’t too much trouble for you.”

  “I adore her, Sebastian. I still can’t believe you have a child.”

  “Marrying Tess and having Mattie was the best decisions I ever made. You should try it,” he said as his lip curled upwards into a grin.

  “Yes, but there is only one problem: in order to get married, I need a boyfriend first.” Penny sat at the kitchen table, looking sad and dejected. “Don’t suppose you know anyone you’d like to introduce me to?”

  “Considering I just moved back, give me a few weeks.”

  “I’m not getting any younger. I really do think I’d like to settle down and have children.”

  “You can borrow my precocious four-year-old anytime you’d like,” Sebastian offered.

  “I’ll take you up on that.” Penny rose from the chair and kissed Sebastian on the cheek. “I’d best be getting home to prepare for the charity gala. Let me say goodbye to Tess and Mattie.”

  They walked down the hallway and entered Mattie’s room to find Tess and Mattie sitting on the bed talking.

  “So what do you think of your new room?” Sebastian asked. The room was a simple square shape. They’d furnished it will a twin-sized bed, a wardrobe, a toy chest, and Mattie’s rocking chair. The walls were painted pale pink.

  “I love it!”

  “I have to get ready for the ball, Mattie. I’ll see you later, all right?”

  “Can you take pictures, so I can see them later?”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Maybe you’ll meet a prince and get married.”

  Penny gave Sebastian a wary glance. Marrying a prince wasn’t in the cards for Penny, she’d had her chance years ago, but it wasn’t meant to be. She smiled at Mattie and gave her hug. “You never know what the future holds.”

  After Mattie was tucked into bed and sleeping, Sebastian and Tess opened a bottle wine and crashed on the sofa, surrounded by boxes. “I’m exhausted,” Tess began. “Thank goodness I have the weekend off before I start work on Monday. Do you think we’ll be able to finish unpacking by then?”

  “Of course we will. Once I take the boxes out of the house, it will look much better.”

  “I’m so glad Mattie likes her room.”

  Sebastian sipped his wine. “She’s just like you—taking it all in stride. I can’t believe we’re actually here. I never would have guessed we’d end up living in London.”

  “You say it like you’re unsure of our decision,” Tess said with concern.

  “No, I’m happy to make the move. It was just an unexpected surprise, that’s all,” he explained. “I can still work for Fiona. I get to see Penny and Sigourney. I was even thinking about finding my father.”

  “We’re here now. There’s nothing to stop you. Maybe you can contact Max and Victoria and they’d be willing to tell you what they remember about him,” Tess suggested. “Do you think they’d talk to you? How much influence does Lily really have over them?”

  Sebastian shrugged. “I haven’t talked to them in years. It’s not a bad idea. Maybe they can tell me something to give the private investigator a place to start his search—once I hire an investigator. I’ll talk to Sigourney later. Right now, I need to make sure we’re settled in.”

  Tess leaned into Sebastian and hugged him. “I have a good feeling about this. I think something amazing is going to happen.”

  Sebastian kissed the top of her head. “I hope you’re right.”

  Chapter 4 - The World Where You Live

  The flat was unpacked and looking neat and organized. Sebastian and Mattie
had sent Tess off to work with a kiss—now all he had to do was entertain a four-year-old. That probably wouldn’t be hard, since they were living in the cultural center of England.

  Sebastian guided Mattie through the rooms at the Tate Gallery, holding her small, delicate hand in his. Something caught her eye and she pulled her father toward the painting.

  She looked up to him and said, “Pick me up, Daddy. I want to see better.”

  Sebastian obliged, lifting her up and cradling her in his arms. “You’re getting too big, Mattie.” He smiled, secretly delighted that she still loved to be held by him.

  She studied the painting of several women walking down a curved stone staircase, playing musical instruments. They were wearing thin, gossamer tunics and their red spirals of hair were elegantly coiffed atop their heads. “I like this one. It’s pretty. Who made it?”

  “This painting is by Sir Edward Burne-Jones. It was painted in 1880.”

  “Wow, that’s old.”

  “Yes, it is,” Sebastian agreed. “What do you like about the painting?” he quizzed his daughter.

  “They look like angels, Daddy.”

  “Do you notice how they all have the same face?”

  Mattie nodded. “Why is that, Daddy?”

  “Well, you see, the woman who posed for the painter was his muse.”

  “What’s a muse?” the child asked.

  “A muse is someone who inspires you to create beautiful things,” Sebastian explained. “The painter was so inspired by this woman, he made all the ladies in the painting look just like her.”

  “Was he married to her?”

  Sebastian chuckled. How on earth did this little one come up with these questions? “No, he wasn’t married to her.” He didn’t have the heart to tell her the muse was the artist’s mistress—nor did he want to explain to his four-year-old what a mistress was.

  “Was he in love with her?” Mattie countered.