The Second Son Read online

  “As your oldest friends, we are here to point out your folly and guide you,” said Hugo.

  “But…” said Jonathan.

  “If you are determined to carry on this foolish path…” said Hugo.

  “Then we can only make sure you arrive on time and stand by your side for this madness,” said Jonathan, which made them all laugh.

  The little church of Hampton was full. Organ music was softly playing in the background and a low audible murmur could be heard around the seated guests. Grenville turned and smiled at his parents and Grace sitting in the front row. They all smiled back.

  “Still not nervous?” whispered Jonathan in Grenville’s ear.

  “Not,” replied Grenville, turning and smiling at Jonathan.

  “Still not too late to do a runner,” said Hugo quietly, smiling. Just as Grenville was about to reply, the Wedding March started and the doors at the bottom of the church opened and in stepped Sara’s three bridesmaids: Carole as the maid of honour, and Sara’s two small cousins. All three walked slowly to the altar. Grenville looked over them to see Sara and her mother coming towards them. Sara was dressed in a beautiful flowing white gown with her veil covering her face.

  At the altar, the three bridesmaids stood to one side. Grenville smiled at Carole, who winked at him, just before Sara arrived with her mother. Sara had insisted her mother walked her down the aisle. Grenville, Hugo and Jonathan all took in a breath. Grenville had a tear in his eye as he looked at Sara; he knew he would always remember this moment, as Sara looked so beautiful. Grenville smiled to himself. He knew all brides were meant to look beautiful on their wedding day but to him Sara looked sensational.

  The wedding went without a hitch and to Grenville it was over too fast for him; he wished it could have lasted longer. Back at the reception, the speeches were received with loud clapping and cheering, especially Jonathan’s best man speech, which Hugo had agreed he should do as he was after all the better advocate for speaking. Hugo did have a slight hand in the writing of Jonathan’s speech; it was full of humour and love for Grenville and Sara.

  Once Jonathan finished, Grenville stood to a round of applause. “Thank you everyone for attending our wedding, and on behalf of my wife and myself, we thank you.” Grenville had tears in his eyes and was tongue tied.

  Sara stood and took Grenville’s hand, smiled, and said, “We both thank you all,” which brought on the loudest round of applause of the afternoon.

  Later that evening the Duke and Duchess were sitting together having a quiet time, as the disco in the ball room was in full swing, and the music “far too loud” as the Duke put it.

  “It’s lovely to have the house full of laughter again,” said Sofia.

  “Totally agree, my love,” replied James. “Been too long without it,” he continued.

  “It has been a wonderful day,” said Sofia.

  “One for the record books,” replied James, smiling.

  “Remember our wedding day, James?” asked Sofia, smiling.

  “Like it was yesterday, my darling,” replied James, also smiling.

  “If I remember rightly, your father said the exact same about our music,” said Sofia, laughing.

  James cocked his head and heard the music change to a slow number. James stood and taking Sofia’s hand said, “May I have this dance, my lady?”

  “How gallant,” said Sofia. Standing and taking James’ arm, they walked towards the soft music and flashing lights.

  Grenville found Jonathan and Hugo deep in a drunken discussion. Smiling, Grenville sat down just as Jonathan poured him a glass of champagne. Holding up the glass, Grenville said, “Gentlemen, as always you have done me proud.” Jonathan and Hugo held up their glasses and all three emptied them in one quick swig. As they banged them back on the table, all three started to laugh. “So which one of you reprobates is next?” said Grenville. Both Jonathan and Hugo violently shook their heads.

  “Never,” said Jonathan.

  “Nor me,” said a slurring Hugo.

  “Carole looked lovely today,” said Grenville quietly.

  “She is an angel,” said a nodding Hugo.

  Grenville slapped Hugo on his back and said, “Don’t worry old man, she will let you know when you are to ask her.” Hugo placed his head in his hands, as Jonathan and Grenville started to laugh.

  Grenville opened his eyes as the pilot came over the intercom to inform them they were ready to descend into Grand Bahamas International Airport, and could everyone fasten their seat belts and place their tray in the upright position. Grenville felt Sara squeeze his hand. Turning, and opening his eyes he met a smiling Sara.

  “Hi, sleepy head,” said Sara.

  “That went fast,” said Grenville, still feeling sleepy.

  Sara laughed. “You’ve been asleep for the last eight hours.”

  “Well, I have had a couple of busy days,” said Grenville, smiling.

  “You sure have,” said Sara, smiling back.

  Sara and Grenville sat on the hotel veranda watching the sun dip over the horizon. “This is the life,” said Grenville.

  “It’s lovely,” replied Sara.

  Just then they heard a voice from behind say, “Move and you will die, I want your wallet.” Sara reached for Grenville’s hand and went rigid. Sara turned to see Grenville who was smiling. Sara was shocked that Grenville was remaining so calm over the threat from behind them.

  Then to Sara’s surprise, Grenville started to laugh and said, “Hope you’ve got a good escape plan.” Sara heard a laugh from behind her. Grenville turned and his eyes met a smiling Tom. Standing, Tom and Grenville embraced and were still laughing when Sara turned around to face them both. “What in the hell are you doing here?” asked Grenville.

  “Missed the wedding, heard you were here on honeymoon so thought I would come and congratulate you in person,” Tom replied.

  “Tom, this is Sara, my wife,” said Grenville, pointing to Sara.

  “Lovely to finally meet you, Sara,” said Tom, smiling.

  “Sorry, still in a bit of a shock,” replied Sara.

  “Sorry about that, but wanted to make sure old Duke here was still on the ball.”

  “That I am,” replied a laughing Grenville.

  Sara held out her hand to Tom. Tom smiled and said, “Come here and give us a hug.” Afterwards, holding Sara at arm’s length, Tom said, “You are a very beautiful lady, too good for this rogue.”

  “Thank you, Tom,” replied Sara, smiling.

  “Drinks, I think,” said Grenville. Once the drinks had arrived, Grenville said, “What a lovely surprise this is, Tom.”

  “Well, I could not let my best friend get married and not congratulate him in person, could I? Emails are so impersonal,” said Tom.

  “Well I must say, this has made my week,” replied a smiling Grenville. Sara watched Tom and Grenville interact and realised that they were very close, more like brothers than friends, Sara sat smiling at them both as they chatted and laughed together. “Sorry to ask,” said Grenville, “but how long you here for?”

  “Only the night,” replied Tom, “got a job to do in Belize.” Tom did not elaborate nor did Grenville ask.

  Grenville turned to Sara and said, “I do apologise, my love, if we talk shop.”

  “Don’t be silly, I understand,” said a smiling Sara, “in fact I am going to leave you boys to it and go and have a long relaxing hot bath.”

  “Please don’t go on my account,” said Tom, smiling.

  “It’s OK Tom, I have the next two weeks with Grenville, you only have tonight and have a lot of catching up to do so your time is short.”

  Tom hugged Sara and said, “Thank you, Sara.”

  Sara gave Grenville a hug and whispered, “Take all the time you need, my love.”

  “Love you,” replied Grenville.

  Tom and Grenville watched Sara depart, and after she had left Tom said, “She is lovely and understanding, Duke, where did you find her?”

>   “Remember my brother Stephan’s fiancée,” replied Grenville.

  “No way, really,” said Tom laughing.

  “Yes, strange how life takes you down a certain path,” said Grenville.

  “I will drink to that,” said Tom, raising his glass and toasting a smiling Grenville.

  “So down to business,” said Grenville seriously. “S&T Imports are now fully operational,” said Grenville, smiling at Tom.

  “Never doubted you for one minute, Duke,” Tom replied, holding up his glass and taking a swig of his drink.

  Grenville continued, “I have a really good team about me and for obvious reasons, only Sara knows the real reason for S& T Imports.”

  “Really,” said Tom.

  “Yes of course, strictly family,” said a smiling Grenville.

  “Drink to that,” said Tom, smiling.

  “Well, we have a pretty impressive set up, and to not rouse suspicion every contract big or small I have insisted on a full profile on the client, for our records of course,” said Grenville, taking a sip of his drink.

  “Of course,” replied Tom, laughing.

  “So, if I pass a name, everyone will think it’s a new potential client,” said Grenville.

  “Most impressive, my old mate,” said Tom smiling. “How is my mother?” Tom asked.

  “Wonderful, she loves her new retirement home, and when we can Sara and I visit, plus my mother does as well; the Duchess and your mother have become quite good friends,” said a smiling Grenville.

  Tom threw back his head and laughed, “My mother and a Duchess good friends, who would have thought it? But seriously, Duke, thank you for looking out for her,” said Tom quietly.

  “My pleasure old man, she is family after all,” smiled Grenville. Grenville stared at Tom and smiled. “So, you got a name for me?” asked Grenville.

  Tom eventually took an old folded piece of paper from his pocket and passed it to Grenville. Grenville looked at Tom. “Yes, the same piece of paper I originally gave to Max still with his blood on, and the one the police found on his body,” said Tom, reading Grenville’s mind. “I did say years ago, I would only give you this when I thought you were ready,” smiled Tom. Grenville read the name on the paper, then passed it back to Tom, who placed it over the flame of the candle on the table. The paper quickly caught fire and turned to ash, and Tom used his finger to crush the remains of the ash.

  Smiling, Grenville said, “To the continuing quest.”

  Tom raised his glass and said, “To justice.”

  Grenville said, “Will have the information as soon as I can, old bean.”

  Raising his glass and saluting Grenville, a smiling Tom said, “I have every faith in you, Duke,” which made them both start to laugh again. After a few hours of chatting Tom said, “Well, better make a move if I am going to catch my flight.”

  “So, quick,” said a despondent Grenville.

  Tom started to laugh. “You are on your honeymoon, enjoy yourself,” said a laughing Tom.

  “Come here and give us a hug, then,” said Grenville, standing up with his arms open.

  Tom stood and they embraced. “Take care Duke, and look after that beautiful wife of yours,” Tom whispered into Grenville’s ear.

  “You too, you old Pirate,” replied Grenville. Moving apart, Tom and Grenville had tears in their eyes.

  “See you soon,” Tom said as he turned and walked away.

  Grenville watched Tom disappear and whispered, “I hope so my old mate, I sure hope so.” Grenville finished off his drink then with a smile went to find Sara, to begin their honeymoon.

  As the plane finally touched down, Grenville turned to Sara and said, “Glad to be home?”

  Smiling, Sara replied, “Actually I am,” and smiling, Grenville said, “Yes, I know what you mean, no place like home.” As they came down the steps, Newton was waiting with the car with the back door open. As Grenville approached, he noticed Newton looking glum with no smile. Grenville thought that Newton would have welcomed them with at least a smile.

  As they approached, Newton saluted and said, “Welcome home my Lord, Lady Sara.”

  “Everything OK, Newton?” asked Sara. Grenville thought, even Sara had picked up on Newton’s sour demeanour.

  Newton shifted on his feet and said, “It’s your father, my Lord, his Grace has been taken seriously ill.”

  Both Sara and Grenville looked shocked on hearing the news, and all Grenville could say was, “Better get back to the ranch then, Newton, and don’t spare the horses.”

  Once they arrived back at Hampton Hall, Preston was on the steps to welcome them. Even Preston had a tight smile on his face when he welcomed them home.

  “How is he?” asked Grenville.

  “Not good my Lord, doctor is with him now.”

  “Thank you, Preston, can you deal with the luggage, we will go straight up.”

  “Of course, my Lord.” Turning, both Sara and Grenville proceeded to his parents’ room. As they came down the corridor they noticed the Duchess sitting outside the bedroom.

  Rushing to her embrace, Grenville said, “How are you, mother?” to which she replied, “I am well, thank you my son, better now you are both home,” hugging Sara as well.

  “How is he, mother?” Grenville asked.

  “The doctor is with him now, so we should know in a few minutes.”

  “How did it happen so quick?” asked Grenville.

  “It was last week, we were walking the dogs around the estate. It was a lovely sunny day, when we got caught in a nasty heavy downpour. By the time, we got back to the house we were dripping wet.”

  “Oh dear,” said Sara.

  The Duchess went on, “Next morning, your father woke with a frightful cold that after a few days he could not shake, so I sent him to bed and called the doctor. He did some tests and he returned today to see your father.”

  Holding his mother close, Grenville said, “Don’t worry mother, father is a fighter.”

  “I do hope you are right, my darling,” she whispered back.

  Just then the Doctor came out of the bedroom, and closed the door behind him. “Can we talk somewhere, your Grace,” he said, looking at the Duchess,

  “No, tell me here, my son and his wife need to hear as well,” she said.

  The doctor bowed and said, “As you wish, your Grace. I am afraid the Duke has caught a serious bout of pneumonia.”

  “The prognosis?” asked Grenville for them all.

  “Not good, my Lord,” replied the doctor.

  “Out with it man,” said Grenville raising his voice. Sara placed her hand on his arm and smiled. “I apologise, doctor, for my outburst,” said Grenville.

  “Please don’t worry, my Lord, I understand it a stressful time for you all,” smiled the doctor. “I am afraid it is not good, I give him twenty-four hours, two days at the best.”

  The Duchess slumped back down in the chair and placed her head in her hands, Sara bent down and held her. “What am I going to do without him?” she said.

  “We will get through it as a family,” was all Sara could say, looking at Grenville with tears in her eyes, not quite sure what to say to Sofia.

  “Is there nothing that can be done?” asked Grenville.

  “Sorry my Lord it is too far along, even the antibiotics I am giving him are not working now, so it’s a matter of time. I have given him something for the pain, so he is resting now. He will have periods where he is lucid, others where he will sleep,” said the doctor.

  “Thank you, doctor, for all your efforts,” said Grenville.

  “I shall return tomorrow,” said the doctor. “Your Grace, my Lord.” Bowing, the doctor walked toward the staircase.

  Just then they heard a muffled voice from behind the closed door. “Is that my son I can hear?”

  opening the door fully, Grenville took a deep breath and entered the room. Looking up the Duke smiles and said “There you are my son, have a nice honeymoon?”

  “
Excellent, thank you father,” replied Grenville. Going to the bed and shaking the outstretched hand, Grenville was shocked at how much weight and how pallor his father looked.

  Smiling, Grenville said, “How do you feel, father?”

  “Hanging in there, my boy,” replied his father, smiling. “Sofia my love, and Sara, how lovely to see you Sara,” said the Duke as they both approached the bed.

  “Glad to be home,” was all Sara could say with tears in her eyes.

  “Now come on, no tears,” said the Duke, smiling at them all. “These things happen, we cannot stop the march of time.”

  “That’s what grandfather said to me in his letter,” said Grenville.

  “He was a wise old man,” smiled the Duke.

  “You want anything, my love?” asked Sofia.

  “Not really, my darling, got all I need here with my family,” smiled the Duke just as he closed his eyes and gently started to snore.

  “You two go rest, after your trip,” said Sofia, “I will sit with him for a bit.”

  “You sure, mother?” said Sara.

  “Of course, my darling,” said Sofia, patting Sara’s hand. Sara took Grenville’s hand and led him from the room, closing the door behind them; Grenville took Sara in his arms and cried. Over the next twenty-four hours they all took turns in sitting with the Duke. Sometimes he was awake and lucid, others he was asleep. The place was in a sombre mood; even the staff knew the gravity of the situation and noise was kept to a minimum.

  It was during the last time Grenville sat with his father and he was awake, the Duke turned to Grenville with tears in his eyes and said, “Please take care of your mother for me, son.”

  Taking his father’s hand, Grenville said, “Of course I will, father.”

  “I am proud of you, my boy, and the man you have become,” said his father quietly.

  “I have been proud to be your son, father,” replied Grenville.

  “Your grandfather was right about you all along,” said his father, smiling. “He always said you would be the family saviour if in the future times got bad.”

  “Well, I am glad you were here to see me restore our family honour,” replied Grenville.