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Grandfather draws himself up to his full height in his chair and steeples his fingers against his chin, pondering as he studies me. Sadness is etched into his rugged features as he speaks.
‘Sebastian, my dear boy. I know you’ve been through the mill, and I have no wish to push you into doing something you don’t want to do, but you are aware of the terms of receiving your full inheritance. I can’t make an exception just for you. It’s not fair to the others. And your New York cousins also abide by the same inheritance terms with your uncle.’
Honey whines as if she picks up on my discomfort, and she licks my hand to comfort me and leans against my legs like a warm wall.
Grandfather didn’t take the news of my divorce well, but once he understood it was inevitable, he advised me accordingly and we handled it in the business-like manner he’s taught us to approach all obstacles.
‘I thought you were okay with how things are, seeing as I’ve already been married and given you a grandchild,’ I say, my chest tight.
Grandfather sighs and shakes his head. ‘There’s a clause in the terms that covers what happens in the event of divorce. You are required to remarry, and I must approve of the marriage. It’s not as lenient as the first marriage, for obvious reasons.’
‘I see,’ I say, bowing my head. I feel sick. All I can see is Daisy and Nathalie sitting next to each other doing homework or eating breakfast before school. The thought of bringing a wife into our home and destroying this newfound harmony turns me over.
‘What’s on your mind?’ Grandfather probes. ‘I can see there’s more going on than I realised. Are you seeing someone?’
I shift in my seat. Nathalie’s face dominates my thoughts. It’s not that I’ve thought of marrying her. That is out of the question, given her status. If the truth be known, my thoughts have been a whole lot more feral.
But now he’s ambushing me with this arranged marriage thing, all I can see is an image of Nathalie in a wedding dress.
I’m losing it. We haven’t even kissed.
And so, with a sharp tug, I pull myself back to reality and say, ‘No. I’m not seeing anyone. There’s been no one serious since Maddy.’
Grandfather nods. I see sympathy in his eyes. ‘Just as I thought. That girl has a lot to answer for,’ he says, tutting. ‘She broke your heart and ruined your life.’
I shake my head vigorously. Whilst I want him to be understanding, I don’t want his sympathy at the price of painting my ex as the villain. It’s important to me that lines of communication remain open between Daisy’s mother and my family. We must nurture goodwill or Daisy will have a hell of a time and I’m willing to do anything to stop that happening.
‘No,’ I say. ‘It wasn’t all her fault. I should have been at home more. I was too obsessed with the business, and she was struggling as a new mother.’
‘That’s no excuse for her walking out on you and Daisy and marrying another man before the ink was dry on the divorce settlement.’
I know I’m fighting a losing battle, so I let him say his piece.
‘But I’m not ready to remarry,’ I say, raising my chin and looking him in the eyes. I feel the fire of defiance raging within me.
He sighs again. ‘A man needs a wife and even more so in our business. I’m growing old and more responsibility is coming your way. It’s time for you to step up.’
‘But Damian is the primary heir. I’m only the spare,’ I remind him.
‘Maybe so, but you are bound to a legacy. Many thousands of people depend upon our family for their livelihoods. Damian can’t shoulder it all alone, and besides, the way he’s going, who knows if a suitable wife will even agree to marry him?’
I snort. ‘He may have a reputation as a bit of a playboy, but you know he’s a great catch. He could have a wife by bedtime today if he wanted one.’
Grandfather ignores my comment and continues with his diatribe, while I wish silently that he would focus his energies on marrying Damian off.
‘As second-in-line to the British Rochesters & Co. I need you married and properly settled. It’s time, Sebastian. Daisy needs stability at home, and from what I see in the papers, she doesn’t get it from her mother gallivanting around the football circuit.’
I can’t argue with that point. ‘We’ve got a new live-in nanny,’ I offer. ‘She’s brilliant and Daisy is the happiest and most settled she’s ever been.’
There’s a hard gleam in his eyes and I see he will not back down now. He’s not moved by my mention of a nanny. Mind you, he hasn’t met Nathalie yet…
But I know when I’ve been dealt a losing hand and I sense I’m not going to win today. And I can’t afford to lose. The stakes are too high. There is my seat on the board, and shares in the company to secure. If I don’t want to piss him off again, I realise I’m going to have to make some kind of a nod toward seeking remarriage.
‘So how does this arranged-marriage business work?’ I ask.
He assesses me for a minute, and then he wields his blade and slices my tender underbelly. ‘I have the perfect girl in mind for you. She’s the granddaughter of my dear old friend and business colleague.’
My stomach churns violently, and I sink back on the sofa.
