The Baby Bet: The Royal MacAllister Part 11

The roar of the engines of the medium-size commuter plane the MacAllisters had transferred to for their final leg of the journey to the Island of Wils.h.i.+re made conversation nearly impossible, a fact that suited Alice just fine.

Alice slid a glance at her mother, who was sitting next to her, then closed her eyes again.

She was so blessed to have her parents, as well as the entire MacAllister clan, Alice thought. She'd treated them all so shabbily for so many years, yet when she'd called a family meeting in her loft last night and expressed her heartfelt apology, they accepted it immediately, telling her how happy they were that she back among them.

With a voice that had been slightly shaky from nerves she'd then revealed her secret to them, including the news of the private showing. She had several paintings still in the loft that weren't going to be in the showing, and when they had looked at her work, the air had buzzed with excitement and awe.

"As you can see," she had told her family, "I sign my work with a flowing A in the bottom right-hand corner. That's...that's who I am...Alice. Alice MacAllister." Her voice had quivered with threatening tears. "I'm not Trip anymore. I don't need, nor want, to be Trip. I'm... I'm Alice."

That announcement, Alice mused, had produced hugs and tears and created a marvelous memory she would never forget. Then the family had helped her select a painting as a wedding present for Maggie and Devon. Everyone agreed that it would be fun not to breathe a word about her work until the bride and groom had unwrapped the gift, making it even more of a surprise. It had been such a very special, sharing evening...

"Ladies and gentlemen," the pilot said over the microphone, "please fasten your seat belts. We are about to make our approach to the Island of Wils.h.i.+re."

Brent, Alice thought, lifting her head and looking out the small window. He was down there, waiting for her. Her. The woman he loved and wished to marry. Brent.

Jillian leaned past Alice to peer out of the window. "Oh, my," she said, "look at all that lush greenery. The island is bigger than I thought it was. Isn't it beautiful, Tr- Alice?" Jillian laughed. "It will take a while to remember to call you Alice, sweetheart, but believe me it's music to my ears. Oh, there, that section must be the vineyards where Brent produces that marvelous Renault-Bardow wine."

Alice nodded and Jillian settled back in her seat.

"My, my," her mother continued, "won't it be lovely to see the Renaults and Bardows again?"

Alice laughed. "Yes, Mother, I'm definitely eager to see Brent. That was what you were asking, isn't it?"

"Guilty," Jillian said, then kissed Alice on the cheek.

"I didn't fool you for a minute, did I? You realize, of course, that your family is very curious as to just what is going on between you and Brent Bardow. That's not being nosy. It's because we care about you, love you."

"Oh, okay." Alice smiled. "Not even a little bit nosy?"

"Well..." Jillian said, then shrugged, her eyes dancing with merriment.

"When the time is right, Mother," Alice said, suddenly serious. "I'll tell you what you want to know. But I have to talk to Brent first. Please be patient."

"I will. But don't be surprised if your father pesters you for answers. He's a loving, doting daddy, and worries himself silly about all three of his daughters, forgetting at times that you're adult women. You're going to have to be patient with him."

"That's fine," Alice said, then looked out the window again.

Brent, her mind hummed. She could see the runway now as they made their descent to the island. She was getting closer...and closer...to Brent.

Brent stood beneath the white canopy with the other members of the royal family, as well as Maggie and her parents. Off to the right was an honor guard with two men in dress uniform with gleaming sabers and two women, one holding the flag of Wils.h.i.+re, the other the flag of the United States of America in honor of the bride-to-be and her family.

Brent was dressed in gray slacks, a white s.h.i.+rt, gray tie and a dark blue blazer with the crest of the royal family on the pocket. A cool, late-afternoon breeze ruffled his hair, but a trickle of sweat slithered down his back. A yawn threatened and Brent faked a cough to hide it, aware that his sleepless, pacing-the-floor night was catching up with him.

"There's the plane," King Chester said. "Right on time, too."

Not exactly, Brent thought. It had taken an agonizing month for that airplane to appear through the clouds and approach the runway. Right on time? No, it had taken too much time. And before this day ended, his entire future happiness, or lack of the same, would be determined by what Alice told him.

He was a wreck. Last night he'd fantasized like an adolescent about the arrival of Alice on the island. He would step past the rest of the family, breaking all the rules of protocol, open his arms to her, and she would run across the tarmac and fling herself into his embrace. Then, not caring that there were beaucoup witnesses watching, he would lower his head and claim her lips in a kiss that would be...

"A perfect landing," King Chester said, jerking Brent back to the moment at hand.

Get it together, Bardow, Brent told himself firmly. Now.

The airplane turned at the end of the runway, then taxied back to the designated place indicated by the ground crew. A man pushed a staircase toward the plane, while another unrolled a red carpet that spread like a brilliant river from the canopy to the base of the stairs. The engines of the plane quieted, the door was opened, and Brent drew a deep, steadying breath.

As the head of the MacAllister family, Robert was first to appear in the open doorway and begin his way down the stairs, followed by Margaret. The oldest son, Michael, and his wife Jenny had been there for a month already, so the next in line was Ryan and his wife Deede, then...

Come on, come on, Brent thought, clenching his teeth. d.a.m.n, they were a big family. Let's go, let's go. Hurry up, people. He wanted, he needed, to see...

Alice.

Brent stiffened, every muscle in his body tensing as Alice appeared in the doorway then started down the stairs. She was wearing a pretty flowered dress, and the breeze was swirling it around her legs and... Oh, thank G.o.d, Alice was here. She was on the tarmac now, seemed to be looking directly at him...

Before he realized he was moving, Brent stepped from behind Devon and started forward.

"Brent," his father said, "what are you doing? This is an official royal welcome that dictates that we stand here and-"

"I don't think he gives a rip, darling," Charlane Bardow said, laughing in delight. "Protocol just flew out the window."

King Chester chuckled. "Somehow I'm not surprised. Don't worry about it, Byron. There are times when royal rules need to be broken."

"Oh, look at that," Maggie said. "Brent has stopped, opened his arms, Trip is running toward him... This is so romantic I'm going to cry. Wow! She flung herself into his arms and nearly knocked him over and now... My stars, he's kissing her."

"That's putting it mildly." Devon laughed. "I'd hate to think what we'd be witnessing if they'd been separated for two months, instead of one. That is one toe-curling kiss there, folks. Dad, it's time to step forward and greet the MacAllisters."

"Oh." King Chester tore his gaze from Alice and Brent. "Yes. Yes, of course. Welcome to the Island of Wils.h.i.+re, Robert," he said, extending his hand. "We extend a warm and heartfelt greeting to your entire family."

"One of said family," Robert said, smiling as he shook the king's hand, "is in the midst of her own private welcome. Well, it's not exactly private, but... We're delighted to be here."

Brent ended the searing kiss slowly and reluctantly, but didn't release his hold on Alice.

"I can't believe I did that," he said, close to her lips. "It was exactly the way I fantasized last night when I couldn't sleep. I am no doubt in deep, deep trouble with royalty at the moment, but I really don't give a d.a.m.n. Ah, Alice, I am so glad to see you, missed you so much, thought you would never get here because the days, nights, hours, seconds, dragged by and...I'm blithering like an idiot. I love you, Alice MacAllister. Ah, man, I love you so much."

"Oh, Brent," Alice said, meeting his gaze with eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears, "I...I love you, too."

"Wh-what?" he said as his heart skipped a beat. "Would you say that again, please?"

"Brent Bardow," Alice said, framing his face with her hands, "I've found my answers. I found myself. I'm Alice. Your Alice in Wonderland, and I love you beyond measure. I truly do."

"Oh, thank G.o.d." Brent's voice was husky with emotion. He closed his eyes and tightened his hold on Alice, burying his face in her silky hair.

"Brent, darling," his mother called. "We're leaving now. It's time to give our guests a tour of the castle, dear."

Brent raised his head and sighed. "The madness begins. Hey, if you've seen one castle you've seen 'em all. Let's go to my cottage and-"

"Brent." Alice laughed, "I've never been inside a castle."

"You haven't?" he said, raising his eyebrows. "My goodness, what a sheltered life you've led. Okay. One tour of one castle coming up. Then I'm going to sneak you off to my cottage and... No, I'd better not start thinking about what I plan to do to you...with you...or I'll embarra.s.s myself. Come along, Alice. Wils.h.i.+re awaits your approval."

The royal home was magnificent and looked like a castle from a book of fairy tales. With one of her hands held by Brent, as though he was afraid she'd disappear into thin air if he let go of her, Alice drank in all that she saw, making no attempt to hide her awe as they moved from one beautifully furnished room to another.

She mentally cataloged an endless list of things she'd like to paint, which caused her to frown slightly as the tour continued.

As soon as she and Brent were alone, Alice thought, she would tell him about her lifelong secret dream. She'd share the fantastic news of the private showing of her work, admitting that she was a nervous wreck about the event, afraid that none of the pictures would be purchased.

Brent would be surprised by her news, she knew, because he believed that she did nothing more than wait tables at a d.i.n.ky little cafe in Ventura. But he would instantly realize that she could, and would, be very content on the Island of Wils.h.i.+re, painting her little heart out after they were married.

Married, her mind hummed. Oh, yes, she fully intended to accept Brent's proposal, an issue they hadn't had time to address.

Alice glanced up at Brent, who was staring into s.p.a.ce, probably, she decided, attempting not to appear too bored as King Chester explained who was who in the large portraits of past kings of Wils.h.i.+re that hung on the wall in an enormous ballroom they were presently in.

The group returned to the entryway and King Chester spread out his arms.

"And there you have it," he said, smiling. "Our humble home. By now your luggage has been taken to your rooms that I pointed out to you during the tour and everything unpacked and put away. There are fresh fruit and sweet rolls there for a snack, as well. Dinner will be served at seven in the smaller dining room.

"I suggest you nap a bit. Having made the journey you just completed, I'm very aware of how exhausting jet lag can be. After dinner we'll have a festive time watching the bride and groom open some of their wedding gifts."

The king chuckled. "Do note that I said 'some' of the gifts, perhaps only those from the immediate family. Since presents have arrived from across the globe we'd be up all night if Maggie and Devon unwrapped everything they've received.

"Again," King Chester continued, "let me say welcome to the Island of Wils.h.i.+re and to our home. I hope all of you are as pleased about the forthcoming wedding as I am. I've waited a long time for this, and I truly believe that my beloved wife is smiling down from the heavens on Maggie and Devon and whispering her blessings. Until seven o'clock, then."

As the king, Charlane and Byron, plus Maggie, Devon and Maggie's parents, turned and walked down the long corridor leading away from the entryway, excited chatter broke out.

Brent took one step backward, then another, tugging on Alice's hand as he moved.

"What...?" she said, looking up at him questioningly as she was drawn in the opposite direction from her family.

"Shh," he whispered. "I feel about sixteen years old but, hey, whatever works."

Alice clamped her free hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle that was a mixture of childish, mischievous fun and pure womanly happiness.

When they reached the tall, wooden, double-front doors, Jillian stopped on the stairs and looked at them.

"Remember to return to your room here in the castle in time to dress for dinner, sweetheart," she said pleasantly, then continued on her way.

Alice and Brent burst into laughter, then dashed out the doors.

Brent's cottage was about a half mile from the castle and was nestled among tall trees, prompting Alice to declare it to be the home of the Seven Dwarfs.

"Nope," Brent said. "That would make you Snow White and you're not, because you're Alice in Wonderland."

"True."

Brent had decorated his little house simply but had managed to create a cozy aura. There was one main room that included a flagstone hearth around the fireplace, a small kitchen with a dining alcove, a braided oval rug on the hardwood floor and a marshmallow-soft caramel-colored leather sofa that faced the fireplace. The sofa was flanked by a pair of brown-toned tweed easy chairs.

The walls were white and boasted only one painting, which was of the lush vineyards on the island. A bedroom and bathroom were off a short hallway to the right.

"Oh, I love it," Alice said, her eyes sparkling as she swept her gaze over the area.

"And I love you," Brent said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close to him. "And you love me. Ah, Alice, this is the greatest day of my life. The only thing that could make it even more perfect is if you'll say that you'll marry me. Will you? Marry me? Please?"

Alice encircled Brent's neck with her arms and looked directly into his sapphire-blue eyes.

"Yes," she said, smiling. "I, Alice MacAllister, will be honored to marry you, Brent Bardow. Yes."

"Thank you. Oh, thank you, Alice," he murmured, then captured her lips to seal the commitment to forever they had just made to each other.

Desire exploded within them, and when Brent broke the kiss he swept Alice up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom, setting her on her feet next to the double bed.

"Brent," she said, when she could catch her breath, "we mustn't do anything to take the spotlight off of Maggie and Devon. It wouldn't be fair to them. Let's not announce our engagement until after their wedding. Okay?"

"I want to yell it from the rooftops right now for everyone to hear," he said, "but I see your point. This is Maggie and Devon's time to s.h.i.+ne, or whatever. But after we throw politically correct birdseed at them, instead of rice, and they leave on their honeymoon, we'll make our own announcement. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Alice nodded, then paused. "I would really like to share beautiful lovemaking with you now, Mr. Bardow. Agreed?"

"Oh, lady," he said, chuckling, "I am in complete agreement with that one."

"Alice," Brent said, then kissed her lips, nose, chin and forehead. "Wake up. We fell asleep after we... Alice? Come on, my love, open your gorgeous eyes. We're going to be late for dinner if we don't get moving, and I've broken enough royal rules for one day."

Alice blinked, opened her eyes, yawned, then smiled at Brent.

"h.e.l.lo," she said. "I love you."

"h.e.l.lo, yourself, woman that I love," he said, then glanced at his watch. "Oh, man, we're cutting this so close. Up, up, and away we go."

They actually ran back to the castle, holding hands like children who had been turned loose to play. At the front doors to the majestic structure, Brent dropped a quick kiss on Alice's lips.

"See you at dinner," he said. "I love you. Bye." He turned and sprinted off in the direction they'd come from.

"Ta-ta," Alice said dreamily, waggling the fingers of one hand in the air.

When she entered her room, she gave it a quick and appreciative perusal, then started toward the bathroom to take a shower. It wasn't until she was standing under the warm spray of water that she realized she still hadn't told Brent about her painting. They had been concentrating on lovemaking so incredibly fantastic it was beyond description, then had fallen asleep and...

Well, it didn't matter, she thought as she shampooed her hair. In fact, this would be more fun. Brent would be as surprised as Maggie and Devon about her work when the bride and groom unwrapped their present.

Then the light would dawn and he'd realize that their...what had he called it?...yes, their recipe for love was even more perfect than he'd believed it to be, because her desire to paint made her contentment as his wife there on the island a given, was guaranteed.

Alice turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. She swiped her hand across the steamy mirror to gaze at her reflection, a soft smile forming on her lips.

There it is, she thought, for all to see, just as it was in the self-portrait she'd painted. Love. Love that was returned in kind by the most magnificent man in the world.

Brent.

Chapter Ten.