9. Arriving Apart To Be Together
It had all seemed like a simple idea when she accepted the invitation, she and Aiden would go to this gathering to meet the rest of the group. Getting there turned into more of a process than Mary could have anticipated. To begin with, Aiden wasn't able to travel by car. Mary trusted him to carry her, but bringing luggage would have been out of the question. There was also the issue of what to do once they got there. Aiden wasn't a pet that one could sneak in through the back door when no one was looking, but Robbie had told her how excited the rest of the group would be to meet him.
After a flurry of e-mails and phone calls it was worked out that all but a few of Robbie's servants would be sent away until the following Monday, those who remained could be trusted to keep silent. Mary would drive, bringing her things and a chair for Aiden in case Robbie didn't have one. He would fly, trying to avoid populated areas and roads as much as he could. He disliked the plan, and he disliked the idea that he may not be able to enter her bedroom whenever he wanted. Mary wasn't thrilled with that possibility herself, but both of them realized that it was the best they could do for the time being.
Mary arrived at Pemberley Court at a little after nine on Thursday evening. A fountain bubbled in the center of the circular drive and most of the first floor rooms were illuminated, giving the large house a warm and welcoming appearance, even in the darkness. It seemed to be larger than Beeson Hall, but that could have been because she was nervous. While she was gathering her courage one of the tall doors opened and Robbie stepped out onto the lighted landing.
"Mary?" He asked, she couldn't see his expression, but it sounded like he was smiling.
"Yes, sorry. I was just getting my things." She fumbled with the keys and started to walk to the back of the car.
"Don't bother, Bennett will take care of it." A nervous-looking servant appeared from the house and took her car keys. Mary murmured a thank you and walked up the wide steps. Robbie kissed her cheek and ushered her into the house. "I see you found us alright."
"Sort of, I drove past your access road twice before I found the turn." She looked around the entry hall and noted the unusual blend of antique and modern design.
"I should have made my map clearer." Bennett came in carrying her bag, Mary couldn't help but notice the anxiety on his face before he disappeared outside again.
"It wasn't your map, it was the fact that I'm not used to finding my way around after dark." Mary waited until Bennett disappeared through a set of double doors on the right side of the foyer. "Is there a reason he looks so nervous?" She asked, her eyebrows drawn together.
"Aiden arrived twenty minutes ago, I prepared them as best I could but-" He smiled slightly and even without hearing the rest of his statement, Mary understood the rest.
"But meeting Aiden for the first time can be overwhelming." She laughed softly. "Believe me, I understand."
"Come through into the drawing room." He led Mary toward a set of double doors on the left side of the foyer. The room was larger than her library, but it wasn't out of line with the scale of the house. It was more traditionally decorated than the foyer in golds and brown leather, but the art that hung on the walls was more modern than one might have expected. Aiden stood when they entered, his heavy brows were drawn together.
"I was worried that something happened to you." She could see that he was fighting the urge to touch her in some way. Mary touched his hand lightly as she sat down.
"I just missed the turnoff." She smiled reassuringly.
"Would you prefer tea, coffee or something a bit stronger?" Robbie asked.
"Coffee would be wonderful, thank you." She noticed that Aiden had already emptied at least one large cup of tea.
"How do you take it?" He asked, filling a delicate china cup.
"Two sugars." She accepted the cup from him. "Thank you." He sat across from her and sipped what Mary assumed was a scotch. Even though his posture was relaxed Mary could see that he was still a little nervous around Aiden. Before anyone could speak Bennett entered quietly and spoke into Robbie's ear.
"Put it in one of the twins' sitting room, and take Mary's things to the bedroom Mr. Aiden isn't occupying." He said after a moment.
"The twin's sitting room?" She asked when Bennett left.
"I thought the two of you would be most comfortable if you were close together. The twin's rooms connect to a sitting room between them. It makes a nice private suite. No one's occupied it since they died though." He explained and then turned to Aiden. "If you'd like to rest in the bed, I've made certain that you will be comfortable."
"That is very kind of you." He smiled and finished the last of his tea.
"I don't mean to pry, but who were the twins?" Mary sipped the hot coffee and felt herself starting to relax.
"You're not prying, they're one of those family legends. Matthew and Mark were my grandfather's older brothers, and the only set of twins ever born into my family. From that alone I tend to think some of the odd stories about them were exaggerated, but the fact is that they never married because they couldn't bear to be separated from each other. They worked in the same office and lived in those rooms and from what my grandfather said they were very content." He finished the last of his drink and set the glass aside.
"You never met them?" Mary found herself wondering if they died in those rooms. She wasn't sure that she wanted the answer to that question.
"They died of some sort of illness when I was two or three years old. I'm told that I did know them, but I don't have any memories of them. There's a portrait in their sitting room, so I have an idea of what they looked like. I DO remember sneaking into their rooms whenever I wanted to let my imagination run wild. You know how children are, they see ghosts and monsters in every closet and love every minute of it." He laughed softly. "If you're not comfortable though, this house has so many rooms -"
"No." Mary said quickly. "I'm sure we'll be very comfortable. I keep hoping I'll run across some family history at Beeson Hall, but there's nothing recent, at least not that I've found yet." She said, turning the discussion away from the twins.
