Stolen Kiss (The Turners of Copper Island #2)

Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Jason

A summons from Aunt Cynthia was like entering a game of Russian Roulette. Jason never knew what mood she’d be in or what he was in trouble for this time. He was sitting at the kitchen table with Maggie while he waited for the clock to tick down to ten thirty.

“It’s unusual to be summoned on the weekend, isn’t it?” Jason said, curling his hands around a mug of tea.

Maggie paused at the stove, eyes turned skyward looking like she was thinking really hard. She would’ve got away with it but Jason saw the smirk at the corner of her mouth.

“I wouldn’t know Jason, I’ve never been in trouble with her.”

Jason barked out a laugh nearly slopping tea over the rim of the mug.

“Who talked you into getting these mugs, they’re fabulous.”

“Erica didn’t approve of the other ones and bought a whole stack of plain white mugs.”

“Thank god for that. Those other ones you have don’t hold more than a thimble full.”

“Well, if you didn’t gulp it down, you’d appreciate the perfect teacup.”

“Did she leave you some?”

Maggie giggled. “Yes she did. We have separate cupboards one for all of you lot and the other for me, Bailey, Jennifer and Miss Turner.”

“I’m grateful for a decent mug and for breakfast. It was delicious. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me for cooking for you. It’s my job and even if it wasn’t, I’d still cook for you. Not that I need to, you can cook for yourself.”

“I learned everything I know from you.”

“That is not true, otherwise what a waste of money culinary school was.”

“You taught me the basics and how to cook everything from scratch. When I rocked up to my classes, I was way ahead and could try the fancier stuff a hell of a lot earlier. That’s down to you and your patience.”

Maggie waved a towel at him unable to speak with watery eyes. She turned her back and sniffed.

“It’s time, Sir,” Bailey said from the doorway.

He was standing in the corridor ready to head up stairs.

“Do you know why I’m in trouble?” Jason asked Bailey with a grin.

“Could be anything these days. I don’t think this is one of the days.”

“So you do know but you’re not going to tell me.”

“Correct. Shall we head up. Nothing gets her more grumpy than tardiness.”

Jason got up and rounded the table to give Maggie a kiss on the temple. He then strode to Bailey for inspection and then they ascended the stairs to enter the morning room. As soon as Jason was in the room, the door was closed softly behind him. His aunt was at the far end sitting in a high-backed chair looking out onto the grounds. In the far distance Jason could see Ralph on his lawnmower bouncing over the grass as he drove up and down.

“You wanted to see me Auntie,” Jason said, not helping himself to rib her.

His aunt turned and gave him a scowl but there didn’t seem to be any malice in it.

“Come over here, I’m not going to shout what I have to say.”

“Are you going to shout at me?”

“Do I need to?”

“That’s debatable. How modern is the Turner attitude these days?”

“I know all about Heidi Shaw, Jason Turner. That’s why I’ve called you here. You need to choose a ring.”

“I’ve only had two dates. I’m not proposing marriage.”

“Nevertheless, whether it’s Miss Shaw or another woman, you need to give her a Turner ring.”

“Why?”

“It’s tradition.”

“Tradition died with my father. Sod tradition.”

“Jason Turner,” she barked. “While I’m alive, we will do things the Turner way.”

Sighing dramatically and feeling fifteen again, he slumped his shoulders and took the seat next to his aunt.

“I may never get married,” Jason said.

“Choose a ring,” she barked.

Jason looked over at the velvet cushion with two dozen rings in them. If he did propose to Heidi Shaw one day, none of these suited her. He scanned the rows and picked out the biggest diamond and slipped it on the end of his finger.

“This one.”

“As I thought,” his aunt said and gave him a full on grin.

It was a rare sight, and it went up to her eyes.

“Are you judging me?” he asked, taking the other high-backed chair.

“No, Jason,” she said, pulling her navy jumper down and brushing her navy slacks.

“My future wife?”

He leaned forward genuinely wanting to know why she had guessed the ring he chose when it was far from what he would give Heidi.

“No,” she said again smiling.

“Then what has you smiling?”

“That you’re considering marrying. There’s a chance that the Turner line will continue.”

“You’re obsessed with the Turner name living on forever. Archer is the eldest. Him and Erica are bound to have kids.”

“And there is no sign of a pregnancy. They’ve been married months.”

“Erica has a two-year schedule. I doubt they’ll be having children just yet.”

“Then you need to get cracking and find a wife.”

“Honestly, Auntie, you are too old-fashioned.”

“I’m not that old-fashioned. I’ve travelled the world.”

“But never married.”

“We’re not talking about me, we’re talking about you.”

Jason fell silent. It hit him for a moment, would Heidi want to have a marriage with him. She ended it abruptly once, would she do it again?

“Bailey will get you the box for that ring.”

“Are you kicking me out?”

“Yes. I want to drink my tea in peace.”

“Don’t I get a cup?”

“You’ve just finished a mug of tea down stairs.”

“Do you know everything that goes on in this house?”

“Yes.”

“What about the estate?”

“I know you all went to pay your respects to your father. I noticed I didn’t get an invitation.”

“You hated him Aunt Cynthia. It’s not likely you’ll get an invitation to dance on his grave.”

“Jason,” she admonished.

“Am I wrong. Don’t you hate him?”

“Bailey will get you the box. Don’t forget to introduce me to the lucky lady before you propose.”

Like that would happen. Jason had no intention of scaring off Heidi or any other woman if Heidi didn’t want to be with him permanently.

He left his aunt to her cup of tea and headed to the door. Bailey opened it and handed him a box. Jason clapped him on the bicep and threw his head back laughing. He felt like he was in another world of servitude. A part of him like the familiarity of it. The other part wanted to burn the whole place down.

Striding across the grass he was relieved to see Archer was home. He jumped over the back wall and slumped on the sofa and lay down like he was in therapy.

“Where have you been and what’s in your pocket?” Archer asked.

“Auntie wanted to see me and she made me pick a ring. What’s all that about?”

“Wow, you marrying Heidi already?” Erica asked coming out with a cafetiere and three mugs.

Jason sat up and stood to take the pot and mugs from her.

“No. So bizarre to be summoned to choose a Turner ring. None of them would suit Heidi even if we were at that stage of our relationship.”

“She made me do it too,” Archer said. “I asked Erica what was her favourite gem and thankfully there was a pearl and Erica loved it.”

“They are all too big grand for Heidi, she’d laugh in my face if I handed her any of them.”

“So what did you do?”

“I chose the biggest rock there.”

“Can I see?” Erica asked.

Jason opened the box and turned it around for them both to see. They both leaned forward and lifted it up.

“Wow, that’s a rock and a half,” Erica said, fanning her face.

“It’s too much, it looks fake.”

“That’s no fake diamond, Jason. I’ve worn diamonds for the red carpet on loan. This is a diamond and then some.”

“Probably won in a poker game in the eighteen century,” Archer said.

“It’s gorgeous, but I’d be afraid I’d lose it. It’s terrifying enough wearing diamonds for a premiere when they’re on loan. I have had diamond bodyguards whose sole purpose is to get them back to the jeweller. No care of me, just the jewels.”

“I’m not giving it to her,” Jason said.

“Why not?” Erica asked, placing the ring back in its box.

“I bought her a ring years ago.”

“Where is it? Can I see it?”

“Still in the jewellers on the high street. It’s all bought and paid for. When she dumped me, I never picked it up. I doubt it’s still there.”

Erica looked at Jason with her lips folded in, bouncing on her seat. Her head stayed in one place but her eyes darted about his face. She was struggling to hide her grin. It lasted three seconds before she let her megawatt smile loose. Jason stared for a few moments and then shook his head.

“We’re not going into town, Erica,” Jason said.

She sagged on the sofa like she was a balloon he’d popped. “But you’ll show me, right?”

“Before or after the proposal?” Archer said and laughed.

“Well, I’d like before but I guess that isn’t my right,” she said.

Jason grinned at her. “I’ll see what I can do. Who knows when I’ll get the woman of my dreams?”