Chapter 14: Complications—Meredith

Showdown

Meredith sat in her study at Buxton House and stared at the door to Liam’s room. Of course, it was a double door. Even if she opened her side, it would need to be opened from his side as well. She thought of going to open it and see if it was already open from the other side. Instead, she picked up her phone.

The little study was equipped just as she’d requested from Erich. Only more so. The desk was an elegant mahogany, polished to a high shine. A blotter protected it from anything she might write. The telephone was also on a coaster of sorts, protecting the desk from scratches. There were doilies on which a few small decorative things rested, including two photos she had never seen before. The first was at Liam’s eighth birthday party and she had just connected with his nose. The second was of the two of them standing next to the horses one day when they were riding. She wasn’t positive, but she thought the photo had been taken with a telephoto lens from Mrs. Cyning’s sitting room window.

She had a typewriter on a separate stand and a sheaf of paper for it. She supposed that if she discovered a need for anything else, it would be provided if she just mentioned it. In the corner opposite the desk, a round table with two chairs was set up. She doubted very much that she would need more chairs than that as she dreamed of Liam sitting next to her as they studied. Near the door into Liam’s room was a comfortable chair with a reading lamp and small table. It was lovely.

She started by dialing Karen’s number. It might be impolite for a gentleman to call after ten at night, but no such restrictions applied to girlfriends. Karen was probably sitting with a law book in her hands studying for tomorrow’s classes.

“Hello. This is Karen. How may I help you?”

“Karen, I think you went a bit beyond our agreement regarding Liam.”

“No, no, Meredith. I read through the contract carefully. Mess around but don’t give in. It was kind of rude of him to sneak off just when we started a faceoff. And he never called this morning. What kind of manners are you teaching him?”

“He was too shaken to call you. You overwhelmed him and his good sense.”

“I had things perfectly under control until Hana and Peggy Anne showed up. We’d have had one more kiss and a good feel-up before I sent him home. Instead Hana insisted she needed to show me how it’s done. And then Peggy Anne rushed out of our room and started screaming about wanting hers.”

“As well she should have. It was very mean of you to pretend to be her. And I count that as your first act with Liam being one of deception.”

“She shouldn’t have been chosen to go first. I was just setting it up so he’d see the difference in us.”

“Nonetheless, I’d like to get the three of you together for coffee and get the ground rules laid out clearly. I’m going to start directing him to college girls if there are any more shenanigans from you.”

“Okay, Meredith. When?” The sigh Karen heaved was one of being heavily put upon.

Meredith then called Peggy Anne. Fortunately, she was angrier with Karen than at Liam.

“I practically threw myself at him when I saw what they were doing. And then I found out she’d taken my place on my date with him Friday. I was really looking forward to going out and just sat in my room waiting until Karen returned and went to bed. She can be such a bitch.”

“Liam is not upset with you, either. I’m sure he would like an opportunity to make it right. But first, I want to meet with all three of you to lay out the ground rules. I’m not worried about your behavior but I want everyone to know the limits so there are no questions.”

“I’ll be there, but if one of them calls me ‘the virgin ice queen’ again, I might rip someone’s hair out by the roots.”

Meredith gave Peggy Anne the time and place for their meeting and settled in to have the discussion with Hana.

“Meredith, how nice to hear from you!”

“I can read right through that tone of voice, Hana. You went a bit overboard last night. If you want a date to make out with Liam, you need to say something. You can’t go around interrupting someone else’s date.”

“Yes, I know. My schedule is so impossible lately. I just saw the opportunity to get a kiss and took it. You know, he’s getting a lot better at that. You’re teaching him well.”

“Well, I want you to meet with the other girls so we can agree to some ground rules.” Meredith concluded the call and sat at her desk staring at the impenetrable door. Or was it? She couldn’t help herself. She crept softly to the door and as quietly as possible opened hers a crack. It was closed from Liam’s side. She eased the door closed again.

Meredith sighed heavily and went about her routine of getting ready for bed. She thought she might lengthen the acceptable hours for Liam and her to talk. After all, she was his PA and he should be able to get hold of her at earlier hours. Or later hours. Maybe she’d just tell him any time. Later.

“None of you are in line to take his virginity,” Meredith whispered as the four girls leaned in at the small table in the tea room Wednesday.

“Saving that for yourself?” Hana chuckled at her former roommate. It was pretty obvious that Meredith was in love with Liam.

“Perhaps. Or with someone more appropriate in the long run.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if his first time was also with a virgin?” Peggy Anne raised her hand slightly and wiggled her fingers.

“As romantic as that sounds, believe me, neither of you want to have a virgin take your virginity. One of you needs some experience. Like I have.” Karen sat back and scowled at her roommate.

“I don’t think any of you meet the criteria either he or his family expects for his life mate. And believe me, if I met the criteria, you wouldn’t even get a chance. I wanted him to have some experience dating women who were of a different class than me. You all three are, but are only barely in an acceptable range for his wife. And even if you were, you’d have to contend with me all your life. You are all three far more possessive than that. I suspect, in fact, that not being acceptable as marriage potential was why I was chosen instead of you two. You’d have come in set to capture him for your own.”

“And after I worked so hard to develop a class standing that would be acceptable. Speaking of which, what is going to be acceptable in the long run?”

“I suppose if it can be arranged, another royal. I’m sure Mrs. Cyning will have something to say about that. I’d rather it not be a merchant or politico because both would be there to use him for their status or gain. They are so ... slimy. So, my second choice would be a military person. She could advise him on so many things I will not have experience. Or intelligentsia. I think if Liam slipped in class he would land in that latter caste. That would most certainly happen if I claimed him for myself. Which I don’t plan to do.”

“You’re way too generous.” Hana stood to leave. “I have to get over to the hospital. So, as I understand it, Peggy Anne gets two dates before Karen is back in the rotation. I’d as soon wait another few weeks until he has more experience. In my kind of work, I don’t have time for a bunch of mindless courting. I’d like him for a sex partner. Let me know when he’s available. Ta-ta, girls.”

“And you two.” Meredith turned her sternest glare on the roommates. “I won’t talk to Liam until the weekend, so plan on a date next week, Peggy Anne. Try not to fight too much. I’ll leave it up to Liam to decide who and when he will call. I will, however, tell him he needs to make up the date with Peggy Anne before anyone else.”

“You’re so kind, Meredith. I promise not to despoil him on our first date.”

The Closed Door

Liam and Meredith returned to Buxton House Friday evening. They had a long talk in the library once they got there. She needed to make things right with Peggy Anne and be sure that Liam understood why he was dating these girls. If he was anything like what she had come to know of him, she doubted very much if he would go out with Hana again. Liam just wasn’t the type to go out with someone just because she was a sure lay.

“So, I still have to date them? Really? They are just so overwhelming. I get caught up in the moment and forget how to act.”

“Liam, my dear, let me be very clear with you. You do not ‘have to’ date anyone. But if you wish to be seen with me, you need to also be seen with others. It will be much easier when you are at the University. You’ll interact with women every day. Having you still at Elenchus is curbing your ability to meet and choose women on your own. I am so sorry you are in this situation. I don’t want to be arranging dates for you.”

“I don’t blame you for any of this. I can surely see why neither Peggy Anne nor Karen was chosen as my mentor. Neither of them has the self-discipline you do.”

“One thing I will suggest is that you make up your two dates with Peggy Anne. Think of it as punishment for Karen if you must. I doubt very much that Peggy Anne will be as aggressive with you as Karen. She truly is almost as innocent at this as you are. And since I’ve been with you two months now, she is probably more innocent than you. But you really need to be seen with her again before you can be seen with me.”

“So, we won’t be going out this weekend? We can always go riding tomorrow.”

“Oh, my love. How I would like that. But I must decline. I have appointments to see several properties tomorrow. Two are apartments, one is a condominium, and one is a house. I’ll also be querying the various appropriate fraternities. If you think the girls have been aggressive in getting your attention, wait until the frats discover you are available. Any organization you join will get a boost to their reputation.”

“I can’t go with you tomorrow?”

“Liam, what would people think if they saw the two of us shopping for an apartment? No. When I’ve narrowed the choices down, I will take you for the final inspection and agreement. Until then, we’ll have to be content with what we have.”

“I miss you terribly when we can’t be together.”

“As do I. And that brings me to another subject. I have previously set restricted hours that you can reach me by phone. The university has made the rest of the hours difficult. When we are both here at Buxton House, though, I think the restriction of ten until ten is a bit over rigorous. Also, since I am your PA, I will likely have occasion that I need to talk to you. Therefore, I am relaxing the rule of calling me so you aren’t limited to the hours of ten until ten. For example, I expect to be out and about the day’s work tomorrow by nine o’clock. Should you wish to speak to me, you would need to wait until I return. And then, you wouldn’t know should I need to stay at my parents’ house or at the university. So, with your permission, I would like the freedom to call you—strictly when I need to update you on an important matter.”

“Meredith, my love, I grant you permission to call me at any time of day or night.”

“Thank you, Liam. I remove restrictions on when you can call me but ask that you respect normal sleep patterns. Okay?”

“Quite okay. That makes me very happy.”

Meredith almost told him about the doors between their rooms. What kid could possibly grow up in this house and not have tried every door? Perhaps he was just being very polite about not mentioning it. Right now, though, they needed a place to make out for a bit without risk that they would be seen by staff. Meredith needed this every bit as much as she was sure Liam did.

“Meredith...” He leaned forward and grasped her hand to kiss her fingers. It always made her melt a little. “Do you trust being alone with me?”

“What kind of a question is that? I have been on walks in the woods with you and have made out with you with our horses standing by. Of course I trust you, love.”

“I have done some investigating here at Buxton House.” Meredith caught her breath. Perhaps he had figured out the doors after all. “There is a room just beyond mine that is currently empty of all but a table and a couple of chairs. I am considering making it into my sitting room where I can ... entertain guests. May I invite you to look at it with me ... and tell me what you think?” He smiled at her a heartwarming smile. He was being so coy.

“That sounds like it will be a good idea, Liam. Please show me this room.” They walked companionably as they might any other evening toward their rooms. As soon as they were in the hall and checked all directions to be sure there were no staff about, they hurried to the door past Liam’s room. With one more glance up and down the hall, they opened the door and went inside.

“It is a bit musty and, uh ... dark in here. Are there lights?” A moment after her question, Liam found the switch and a single chandelier came to life.

“I would like to have softer lighting. This is all there is at the moment. I’m afraid it hasn’t really been aired out yet, but...”

“But it is ideal for what we have in mind.” Meredith crossed to where he stood and offered him her lips. Soon they were lost in a kiss as private as the ones they had shared in the woods.

“Oh, Meredith. I so hoped you would want this, too.” Liam heaved a deep sigh and clutched her to him.

“I do. But give me a moment to look at the room.” Liam released her and she held his hand as they looked around the room. It was larger than her study. Apparently, this room was located just at a point where the house made one of its frequent turns. Meredith wondered how many people had taken part in adding on to it. As Liam indicated, there was an oak table and two straight-backed chairs. Dust had collected on the table. “You could have a settee over there. A couple of soft chairs. If you have this as your private sitting room, I suggest you not entertain more than two or three people here at a time. That way you would have room for the table with four chairs instead of two and some bookshelves. In addition to an entertainment center, you should have a comfortable reading chair there by the window.”

“My thought exactly, though, my dear, at the moment I can only think of entertaining you.”

“The furniture is not especially made for the kind of entertaining I hope you have in mind. Bring that chair over here.” Meredith grabbed one chair and when Liam put his down, she placed hers next to it but facing the opposite direction. She seated herself. “My darling, if you are of such a mind, please sit here and kiss me.” Liam sat and pulled Meredith into his arms. They kissed long and hard and when Meredith began to unfasten Liam’s shirt buttons, he followed suit and opened her blouse. “What is this, darling? Have you changed your mode of dress?” Beneath Liam’s shirt there was no undershirt.

“Um ... not in public. I just ... Well, I thought I didn’t really need an undershirt around the house. They are always uncomfortable.”

“I can’t do that in polite society.” Meredith looked deeply into Liam’s eyes as she explored his chest with her fingers. Liam had already cupped her bra-covered breast in his hand. “You might find, however, that it is more comfortable for both of us if you follow the straps to my back and find the latch to my bra.” Liam took the hint and his hands followed Meredith’s skin along the path of her bra until he found the catch. He fumbled with it for a moment, but it soon gave way to his maneuvering. “You will get better with practice.”

“Oh, my love, I have dreamed of doing this since our first time. I so wanted to be with you last weekend.”

“No doubt your dreams were as ... erotic as mine. Kiss me, darling.”

The configuration of chairs was remarkably comfortable for all they were just dining room chairs. A slight tilt of their heads and their lips met. Their hands had free and easy access to their chests. Meredith assumed that when they were further along in their play, they might be able to do other things in this position. With that thought, she felt a warmth spread through her body and threw herself whole-heartedly into the kiss.

“May I kiss them?”

“Yes. A thousand times yes.”

For all that he was inexperienced, Liam’s lips and tongue were surprisingly agile when they met her nipples. She lost herself in the sensations. This was so much better than the heavy-handed fumbling of Rich Biggers.

For a long time, they kissed and petted, though time seemed to no longer have meaning. Finally, though, Meredith heaved a huge sigh.

“We must put ourselves together and go to our own rooms. Should someone check on either of us, they would find neither of us in our rooms and become suspicious. Now that we have found this space, we should guard its secret carefully.”

“So, I shouldn’t immediately inform Erich how I want it furnished?”

“No, Love. Besides, your PA should work out the arrangements for having your space furnished and decorated. I promise, you will not be disappointed.”

“When it involves you, I am never disappointed, Meredith. Except when you say I need to take others out. Not only are you leaving in the morning but I need to take Peggy Anne out next weekend. I do wish we were living on campus together.”

“No matter what I find tomorrow, we will not be living together. I promise, though, it will be convenient.”

She had scarcely entered her room when the phone rang. She glanced at the clock and saw it was nearly eleven.

“Hello, love.”

“I couldn’t possibly go to sleep without telling you again how much I love you.”

“I accept that and want to tell you I love you, too. Now, however, we must stop talking and go to sleep. I’ll be leaving by nine o’clock in the morning. Call me before then.”

“Be ready early and I’ll arrange breakfast for us in the kitchen.”

“You speak to my heart, Love.”

House Hunting

Liam’s call at seven-thirty in the morning woke Meredith but she put a smile in her voice and met him an hour later for breakfast. Then she was off. Her first appointment was with an apartment rental agent who looked her requirements over carefully.

“You are requesting two apartments. One large and one small. That is unusual.”

“My needs are unusual. Let me assure you both will be occupied.”

“I see. And near the university.”

“Preferably in walking distance. Students, you know.”

“We seldom rent to students. They’ve no discipline, make a mess of things, throw loud parties, and are generally unreliable about their payments.”

“I assure you, these would not be like your usual college students.”

“Miss Sauvage, let me be blunt. We are not in the habit of renting to a man and his mistress or a woman and her kept man. I am not claiming that you are on either end of that spectrum but based on your information, I’m afraid there are too many red flags here to consider renting to you.” The agent stood to conduct Meredith to the door. Meredith pulled a card from her purse.

“I can find my own way out, thank you. Should you suddenly find a change in your company policy, please call me. I daresay there are other properties I can find, though, so don’t go to any special pains.” Meredith handed her the card and hurried out the door. She was in her car when she saw the office door fly open. She pretended not to notice and drove away.

That had not gone as she hoped. She really didn’t want to use the Cyning name to open doors. She was confident that this agent would have left a message on her phone by the time she got back to Buxton House, having a miraculous opening in an apartment ‘fit for a king.’ She’d had little hope of finding an apartment. Regina Cyning had told her not to bother and to look for property the family could purchase. Meredith simply had to prove to herself the old woman was right.

Her next stop was on fraternity row. She steeled herself for the notorious way frats were reputed to treat women on campus. But joining a fraternity was definitely an option and her dormitory was only two blocks away. She didn’t relish the idea of staying in a dorm room long term, but if the fraternity had a good reputation and space, she might consider.

“Miss? Excuse my surprise. We don’t often get single ladies calling on our house—especially in the middle of the day.”

“I’m sure most come in the evening or late at night. I am looking for a suitable fraternity for a friend transferring in at mid-term. He’s sixteen and could use a reliable big brother environment—for which your fraternity is known.”

“Oh. Well, we have two problems there. Three, actually. First of all, we don’t automatically invite every pledge to join our fraternity. Second, first year brothers are advised to live in the dormitory and await available space in the frat house. And third, we do not admit anyone under the age of eighteen. You are over the age of eighteen, are you not? Would you like to come in for a ... personal tour of our house? I will gladly show you what we have to offer.”

“I see no sense in that since my friend would not be eligible. Perhaps, however, you would be kind enough to call me if you think of a good place to refer him.” She handed the surprised boy her card and moved immediately up the street. The scenario was repeated at four different frat houses. She did not stop at every one but felt that four scattered through the district would get a buzz going. She was—in one way or another—propositioned at each house.

She shook her head, having spent an entire evening earlier in the week researching all the fraternities and looking up the names of their better-known alumni. Royals were the smallest class in America but they weren’t scarce. She was sure that if one had been a member of any fraternity his name would have been mentioned. She chose the top contenders to deliver her message. It looked bleak, but at least she had options to share with Liam should he decide on his own to join a fraternity.

The next stop was to see a condominium. Meredith had told the management company in an interview that she was looking for a two-bedroom condo plus a mother-in-law apartment. They said they thought they could help. She arrived and sat waiting for her appointment as she glanced through House Beautiful and other decorating magazines.

“Miss Sauvage? I beg your pardon. I was expecting someone older and you certainly couldn’t be the mother-in-law.” The cheerful agent shook her hand and hoped she hadn’t waited too long.

“I am actually working for a client. I understand your confusion.”

“Ah well. I shan’t pry but I understand your client then needs a two-bedroom condo with an attached mother-in-law apartment within walking distance of the university. It’s always exciting when a professor comes to our community.” Meredith did not rise to the bait. “Ah. We don’t have a property that exactly matches your description, but I have two adjacent condos which might be modified to suit your client’s needs. Shall we take a look?”

The woman led Meredith to the third floor of the building and down a long hall. Many of the condos had decorated front doors. “We encourage our owners to personalize their dwelling in one way or another. The street view, as we call it, says so much about the resident. There is a door that might as well have a sign on it that reads ‘Ask to borrow a cup of sugar.’ That one just screams intelligentsia. You wouldn’t want to knock on that door unless you were ready for a long discussion on an important topic. And these two. Both craftsmen of different sorts. Lived next door to each other for as long as I can remember. He passed away after a serious illness with his family gathered round his bed. She never woke up the next morning. A sad story but mysteriously one of great hope as well. Don’t you think?”

“It sounds like a very sad romance.”

“Legendary. Shall we look at this one first?” She unlocked the condo on the right and led Meredith in. “The family has cleared out personal possessions but would like to sell the furnishings with the condo. If your client doesn’t want them, and I certainly understand that, we could assist in disposing of them. Take a look around, dear. You don’t need me following you around to show you what a sink is and where the windows are. Just try to imagine your client in this space.” Meredith walked around the unit and nodded a lot. Liam could live in this space. The problem was it had only one bedroom and he really needed the second for his study space. On the other hand, it had a large living room and a formal dining room with a small entryway room that seemed to have no purpose at all as it was unfurnished.

“Raymond kept his tools in here. And a piano. The piano was always in pieces. He was a piano tuner and a fine one at that. Of course, the family removed all his tools and the piano.”

“Of course. I have a picture of him in my mind’s eye, tuning and testing. My mother is a pianist. I’ve always adored her art.”

“How lovely.”

“There is one small problem. There really needs to be a second bedroom.”

“Let’s look at the other unit and I will then describe to you my idea.”

They left the condo and entered the one next door. It was a mirror image of the one they had just left, but with no furniture in it, Meredith could better look at and assign functions to each room. She had no feel, however, for the woman who had lived and died there.

“The rooms are much larger than I visualized with all the furniture in them. The gentleman certainly liked to fill every inch with something, didn’t he.”

“Yes. Usually antiques that he took in trade for his tuning services. I know that’s not to everyone’s taste. This lady’s apartment was far neater. Every piece of furniture had a purpose. You could see that she could entertain precisely three people and that they would leave at the end of the evening. Her friend next door could have slept three people just on the sofas he has. Not that he would, of course.” The agent stifled a giggle and Meredith wondered at the relationship. She looked carefully at the walls to see if there was any sign of a connecting door, but there was none.

“Tell me your idea, please. This is far too much space for the mother-in-law unit, I’m afraid. And we are a bit shy on the space for the owner.” Meredith looked carefully around the unit as the agent went on.

“If both properties are to be owned by the same person or couple, they could do some rather extensive remodeling. I was thinking this wall from the bath here to the outside wall could be removed. Then partition this dining room space off of the second apartment and make it into a second bedroom. Now that would remove the dining room from this side, but most older people don’t really use a dining room. They tend to take their meals at the kitchen nook.” Meredith nodded her head.

If Liam’s study were in this new room, she could use a portion of her sitting room as a study as well. Then there could be a connecting doorway. Meredith shook her head. She was becoming obsessed with connecting doorways. But still...

“I should like to bring my client to view the site and an architect to draw the plans. Pending approval of both, I believe this is exactly what we are looking for. I’d like to put a hold on both units if I may. Will I need an earnest deposit?”

“Yes, of course. The board also has to approve the sale. While the building is not strictly a retirement facility, we do have restrictions on small children. Are there small children involved now or in the foreseeable future?”

“No. None for so long as this is owned.”

“Then what I will need next is your client’s name and a deposit of one thousand dollars for each unit.” Meredith caught her breath when she heard the number. Mrs. Cyning, however, had started her management account with a generous $10,000. She pulled her checkbook from her bag and produced a card for the agent, berating herself for not having tried to bargain the price lower. “The deposit will need to be in the form of two checks since we are holding the deposits on behalf of two different sellers. Oh, my!” The agent gasped as she read Meredith’s card. Meredith was filling out a check. “The young man is to be the owner of the units and reside in the large one?”

“Yes. I do hope there is no silly rule about a sixteen-year-old owning property in the building. I vouch for his behavior, if that is any help.”

“And I assume you are the mother-in-law.”

“Yes. I need to be near enough that I can respond to his summons if he needs me. Our current working condition is untenable as I am at the university and he is at Elenchus. He will, however, be at the university come mid-term.”

“It may be ... We’ll make it work. I’m sure the board will have no difficulty approving it. It would be very difficult to bicker about price, though, if this information were known.”

“Use it at your discretion. I have offered the full asking price as it is stated in your brochure.”

“Yes. Of course. Pardon me for being flustered. But from Buxton House? He is a royal?”

“Yes. Regina Cyning’s heir. That is not widely known yet. As I said, please use it with discretion.”

“I assure you I will. Word will leak out in the building though. Are you sure you want a condominium?”