Chapter 461

Everything was set and ready to go. Erik hurried Christian and Nora out the door and to the car.

Nora noticed something was off, "Erik, why are you so edgy today?"

Erik handed Christian the last bag and walked with them to the stairs.

"I have a lot on my plate is all, no need to bother with worrying about me." Erik patted her on the arm and turned back to the waiting car.

"Have a lovely trip." He waved as he got into the car and rode around to the opposite side of the airport to an alternate private jet where Pearl, Alex, Isla, John, Marcus, Auggie and Maggie were waiting.

Derek closed the door and helped Nora and Christian get settled. Christian looked a little nervous as well.

"The business of this trip must be ridiculously important. Everyone is so uptight." Nora leaned back in her seat and put in her earbuds. Derek looked over at Christian and smiled.

Meanwhile; the rest of the immediate family headed to a private rented estate not far from Balmoral and the location of the wedding. It was kept as secret as possible so that no press would get wind of their arrival in the country.

They arrived to meet a young man and his older father greeting them at the door.

"Hello and welcome, your majesty, to our home. We have taken great care to accommodate you with the utmost privacy and discretion as Erik has requested."

Pearl smiled. "You're American." She was pleased to hear a familiar tone of voice.

"Yes Ma'am. We inherited the estate a few years ago from a second cousin and turned it into a bed and breakfast. We fell in love with the town so we moved here permanently last year," the younger man explained.

He showed them around and to each of their rooms.

"There are only six rooms?" Auggie asked as he and Maggie walked into their room.

Erik looked over at Pearl. He could feel himself begin to blush a little.

"Pearl's room is the largest. There is a couch. I can stay there so that Isla may have her own space to sleep and prepare the gown she designed." Auggie looked over at Pearl but said nothing.

Pearl was lead into her room with Erik following behind. There was a large, stone fireplace as the main focal point of the room along with large exposed wood beams that had been restored for safety in the 18th century home. The bed was covered in a plaid wool blanket with fur rugs lining the floors.

"It's lovely," Pearl said. Erik walked over to the couch sitting in front of the fireplace and sat their bags down.

"Thank you," he said to the young man of the house. He nodded and closed the door, leaving Erik and Pearl alone.

"This reminds me of the home we stayed at after our wedding," Pearl said with some hints of sadness.

"Yes," Erik said.

He began to settle them in. Pearl walked over to him and hugged him.

"What is this for?" He asked, squeezing her tightly.

"For making this happen for Christian and Nora. I know it isn't easy with the painful memories you carry."

Erik smiled and kissed her forehead.

"It is an honor to do so."

Later that night, they all gathered in the small dining room for dinner.

"The dress is all set. I made a different veil, one that will withstand the breeze likely to be moving over the open fields. I can't wait to see her in it. This is all so romantic!"

Isla clapped and smiled.

"Yes. Much like another wedding that took place near here. Just about 21 years ago, yes?" Alex was always the one to make all things uncomfortable.

"Yes. Correct," Erik said quietly.

"Isla, you are brilliant. Thank you so much for making this dress," Pearl said.

Auggie looked over at Erik. The uncomfortable silence and obvious energy between the two of them was overtly noticeable.

"Alright then, do I sense some sibling rivalry? Fighting over who gets to ride in the front seat tomorrow?" Alex made his usual sarcastic joke.

"No. But I believe Erik will be in the front seat. I also believe Erik has a few things to tell us," Auggie said. Maggie put her hand on Auggie's and told him now wasn't the time.

"When is the time, exactly?" Auggie wiped his mouth.

Pearl looked over at Erik. She knew he would do anything to protect her from having to discuss their relationship. She looked at Alex and Isla and decided it was time.

"Erik and I have reconciled. We are starting over again and I, we, are…."

"In love," Erik interrupted. "I am irrevocably and ardently in love with Pearl and I know you probably hate it. Believe me, I wish it wasn't this way. She deserves so much better." Erik explained, reaching for Pearl's hand.

"Oh come now, do you think we are complete imbeciles? We've known for quite some time now but thanks for the official notice." Alex rolled his eyes and took a drink of his wine. Isla smiled and giggled. "Yeah mum, how could we not see it. You're all googly eyes and sneaky sneak sneaking around. As if."

Auggie looked shocked.

"Well, brother. It looks like you're the only one who just figured this out." Erik smiled.

He looked over at Alex and Isla and lifted his glass. "Thank you, both. For not throwing me out on my arse."

"Erik, we are all majorly fucked in the head. No one is perfect, certainly not this soap opera of a family. Believe me, I hated you and I think I still might a little. Fortunately, you're not shagging me on the regular and becoming my problem to fix. Mum is a grown woman and if she wants to take this on again, I wish her the best." Alex lifted his glass to him. "But of you pull anything on her, I will kill you myself and you'll never see me coming." His dead pan response made the hush over the room even more uncomfortable.

Erik coughed and Pearl frowned.

"Alex, that was incredibly inappropriate," Pearl said.

Auggie let out a laugh, followed by Erik. Soon, they all began to laugh and things became a bit less tense as they ate dinner and prepared for the next day.