Meeting Master Rothschild

An hour and a bottle of white wine later, they had finished with the wedding preparations, and Lynn had jotted down enough to satisfy her curiosity. Subtly, she observed the couple about to wed and noticed the stark differences between them. Despite his physical disability, Nolan exuded confidence and spoke his mind without hesitation. On the other hand, Hailey was more reserved, willing to go along with Nolan's decisions and Lynn's suggestions. It was her wedding, and Lynn believed she needed to take ownership of it to avoid any future regrets. Her heart went out to Hailey, wondering if she would be more relaxed without her fiancé present. If she could help her loosen up, they might have more fun together.

 

"Can I call you Hailey, Miss Lincoln?" Lynn asked, appealing to her generosity.

 

"Yes, please," Hailey responded immediately, sighing wearily. Nolan noticed her expression change, and his own grew even more strained, if that were possible.

 

"Okay. Perhaps you can visit me in my office later this week so we can discuss the wedding details. We won't need Mr. Rothschild for that, just us girls."

 

For the first time since Lynn had seen her that day, Hailey beamed. Her smile was beautiful and genuine, unlike the forced ones she had been giving throughout the hour.

 

"I would love to see your office," she hesitated and glanced at Nolan for approval. He waved his hand in the air, granting her permission. "Can I come this Friday? I don't have much to do here, and I would enjoy your company."

 

"Friday will be fine. I'll text you the address so you can find your way. It was a pleasure to meet you, Hailey, Mr. Rothschild."

 

Lynn grabbed her purse and finished the last sip of her wine. She wiped off the red stain from her lipstick on the rim of the glass. Feeling satisfied with her appearance and the time spent, she shook Nolan's hand and embraced Hailey in a warm hug. Mika appeared from her corner to escort Lynn out, and at the door, Ferrell guided her to her car. Hailey didn't realize she was still smiling until a finger touched the corner of her lips. Startled, she jolted out of her seat, as if receiving an electric shock. Nolan rubbed his thumb and index finger together, feeling the sticky lip gloss between them.

 

"I'm guessing Mika picked out your outfit today. She does have better fashion sense. You truly look like a Rothschild bride," he remarked.

 

Hailey frowned and stood up gracefully on her three-inch heels. "I'm glad you approve, Your Lordship," she retorted, dropping her knees briefly in a mock curtsy. She had gone through the effort of presenting herself in a mature manner, and yet he had insulted her efforts. Mika had only tried to help, but she wouldn't go out of her way to impress Nolan again. It was best to be herself and disregard the consequences.

 

"Don't use that tone with me. I was complimenting you, at least. It's not like you could do any worse than this," he replied.

 

Her teeth clenched in vexation, and her fists curled. It seemed to her that Nolan was oblivious to his own disadvantage. She had legs, while he was confined to a wheelchair indefinitely. She was tempted to suffocate him with the tie from his gorgeous suit. He was too attractive for his own good, but he had a foul tongue.

 

"I want to go up to my room now."

 

"No, you don't. We're going to see Grandfather in the hospital. My driver has the car outside, and we'll go together. Save your questions until we're in the car

 

. There are some things I need to tell you about my grandfather first."

 

***

 

When Nolan mentioned "car," Hailey hadn't imagined he meant a limousine. She had sent Mika to fetch her purse from her room because she didn't trust herself to not lock herself in. They were on their way to St. Cecilia's Private Hospital, where Grandfather Gareth had been hospitalized for about a quarter of the year. According to Mika, he had battled a stroke and managed to overcome it, only to become a victim of hypertension. The irregular blood pressure levels sometimes rendered him comatose, making his life delicate as it currently stood. However, as the head of the Rothschild family, all decisions had to receive his approval before they could be implemented.

 

Hailey didn't feel prepared to meet such a powerful individual. What was she supposed to say or avoid in his presence? She didn't want to disappoint him if he was the one who had arranged for her to marry Nolan. Despite the air conditioning in the car, perspiration soaked her pink jacket. Nolan glanced at her, finally looking up from his phone, and noticed her unease. His wheelchair was folded and set aside so he could sit comfortably.

 

"Take it easy, Hailey. Grandfather is just a human like you, not a monster."

 

"I've heard a lot about him," she confessed, absentmindedly biting her nails. She had developed the habit as a child, and as hard as she tried to quit, it resurfaced during times of heightened anxiety. Everything Nolan had said about his grandfather had only added to her fear.

 

"Well, Mika sure has big ears and a big mouth," he scolded the absent maid. "Stop that. You'll ruin your manicure."

 

"I can't help it! I don't want to meet your grandfather and end up disappointing him or embarrassing you. Maybe it would be best if I stayed in the car while you go to see him."

 

Nolan observed the distress she was struggling with. Such a soft-hearted person, he thought, taking her hands in his once again. They trembled in his larger hands, and she had indeed damaged the bubblegum pink nail polish. Her fingertips were red, and her nails had been roughly bitten by her nervous teeth. Yet, they were small and delicate, with a bit of roughness in the center of her palms and calluses on the skin of her fingers. It reminded him that she was once a nobody before her father had called her up from her bondage. Hailey Lincoln might not be the most flawless woman in the world, but she had his attention.