Page 137 of Rejection and Redeemed

Wolf ministers whom Berni still trusted were keeping things ticking over until a new chairman was voted in. Romsey and Morty were coordinating everything.

It was a full table for breakfast that morning. Romsey and Samantha had returned home and would be returning for the dinner.

Morty and Annfield had stayed, with Frank and Joe showing them around.

Today, Aubrey, Christine, and Annfield planned to shop for outfits for the dinner, and the ladies were chatting happily.

A tailor had come to the castle and taken measurements for Finn, Jacob, Joe, Morty, and Emory so their dinner jackets could be made to measure and fit perfectly.

“Right, we’re off. Have fun, everyone,” Aubrey said, standing up.

“Have fun ladies,” Finn said to them.

“We will, darling,” Christine said. “Our first stop is a spa, then it’s onto dress shopping.”

“And we’re not coming back until we’ve brought everything needed. Clairmont knows not to keep dinner for us,” Aubrey added, bending to kiss Berni.

Annfield kissed Morty goodbye and the three ladies left the room, Annfield closing the door behind them.

Robbie grinned. “You realise what this means don’t you?”

“What?” Finn asks.

“Mum is out all day. Emory, Fran, and I aren’t due at the hospital until this afternoon.”

Ezzy gasped. “We can raise the drawbridge.”

“Finally,” Berni said, jumping up and smiling widely. “I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for this day. Come on.”

“Wait,” Ezzy said. “Who’s raising it?”

Berni looked at his youngest son. “Frankie and I are, of course. You boys go up to the battlements and watch.”

“Yes,” Frank said, standing. “Let’s do it.”

“So unfair,” Robbie grumbled.

“When you’re the Duke, you can raise it. This is my time.”

“To the battlements,” Ezzy said, jumping up.

“Jacob,” Berni said, looking at him. “Take it slow and text me when you’ve reached the battlements, then we’ll raise it.”

“Will do, thanks,” Jacob said. He had been shifting every day and was a lot stronger than he used to be, but still struggled with too many stairs.

Robbie led the way out of the breakfast room, up to the battlements.

Fran walked next to Jacob, taking his hand and linking their fingers together. “How did you get on with college yesterday?”

“It was good. My tutors seem nice. I can finish all my current lessons, thank goodness, and don’t need to make up or retake anything.”

“That’s good news.”

“Yep. They also said that they could work my lessons so that one day a week I can have work experience with a local vet.”

“That’s amazing. I’m glad your dream is coming true and you can keep your promises to your mum.”

“Me too. I’m loving the mix of our furniture,” Jacob said, switching topics.