Old-Fashioned, or Another Story With Ghosts

Chapter 24. Ballet is mentioned and the auntie takes care of the ring

Greg fell in love with aunt Priscilla the moment he saw her - exactly how James predicted. He bowed and carefully shook her small hand with beautifully aged skin and a couple of thin rings.

"But James didn't mention how beautiful you're. Lord Blacke, I mean." 

She laughed covering his hand with her other palm. Her eyes were pale and resembled forget-me-nots. "Ah, sweetheart! I see why dear James was so eager to introduce us. What I do not see is him being so selfish to hide you from the world."

"We met a few days ago only, Mrs Longborn. He was too kind to me, really. But he let me think you're somebody like Lady Cathrine De Bourg." Greg glanced at James cunningly before stopped himself. And felt some strange joy watching James slightly confused. It was a deeply intimate feeling. "But you're right, it doesn't feel like a few days. James is the best person I ever met."

"I can't agree more. Except, maybe, a couple of boys from Royal Opera House, especially the tall Russian. What is his name?.."

"Vadim Muntagirov, aunt..."

"These Russian surnames. Such a nice boy, couldn't say a word when we met! The amazing balloon, though. You will see yourself." She smile to Greg before letting him go. "I am a poor host! You must be starving after these awful travel hours. Hope you forgive me for asking to bring everything right here, under the trees." 

"This is awesome, Mrs Longborn. I am sorry we didn't come earlier." And Greg honestly meant it. Especially when saw the round garden-style table barely enough for all plates and dished with sandwiches, bowls with olives and tomatoes, and silver tea pot in the middle of it. 

"Who is that Mr Muntagirov? And why did Mrs Longborn tell I'll meet him?" Greg whispered to James while placing the napkin on the right knee. The meal was mouthwatering and looked... simple. Cool, too. But simple. Wilkins wouldn't approve, probably.

"The Royal Opera House gala, do you remember, Gregory? We are invited." James smiled a little helping him with the cheese plate. He was grateful aunt preferred it simple, a much needed relaxing family dinner.

"The Royal... oh. Right."

"It is the longest legs possible on Earth, darling. You should see his..."

"Aunt."

She only laughed, breaking a bread gracefully.

"Is he a ballet dancer?"

"The principal. A nice, gentle boy. Has a long-time girlfriend, what a pity."

Gregory laughed. James smiled and thought he should text he needed the ring sooner.

"When is the engagement?"

"Whose engagement?"

"Your engagement, silly heads. Oh... James, you have not proposed yet, have you? How selfish of you. What would the poor boy think?"

"I will inform you first, aunt Pricilla. You look pale, would you like some water, dear Gregory?"

Greg was in the middle of a grilled cherry tomato at the moment, and could not answer at once. Fortunately. So he just nodded and hid behind the glass making up his mind and the rest of sense of humour. Would it be a good joke if he says he's still choosing between James and another admirer, a cab driver next door to his rental room? Might be. But he didn't want to joke about it. Aunt Priscilla was extravagant but she was still a lady. So better lighter jokes, at least for now. 

Reight. Like it was going to be any later.

Greg finally stopped drinking and put the empty glass back near his plate. "That would be inappropriate, Mrs Longborn. James has to ask my parents first. They are super old-fashioned."

"Oh dear. That is so nice. James, you've found a rare gem! Fine, I stop fussing about these lonely years of yours, that one was worth waiting."

"But we should finish one important thing before it." Greg didn't let James add a word. "To help a ghost to find peace. Even two ghosts, actually. Ancestors of James and myself."

"Incredibly charming! Pray tell me, how did you meet?"

"At first, I saw a ghost. Then, James arrived and saved me." Greg looked at James proudly. And shivered when his hand was taken and squeezed reassuringly under the table.

James smiled. "Indeed, it was a mutual service."

Aunt Priscilla laughed again. She was 83, after all, and could see thought some things. Including tablecloths. "Oh, I do love a good ghost story, my boys."

James looked at Gregory who nodded and squeezed his hand back. They told aunt the story.

It somewhat felt much lighter and better after telling her. Especially after she expressed her sympathy for "poor Gregory's hand" and advised James to deal with the ghosts as soon as possible until somebody else gets hurt.

The most amusing thing was James did need to talk to Gregory's parents. First, about exhuming Charlotte's bones from the grave and bringing her to Blacke family mausoleum.

And to ask for Gregory's hand if Gregory agrees to his proposal, to save time and do both things in one trip.

But it appeared to be he didn't need the jeweller, after all. He would have to pay his respects and send him a gift to excuse himself for the worry.

After the dinner aunt Pricilla called James into her study, while Gregory was nose deep in the antique art books in the library. "James, darling, have you ordered the ring yet?"

"I had some close plans, but...no, not exactly."

"Just like I thought. You, young men, think nothing of traditions. Here." She placed an old ring box onto James's palm. "That belonged to your mother. She gave it to me and told me to return it when I see you found the one."

James frowned. "So...you never gave it to me before my first marriage?"

"Be reasonable, boy. It was a joke of a marriage. Now, see. It belonged to your great grand father. And it went down to all the wives. Give this to the boy."

James opened the box, looked at the still sparkling rose cut diamonds. He signed and hugged his aunt.

Hopefully, Gregory would enjoy the ring as well.

***