The Beast of Napa

27 - Broken Engagements

"It's good news, isn't it?" Rose asked, taking a bite of her chicken and mashed potatoes.

Griffin said nothing, his eyes glazed and unfocused on the plate in front of him. He had barely spoken for the entire dinner, even though Rose had ordered the foods she knew him to love and the drinks he always fawned over. But even in the dim lights of this restaurant, she could see his thoughts.

She pressed her lips together, ignoring the sinking feeling in her gut. She tapped the table.

"Nathaniel?"

He blinked. "Hmm?"

"The venue is open in the Spring. Isn't that good news?"

He nodded without any enthusiasm. "Yes, there's no problem with that."

He then ate the chicken without any interest, and Rose was starting to understand that the table was no place to talk about marriage.

At least, not theirs.

"Have you spoken to Patrick?" she asked.

He coughed. "No. Why would I?"

"You're not worried about him?"

"No."

"Nor his fiancee?"

Griffin stopped chewing, looking up at Rose. She raised an eyebrow, waiting for his response.

"Of course not," he replied far too bitterly. "Why would I be concerned?"

"Why wouldn't you be? Patrick is not an earnest man in love. We all know that. Except for --"

"I tried to warn her, but she didn't listen. Let's not discuss this anymore."

"She's too innocent to realize it. You're not the type to ignore the innocent or the guilty, Nathaniel."

He stabbed his potatoes with his fork. "She knows exactly what she's doing."

"Oh? Do you think she's pretending not to understand for money?"

"I think she's pretending not to see the obvious so she can succeed."

Rose lifted her glass to her lips. "Sounds like someone else I know."

Griffin dropped his fork on his plate. "What is this really about, Rose?"

Rose took a sip of her wine and then put the glass on the table. She folded her hands under her chin as she swallowed, meeting Griffin's eyes.

"You want to protect her," Rose said.

His head jerked back as if she had hit him. "What?"

"You want to protect her. I can see it. You've never wanted to protect me in such a way."

"You wouldn't let me even if I tried."

"Doesn't mean I'm not jealous when I see you try to do it for someone else."

There was a long pause at the table between them. Griffin picked up his napkin, scrubbing the side of his mouth.

"You have always been better than family, Rose," he said. "You have never once betrayed me. But I wonder if your agreement to marry me is based on love or based on the lack of risk involved."

His eyes fell to the side. Rose took another sip of her drink and nodded to herself, understanding the answer.

"You know, Nathaniel, I always dreamed of a passionate romance. The ones where you lose your mind in the best possible way for a season. Then you grow old, remission about the crazy times you had when you were both young."

He waited for her to continue.

"I've known you most of my life," she said, "but we don't have anything like that to look back on. Just that stolen first kiss when were barely old enough to read." She smiled warmly. "I was the one who stole it, obviously, and I regret nothing about it, but i had always hoped you'd grow up to be as crazy and wild as I was."

Her warm smile soly faded, her lips pursing.

"But I'm afraid you continue to play it safe, even if it means losing what matters most to you."

His eyes went right through her. She smiled once again, happy to know that she was being seen, and also happy knowing after today she'd be unforgettable.

"I'd much rather marry a risk taker," she said. "Someone who knows high quality when he sees and it, and can't keep his paws off it when he does."

She held his gaze until she saw the sternness in him melt, a boyish glitter coming back to his face.

"You deserve nothing less, Rose," he replied softly.

"I agree." She stood from the table, dropping the napkin from her lap onto the table. Even though her heart was heavy, her head felt light enough to bring confidence back to her body.

"I expect you to pick up the check," she said, "a small fee for my valuable insight. I'd hate for your gratitude to go unexpressed."

He gave a pressed smile and nodded, raising his glass in a toast.

She picked up her back and leaned down to kiss him on the cheek, patting his shoulder.
"In another life, Nathaniel Griffin."

She started out the door, but stopped after a few feet. She turned back to the table.

"Oh, and Nathaniel?"

He raised his head to look at her. "Yes?"

She smiled. "Take the damn risk. You're a businessman. You should certainly know when something is too valuable to let it slip away."

With a wink and a smile, she walked out the door.

*****

Nathaniel laughed to himself.

He had always prided himself on being able to read anyone in the room. The curse of that, of course, was that he couldn't read himself.

Thankfully his friends were no fools. In the front of his mind, he was regretful that he wasn't marrying someone as wise and loyal as Rose, and he knew it was better to change his mind and marry someone sensible instead of chasing after things he couldn't have.

But this time - for the first time - he was greedy for peace. Success, easy success, was offered to him and he didn't want it. He was offered the chance to stomp his family into the ground, to a place he could no longer see the pain they had caused him, but with his newly broken engagement, he felt free.

Free from his family chains. Free from his lust for glory. Free from the worst version of himself.

In watching Rose walk away with her confidence, with the style and grace she was always known for, Nathaniel found himself greedy for that kind of peace. A life where he was no longer a coward, no longer consumed by his past.

Rose let go of the past and present so easily to build her desired future. That was her gift. And he wanted that gift for himself.

The sun was nearly set by the time he arrived to his estate. He smiled to himself, walking up the drive.

Until Mrs Greene ran to meet him outside, picking up her skirts and huffing like the world was on fire.

"Nathaniel!" she cried, his first name alarming him. "Get inside!"

He rushed to meet her, the adrenaline hitting him immediately.

"What's happened?" he asked.

"They're coming!" she huffed out. "Those men called –"

Pop. POP. POP.

Griffin and Mrs Greene turned their heads to the sound of cars racing up the driveway, the undeniable sound of gunshots following after.