Enlightened by Alice Raine Read Free Book Online Page A

little tear-stained, damp, and ruffled, but she was still my gorgeous girl, and so with a final squeeze I released her and led her back towards the reception.
    Rebecca

    I was still in a bit of a daze as we made our way back towards the main entrance. The beautiful paintings and exquisite art that had held my attention earlier were now just a blur beside me. Nicholas had booked this amazing place for our wedding … I could hardly absorb it, talk about a bombshell! Not only that, but Nicholas’ plans for how Joanne could be included were just so considerate – he knew how important my sister was to me, and for him to actually work out how she could be involved was incredibly touching.
    When the reception hall finally came into view I saw to my horror that not only was the young receptionist waiting for our return, but that she had also been joined by two smartly suited men. Great, more spectators to witness my blotchy face and red nose. I shook my head with an amused roll of my eyes and straightened my back. There was very little I could do about it now, so making sure that I at least had a smile on my face I turned to them and found three expectant faces.
    ‘You have yourselves a confirmed booking,’ Nicholas said happily as he gave my hand a squeeze. Glancing up at him I saw uncharacteristic openness on his face as he shook hands with one of the two men. He was practically grinning, his eyes were crinkled at the corners with happiness in an expression that even I only saw on rare occasions, let alone anyone else. Seeing him so thrilled about our upcoming marriage I felt my heart fall just a little harder for my complex man.
    ‘You must be Mr Jackson and Miss Langley,’ the taller man said, stepping forwards to shake my hand as well. ‘It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I’m Paul, the hotel manager, and this is James, he’s our master of ceremonies and will be overseeing your big day.’ James was younger than Paul, but had an air of command about him that would no doubt make him perfect for the job.
    ‘I was thinking that while you are here you might want to meet with James or myself to discuss further arrangements? How about we get you checked in and then after you’ve rested and freshened up we could meet before dinner?’
    ‘Sounds good,’ I said with a nod. ‘I got a bit emotional when Nicholas told me he had booked this place so I could do with sorting my face out,’ I remarked with a grin. At least now they knew why I looked such a state. To our right the receptionist was busy laying out a sheet of paper and our room key with a sympathetic smile. ‘Why is it us women cry when we’re happy?’ she remarked, ‘I’ll never understand it!’ she added with a friendly, supportive grin.
    Once we were checked in Paul insisted on seeing us to our room, but to my surprise after he picked up my weekend bag he headed out of the main door, and not up the staircase as I had expected. Flashing a confused glance at Nicholas I saw him suppressing a smile as he placed a hand on my lower back and guided me after Paul down the front steps in the direction of the lake. ‘We’re not staying in the main building,’ Nicholas commented mysteriously.
    Following a path through the beautiful gardens I realised that we were in fact headed to an elegant stone house sat at the water’s edge. Leaning down close to my ear Nicholas finally filled me in, ‘This is the Lake House, it has eight rooms, all with lake views.’
    Wow. The surprises just kept coming, didn’t they! ‘I’ve just booked one room for this stay, but during our wedding weekend I thought that we could have the rooms on the top floor for just us, and that the rooms on the lower floor could be used for your parents, sister, and her nurse. That way Jo can have privacy if she needs it.’
    As I continued to stare at the gently lapping water of the lake behind this stunning house I felt a trembling start in my lower lip and I had to work really