House of Steele

PartEight

"I love it, Remington, Katherine was saying as Robert and Laura neared.
Remington smiled. "Wait until you see the interior," he told her.
"I'm looking forward to it," she was saying as she turned to see Laura. "Hello, dear," she said, giving her niece by marriage a hug and quick kiss on the cheek.
"Katherine."
"You're surprised to see me. I know. Danny-" She gave Remington an apologetic look. "I mean Remington came by to see how I was doing and suggested I come out to see this wonderful house that you'd quite fallen in love with. After seeing just the garden, I can understand the attraction. It's making me a bit homesick for my garden back in London."
"You're from London, then?" Robert asked, drawing her attention.
Remington rushed to make the introductions. "Katherine Morgan, Robert Brandon."
"Mrs. Morgan. It's a pleasure," he said, bowing over her hand.
"For me as well, Mr. Brandon. To answer your question, I've lived in London for several years, but I was born and raised in Ireland." Her blue eyes were on him, searching his face, as if there was something familiar about him.
"You've lost the brogue," he said.
"I was an actress-among other things- before my marriage."
"A pity," Robert said, sighing. "I've always found the lilt of an Irish brogue rather charming."
Katherine's blue eyes sparkled. "A subject on which I believe you to be a master, Mr. Brandon." Her expression grew serious. "May I offer my sympathies concerning the loss of your wife? My husband died three years ago. It's still difficult at times."
"At least you have- Remington. What did you call him a moment ago?" Robert asked.
"Danny. It's a very long story, and I don't want to bore you with it. I DO want a look inside your house, however."
"Not mine for much longer. I intend to turn it over to the new owners as soon as possible."
"There's no hurry, Robert," Remington assured him.
Robert's eyes searched Remington's face before he turned back to Katherine. "I'll show you around, Mrs. Morgan- on one condition."
"And what might that be?"
"That you tell me that long story once we're done."
Katherine looked at Remington to see his reaction. He nodded. "I will," she told him.
Robert extended an arm, and Katherine placed hers on it. "Will you and Laura join us, Remington?"
Laura held her husband back. "We'll catch up, Robert." She waited for them to reach the house. "What's going on here?"
Remington's eyes widened. "I simply thought Katherine would like to see the house, Laura-"
She shook her head. "I don't buy that. I feel like I've come into a movie on the last reel. Robert has a photograph of a very young Daniel Chalmers on his desk- a picture he says is of his son-"
He had been looking at the house, but turned when she said this. "Daniel was- Robert's son?" he asked.
"He didn't mention the name, but I asked about a photograph- the one on his desk- he told me it was his son."
Remington grabbed her hand. "I think we'd better catch up to them," he said, pulling her along with him.

After the tour, Remington's first full one, he suddenly "realized" that Katherine had yet to see the study. "Typically English air," he told her.
Katherine looked uncertain. "If Robert doesn't mind-" she said. Halfway through the tour, he had become Robert and she Katherine, the formality dropped as if it had never existed.
Robert smiled. "Of course not. I planned it to be our last stop. A suitable setting for the long story that you owe me."

After seeing the ladies settled, Robert took the chair before the dark fireplace. "Would you pour some drinks, Remington? Brandy for me, spring water for Laura-" he looked questioningly at Katherine.
"A small sherry," she told her nephew.
"Now. You were going to tell me why you started to call the man I know as Remington Steele- 'Danny'."
"To explain, thank you, Remington," she said, taking the glass of sherry, "I have to go back to tell you about how a young, eighteen year old Irish girl, with aspirations of being a serious stage actress, who was practically disowned by her parents, met two young men one night. They were cousins, and they were also aspiring con-artists. They were doing rather well, having left the Welsh mining town where they had grown up . . "
Robert listened in silence, Remington watching his face closely, as Katherine came to the point in her narrative where Daniel's wallet had been filched by a young pickpocket- only to discover that the young man was the son he'd been searching for. Remington took up the story from there, telling Robert about Daniel, about the years he had known him- about his death in Ireland, and then about Jessica's arrival in Los Angeles. When he had finished, Robert rose slowly to cross to the desk, where he picked up the photograph.
"I had no idea-" He took a long, deep breath. "I have a -story to tell of my own. My mother died suddenly when I was sixteen. My father was not an easy man to be close to, and when he refused to share my grief, I began to do things designed to hurt him. I ran away from school, started to gamble- He was forced to hire a tutor when I was expelled. The year I turned eighteen, Millie Chase came to work as an upstairs maid. She was straight from a small town in Wales-awed by my father's money, title-"
"Title?" Remington questioned.
"He was the Duke of Northbridge," Robert explained. "I gave up my claim to the title when I became an American citizen. I don't believe it's been claimed."
"Forgive me, I didn't mean to interrupt-"
He smiled. "Quite understandable. Where was I? Oh, yes. Millie. She was an innocent, with an almost puritanical upbringing. It presented quite a challenge to the bored, spoiled young blade I fancied myself to be. I pursued her shamelessly, embarrassing her, flattering her-with no intention of more than a quick tumble, just to prove I could do it. After I'd gotten what I wanted, I'm ashamed to say I lost all interest in her. Father sent me off on a trip to France before I was to start at Oxford. I was expelled for cheating. Father nearly washed his hands of me, despaired of my ever amounting to anything." He looked at the picture again. "One day, about four years after I went to Paris, I happened on a news article about an influenza epidemic that had swept through several Welsh villages, killing twenty people- among them a Millie Chase. I mentioned it to my father, asking if he remembered the girl. He became quite agitated, insisted that she should never be mentioned again in his house. He wouldn't tell me why- I didn't find out until six years later. After his death, I discovered several old envelopes- addressed to Millie Chase- and returned unopened. They contained bank drafts made out to Millie Chase- and a letter informing her that the money should be used for her son. After questioning some of the servants, I began to understand what had happened after my departure for Paris."
"When Millie discovered she was going to have a child-my child-she told my father what had happened. He was furious, accused her of planning it to gain a wealthy husband. She denied it, but my father refused to listen. He sent her away with the threat that if she ever attempted to contact me, he would have both her and her child killed. He did agree to see that they had money to live on- but Millie refused it- said she would go back to her brother in Wales. Once Father's estate was settled, I made a visit to the small mining town. I was shocked by how dirty and squalid the place was. I located Miles Chase easily. He was a brutish, violent man with visions of power when he met me. He admitted that HE was raising my son. When I asked to see him, Chase refused, said that Daniel had no desire to meet his father. Then, he said that I could HAVE the boy- for a price. Two million pounds. I said he was mad, threatened to take him to court. He said I couldn't-because the publicity would destroy me-personally as well as professionally. I didn't have the two million to give him- , so I left Wales, and England. I came to New York. I didn't plan to stay long, only to help Lily's father- but then I met her-"
"Did Lily ever know?" Laura asked softly.
"Yes. After we realized that she couldn't have children, I told her about Millie- and about Daniel. We had been married nearly eight years and she convinced me to go back, to try and contact my son once more. She said that Chase couldn't stop me from seeing an eighteen year old young man- if HE wanted to see me. When I arrived, it was to find that Miles Chase was dead-killed in a drunken brawl three years earlier. A young woman told me that Daniel and his cousin, Harry, Miles' son, had left immediately after Chase was buried. She gave me this photograph-told me that he'd been a bit wild, full of charm and plans to strike it rich. She said she thought they had been headed toward London and that he was using the name Chalmers. I went back to London where Lily was waiting. I couldn't stay longer- business matters required my presence here- so I hired an agent to find Daniel, and we returned home. The man placed advertisements in the London papers-"
"So it DID happen," Katherine said. All eyes turned to her. "I'm sorry. Soon after I met Daniel, Harry told me that Daniel sometimes confused him. That Daniel was forever coming up with crazy schemes that one of them would pose as the long lost son of a wealthy man, get what they could from him, and then move on. But the one time it looked to be real, Daniel had lost his nerve. He told me there had been an advertisement in the Times, asking the son of Millie Chase, late of Wales, to see an agent about an inheritance. They went on a lark, knowing that Daniel's mother had never had any money. When the agent told them that he had been retained by Daniel's father and was empowered to give him a draft, Daniel took one look at the piece of paper, then tore it into tiny pieces. Daniel wasn't a violent man- I'm sure Remington can verify that- and very rarely lost his temper- but Harry told me that Daniel very nearly assaulted the poor man before throwing the pieces of the draft into his face and walking out. Harry followed, asked why Daniel had done it. Daniel told him that his father had gone for 18 years without caring where he was, not caring that working in those mines might scar him for life- and he wanted nothing to do with his father."
Laura looked at Remington, and both suddenly realized how hard it must have been for Daniel to attempt to tell his OWN son the truth, with those memories of his own youthful anger. Having turned his back on HIS father, Daniel's greatest fear has been that his son, Remington, would do the same thing.
Robert nodded. "The agent sent me word of that meeting-and when I heard of Daniel's reaction - I was devastated. If it hadn't been for Lily- I don't think I would have survived it. She diverted my attention to other things, other people, closer to home. I seldom thought consciously about my son-until I read about the death of Daniel Chalmers and the interview you granted the Times after attending the posthumous knighting."
Laura looked confused. "Then you were aware that Remington had known Daniel the first time we met," Laura realized. "Why didn't you ask about him?"
"I intended to- once I met Remington Steele. But our first meeting wasn't the ideal moment for me to say, 'Oh, by the way, I'd like to quiz you about my son- your friend, Daniel Chalmers'."
Laura smiled. "No, I suppose it wasn't."
Robert looked at the younger man. "I had no idea that Daniel had a son, or a daughter. If I had, I would have contacted you both long before now." He handed the photograph to Katherine, who nodded, wiping a tear from her cheek.
"That's Daniel- and Harry," she confirmed.
Laura looked from her husband, to Robert, and back again. "Will one of you say SOME thing?"
Suddenly Remington smiled- and found it echoed by Robert. His grandfather. The two men embraced. "Ah, Robert. For so long I wondered about who I was, where I belonged, looked for close family ties. Now, in the space of a year, I've found a sister, rediscovered a long lost aunt, and stumbled upon my grandfather."
"We've several years to make up for," Robert told him. "Jessica. She must be included in this as well." He smiled. "I've found not one grandchild today, but two."
"She'll be surprised," Katherine told him. "She needs family as much as Remington ever did. I'll call and leave a message for her to join us here as soon as she's able to."
Robert sat beside Laura. "Your buying the house now is out of the question, of course."
"Why?" Laura asked.
"Come now, Robert-"
He put his hand over Laura's. "Consider it yours. It will be eventually, anyway. I intend to make out a new will -"
"Robert, that's not-"
"As my grandchildren, you and Jessica are the only logical heirs to my estate-"
"Robert-" Remington tried once more, only to find himself pinned by that hawklike gaze. "Don't argue with your grandfather, young man.
Katherine turned from the telephone. "Jessica had just returned to the office. She'll be right out."
"Then I suppose Mrs. Hobbs should be informed that there will be one more for dinner. In my last act as master of the house, I'll take care of that. Would you care to join me, Katherine?"
She smiled, taking his arm. "Of course."

Remington went to the window to stare out at the garden until he heard Laura's soft laughter. "What is so amusing, Mrs. Steele?" he wanted to know.
"You. All of your life, you've been looking for the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Now that you've found it- I think you're overwhelmed."
"Nonsense," he insisted. "I've adjusted to the money Jessica's mother left. But this-" he indicated the house.
She came to stand before him. "He IS your grandfather, Remington. And I can't believe you would make him unhappy by refusing to take the house."
"I certainly hope not," Robert said from the doorway.
"I don't want to refuse, Robert, but-what about Abigail Holt's real estate commission?" He was grasping at straws, but he felt he had to try.
"I'm sure something can be worked out, Remington," Katherine said, attempting to reassure her nephew. "Don't you, Laura?"
"Of course."
"All right. IF we DO agree, then I insist that you stay on, Robert. I will NOT deprive you of your home-"
"I'm grateful, but the last thing you and Laura need is a doddering old man about, getting in the way."
"You are NOT a doddering old man, Robert. This is your home-"
"No. It's yours- if you will put aside that stubborn streak that you inherited from me- unfortunately."
"Where will you go?"
"I dare say I'll find a place. Katherine's been telling me about the residential hotel in which she's taken rooms. I might look into it." His smile was tinged with sadness. "Without Lily here, my boy, this is no longer my home. No, much better that I start over in a new place while the two of you make this house a home for yourselves- and for my great-grandchild."
Laura looked at Remington. "I never said-"
"How did you know, Robert?"
"It's obvious every time you look at Laura. What are you hoping for? Or have you decided yet?"
"A boy," Laura answered.
"A girl," Remington said at the same time.
"Why not both?" Robert suggested.
Laura shook her head. "That's odd. Remington seems to think it could be twins."
"It could very well be twins," Robert told them. "Miles and Millie Chase were twins."
"And their great-grandmother had a twin brother," Katherine said, recalling a forgotten bit of knowledge. "Harry mentioned it once. Every two generations, there were twins born into his father's family. A boy and a girl. The girl would have a son and HIS son would father twins. The pattern was always the same."
Laura sat down, stunned by the news, a hand on her abdomen. "Twins?"


They were upstairs, deciding which of the five extra rooms could be converted into a nursery, when Katherine happened to look out of a front window. "Jessica's here, Remington." When Robert turned toward the door, she placed a light hand on his arm, stopping him. "I think it might be best if Remington and Laura speak to her first."
"Why, Katherine?"
"The grandfather she knew left her with few good memories of him. If she hears the news from Remington without your presence, it will give her a chance to adjust to having another grandfather before she sees you."
"She's probably right, Robert," Remington agreed.
"Very well."

Jessica was looking around the entry hall when Remington and Laura came downstairs. "It's a lovely house, Laura. I can see why you were so taken with it." She looked around. "Where are Katherine and Robert?"
"Upstairs," Remington told her. "We have to talk, Jessica. Would you mind coming into the study?"
He led the way, leaving the door open behind them. Picking up the photograph on the table, he began to tell her Robert's story. As he finished, Laura could tell that Jessica was surprised- and uncertain.
"He's-"
"OUR grandfather," Remington finished. "He's nothing like the grandfather you remember, Jessica. If he had known we existed, he would have had us here, with him and Lily."
"A grandfather," she said. "I should have known- I felt as if I'd known him forever that first night- and he wasn't at his best. I want to see him, Remington."
"I'm here, child," Robert said, having come to the door silently to listen. "I couldn't stay upstairs, Remington. Not when it was something so important to me." He came into the room, slowly approaching Jessica. "I know your grandfather Beecham was a hard man, Jessica. I'd like to make it up to you- if you'll let me."
With a muffled sob, Jessica fell into his arms, burying her dark head against his chest. Katherine wiped another tear away, and Laura sniffled a trifle suspiciously.
Mrs. Hobbs, her own eyes red, came to the doorway. "I suppose none of you heard the dinner announcement. If you're not at your places in five minutes, I won't be responsible for what you'll have for dinner."
Remington laughed, offering an arm to Laura. "Let's not keep Mrs. Hobbs waiting."
Robert's laughter joined his, as he offered an arm to Jessica and Katherine. "I DID warn you, Remington."
"So you did, Robert, so you did."

-Finis-