Page 26 of The Naughty Or Nice Clause
THEY HAD PASSED the town hall while shopping the previous day. It was a church-like structure, as intimidating as its architecture was unique. Mason kept slightly behind her the whole time, and she figured he was afraid she was going to turn and run. She would be lying if she said the thought hadn’t crossed her mind.
Walking through the doors into a room that looked like it belonged in a gothic tale, they approached the reception desk in the corner and were greeted by a stoic individual with a clipboard and an upturned nose.
“This way. The council have been waiting,” the receptionist said, leading them through the corridor to a grand ballroom, at the far end of which sat a panel of all ages talking amongst themselves. They were all dressed in suits or fine clothes, and Lyla felt significantly underdressed in her jeans and winter coat. The last thing she needed was for them to judge her on appearance before she had a chance to introduce herself.
Mason gave her hand a squeeze before dropping it. “You look fine. Don’t fidget,” he whispered. He was standing far too close, and she almost leaned away before remembering they were supposed to be engaged. When they reached the panel, she took his hand again and gripped it tightly, not allowing him to let go.
“We have been waiting,” a stout man older than the rest said.
“I only received your message this morning. You hardly gave us a moment to get ourselves together,” Mason said defensively. “I’m sure you won’t hold it against us, Uncle Fred.”
The use of the nickname turned the man purple.
“That would be Councilman Frederick,” he said sternly. “I’m not your uncle in this room.”
Lyla noticed an empty seat along the table. She wondered if Mrs Klaus was meant to be here.Maybe she wasn’t invited because this meeting involves her own family.
“I didn’t realise this was to be such a formal introduction,” Mason said.
Another council member in a beige suit spoke up. “We haven’t seen or heard from you in ten years. Now you come back and want to pretend that everything is as it was, along with expecting us to accept a fiancée we’ve never met? Surely you can understand our hesitation.”
Mason gripped her hand painfully tight.
“Una, I meant no insult to you, the council, or Yule in my leaving or return. I merely wish to aid my family this season and to be a part of my father’s send-off,” he said.
The council murmured amongst themselves.
“And we are to simply accept your return after such a period?” Frederick said.
Lyla opened her mouth to defend Mason but silenced herself. It would probably only hurt him more if an outsider spoke up for him.
“Many leave for more than ten years before returning. Just because I’m a Klaus, it seems I’m being penalised for it. If anything, my experience in the world will benefit Yule. Though I’m sure you would have preferred me not to return at all, uncle,” he said coldly.
Lyla remembered Mrs Klaus mentioning that Kevin was too young to take over the position. Perhaps the uncle had thought he’d inherit the position if Mason didn’t return. Even so, she didn’t know if now was the right time to be so direct – not when they needed the council’s trust.
“Of course we are pleased to see you return, but some warning would have been appreciated.” Frederick huffed, clearly not appreciating having his intentions called out.
“We are being rude to our guest,” Una put in, looking from Frederick to Lyla with a faint smile. Lyla would have preferred the uncle’s attention remained off her, but it was too late.
“Tell us about yourself. If you are to be the future Mrs Klaus, we need to know more about you. Mason should have brought you to us the day you arrived – he knows the rules,” Frederick said, though he didn’t seem very interested in what she had to say.
“I would have, but I figured you would all have much more important things to do, given the season is only around the corner,” Mason began, and Lyla squeezed his hand in warning.
Before he could continue, she hastily said, “My name is Lyla Smurfit, and I hope you don’t mind me saying, but Mason had no intention of surprising you with our arrival. Our engagement was rather fast, and when we became aware of his father’s passing, we decided to return. We had hoped to return and make the announcement at a better time, but I couldn’t let him return alone after losing his father.”
“It’s well and good to make excuses, but you are an outsider. What is your background?” Frederick demanded.
“I run a company which specialises in toys. I’m an only child. My father has resigned from our company, which Mason and I manage together,” Lyla said, throwing together the first facts that came to mind.
“What would you tell your family, your friends, if you were to reside here? Our secrecy is what keeps our legacy alive,” said another council member with startlingly thick brows.
“My mother passed away when I was in school. My father recently remarried. I have few friends within the company. There aren’t too many people to worry about telling,” she confessed, trying not to make herself sound like a total loner. “I have a cat, Jones –but he came with me.” This addition got a few chuckles, and she was glad for the break in tension.
“You met while working together?” Una enquired.
“We did,” Mason said. Lyla had to stop herself from sighing in relief at the pause in the barrage of questions. “It wasn’t love at first sight – we could barely tolerate each other – but over time, her passion for the business, her heart for her clients and compassion for those who work under her made me fall in love with her.”
Lyla forgot about the council and stared at him. His words sounded so believable that they threatened to stop her heart.
