LYING TO LOVE

Tyler was looking out the window of his offices at the estate, the English winter was always very warm, and it was nice to look at the park surrounding their home, all snow-covered.

Already the estate of the Earls Spencer of Cambridge, the most beautiful and majestic in the city, with riding stables, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a stunning man-made lake within the private park, not to mention the immense Baroque-style house; with about forty between main, guest and servants' rooms.

If he closed his eyes, he saw his whole life passing before him; he certainly never expected to become motherless at the age of 38, and even more never expected that his mother, along with the will, had left a letter for him. A letter that revealed to him a sad truth, 12'years earlier he had been deceived; but not in the way he believed, but he had been betrayed by his father, Earl Connor Damian Spencer of Cambridge. He remembered that summer as if it had been at that time......

12 years earlier........

He was Earl Tyler Aroon Spencer, a recent graduate of Oxford University, the undisputed ward of his father Earl Connor. Actually Tyler was the second son, his brother Gavin two years older was supposed to be his father's successor, but to their misfortune he had been ill with muscular dystrophy for eight years now, and was confined to a wheelchair. Earl Connor, upon learning of his eldest son's irreversible illness, had poured all his interest into Tyler; for his father would be the one to carry on the good name of the Spencer household. His wife Countess Abigayl Judie Kingariss, however, was suffering greatly from the state of her beloved eldest son, and Tyler and his sister Victoria, four years younger, also could not rest for their big brother who, however, despite his grave situation, was always cheerful and carefree. Tyler admired his willpower and courage when he said," I WILL TAKE EVERY DAY THAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN ME.... AS A GIFT, I WILL DO EVERYTHING THAT MY BODY AND MY MIND WILL ALLOW ME TO DO, IN BOTTOM I HAVE ALREADY LIVED 28'YEARS AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY MORE I WILL LIVE, IT IS ALREADY A GREAT TRAGUARD IN COMPARISON TO THE POOR CHILDREN WHO WITH THE SAME DISEASE ARE ALREADY DEAD! DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME, YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO SUPPORT ME FOR A LONG TIME!" and then laughed heartily, also eliciting hilarity from his brothers.

Riding stables were the Spencers' passion; each of them had gotten on a horse at an early age even before they knew how to walk on their own legs; that winter their best specimens, including Tyler's Anglo-Argentine stallion named Argon, had contracted a delicate infection; they had fortunately all survived, however, they were under a lot of stress from the medication. So Earl Connor that summer, had hired a great horse breeder Milton Wilson who was able to talk to the magnificent specimens precisely, as if he were holding them in analysis, in the same way a psychologist does with humankind.

Milton showed up at the Spencer estate with his only 22-year-old daughter, Ellison Wilson; Tyler was captivated by her as soon as she got out of the RV in which she, her father and some of their horses that served for therapy had traveled. She was stunning, breathtaking physique, with a cascade of black hair as straight as velvet, enclosed in a soft tail that flowed down over her right shoulder, the tail was fastened with a pink flower clip; her eyes were a very intense gray/blue, they looked like ice, her complexion was snow-white and her cheeks a little pink, a fleshy heart-shaped mouth made just for kissing. As soon as Tyler's eyes rested on her, he knew he was lost.

For her part, Ellison was also impressed by young Earl Spencer, he looked more like a prince than an Earl, with that mass of golden blond hair worn medium long and well combed, the perfect blue eyes of the same intense color as the horizon where sea and sky seem to meet, olive complexion, oval of the face perfectly rough, high cheekbones; in short, he looked like he had come out of a fashion magazine, the models of Versace, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferrè, etc. did not make the young Earl look at all disfigured.

__"Tyler, big brother.......how are you doing?" his sister asked him, rousing him from his thoughts.

__"Fine, don't worry Vichy!" he replied in a colorless voice.

__"You're always cooped up here, Mom's death shocked us all, but you were hit with another bitter revelation. Please Tyler, don't be hard on dad! He always wanted the best for us, in his own way he loved and suffered for Gavin too!" tried to reason with Victoria, he hinted a bitter smile.

__"The best for us?! And in your opinion the best for me, was to walk away from the woman I loved with all my being?" he asked cynically.

__"Come on Tyler, you know that Dad is old-fashioned; people of our social class...marry other equally emblazoned people, it's been that way for centuries now! That's why Dad would never approve of marriage between the successor of his lineage, and the daughter of a horse breeder, no matter how famous he might be!" clarified his sister, Tyler turned around looking at her sarcastically.

__"Ah, so that's why you're still not engaged at 34 years of age, and you pretend to be sick whenever our father invites a scion of our social class to dinner!" he was quick to point out, Victoria sighed heartbrokenly.

__"All right, our father made a big mistake with you, he was mean! But what are you going to do now!" she finally asked worriedly.

__"I don't know Vichy, for now I prefer to keep a little bit away from dad so that I don't run the risk of having to fight with him badly, I want to blow off some more steam!" he answered seriously.

__"And what are you going to do about Ellison! Are you really going to grant Mom's wish by having her come here with Gavin's children!" asked Victoria worriedly again, Tyler turned to look at the snowy landscape.

__"I guess we owe it to Mom!"

Ellison was intent on riding her mare Mallory, looking like an amazon, performing some exercises by standing on her back, while her father whispered in the ear of a mare from their stable, making her perform the same exercises as Mallory with only the help of his voice.

__"What....do you think?" asked Gavin, joining him in his wheelchair.

__"It's amazing!" replied Tyler raptly.

__"Are you talking about Milton's work, or his daughter?!" on hearing his brother's question, Tyler turned his head to look at him.

__"About both!" he replied seriously, after which his lips widened into a charming smile, reciprocated by his brother.

Tyler and Gavin looked so much alike that they could have looked like twins, the eldest's hair was only a shade darker than his brother's; Victoria was also blond, but her hair was a dark coppery blond, just as gorgeous as her brothers' anyway, Ellison found herself thinking as she continued to work in the saddle of Mallory, not giving a glance to the Spencer brothers who had distracted her from her exercise, particularly Tyler.

__"Ty......Tyler but are you listening?" Victoria once again aroused him from his memories.

__"Sorry, I was distracted....thought!" he replied, turning away.

__"I was able to find out where Ellison Wilson lives now, she is an interior decorator in Edinburgh, she is self-employed and still lives with her father who is still a horse breeder, and she is the mother of two little boys Connor Tyler Spencer and Damian Gavin Spencer, twins who are 11 and a half years old. They are our nephews Tyler!" he turned sharply to look at his sister, he couldn't be........ he had really done it!

It didn't take long for Tyler and Ellison to be drawn to each other like magnets, they began their clandestine romance; one July night the two lovers, Victoria, Gavin and Count Spencer's young co-worker and right-hand man, Clark Oryly, sneaked out to the lake to bathe.

Gavin had a great time and kept everyone's humor alive, Victoria was secretly in love with Clark a handsome 28'enne.....but he was not of their social class and, given how Earl Connor felt about her, she preferred to keep her feelings hidden.

It was 4:00 a.m. when the boys decided to return to the estate to lie down, all except Ellison and Tyler; that night they loved each other, for her it was the first time....those images would forever remain indelible in Tyler's mind, he felt as if she was still warm and excited, ready for him. Ellison also confided in him that night that she loved him, and after lovemaking they fantasized about their future together.

__"I'd like the first two children of ours to be two boys, because I'd like to put our names mixed together; mine, Dad's, and Gavin's, then I'd also like a little girl and I'd like to name her Abygayl Victoria Spencer; so that we can carry on all my family names!" confided Tyler to him; Ellison sensually kissed his neck.

__"Well, three children......the perfect number!"

__"I could send you a telegram, followed immediately by a visit from our lawyer.....what do you say! Tyler, but are you sure you feel well?" worried Victoria asked him again.

__"Don't worry little sister, I'm fine. Yes.... I think it's the right thing; send the telegram tomorrow and explain to the lawyer that he has to fly to Edinburgh. And time for Gavin's children to come home!"

Edinburgh......

Ellison had just finished a meeting with a woman who was driving her crazy; she had changed her bedroom furniture three times; however, this time Ellison had booked all the draperies and fabrics by phone in the presence of the client, so that she would also listen to the order she had placed and not change her mind again. She only had to finish the bedroom in that mansion, then Mrs. Darren would hand her the check with 50 percent of her remaining fee .

It was a cold and snowy February that had begun in Edinburgh this winter, every time she saw the snow falling she didn't know why, she always thought back to the Spencer estate; it must have been beautiful all snow-covered, her boys would have had a great time making snowmen and having snow-white snowball fights. Ellison was saddened; she had never seen the estate in winter; who knows if Connor and Damin would ever see it.

Milton held in his hand a telegram that came from England, specifically from Cambridge; he had read and reread it three times already, he said:

The twins were in their room playing play station, and they had not seen the letter carrier bring the telegram; it was 4:40 p.m. now in a little while Ellison would be home, and they would decide what to do.

As she walked in the door of her house, Ellison rubbed her tired eyes.

__"Hey folks, I'm home!" she said in a slightly higher tone of voice; two pairs of ice-colored eyes identical to her own, gave her a happy look, and ran up to her. The twins were her whole life, her whole world; Connor and Damian were virtually identical, two peas in a pod......except for the color of their hair. Connor had it golden blond like his father, and Damian black and silky as velvet, identical to Ellison's; in character then......they were the opposite of each other.

__"Mom, you're back!" the twins greeted her with a strong hug, and a tender kiss. Her father and Camille, her companion, came out of the kitchen.

__"Children, why don't you go that way with Camille.....she has prepared a fruit snack for you!" asked Grandpa to the grandchildren, they nodded and followed the woman into the kitchen; Ellison took off her shoes and worriedly put on her slippers, the look on her father's face didn't tell her right, which worried her not a little.

__"What is it Dad, do you have something to tell me?" she asked softly, Milton handed her the telegram.

__"This came today, I've read it a million times!" replied the man; Ellison read it and suddenly fell down sitting in a chair.

Ellison had never seen such a beautiful woman in his life; Countess Abigayl was an affable woman and was very interested in their work, asked many questions and never addressed her or her father with irony or superiority.

__"I understand then that this is not what you want to do in life!" asked the countess kindly.

__"No my lady, I go to university.....I passed my exams for the last three years with top marks, I'd like to become an interior decorator!" replied Ellison who, looking at her admiringly one more time, thought that her three sons had taken her hair color and her eye cut; Count Spencer, on the other hand, had dark brown hair.

__"Well...that's a nice choice, really nice work congratulations!" the woman smiled at her, Ellison smiled back.

__"Elly honey.....are you feeling all right?" her father brought her back to reality, her mind was back 12'years.

__"I'm fine daddy, I just snapped! I'm sorry about Abigayl, she wasn't that old, if I'm not mistaken she must have been 63 or 64 at most. It doesn't say here how it happened, the lawyer they sent ahead will tell us for sure!" replied Ellison, recovering as he went along from the news.

__"And what are you going to do, take the twins there?" asked her father, she looked at him with an indecipherable expression.

__"I haven't the faintest idea what I'm going to do Dad, let's wait for the lawyer to arrive, hear the clarifications he wants to give us, and then we'll think about what to do!" replied Ellison, letting out a long sigh.

Lawyer Monreal arrived on time after dinner, at about 9:15 p.m.; he told the Wilsons that the Countess had suffered a heart attack in her sleep; they had practically found her dead in bed the morning after she went to bed. She had left a private letter for her son Tyler, and inside the will was written that her greatest wish was for her grandchildren to finally return home, namely to the Spencer estate in Cambridge.

Ellison would remember that day for the rest of his life. Tyler had gone against everything and everyone to marry her, even against her headstrong and cold father, Earl Connor Damian Spencer.

They had arranged the wedding; in the small family chapel Tyler was waiting for her excitedly with witnesses by her side, who were her siblings Gavin and Victoria, who had also become Ellison's best friends.

Tyler had wanted to invite all his college friends to the ceremony, even the scions of high society had been invited; only their parents, contemporaries of Earl Spencer, had decided not to attend the wedding; his mother Abigayl, however, ....era sat in the front row, never, ever would she miss the wedding of one of her children.

She had just finished dressing, with the help of a housekeeper from the estate, when Earl Connor Spencer entered her room.

__"Are you convinced of what you are doing? You've decided to frame my son at all costs, haven't you?" he asked looking at her with admiration and contempt at the same time.

__"But I must say that from yours, you have such beauty!" he said sarcastically.

__"I love your son Mr. Count, whether you like it or not.....I love Tyler very much; and I would love him even if he were dirt poor!" she retorted furiously.

__"This pleases me to hear, for that is just what you will do with him by marrying him, you will make him a pauper, for if he marries you.....I disinherit him indeed, I disinherit him as a son so that he will have nothing to claim even when I am dead __Ellison paled on hearing those harsh words__ Think about it, how long will this fiery idyll last! When the passion fades, Tyler will realize what he has lost because of you, and he will end up hating you. You say you love him, but you don't care if you condemn him to a poor man's life by marrying him; reflect Ellison, Tyler was born with the blazon.....don't force him to work hard to support you and him. If you agree to leave this instant, never to be seen again, I'll write you a check for $100,000.oo; take it or leave it.......if you want me I'm in the study, join me!" after which he went out, throwing open the door to the bride's room, and finding his son Gavin in his wheelchair facing him, who applauded him sarcastically. Earl Spencer said nothing, merely gave him a stern look and left.

Ellison had slumped to the ground in tears surrounded by her beautiful wedding dress, Gavin moved as close to her as he could, and with his fingertips caressed her cheek.

__"If you really love him, and you're sure that someday Tyler won't regret what he's about to do now, go....run to the church to him, don't listen to that gruff old man! But if you're not sure.....then I have a proposition for you!" he said seriously, Ellison took his face in his hands.

__"It's not that I'm not sure about our feelings, it's just that I don't feel like depriving him.....of all this! __she laughed pointing to the estate, turning her arms all around, then dropping them back into her lap__But there's also another thing........ I'm pregnant Gavin" she replied sobbing, the man took a hand between hers.

__"I believe you have already made your sad decision!See Elly.....yesterday I went for a checkup at the doctor's, and he gave me a bad verdict; my disease has regressed a lot and I am supposed to have ....ad eye to eye, two more years to live; something less and no more!" he confided to her with a unique calmness, Ellison covered her mouth with her hands and resumed sobbing.

__"I don't want my mother to witness the long ordeal that will then lead me to certain death; so I thought right now of a solution. Let's go away together, let's get married..........I will recognize your child as mine, thus giving him the surname he is entitled to; and you will help me pass on! I know I'm asking a huge sacrifice, but you would be able to continue studying because my grants including pension and accompaniment would allow you to study and raise your child! Not to mention that the two of you would then be the beneficiaries of my life insurance, and you would take a widowhood benefit after I die!" Gavin spoke those words as if he were not talking about himself, but about another person; Ellison admired the man so courageous.

__"Think over my proposal Elly, but do it quickly!" she loved Tyler too much to force him into a life of poverty and hardship; Earl Spencer was ruthless, and should Ellison marry his second son, he would not hesitate to make good on the threats he had made to her just before. Then she wiped her eyes, stood up and took the hand Gavin held out to him.

__"I accept, let's get out of here now, before I realize what I'm doing!"

__"Mrs. Spencer, what do you say to the request of your family members?" the lawyer asked her, the eyes of her father and his companion watched her holding her breath; Ellison took to pacing back and forth, stood a few minutes in silence before speaking.

__"I knew that someday....this moment would come! I have only one request to make of the earl and his sons; should they still feel any animosity toward me, in front of the boys they must treat me as an old friend, pretending to feel sympathy for me. Otherwise, I will take my children back and return to Edinburgh!" he said firmly, leaving everyone stunned.

__"May I take the liberty of asking you why you are making this request?" asked the lawyer, her father and Camille also looked at her curiously.

__"I don't want my children one day, to have to choose between me and their father's family!" she replied bitterly.

__"So mom let's recap, grandma died.....and after her death a letter was found where she confessed to everyone that grandpa kicked you out of the estate, the day you were supposed to marry Uncle Tyler. And why does everyone only remember us now?" asked Damian angrily and bitterly.

__"Let's go little brother....Mom has already explained it to us, Grandpa was a tyrant and kept everyone under his will because he is the Earl of Cambridge and that's how he was always used to pose himself; until the day our poor grandmother died, which changed him dramatically. Of course in grandfather he must have loved grandmother very much!" Ellison wrapped his son's shoulders and kissed his head.

__"You were very thorough Connor, thank you!" the more rebellious twin snorted.

__"If we have to do it, let's do it! Let's go meet these relatives, of course I would have liked to meet grandma too, but it's late now......vabbé, it means we'll get to tell all about her; what do you say little brother!" Connor smiled at him pleased at his brother's change of mood; Ellison hugged them both.

__"Now, however, my little men, you must scramble under the covers, tomorrow begins a new version of your lives for you and we must leave soon!" she greeted them, making them lie down in bed.

__"Mom, but will Grandpa and Camille come with us?" asked Connor again.

__"Not right away honey, they will join us later because of work commitments. Now though, enough talking, close your eyes and sleep ...... good night!" having said this she walked out of her children's room headed to her own; already knowing that she would not sleep a wink.