This story is intended for amusement purposes only. This story is not meant to infringe on the names of Remington Steele, Laura Holt or anything that would cause MTM productions or anybody else to sue me. This story is the property of Lisa Watson ã 2001.
The cork slid from the bottle of wine with a distinctive pop and Remington savoured the bouquet before amply filling each glass. He handed one to the woman at his side and replaced the bottle in the cooler. Picking up his glass he clinked it on its mate and smiled.
"To a wonderful luncheon with a woman that overwhelms her surroundings." Remington said as he sipped his wine.
Sabrina sipped her wine and smiled back at Remington. "Considering our present view, I'd say that was an impossible tour de force. But I thank you just the same,"
Remington sat back and took in the lush countryside with the azur sea below them. It was the kind of beauty artists would flock to re-create on canvas and photographers spent hours capturing on film. He was relaxed and enjoying himself.
"You look thoughtful." Sabrina said quietly.
"Do I? My apologies for being rude," Remington replied.
"You were nothing of the kind though I hope I'm not boring you," Sabrina said from under her lashes.
"On the contrary, you have me in awe. It has been quite some time since I've been able to fully enjoy myself like this."
"Well then here's to more outings like this," Sabrina said as she tilted her glass toward Remington.
When he moved to tap her glass she pulled it back.
"Actually I'd prefer to seal this toast in another way." Sabrina said seductively.
She leaned in and kissed Remington on the lips. When she sensed he wasn't pulling away she leaned closer and increased the pressure on his mouth. He responded by putting his free hand around her head and holding her to him. After a few seconds he released her and sat back.
"I hope I didn't take too many liberties Remington." Sabrina said as she straightened herself in her seat.
Remington smiled and ran his finger over her cheekbone. "I don't think that's possible Sabrina,"
"Good. Now how about coming back to my villa. I've got a wonderful idea that I'm sure you'll love,"
"Sounds intriguing, how can I refuse?" Remington said as he put their glasses back in the picnic basket, fastened his seatbelt again and pulled off.
Felecia was seated on the carpet playing with her children when her butler entered.
"Monsieur Chalmers has arrived Madame Veilleux. Shall I show him in?"
"Oui Jean-Pierre," Felecia said as she stood up and smoothed her dress.
The butler stood aside and allowed Daniel to enter and closed the doors behind him.
"Daniel, how good to see you," Felecia said as she walked over and kissed his cheek.
"Dear girl don't sound so surprised to see me." He chuckled.
"Goodness this can't be Giselle, why you've grown so tall I hardly recognized you," Daniel said as he picked up the small girl.
"Hello Uncle Daniel. Did you bring me a present?" Giselle smiled.
"What about me? Do I get one too?" Colin said grabbing Daniel's coat.
"Why of course. You don't think I'd come empty handed do you? There are presents for you and your sisters on the table in the foyer." Daniel informed them.
Squealing with delight all three children bolted out the door in search of their booty.
"You're going to spoil them rotten," Felecia said as she lead him to a nearby sofa.
"I hardly think that's possible given their current state of rotteness," Daniel laughed.
"Touche," Felecia smiled.
Daniel sat down in a chair and Felecia handed him a small sifter of brandy.
"I'm sure you have a plan Felecia but I'd like to talk to my son first. I want to see for myself just how grief stricken he is over Linda, if at all," Daniel said pointedly.
"I understand Daniel. I've planned a dinner for tonight, Remington already knows about it so I'm sure he'll be here. He didn't mention bringing a date but I've planned for that contingency all the same. You'll be happy to know I've invited Dominique Quartermaine who was quite excited to hear you were visiting."
"I'll bet she was. Really Felecia, couldn't you have found a woman that is more inclined to let the man do the chasing?" Daniel said in mock chagrin.
"Daniel darling you're not as young as you used to be. I thought you'd appreciate a slower target for your attentions," Felecia laughed.
Daniel groaned loudly as Felecia led him to his room.
Dinner parties were a major event in the Veilleux household. Felecia spared no expense to ensure her guests were well fed and properly entertained. It would be a small, intimate gathering of eight of her closest friends. Felecia had invited her best friend Miriam and her husband Charles, Rene's parents, Etienne and Genevive, Dominique Quartermaine and Reginald Brookfield. All the guests had arrived, except Remington.
"I see my son is fashionably late," Daniel whispered to Felecia.
"Relax darling, I'm sure he'll be along shortly. Ah you see, he's arrived and thankfully alone. I was so hoping Reginald wouldn't be the odd man out," Felecia said as she walked toward Remington.
"Hello Remington, so glad you could join us," Felecia said kissing his cheek.
"Sorry I'm late. Sabrina had scheduled us to go horseback riding and we uh...lost track of time," Remington said smiling wickedly.
"Please, spare me the details," Felecia groaned. "I've got a pleasant surprise for you,"
"Daniel! What the devil are you doing here?" Remington said as his father walked up.
Remington embraced him and clapping him loudly on the back.
"I could ask you the same question old boy. I'm here to visit an old friend," Daniel said tilting his head toward Dominique.
Remington took in the beautiful older woman and smiled slyly at Daniel.
"I see your tastes have improved. I trust this lovely lady isn't married?" Remington replied.
"Now don't concern yourself over me Harry. I've got things well in hand." Daniel informed him.
"So, what brings you to Europe my boy. Is it a case you're working on? I don't see Linda lurking in the shadows," Daniel said looking around for emphasis.
"Laura's not here Daniel, I came alone. I'm here on holiday not business." Remington clarified.
"You don't say. Well I'm glad you've come and I won't mention the fact that you neglected to stop over in London to see me," Daniel said.
"Glad to hear it," Remington said as he patted him on the back again and excused himself.
Dinner went smoothly, the wine and conversation flowed well into the night. Daniel looked up from talking with his dinner companion and noticed Remington wasn't in the room. After a few minutes Daniel excused himself and went to look for him.
Remington was leaning against a statue in the garden when Daniel came up behind him.
"Something troubling you Harry?" Daniel asked when he'd reached his side.
"Hmm? Oh...nothing at all. Why do you ask?" Remington said as he straightened himself.
"It's just that you seemed preoccupied at dinner this evening. Polite and cordial to a fault but still preoccupied."
"Nothing to worry about Daniel, I'm fine," Remington replied.
"I see. Well in that case I'll leave you to the gardens," Daniel said smoothly.
"Daniel?" Remington called out.
"Yes Harry?" Daniel turned in question.
"It's good to see you," Remington said quietly.
"You too dear boy,"
Daniel knew Felecia would still be up so he went to her sitting room door and knocked. He opened the door when he heard Felecia bid him to enter. She was sitting on a loveseat reading.
"Well did you talk to him?" Felecia asked.
"Not really. I mean I spoke with him briefly but he denied anything was amiss." Daniel said.
"And do you believe him?"
"No. I've known Harry too long and too well not to know when he's hiding something from me,"
"I felt the same. He's hurting Daniel and I'd bet anything that Laura is at the heart of the matter. The question is what are we going to do about it?"
"You're so certain we should intervene. You know how Harry is once his ire's up. If he suspects we're trying to interfere in his personal affairs he'll be quite put out." Daniel warned.
"I'm aware of that Daniel and I've got the perfect solution. We're going to get some help from someone that's just as concerned about Remington as we are."
"And who might that be?" Daniel asked.
"Mildred of course. She'll know what's going on and how to make sure Laura gets hold of the information I'm sending to her." Felecia said smiling.
"It would appear you have been giving this a great deal of thought," Daniel said dryly.
"I have and I'm convinced it will work. You know how diligent Lisa is. She loves sniffing around for clues so I'm going to give her plenty to get her detective blood boiling."
"Why don't you tell me what it is you've cooked up and don't spare any details." Daniel said as he joined her on the sofa.
"We all know Lisa is obsessed about the image her agency upholds, especially its commander-in-chief. Well I'm sure she's losing her mind wondering just what he's up to and whether he's maintaining the proper decorum befitting Remington Steele. If she got wind of how Harry's been turning heads and breaking hearts in Monte Carlo she'd loose sleep wondering what he's up to. And if we happened to throw in the late breaking news about a certain jem being stolen recently..."
"Then she'd hop the first plane out of Los Angeles to track Remington down," Daniel concluded.
"Exactly. And once she got here she'd see how her knight in shining armour has taken to rescuing other damsels in distress," Felecia laughed in anticipation.
"Brilliant plan darling but what happens if she's only interested in the name behind the man. What then?" Daniel asked.
"You can't be serious Daniel. I'd say Lisa's dilemma is she can no longer separate the two. Harry has become Remington Steele and he's kidding himself as well if he thinks he can drop the name and go back to the way he lived, B.L." Felecia replied.
"B.L.?"
"Before Laura. Now we've got work to do. I've a friend at the newspaper that can help us with the article. Now we need to telephone Mildred and make sure Laura comes across the evidence of Remington's...indiscretions."