Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Charlotte Campbell-Black was a little girl who knew a lot of things. 

Uncle Rupert always said that it was because she was so clever but no. She was just very observant. Not that is meant she was not clever, though. 

She would know where her mother were going only her perfume. If she was going to an audition, to meet her producer, shopping. One night, she had asked her if her date was nice. Her mother looked surprised but also impressed.  

"Yes, it was nice. But you should be asleep, my dear Lottie." She had said before taking her to her bed.

And three months later, she was married to the love of her life, a man named Brian Corbett. They gave her a beautiful little sister called Judith and who was now six years old.

So, yeah. Lottie Campbell-Black noticed a lot of things. And lately, she noticed something about her uncle Rupert. 

Uncle Rupert always had a reputation of womanizer. She didn't know exactly what it meant but she knew that was the reason why he didn't have a wife (or not anymore at least). But for a few weeks now, he had been talking more and more about a certain "Taggie". About how a great cook she was, how kind she was, and how she was the only one who took no shit from him. 

"She sounds like a marvelous woman," her mother had said to him when he came over for tea. "Do I have to take mum's engagement ring out of the box so you can put it on her finger?"

Amelia Corbett, née Campbell-Black was the most beautiful woman on earth, at least in Lottie's eye. She had perfect brown curls and big blue eyes just like ice. She had stopped her acting carreer years ago to take care of Lottie and it was, as she liked to say, "the best decision she ever took". But if there were something she would never stop doing, it was teasing her brother. 

"No! I'm not gonna marry her!" He had exclaimed, quite shocked she could even bring up the possibility. "I'm not even considering dating her!" 

This wasn't the truth. Lottie knew her uncle. He was in denial. Even Brian didn't believe him.

"Since when do you want me to marry someone, anyway?" Rupert asked. "You always said marry Helen was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made."

"Because she is an hypocrite. Always criticizing others behind their back. You remember what she said when I was pregnant with Lottie, don't you? She called me..."

"A whore because you were single. I know. That why I divorced her." 

"That Fucking bitch." Brian said while adding a drop of milk in his tea. Lottie covered Judith's ears as the youngest took a biscuit from the tray.

"But this Taggie," Amelia added with a smile, "seems different. She got you smitten and that something I haven't see in you for a while." 

Lottie clearly saw that the smile her uncle had on his face was not for his sister. His eyes were staring at the bottle of his tea cup. Like he was dreaming of Taggie at the altar. But he shooked his head.

"Even if I wanted to be with her, she's not... available. Case closed." 

"That never stopped you before." Amelia shrugged.

"Mia..."

"But you do as you want. I'm just saying it's a shame." 

She was right. Lottie never saw Uncle Rupert so happy since he met his girl. And she liked to see him that way. But he was stubborn. If he said he wouldn't be with Taggie, then he wouldn't. 

Unfortunately for him, Lottie was stubborn too. And she was going to do anything to make him change his mind. 

Anything. 

Chapter Text

A couple of months later, Lottie and her family moved to Rutshire. Amelia had been asked to join Venturer, the new broadcast company run by her brother, so Uncle Rupert offered them to stay in his manor. The little girl was really happy to come there. Spending the summer in the countryside was going to be more than entertaining. And Uncle Rupert had assured her she could assist some of the meetings which meant she would meet Declan O'Hara! She loved his show and was really disappointed when it was canceled. But meeting in real life was even better. 

And maybe she could meet this Taggie.

When they arrived at Penscombe Court, Rupert was standing on the front porch. Judith was the first to get out of the car quickly followed by Lottie. 

"Uncle Rupert!" 

Rupert gave them a bright smile and caught them in a hug.

"Hello my darlings! It's so good to see you!" 

"They couldn't wait to see you." Amelia said, slamming her car door. "I stopped counting how many times they said your name after a hundred. And we were still in London."

"Can you blame them if I'm the best uncle in the world?" Her brother chuckled. He turned to the little one. "Why don't you go upstairs, Judy? There's a little surprise for you." 

Judy raised her little arms in a sign of victory and ran into the house. Rupert turned to his eldest niece. 

"So, how is my princess? You doing alright in school?" 

"Got a B+ in History. But only a C in maths," Lottie said with a little disappointment in her voice. 

"That's okay," her uncle reassured her. "Your mother is way worse than you. She was her maths teacher's nightmare." 

"Rupert, be nice and shut up." 

"Love you too Mia. Here, give me your stuff." He took the suitcases from his sister's hands. "Same rooms as always. We have a meeting for Venturer tomorrow at 2 o'clock." 

"Is Taggie gonna be there?" Lottie asked, hoping her uncle wouldn't see nothing more than a childish curiosity. But he did. He frowns his eyebrows with suspicion. 

"Why do you ask?"

Lottie shrugged like it was nothing but Rupert was not stupid. 

"Mia, I told you there's nothing going on between me and Taggie! Stop putting ideas into your daughter's head!"

"I didn't do anything!" Amelia protested. "Lottie doesn't need me to see that you're crazy about this girl!" 

"I am not!" 

Lottie looked down at her feet. "I didn't mean to upset you. It's just, from how you described her, she seemed so nice I wanted to meet her."

Technically, she was telling the truth. She really wanted to meet Taggie. But maybe it was better to not tell him she really wanted to put them together too.

Rupert sighed and she knew she had won. 

"Well, she doesn't have to attend Venturer meetings, but she likes to come anyway. You'll probably see her tomorrow." 

"MOMMY! Look what Uncle Rupert gave me!" Judith screamed from the top of the stairs. 

The little girl appeared with a giant teddy bear taller than her. It was so big she had to be on her side to talk to them. 

"RUPERT! How many times did I tell to not spoil the girls?" Amelia groused, making her brother and her husband laugh. 

Lottie smiled. Her mom was maybe there for work but it felt just like every other holiday spent at Penscombe. They were going to have a good time there. And now that she knew she would meet Taggie, she could think of a proper matchmaking plan for Uncle Rupert and his future wife. 

Oh yes! Lottie was an ambitious little girl and nothing would stop her from becoming the flower girl at her uncle's wedding. 

Chapter Text

Taggie had told her dad she would join the meeting by her own ways. Since she was visiting Lizzie just before, there was no need to go back to the Priory and get in the car with her parents. Besides, she liked to walk. 

She came out of the Bluebell woods which separated her home from Rupert's property and saw him mounting his favourite horse. But he was not alone. 

A little girl was with him, mounting a beautiful black horse. She was show jumping, just like Rupert used to do. Advising and cheering her, he was standing on the side to not be on the little one's way. 

Taggie approached slowly to not scare them. Rupert had told her horses didn't like the sudden and she didn’t want them to fall. She had no idea who this girl was. Rupert didn't have children, she knew that. But he was acting very fatherly towards her. 

Why did she care anyway? It’s not like something happened between them since their kiss in the kitchen. And nothing will happen. Because them being an item was not possible. Right?

The girl turned her head and saw her. She said something to Rupert that Taggie couldn't hear from there and he looked in the same direction. He smiled and beckoned to come to them. 

Taggie knew she wasn't supposed to think that but Rupert was really a gorgeous man. 

"Hello there! I didn't think you would come this early."

"I was at Lizzie's." She said, "Am I interrupting?" 

"Oh no, not at all! We were just stretching out Harmony." He designed the horse the little girl was mounting. 

"I don't want to be rude," the little girl intervened, "but I would really like to be introduced. Mom is right, you have no manners at all." She added. 

Rupert shushed her to which she responded with a giggle. 

"This little brat is my niece Lottie, who unfortunately took too much after my sister. Lottie, this is Taggie, my friend I talked to you about.”

He gave her a warning look Taggie didn’t quite understand. But she did see Lottie arboring a mischievous smile on her face. 

“Pleased to finally meet you Taggie. Uncle Rupert talks a lot about you.” 

Taggie flushed. Rupert talked of her to his family? What could he have possibly said? It’s not like there were a lot of interesting things to tell.

Rupert giggled nervously. 

“Don’t listen to her. She likes to embarrass me.” 

“It wouldn't be embarrassing if it wasn’t true!” Lottie smirked and she flushed even more. 

“So,” she tried to change the subject, “you do showjumping?” 

“Yeah. Mom is more into dressage so I train with Uncle Rupert. We're preparing for my next competition. I got silver in the last regionals.” 

“That’s impressive!”

That girl was about what? Eleven? Twelve? And she was already an accomplished athlete. That was putting her own life choices into perspective. 

“Anyway, Uncle Rupert said you were a hell of a cook…” 

“Language!” 

Kinda ironic from a man who spent all his free time to swear.

“Yeah, yeah.” The young girl dismissed the comment with a wave of her hand. “I heard your cupcakes were amazing. Could I try one of those one day?”

“Sure.” Taggie nodded with a smile. “I’m sure we can arrange that.” 

Of course. He told her about her cooking. That was the only thing to say about her. Nothing more. 

Harmony, Lottie’s horse, came to her and started to lick her cheeks. 

“I think she likes me!” The red head snorted along the two riders. 

“Do you want to ride her?” 

Lottie’s question disarmed her. 

“Oh no! Thanks, but I’ve never ridden a horse.”

“Uncle Rupert can teach you. He knows everything about riding.” 

Taggie’s mouth opened in an ‘o’. Lottie did not realize what she had just said, did she? A look at Rupert's laughing face confirmed her thoughts. 

“Come on! It’ll be fun, you’ll be learning from an olympic gold medal. Besides, Uncle Rupert is the best teacher ever!” Lottie came down her horse and took her hand. “Here, put your left foot in the stirrup.”

And before she knew it, Taggie was on Harmony’s Back, taking advice from Rupert who set Lottie on his saddle. 

Every look and every smile she caught from Rupert took her back to that kitchen. To his words. 

I can’t breathe without you. 

Neither could she, even though she tried to persuade herself otherwise. She shouldn’t dream. But this scene, just Rupert, her and their family living a happy life in the Rutshire. It wasn’t a dream. It was a promise. 

Maybe their relationship wasn’t that hopeless.

Chapter Text

The improvised show jumping session was not a part of Lottie's plan but it really helped. Now, she knew Taggie was also in love with her uncle. Also, both Uncle Rupert and Taggie were smiling and in a good mood which would be very useful.

The three of them went back to the mansion. A lot of cars were parked in the courtyard. Especially a yellow one. 

“Seems your family is here.” Rupert said. “We should hurry before Declan becomes grumpy.” 

“Yes you’re right.” Taggie smiled and looked at Lottie with a mischief in her eye. “Last one in the living room is a shrimp!” 

The two girls started running with a giggle, leaving Rupert behind, smiling at them. He was happy the two of them were getting along. By the time he arrived in the living room, they were already sitting on the couch. All the Venturer members were also there, patiently chatting and drinking before the meeting started. Caitlin O’Hara in particular was harassing Amelia with questions about the movies and plays she was in. 

“Look! A shrimp!” Lottie screamed, pointing at him. Judy laughed and followed her sister's movement, while the adults in the room were left confused, Declan O’Hara in particular. 

“There you are! I thought something happened to you.” He said to his daughter. 

“Sorry Daddy. Rupert and Lottie were teaching me how to ride.”

“Daddy?” Lottie stared at Taggie. “You’re Declan O’Hara’s daughter?”

“Yeah. Is that a problem?” 

The little girl smiled. “Are you kidding? That’s like the best thing ever! Honored to meet you Mr O’Hara!”

Declan smiled too, a bit embarrassed. “You’re welcome.. I guess?”

“I love your show! It’s such a shame it has to stop. The interview with Uncle Rupert was really good!”  

“Oh yeah? "You liked seeing him roast me for half an hour?” Rupert asked while pouring himself a drink. 

“Yeah. But I must say it's funnier when Mom does it.”

“Of course it is! I know more interesting stuff about him. For example, at his seventeenth birthday party…” 

“Finish that sentence and I’ll make the girls motherless.”

Amelia laughed at him but stopped anyway. Her brother faced the little assembly and put a hand on her shoulder. 

“Everyone! This is Amelia Corbett. She is the new member of Venturer. She will also be our new sponsor.” 

Lottie expected applause or at least a warm welcome. But instead, the Venturer members sighed at her uncle with a look of despair and anger. 

“Seriously Rupert? First Cameron and now her? You can’t ask every one of your mistresses to join us!” 

Lottie frowned in incomprehension and so did her uncle. Judy whispered to her ear. 

“What’s a mistress?” 

“Don’t know.” She answered, half lying. She could have tried to explain the little she knew about grownup relationship stuff to her sister but now didn't seem to be the right time. She looked at her mom. She seemed rather amused by the situation. But Uncle Rupert was not. 

“What the f…” He started but a glance at his nieces stopped him from finishing his sentence. “She’s not my mistress! She’s married!” 

“Didn't stop you before, did it?” Bas smirked. 

“Not helping at all Bas.” 

Bas just raised his glass and received a middle finger from Rupert which outraged Bishop Brenton. 

“In front of women and children. You should feel ashamed.” 

“Don’t worry, Bishop. I barely consider her as a woman.” Rupert pointed to Amelia. Her response didn’t wait. 

“Asshole.” 

“Bitch.”

“Am I interrupting something?” 

Everyone turned as one person to see the latest arrival. Judy was the first to turn away, judging the biscuits were more important. 

“You’re late Daddy. Mommy and Uncle Rupert are already insulting each other.”

Brian Corbett walked into the room and took a biscuit as well.

“What a great example to show the girls what siblings love is.”

As the grownup adults they were, Rupert rolled his eyes and Amelia stuck out her tongue. Freddie was the first to react. 

“Wait a minute… That's your sister?” 

“That’s what my parents told me but personally, I always thought she was a goblin. Ouch!” 

His sister just threw her shoe at him. Lottie just sighed and sank deeper into her sofa. They will never change. 

“But I thought your maiden name was Blimey.” Caitlin said. 

“Oh no! That’s my stage name. When I was rehearsing for my school play with Rupert…”

“You still owe me chocolate for that.”

“Shut up. My father found us and screamed ´Blimey Amelia! Why do you have to enroll your brother in your nonsense?´ That’s my little revenge.” 

Nobody uttered a word, letting silence settled in the room. But then Amelia clapped her hands. 

“Anyway! Brian darling, could you please take the girls and Caitlin in the kitchen? If we let them stay, they will just fall asleep listening to all the business talk. Oh Caitlin, maybe your sister would like to join you? What’s your name, sweetheart?” 

“Agatha, ma’am. But please call me Taggie.” 

Lottie saw her mom’s smile freeze and her eyes go to Uncle Rupert, waiting for some kind of answer. But the only thing she received from her brother was a murderous look. 

“Well Taggie, would you like to join the girls? It’ll maybe be more interesting than the meeting.” 

Taggie smiled and got up her chair. “Yeah sure.” 

But before she could leave the room, Rupert took her arm. 

“Feel free to use the kitchen. Don’t let Brian cook though. He’s horrible.” 

As he let go of her, Lottie saw Declan looking suspiciously at his daughter and partner. And she instantly knew what it meant. 

Declan knew there was something going on between Rupert and Taggie. And he didn't like it at all. Which means he was going to be in Lottie’s way. 

And that was going to be a huge problem.