Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“How will you be participating in the rehearsal, Miss Sylvie?” Louise asked, sidling up next to me. “You’re the maid of honour, aren’t you?”
I smiled down at her. She really was as cute as a button, and if I were ever really sick in hospital, I’d want her nursing me for sure. “I am. I’ll be participating the same as everyone else, but I’ll also be in work mode. Honestly, I’m a bit nervous.”
“You are? You don’t look it!”
“That’s sweet of you to say.” I patted her arm. “I’ve never been a participant in a wedding I’ve planned, let alone such a huge role.”
“I’m sure the duchess will help if there are any issues tomorrow.”
“Oh, of course.” I forced a smile. “Don’t tell my sister this, but I’m prepared for everything that can go wrong, to go wrong.”
“You’re so pessimistic.” Thomas wrapped his arms around my shoulders from behind and rested his chin on top of my head.
Louise took a step back, and I swore I saw her blush.
“Please let go of me,” I said. “This is highly inappropriate.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. I’m working.”
He sighed, but he loosened his grip and stepped next to me, leaving one arm wrapped around my shoulders.
Fine.
Whatever.
I was reasonable. I could compromise.
I wouldn’t be happy about it, but I would do it.
“This wedding has had its fair share of misfortune—there’s no way anything else can go wrong,” Thomas said, tilting my tablet screen towards him. “Hey, you’re all on fire. I guess you don’t need my help.”
“The rehearsal is starting in an hour. What help could you possibly be?” I turned my face towards him. “Just sit in the corner and look pretty.”
“Aw, you think I’m pretty.”
“Don’t flatter yourself so much. It’s unbecoming. And stop flirting with me in public. Your mother is getting the wrong idea.”
“I think you’re the only one with the wrong idea.” He grinned. “Everyone else is on the same page as me.”
I sighed and shrugged out of his embrace. “Heath, is there nothing for this nuisance to do? Can we put him on the door to greet the guests coming for the rehearsal?”
Heath stroked his chin. “Unfortunately, Miss Sylvie, I’m unable to tell His Grace what to do. The only person he’ll presently listen to is his mother. Until he gets a wife, that is.”
“That poor nameless woman,” I said flatly.
“Nameless? I’m pretty sure her name is Sylvie Harding,” Thomas said into my ear.
“I see you’re hoping for a Christmas miracle, Your Grace,” I shot right back. “That or we need to see a doctor because you’re hallucinating.”
He clutched his chest dramatically. “You just keep breaking my heart.”
“Not enough, clearly.” I met his eyes, fighting back a smile as I softened at his theatrics. “I really am working, you know.”
“I know, I know. Is it a crime to say I miss—”
“We’ll be in Thomas’ office while I find him something to do,” I said to Heath. “Please let me know when everyone starts arriving.”
I barely waited for his response before I grabbed Thomas by the wrist and dragged him out the ballroom, away from all the prying eyes of the household staff.
They were dreadful at being discreet.
Then again, so were we.
I wasn’t fooling anyone.
I pulled him all the way to his office on the other side of the house and shut the door behind us with a heavy sigh. “You can’t do that stuff in front of the staff. Especially not when I’m working.”
Thomas plucked my tablet from my hands and set it on his desk, then wrapped his arms around me. With his face buried in my hair, he said, “You’re living at my house, and I’ve barely seen you for two days. It’s a crime.”
We were literally sharing a room.
The man spent eight hours a night clutching onto me like I would disappear if he let go. What on Earth was he on about?
“You’re so needy,” I said.
“So would you be if you were me.”
“I highly doubt I would cling to me. I know me too well.”
“Hmm.” He pulled back and looked into my eyes. “Thankfully, I have much better taste than you.”
“Is that so?” My lips twitched into a smile. “That’s somehow both an insult and a compliment at the same time.”
Thomas dropped his head back with a laugh. “I suppose it is. Do you have much else to do tonight, or can I steal you away when it’s done?”
“Sorry, I’m busy all night. The rehearsal is starting soon, then we have the rehearsal dinner at the restaurant, and I’m spending the night with Hazel.”
“Will you be all right?”
“Yes, I’m sure of it. I want to clear things up between us before tomorrow, and I haven’t had a chance to. Besides, we always planned to spend this night together anyway. I want to keep my promise to her.”
His bottom lip jutted out a little bit.