Dating Mr. Darcy - Kate O'Keeffe Page 0,62
“Is that a joke, Mr. Darcy?”
“I do believe it is, Miss Emma.”
“Next time, how about you put your hand up so I know when you’re joking? That way I can make sure to laugh.”
“It’s reassuring to know you care so much for my ego,” he says with a laugh. “Now, what color is your wallpaper and bedding?”
“Blue.”
“Light or dark?”
“How many bedrooms have you got?”
“A few. Light blue or dark?”
“Light.”
“In that case, you’re in the Peacock room.”
“I’m glad we cleared that up.”
He smiles and warmth spreads across my chest, and it’s then that I know I’m sunk. Everything about him draws me in and holds me there. I want to spend time with him, even in front of the cameras. I want to get to know him, to learn all about him. I want to be with him. Period.
Only, despite signs to the contrary, it’s clear he doesn’t want to be with me.
He comes to a stop and turns to face me. “Tell me, Emma, what do you think of my home?” he asks softly.
“It’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Who wouldn’t? It’s got these beautiful grounds and all those bedrooms you seem to find so hard to keep track of. And the staircase? That thing is insane!”
“It’s quite something, isn’t it? It was designed in the eighteenth century during extensive renovations to the original Elizabethan design.”
A fresh smile spreads across my face.
Sebastian notices and says, “What?”
“You’re very knowledgeable.”
“Isn’t everyone about the place they live in?”
I let out a laugh. “All I know about my place is that it was built in the ‘90s with the thinnest walls known to humanity, the AC can be temperamental, and my rent is a pain in the butt. But then you wouldn’t have any clue about rent, would you? You get to live in this spectacular place, where your parents lived and their parents before them, forever and ever back to when Adam was a cowboy.”
“You’re right,” he replies after a beat and resumes walking through the pretty garden. “But we all have our crosses to bear, Emma. Just because I live here doesn’t mean I don’t have mine.”
“You mean like having to remember how many bathrooms you’ve got?”
“Something like that.”
We’ve reached the edge of the terrace now, and I notice several of the contestants approaching us with eager looks on their faces.
“There you are, Sebastian,” Camille says as she hooks her arm through his and literally tries to pull him away from me. I let go of his arm and his eyes find mine briefly before he turns to Camille.
She pouts. “I’ve missed you. I hope Emma hasn’t been boring you talking about her label.”
God, she’s horrible.
“On the contrary, Camille. Emma is quite delightful,” he replies, and I can’t help but shoot her a smug smirk. I’m delightful. Take that, Camille.
Clearly nonplussed, she ignores me and tugs on Sebastian’s arm. “Can we go for a little chat? I want to learn all about life at Pemberley.” She glares at me and adds, “Alone.”
“Of course. Shall we go for a walk?”
“Actually, I’ve got us a place to sit and chat, just over there.” She points at the picturesque swing seat flanked by topiary bushes in the garden. “Doesn’t it look adorable?”
“Adorable is exactly the word I’d use,” he replies.
I look down and allow myself a small smile. The Sebastian I’ve come to know would never use the word “adorable.”
As he and Camille leave, and the cameras with them, I spy a spot on a sofa next to my reality bestie, Kennedy, and plunk myself down against the comfortable cushions.
Kennedy hands me a glass of wine. “Nice chat with Mr. Darcy?”
“It was fine,” I reply noncommittally.
She props herself up and eyes me. “You like him, don’t you? Like, genuinely like him.”
If I were smart, I’d deny it. What use would it serve to admit to my feelings when I never planned on a) falling for the guy, and b) being here for this long? Not to mention our mics are on and we’re being filmed.
Only, I’ve realized I want to stay, and it’s not for my label. I want to be here for Sebastian.
And it’s probably the least sane thing I’ve wanted in my whole life.
Instead of replying, I deflect. “What about you? Do you like him?” I ask.
“Off topic.”
“It’s totally on topic. We’re all here to date Mr. Darcy, remember?”
“I admit, I had wondered about him. I mean, the guy’s hot, he was very sweet on our date, and I’m only flesh and blood.”