a Bentley or something. They’ve got that whole sibling closeness thing going on where they can say anything and they’ll still love one another as brother and sister. It’s something I never had, and watching them now, I feel like I missed out.
“Oh, Seb, will you give it a rest please? I promise not to party as much with Tabitha.”
“She is a very bad influence on you, Zara.”
Zara rolls her eyes at me. “Tabitha’s been my best friend since we were babies. Seb here can’t seem to accept that means something and going to the occasional party or nightclub with her in London is perfectly fine.”
I put my hands up in the air in the surrender sign. I’ve got no clue who this Tabitha person is or whether she’s a good influence or not. “Don’t involve me, you two. Innocent bystander here.”
“Speaking of Tabitha, I promised to call her after our run,” Zara says. “Emma, it’s so nice to meet you. My brother has amazing taste.” She pulls me in for another quick hug. “And you?” she says to Sebastian. “I’ll see you back home once you’ve finished kissing Emma’s face off.”
I let out a giggle that ends in a snort.
“Bye,” she says as she runs away.
“You’re only winning today’s race because I got distracted,” Sebastian calls after her.
“You keep telling yourself that, brother,” she calls back as she disappears behind a clump of bushes.
With Zara now gone, Sebastian and I are left in the woods alone.
“You’re going to kiss my face off, are you?” I ask and he laughs.
“It would be rude not to.”
I stand on my toes, hook my hands behind his head, and we do just that.
“I hope that was okay, meeting Zara that way? I had wanted to introduce you when we were less, well, sweaty.”
“Are you kidding? She’s terrific.”
He beams at me. “She liked you.”
“She did?” Of course I could tell she did, but I adore hearing it from him.
“Definitely.”
I can’t help but feel like Lizzie Bennet when she met Georgiana Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Lizzie knew that by introducing them, Darcy was showing he was totally into her. If Darcy wanted Lizzie to meet his sister because he had fallen for her, did that mean Sebastian has fallen for me? Of course, things took a turn for the worse after the meeting, but I know they won’t for Sebastian and me.
And yes, I know I’m taking this whole Pride and Prejudice thing a little far. I blame Kennedy for putting the idea in my head.
But as Sebastian cups my face in his hands and plants a tantalizing kiss on my lips once more, I know nothing can stand in our way. Any doubts I may have had have well and truly disappeared.
Chapter 26
It’s the evening of the dance and the contestants are buzzing, and not just because we’ve all been given new clothes to wear. Of course they are still Regency, but they’re a step up from the ones we’ve been wearing since the whole “dress like it’s 1813” thing was sprung on us. The new clothes are only half the excitement. We’ve been told that Sebastian is sending someone home tonight, and Reggie has been taking bets ever since. Apparently, Shelby and Camille are the horses to back, although I know who I would prefer to see go home. No prizes for guessing it’s not Shelby.
I stand in front of the mirror in Kennedy’s and my room. My top is low-cut to show off what cleavage I actually have, with short, girly puff sleeves finished with pale green ribbons. I’m wearing what Mrs. Watson told us is a redingote, which is a long, pale green dress that splays open mid-thigh to reveal—no, not an Angelia Jolie-inspired leg, more's the pity—my ivory petticoats beneath. The mandatory slippers on my feet and long, white gloves above my elbows complete the look.
I feel pretty and weirdly sexy, even if my petticoats do reach the floor. Despite the fact the design means I’ve still got to wear the world’s most uncomfortable bra, I’ve ditched the baggy bloomers in favor of my regular underwear.
“Breaking the rules feels so naughty, doesn’t it?” Kennedy says as she pulls our door open to head downstairs.
“Who knew plain white cotton underpants could be quite so risqué?” I reply with a laugh. “If only Marni were here to enjoy the revolution. She missed her Spanx.”
“How can anyone miss Spanx?”
“Bloomers versus Spanx? It’s all relative, babe.”
She laughs as we make our way down