Dad, but to me it’s plain weird, and 2. the word “Mummy” sounds so awfully, awfully British. Mummy. See?
“You all want to do this, do you?” Geraldine asks, and everyone nods.
This isn’t Crazy Rich Asians. This is more Disapproving Impoverished Aristocratic Brits Who Don’t Seem to Realize What a State They Are In. Geraldine needs to get on board with this. Period.
She exhales. “All right. I acquiesce.”
I don’t need to google “acquiesce” to know it means “accept.” Doesn’t it?
“You can open the house,” she finishes.
Jemima claps her hands together. “Marvelous, Mummy.”
“It’s the right decision, Granny,” Sebastian confirms.
“As long as no one steals anything, breaks anything, or stows themselves away in a cabinet to smother us in our beds at night,” Geraldine warns.
I press my lips together to stifle a giggle. What planet does Geraldine live on?
“We’ll do our best to avoid all such threats. I promise,” Sebastian says, his eyes dancing. “There is another idea we’ve been discussing.”
“What’s that, darling?” Jemima asks.
“I’m in preliminary discussions with the Dating Mr. Darcy production company about doing another reality television show.”
“You are?” Zara asks as Granny grumps, “Good Lord, Sebastian! Why on Earth would you do something as incomprehensible as that?” and Jemima looks at her son blankly.
“Because, Granny, we need to explore all avenues, and they’re interested in making a show out of our efforts to save our home. We kill two birds with one stone and make some good money.”
“I thought you might be looking for a new Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Granny says as she shoots me a pointed look.
Nice, Geraldine. Real nice.
Sebastian ignores the jibe. “Granny, I found my Miss Elizabeth Bennet already, and I’m delighted she has agreed to be my wife.”
I glow inside. Sebastian is protecting me. Okay, it’s only against the wrath of his eighty-year-old granny, but he’s protecting me all the same.
“Well, I don’t like the idea of more reality television one iota,” she sniffs.
“It could be lucrative, Granny. Hear me out.”
As Sebastian talks his family through the idea, I feel a growing sense of excitement. I might not be a Huntington-Ross or Lady of the Manor yet, but I’ve got a head on my shoulders, and together we’re presenting a united front. We’re a team. We’re Lord and Lady of the Manor. Lord and Lady Martinston.
Nope, that still sounds weird to me. But I know I’ll get used to it, and together, we will do our best to save this house.
Chapter 5
The following morning, I wake up determined to win Geraldine over. Once she gets to know me, she’ll get past the fact I’m American and not from some aristocratic family. She won’t be able to help herself from liking me. Well, that’s the hope, anyway. I plan on dazzling her with my winning personality, my quick wit, and my high degree of worldliness.
And failing that, I’ll just tell her how amazing she is every five minutes.
I throw on some Timothy activewear and head out into the refreshing morning air. The rest of the house is still sleeping, so I pad along the corridor and down the staircase as quietly as I can, shoes in hand. Once outside, I breath in the fresh country air and make my way through the ornate formal gardens, past the water fountain, and across the lawn toward the pretty pond.
I pull my phone out from my arm band and dial.
“Well, if it’s not Soon-to-be Mrs. Darcy herself.”
“Kennedy Bennet. It’s great so to hear your voice,” I say as I smile, thinking about my Dating Mr. Darcy bestie. “I’m back at Martinston, and it’s made me think of you, like it always does.”
“You mean you remember when you were sneaking around with Sebastian on Dating Mr. Darcy behind everyone’s backs?” she teases. “I gotta tell you, I do not miss that show.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Babe, you ended up getting the guy. You’ve got nothing to complain about.”
“You mean other than the fact the public wanted him to marry Phoebe and they think I’m a total idiot?”
She laughs. “Who cares what they think? You two fell in love. You’re getting married. You got the fairy-tale ending, girl.”
My mind turns to Geraldine. “I know I’m lucky, and I’m so happy.”
“But?”
“It’s Seb’s granny. She’s not my biggest fan. Actually, she’s not a fan at all.”
“How can she not be? You’re awesome.”
“Can you come stay with me here? I need a cheerleader,” I joke.
“Actually, funny you should mention it. I’ve got a new job, and I’ve got some time off before I start. I