Marrying Mr. Darcy (Love Manor #2) - Kate O'Keeffe Page 0,18
was thinking of coming over a week or so before Phoebe’s wedding.”
“Here? Seriously?”
“If you think that’ll be okay? I’ll go to London and Paris and a bunch of places I’ve dreamt about all my life, too.”
“Of course it’s okay! I would love to have you here.”
“It’s a plan. What’s his granny’s problem with you, anyway?”
“Where do I start?”
She lets out a laugh. “That bad, huh?”
“Oh, yeah. Let’s see—I’m American, I’m not from an aristocratic family, Seb met me on a dating show, oh, and the worst part, I’m marrying her favorite grandchild.”
“Isn’t it enough for her that Sebastian loves you?”
I pant lightly as I climb the rise to the pergola where Sebastian proposed to me. “That would be way too uncomplicated.”
“What does she like to do?”
“Look down her nose at me and use words I don’t understand.”
“I mean other than that.”
“I dunno. Regular rich person stuff?”
“Why don’t you invite her to something she enjoys? She’s got to have hobbies, right? I know you’re real good at bowls,” she says with a laugh.
My giggle ends in a snort as I think of the bowls game we competed in on Dating Mr. Darcy. I wasn’t a natural, let’s just put it that way. “Definitely not bowls, but you know, you might be onto something there with the whole hobbies thing.”
“Good. Now, let’s talk about when I can come visit. Just imagine Sebastian’s granny with not one but two loud Americans in the house.”
“She’ll probably ask the British prime minister to declare war on the States and have us sent to a prisoner of war camp.”
“OMG, girl! Is it that bad?”
“Maybe I’m being a touch dramatic.”
We talk for a while longer as I make my way through to the forest before my tummy begins to rumble and I turn back toward the house. No sooner have I slotted my phone back into my arm holder when it beeps again.
How’s my girl? I miss your pretty face xoxo
I smile to myself and fire off a quick reply.
I miss you, too, Mom. Everything okay?
Everything’s fine, honey.
Will call you soon, I promise xoxo
Make sure you do. I miss you!
Right now, I’ve got some research to do. Operation Win Granny Over is locked and loaded, and I’m determined to make it work.
After breakfast, I grab Sebastian before he heads to the station to catch the London train. He’s managed to take some time off this week, but he’s still got his job at the bank in “The City” to go to.
“I invited Kennedy to come stay in a couple weeks. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Will it be weird to have one of the contestants from the show here again? I mean, you did take her on a date.”
“Phoebe was here only a few days ago, remember?”
“Of course,” I reply with a laugh. “Hey, changing the subject…what does your granny like to do? Like, her hobbies or whatever?”
“She loves to walk the garden. She tended to the roses for years before her hip replacement.”
“What else? I’m thinking movies, I’m thinking shopping. You know, things I could do with her.”
“Nice idea, Brady. She loves the opera, but I don’t think she’s been in some time, I think.”
I swallow. “Opera?”
He chuckles. “Not your cup of tea?”
“Not exactly. But hey, it could be? I’ve never been before. I prefer soap operas to the real deal. Give me James Scott from Days of Our Lives any day of the week.”
“Who is this James Scott guy, and do I need to have words with him?” Sebastian jokes.
I plant a kiss on his cheek. “No, you’re good.”
He slings his laptop bag over his shoulder. “Don’t offer to watch a soap opera with Granny, whatever you do.”
“No soap opera. Got it.”
“Perhaps you could invite her to an actual opera. Now, I’ve really got to go.” He leans down and kisses me. “See you for dinner tonight.”
I grin at him. “Totally. And I’ll look into what operas are on in London, too. You’re coming as my back up.”
“Anything for you. You know that.”
With Sebastian gone, I google operas in London, and am excited to learn that not only are there operas playing at fancy London theaters, but there are still some available tickets. Score!
After getting changed into a pretty summer dress and cardigan, I read up on two operas and their composer so that I can come across as knowledgeable as possible, and then I set about to find Geraldine. This plan has got to work. She’ll like how thoughtful I’m being by inviting her to something