Marrying Mr. Darcy (Love Manor #2) - Kate O'Keeffe Page 0,62

for coming on the show. She’s smart and funny and snarky. A lot like me, really, although with her shoulder-length brown hair and perfect olive complexion, she’s far more beautiful than me.

Straight after breakfast I drive to the train station to collect her. As the train pulls into the station, I spot her through the window. In her jeans and tee, she’s a southern California girl in a sea of pale English faces.

She disembarks the train with her backpack slung over her back, and I collect her in a hug. “OMG, girl! It is so good to see you.”

“You, too, Em. I’ve got to tell you, it’s so weird to be back in England.”

“And not dressed like a Regency lady?” I ask, referring to the chosen attire for contestants on Dating Mr. Darcy.

“I could happily live my life without ever having to see a pair of bloomers again.”

“Oh, I don’t know. They kinda grow on you,” I say before we both burst into laughter.

“It’s great to have you here,” I say.

“You’d better take me to Martinston so I can really feel like the third wheel in your love story.”

We walk down the platform arm in arm toward the parking lot.

“Did you bring a dress for the garden party?” I ask.

“Dress, heels, hat. The works, girl.”

“Awesome. We can get ready together. It’s going to be mayhem at the house today with the caterers and everything going on with the setup. I’m so pleased I’m not involved in organizing it. I just get to be the eye candy in my garden party-appropriate attire.”

We reach the house, and Kennedy greets everyone with smiles and a hostess gift of California’s See’s Candies, which Geraldine looks singularly unimpressed with, of course.

Up in her room, she asks, “Is Seb’s granny always like that?”

“Oh, yes. She’s been a challenge, that’s for sure. She’s not exactly excited about me and Seb.”

“Is that because she’s got a huge carrot up her butt?”

I giggle. “Totally. I’m gonna let you freshen up and get ready for the party. Come to my room when you’re ready, okay?”

“Which one of the gazillion bedrooms in this place is your room?”

“How about I come get you? It’ll be easier that way.”

“Rich person’s problems,” she replies with a sigh.

If only.

“More like big house problems. I’ll give you an hour, okay?”

“Deal.”

An hour later and I arrive at Kennedy’s door fully decked out in my Jilly-approved dress and fascinator hat. I feel a little ridiculous all decked out as I am, but if Jilly thinks it’s the right way for a future Lady Martinston to dress, then I’m not going to argue.

I knock on her door, and she calls out, “Come in.”

I take in her slim-fitted navy dress with a scoop neckline and floral clip in her hair. “You look stunning, Kennedy,” I say, because she really does. Classy and understated.

She takes one look at me and exclaims, “Wow, Em. That’s quite the look you’ve got going on there.”

I glance down at my dress. Sure, it’s virtually nun-like in how much skin it hides, but it’s pretty and floaty, even if the neck ruffles, poufy sleeves, and ankle-length skirt are not exactly my style.

“It’s garden-party chic with a subtle nod to J Lo. That’s what Jilly said.”

She raises her eyebrows at me. “Babe, that dress J Lo wore back in the day was cut down to her belly button. Yours is cut to your chin.”

“It’s classy,” I protest.

“If you say so. But I tell you one thing—I don’t know who this Jilly person is, but by the looks of things, she sure doesn’t like you very much.”

“Jilly’s great. She’s been helping me try to fit in.”

“Into what? The Amazon Jungle?” she says with a snort.

I shoot her a sardonic smirk. “Not helping, Kennedy.”

“Look, I’m not trying to upset you. I mean, it’d be fine on someone less, I dunno, less you.”

“But that’s the whole point, Kennedy. I’m trying to be the future Lady Martinston. I’m trying to fit in, to make Seb’s family feel that I’m one of them.”

“Do you want to be one of them?”

“Of course I do. I’m marrying him, aren’t I? I’m trying hard here.”

“How’s that working out for you?” Kennedy asks.

“Not great,” I reply with a resigned shrug as my mind turns to all the disasters that have befallen me—one quite literally. “But I’m sure today is going to be different. I’ve got the outfit, Jilly’s given me the lowdown on anyone who’s anyone at this party, and I’ve been working on how to