play the demure, elegant, and above all appropriate future Lady Martinston.”
She chews on her lip as she regards me. “Em, can I be straight with you?”
“As long as you’re quick. People will be arriving soon.”
“When we met on the show, the thing I loved about you was that you were you, no apologies. You were there to promote your label, and when that looked like it couldn’t happen with the whole dress-like-it’s-1813 bombshell, you did what you could to get sent home.”
“Kennedy, I know all this. I was there, remember?”
“The thing is, you didn’t compromise for anybody. You were Emma Brady, straight up. Take her or leave her. Now?” Her eyes flick over my outfit. “Now you’re falling over yourself to be something you’re not.”
“I’m still me. I’m just trapped inside this green jungle-print tent with a fascinator hat stuck to my head,” I joke.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to lose Emma. She’s awesome, and I love her. She shouldn’t have to change for anyone.”
I give a firm nod. “I know I don’t look like the girl I was back on Dating Mr. Darcy, but I’m still me. Promise.”
“Good. Shall we get this party started?” she asks with a cheeky glint in her eye.
I grin at her. “Let’s do this.”
As Kennedy walks out into the hallway, I give myself a final once-over in the full-length mirror. Although I don’t look anything like the girl I was back then with my Timothy activewear and hair tied back in a practical ponytail, I know I’m still me. All I’m doing is bending myself a little to fit in here. Nothing more.
As we walk out onto the lawn, I take in the picture-perfect view before me. It’s a gloriously sunny and warm day, albeit a little breezy, which means I’ve got to hold my full skirt down every now and then, à la Marilyn Monroe in that famous subway wind scene. Well, not that bad, but you get the picture. It’s a little breezy.
“Oh, Em. This is gorgeous!” Kennedy exclaims.
She’s right. The white tablecloths and chairs with their pretty pink bows look stunning against the green of the grass. Behind the tables, the pond glistens, and the trees are in full verdant bloom. I take a deep breath of the fresh country air as I take it all in.
Arms snake around my middle, and I turn to see Sebastian grinning down at me. “What do you think?” He pecks me on the cheek and smiles at Kennedy. “It’s great to have you here for this, Kennedy.”
“Thank you so much for having me. It’s wonderful to be back here. And a little weird, I’ve gotta admit.”
“I can well imagine,” he replies. “We’ve been lucky with the weather. I’m not sure holding this in the ballroom would have been quite so romantic.”
“You live in a stunning place, Sebastian,” Kennedy says. “A garden party at my place would be three people squashed onto my tiny balcony that overlooks the neighboring building.”
“Mine would be standing around my window box,” I reply with a laugh.
“Not anymore,” Sebastian says as he gives me a quick squeeze. “There is one pressing question I need to ask you, however, Brady.”
“What’s that?”
“Why you decided to have what looks like a giant lily pad on your head?”
My hand flies to the fascinator hat Jilly leant me to go with the dress. I’d also wondered about the whole lily pad thing, but she assured me it didn’t even have a whiff of frog to it and that all the ladies would be wearing hats. She is my official adviser on all things English, so I went with it without a second thought.
“Does it look bad?” I ask him. “I’ve never worn one of these things before. They’re kinda weird.”
“You look adorable, but might I suggest you avoid standing too close to the pond this afternoon in case any frogs need a new home?”
Kennedy giggles, and I smack him lightly on the arm. “Ha-ha. Very funny. Tell me honestly, does it look okay? Between you and Kennedy, I’m beginning to second guess myself.”
“Don’t!” Kennedy says.
“Brady, you could wear a potato sack for all I care, and I’d still think you were the most beautiful woman in the room.” He turns to Kennedy. “No offence, Kennedy. You look gorgeous, too.”
She raises her hands in the surrender sign. “No offence taken. Compliment your wife-to-be all you like.”
Happy, I give him a quick kiss on the lips. “Keep those compliments coming, and I promise I’ll marry you.”
“Come