Marrying Mr. Darcy (Love Manor #2) - Kate O'Keeffe Page 0,66

extends his hand and says, “Sebastian Huntington-Ross. Twice in one month. What have I done to deserve this? Because whatever it is, I’ll undo it. Now.” He laughs at his own joke, and my eyes dart between Sebastian and Chris, landing on Kennedy who shoots me a questioning look.

Sebastian ignores his hand. “You weren’t invited,” he says frostily.

“I’m here as Jilly’s plus-one.”

Sebastian raises his brows at Jilly.

“We’re trying to be friends,” she explains.

“Good for you,” he seethes.

I bet I know what he’s thinking. He’s thinking Jilly won’t be able to resist him. She’ll fall for his charms once more, and he’ll be left to pick up the pieces, just as he did before. He’s a good, loyal friend.

Either that or there was some truth to what Chris said about Sebastian having been in love with her in the past.

I slip my hand into his. “It’s okay, Seb.”

“Emma and I were just having a catch-up,” Chris says. “She’s a great girl, this one, Seb. You’d better hold onto her.”

“Thank you,” he replies, his features tense. “I fully intend to.” He gives my hand a squeeze and says, “I thought we could take our seats.”

“And who might you be?” Chris says to Kennedy, taking his hand in hers.

“I’m Kennedy, one of Emma’s friends,” she replies.

“It’s great to meet you, Kennedy, one of Emma’s friends,” he replies smoothly.

“See you later,” I say as I take Sebastian by the hand and begin to lead him away from this potentially combustible situation. “Let’s go take our seats, Kennedy.”

With the tension in the air so thick it could block out the afternoon sun, I’d be more than happy not to see Chris again this afternoon—and judging by his reaction, I’m sure Sebastian would be, too.

“Be sure to keep that lily pad well watered, Texas,” Chris calls out as we turn on our heels and walk away.

“He calls you Texas?” Sebastian asks in surprise.

“He’s that kinda guy, I guess. Do you think Jilly’s making a big mistake by bringing him back into her life?”

“Jilly’s a grown woman. She can make her own choices.”

Confused, I reply, “But I thought you hated Chris because he broke Jilly’s heart?”

We come to a stop beside one of the tables by the podium.

“Kennedy, why don’t you take a seat?” Sebastian suggests.

“Sure thing.”

As she sits, Sebastian says to me, “Chris Hampshire is the kind of man people want to be around. He draws them in and makes them feel special, important. Then, when it suits him, he moves onto the next. Emma, he uses people for his own purposes, and he doesn’t care how that impacts others.”

“This is about more than just Jilly, isn’t it?”

He exhales heavily. “Chris and I were friends at Cambridge.”

“When he was dating Jilly?”

“I introduced them.”

“That’s why you felt responsible for her.”

“It is. Watch yourself around him, Brady. He comes across as a charming guy, but he’s got a dark side.”

As Sebastian takes his seat at the table, I glance over at Chris. He’s got his arm slung around Jilly’s shoulder, and they’re laughing at something together. Sebastian’s right, he is charming, and confusing. Given how much he’s hurt the people I care for, I would be more than happy if he were to disappear from our lives for good.

Chapter 18

People are finishing up their afternoon tea of scones with raspberry jam and cream and dainty finger sandwiches as Sebastian gets up to speak. I lean back in my seat and watch him at the podium. He looks so dapper in his garden party wear of a white shirt and navy blazer over khaki pants, the light breeze tousling his hair, making him look even more sexy than he usually does. He looks a touch Mr. Darcy, now that I think about it.

I feel like I could burst with pride and love for him.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he begins, and there’s a general titter from Portia Fortescue-Seymour and Cecily Parker-Smithston’s table nearby. “My family and I welcome you to Martinston on this historic day, the day we open the house to the public for the first time in decades.”

There’s a ripple of polite applause.

“We know how very lucky we are to live in such a picturesque part of the country, in this beautiful historic building behind you all. We are excited to be able to offer a large part of the house and the gardens for viewing. Sharing our family heritage is as much about the wider county community as it is about the Huntington-Ross family, and we are thrilled