‘Edward...’ She shakes her head in wonder, her lips pursed, her eyes shining.
‘Now, if I’m not mistaken that is the sound of the first guests arriving, and although James is dressed to receive—thank you for also putting him in breeches, by the way, I’m not sure I could have done this alone—I think it’s customary for us to be at the door too.’
‘Of course. But your parents...will they want to join us?’
I give a short laugh. ‘My mother likes to make an entrance. She’ll be fashionably late—which gives us plenty of time to enjoy your efforts before she tries to taint them.’
Her eyes tighten, her smile too. ‘She might surprise you.’
‘She might.’
But she won’t.
I tried to speak to my mother earlier, to warn her to be on best behaviour, but she wouldn’t even deign to speak to me. Too busy getting ready was the excuse she gave. Avoiding me, more like.
I can only hope that an audience of the rich and powerful, not to mention the great British press, will do what my undelivered threat couldn’t.
I can hope, but not even the sight of Summer’s unparalleled beauty can ease the prickle of unease at the base of my spine.
I didn’t miss the panic flaring in her gaze when I referred to there being an ‘us’. I backtracked well enough, using the inheritance as my cover, but she gave herself away so clearly and I’m worried.
This relationship we’ve built is far too fragile, far too new, and one barbed comment from my mother could see it crumbling to the ground. And I’m not ready for this to be over...nowhere near.
Summer
The evening is everything I dreamed of and more.
The look of wonder in the eyes of the guests as they take it all in—the ice sculptures, the hand-carved pumpkins, the autumnal decorations that lead them to explore each fairy tale scene in its own little nook... The adults are loving it as much as the children, and with all the compliments they shower me with, the gratitude too, I feel like a princess.
Me. Summer from the wrong side of the tracks. Holding court with my handsome Prince...
I giggle with the craziness of it.
‘What now?’ Edward groans as he spins us around the dance floor to an old classic. The soft light of the candelabra and the fairy lights add to the sparkle in his rich brown eyes.
‘What do you mean, what now?’
‘That laugh... An hour ago it was because my breeches were giving me grief. I can’t bear thinking what it might be now...’
‘You’ll laugh at me.’
‘Right now, I feel like you’re laughing at me—again—so have at it.’
‘If you must know I was laughing at the fact I actually feel like a princess.’
His grin lights me up inside. ‘Enjoy it. You deserve every royal second.’
‘I had a lot of help.’
‘This is all you, Summer.’ His eyes turn serious, his arm around my waist pulling me closer. ‘What you’ve managed to create, the world you’ve built...’
He gestures to the room around us. Kids and adults alike are all dancing, talking, laughing, racing between the fairy tale scenes, raiding the dress-up boxes, creating pictures in the photo booths... Everyone is happy.
‘You took Gran’s vision and made it your own. Just look at the fun around you. As for the donations—I have it on good authority you’re going to break Gran’s record and then some.’
‘I just want to do her proud.’
‘You’ve—’