“Worry about what?”Adam said, joining them with a bowl full of curry-drenched pastries.
Across the room, Padma gracefully lifted her tea.“Have the invitations gone out for Arjuna’s party yet?”
“I was planning to mail them later this morning,” Parvati returned cheerfully.
Padma waved a hand to Mr.Mahjoud, who pulled a piece of paper from his valise.“I took the liberty of making a little list of some additional guests it might be nice to have.”
A worried frown creased the space between Constance’s elegant brows.
Neil’s grip tightened on his teacup.
“And what about those arrangements we spoke of?”Padma pressed lightly.
“Arrangements?”Neil blurted out quickly.
Parvati cast him a reassuring smile from across the room.“The gardens are very abundant at the moment,” she promised.
Padma smiled serenely.“You are so very skilled at bringing things together.”
Neil seemed to go even more pale—if such a thing were possible.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”Ellie demanded.
Over by the tea table, Parvati studied the list.“You wish to invite the Rani of Sonepur?”
“Of course,” Padma replied, casually stirring her spoon.“It can be ever so helpful to connect with other mothers in these situations.”
Neil stared into his cup, and then abruptly set it down.His hand was shaking.
“And Prince Shahir of Talabad!”Parvati exclaimed, still reviewing the paper.“I have heard that he has the most enormous—”
“Constance and I are getting married!”Neil burst out.
The room went silent.
Adam’s eyebrows rose.
Constance froze.
Ellie forced herself to swallow her mouthful of tea—after barely keeping from spitting it onto the Persian carpet.
Padma’s gaze glittered like ice from across the room."What surprising news.And when was this happy decision made?”
Clammy sweat broke out along the line of Neil’s forehead.“We… I… It’s…”
He appeared to be choking on the words.
Constance recovered from her obvious shock.She grasped his hand, tugging him to her side as she turned to face her grandmother.“We have actually known since Egypt.We were simply waiting for the perfect time to tell everyone.Isn’t that right, darling?
Darling?Ellie thought, reeling.
“Time,” Neil rasped weakly.“Yes.”
“And the perfect time was over breakfast on a Wednesday.”Padma’s tone was bone-dry.
Constance pushed on with breezy aplomb.“It must certainly be reassuring to know that I’ll be venturing out to the edge of the wilderness under the protection of my fiancé!”She patted Neil’s arm.“Really, Dr.Fairfax was just being thoughtful of everyone’s sensibilities.”
“How very considerate,” Padma returned smoothly.
