"Thank you, darling. I'll return the compliment and admit that you've made my life a million times better as well." Bria rose from her knees, where she'd been fussing over Alice, and kissed her fiancé's cheek before she faced me. "Ky! It feels like eons since I've seen you."
"Well, it's been a year," I agreed. "We've never gone this long between visits. I guess you've been kept busy at home . . . with work, among other things?"
Her replying smile was smug. "Among other things, yes." With a happy sigh, she stepped backward, leaning against Rhys. "But I'm so excited to be at Chiswick again. I can't wait to see all of the changes you've made since my last time here."
"I'll be happy to give you a tour." I took a deep breath. "But first, let's get your things upstairs so you can settle in. Mrs. M. has a beautiful spread waiting for us, too, I know." I caught the housekeeper's eye. "Mrs. Maguire, would you please lay out tea in the sitting room while I show my sister and His Lordship to their room?"
My wonderful housekeeper telegraphed via a barely discernible nod that she understood what I was saying. "Of course, ma'am. Everything will be ready as soon as you are."
"Excellent." I turned to my guests. "Come right this way."
"Now this is something I've missed from home." Rhys leaned back in the winged chair and patted his flat stomach. "No offense to you colonists, but there's just nothing like a proper English tea."
I had to agree with my cousin-by-marriage. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of a long-awaited reunion with my sister or the coziness of our sitting room, decked out for the holidays and warmed by a crackling fire in the hearth, but just now, I was feeling more mellow and relaxed than I had in many weeks.
Alice had enjoyed her sandwich and cakes before she'd grown bored with the grown-up talk and retired to the nursery with Penny. Nicky was due home at any moment from a meeting in London. I was caught up on all the family news and had amused Bria and Rhys with Alice's antics, so now there was only one topic to tackle.
"So." I wriggled to sit up a little straighter on the loveseat, smiling at my sister next to me. "Let's talk about your wedding."
A strangled sound came from the direction of the chair where Rhys sat. Bria's smile seemed to freeze.
"Ky, let's not worry about that now." She tucked one foot beneath her. "It's nearly Christmas, and I'd rather focus on that than on wedding stuff."
"Bria." I clasped my hands around my knees. "I know big, elaborate affairs are not your thing, but you're marrying into—well, not exactly the Royal Family, but close enough. Rhys has more than one solid connection with Her Majesty, and that means that you can't just—" I shook my head. "I don't know, have some kind of cookout on the beach or an intimate ceremony in the woods."
"As if I'd ever." Bria rolled her eyes, and I had the older sisterly urge to smack her. "Beach weddings or forest parties are more your style than mine, Kyra."
"And there's nothing in my life that says we have to make a huge to-do of this," Rhys added. "My family ties to the Queen don't require anything like that. Brie-Brie and I were thinking more of a quiet, intimate ceremony and then perhaps later, a party for our family and friends."
"But Bria." I ignored Rhys and concentrated on my sister, pressing on what I hoped was a weak spot in her argument. "You only have one chance to be a bride, to wear the big white dress and walk down the aisle. Nicky's mother and I were talking, and we think St. George's Chapel would be perfect. She and the Duke would be happy to host your reception, too." I reached to touch her hand. "You only get married once."
"Hello, hello!" Before my sister could respond, Nicky came sailing into the sitting room, all smiles and ruddy cheeks. "It's damn cold out there. Glad I have a fire to come home to—and a loving wife, of course." He leaned down to kiss my cheek, his frigid nose making me shiver as it grazed the side of my face. "Bria, Rhys—so happy you're here! Did you leave me even a crumb of what looks to have been a perfectly decadent tea?"
Rhys laughed, and if the sound was slightly too hearty or a bit strained, Nicky didn't notice.
"Think we may have saved you a scone." He stood, and I watched fondly as the cousins shared a manly embrace.
"No worries. Mrs. Maguire saw me on the way in and tells me that she's bringing a tray and a fresh pot of Earl Grey, too." Nicky bent over to hug my sister. "Bria, you look wonderful. Is this cousin of mine treating you well?"
"Better than well." Her cheeks flushed a becoming rosy pink. "We're very happy, Nicky."
"Glad to hear it." My husband stood before the fire, holding out his hands. "So what were you three discussing when I so rudely interrupted?"
I cleared my throat. "Their wedding. Which neither of them want to talk about." I tilted my head, entreating Nicky's support. "We should be making plans, shouldn't we? Don't you remember how much time everything took when we got married?"
"A bit of a different situation, sweetheart." Nicky wandered over to perch on the arm of my loveseat, sliding his hand behind my back. "Besides which, Rhys and Bria should be able to decide for themselves. Don't you think?"
"Of course," I agreed, but I wasn't ready to let it go. "I just want to make sure Bria really knows what she wants. When we were little, she always had to be the bride whenever we played, remember, Brie? You had that old white lace tablecloth that Honey let us use, and you make Liesl and me carrying it as your attendants. I lost count of how many teddy bears and other stuffed animals you married back in the day."
My sister nodded. "I remember. But maybe I got all of it out of my system then, because now, I really don't to fuss."
"But it's such a happy occasion," I persisted. "A wonderful time for our families to celebrate. Honey and Mom would be so disappointed if they didn't get to see you walk down the aisle—not to mention Daddy."
"Let's drop the subject, Kyra." Bria's tone was brittle.
"I just think you don't really understand—" I tried once more, but Bria stopped me, jumping to her feet as she threw both hands wide.
"I don't want to talk about weddings because Rhys and I alreadyaremarried. We eloped last month!"
