“Then they can change their schedules,” Cordelia says simply.
“Hmm, now that I think about it, Tom may have a point,” I say, pensive. “You may have to make some sacrifices.”
“Like what?” Cordelia asks, irritated. “I don’t want to make any sacrifices and I don’t see why I should.”
“Like whatbandyou were thinking of booking, for example,” I stress, still smiling like a robot as though everything is under control. “It might be tricky for you to book them at such late notice.”
“What band did you want?” Tom asks.
“It’s a surprise,” she says, her eyes glinting at me, daring me to tell.
“Maybe you should have a think about a backup,” I suggest, reminding myself that I wasn’t letting her down. A good bridesmaid will go the extra mile but will also manage expectations. Especially ridiculous ones. “And,” I continue, remembering how she wanted to change the flooring at Dashwell Hall, “I’m not sure you’d have time for thoseinteriorchanges you wanted.”
“Interior changes?” The marquess looks horrified. “Whatever do you mean?”
“My friend is in a band!” Jonathan blurts out, clicking his fingers. “We can ask them to play! They’re good, too. Very punk-rock style. Cool, right?”
Cordelia and her parents can’t hide their horror at the idea, and I seize upon the opportunity to do my job. This sort of thing, I can handle in my sleep.
“Such a cool idea,” I say enthusiastically, before letting my face drop, “although, if it was me, I probably wouldn’t want to play at your wedding.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because then I’d miss out on all the fun! You know,” I say casually, as though I haven’t thought about this before, “if you’re performing you’d have to set up and you couldn’t join in with any of the dancing. Your friend wouldn’t get to enjoy all the best bits. But I’m sure he wouldn’t mind—he’d probably love to play for you.”
“Hmm.” Jonathan looks thoughtful. “Maybe we shouldn’t ask him. I don’t want him to miss out on the actual wedding.”
“What a shame,” Lady Meade cuts in, giving me a grateful smile, while Tom smirks behind his mug. “I’m sure we’ll find another appropriate act to fill his shoes.”
“So we’ve decided, then?” the marquess says, glancing at his watch. “Two months it is?”
“We’ve decided,” Cordelia states. “What could be more glamorous than a New Year’s Eve wedding?”
“In that case, I think it’s appropriate we make our way to Dashwell,” he says. “Makes sense to be in the venue and work out how everything will go. Everyone able to come along this weekend?”
“Good idea,” Lady Meade agrees. “And, Emily, you must join us. You’ve never been to Dashwell, have you? You’d be very welcome.”
Everyone looks at me, so no one notices Cordelia’s shocked expression in reaction to the invitation. An invitation to the Meade stately home is like a dream, a position I never imagined I’d ever be in. Dashwell Hall is one of the most famous estates in the country and I’ve been offered a personal invitation to stay there.
But it also means being in the middle of nowhere, shut away in a big scary house with Lady Cordelia Swann.
There is no guarantee I’d get out alive.
“I’d love to come,” I hear myself say. “Thank you.”
“That’s decided, then,” the marquess says, clapping his hands together. “Tom, will you be joining us?”
“I can come Friday evening after work,” he says, then turnsto me. “If you want, I can give you a lift. Jonathan and Cordelia have a two-seater.”
“That would be… oh, wait! I’ve just remembered it’s… uh… my friend’s birthday dinner on Friday evening. I can try to get out of it.”
It is actually my dad’s birthday dinner, but Emily’s parents are supposed to be in Australia. I can already hear the disappointment in my mum’s tone when I’ll have to call her to say I won’t be able to come. Even though it’s just me coming over for dinner with them, I know they’re both really looking forward to an evening together.
“No, you can’t miss your friend’s birthday celebration,” Lady Meade insists. “Why don’t you come on Saturday morning first thing, if that suits?”
“I can organize a taxi to pick you up from the station,” Cordelia says, watching Tom.
Before I know it, it’s all arranged. I’ll be joining the Swann family for a weekend in the country and, together, we’ll work out how to throw this wedding in two months.
