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Feeling like a dejected teenage girl, I pulled the cardigan around my shoulders and slid my arms into the sleeves.
Her gaze ran over Augustus. “Very good. You may announce.”
I watched the man step around the backdrop and listened with bated breath as he began his spiel. “Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the launch of Estate Styles’autumn line. As you all know, the high-end fashion company has established itself as a popular, modern brand amongst the rich and famous across Europe and the East Coast of America while keeping within the realm of British tradition. Now, to discuss the new line with us, please welcome overseer, Linda Barnes and models, Viscount Augustus Huntington the Third and Ms. Sienna Beachley.”
I tried to ignore the clapping, the rustle of notepads, the metallic sound of camera shutters clicking, and the voices of journalists vying to ask the first question in pursuit of an exclusive for their media outlet.
Augustus pulled out my chair for me, and once seated, I immediately began picking at the label on the bottle of water. After a moment’s observation, he leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Don’t show weakness.”
I instantly stopped fussing and folded my hands on the tabletop, squaring my shoulders, then I cast my gaze around the room in the hopes of exuding confidence.
“Welcome, all of you.”
Linda bowed her head. “It’s lovely to be here. I thank you for having us, Oliver.” She turned to address the audience. “Shall we start the questions?”
Hands shot into the air before she’d even finished the sentence.
“Yes, the redheaded lady?” Oliver indicated a middle-aged woman in a navy skirt suit.
“What are you hoping to achieve with this latest line?”
“Accessibility,” Linda replied. “We will always cater to the upper classes, of course. But with our global expansion powering ahead, it’s important we make ourselves available to more and more people of all ages and a broader range of demographics worldwide without compromising on the quality that we are well known for.”
“Is that why you chose Miss Beachley to star in the shoot alongside the viscount?” a young man asked.
I opened my mouth to tell him it was simply a fluke, but Linda tapped my hand and smiled at the man. “Yes, exactly. She’s young, beautiful, American, and represents the kind of person we’d like to begin marketing to. The average, everyday woman.”
My mouth dropped open. Did Linda just call meaverage?
The reporter turned his focus to me. “What was it like shooting for the first time? Is this the first in a new career for you, Miss Beachley?”
“Oh, no. While I hope to have a lengthy career with Estate Styles, I’m aiming at a more behind-the-scenes position. But I’m more than happy to help bring the company’s ambitions to fruition in front of the camera for this season.”
A second male journalist stood up. This one wasn’t as clean-cut as the first man. His spiked, bleached blond hair didn’t match his dark stubble whatsoever, and his suit was crinkled and haphazard, as though he’d pulled it out of the back of his closet for the first time in twenty years. “Is that because of this, love?”
He lifted an enlarged photograph. One of Augustus kissing me as I stepped into the Bentley he’d called for me the day before.
My breath caught in my throat.
“It seems to me the lines of professionalism have been blurred. Is this why your modeling is a one-time thing?”
My breathing became shallow as I tried to contain the dread washing through my body. Here was my worst fear coming true in a room full of professionals and right in front of my boss. “Ah, no, I-I…” I glanced at Linda, and I could see she was seething. “I can explain.”
“Go right ahead.” Shooting a glare my way, Linda threw herself back in her seat, anger evident on her face.
“Uhh…” Every eye in the room was on me, waiting for me to spill my excuse to the entire British press. Why was I, a lowly American expat, making out with one of England’s most eligible bachelors?
Augustus slid his fingers over mine until his hand was enveloping my own. “I initiated the kiss because I’m attracted to Sienna, and that is all I will say on the matter.”
“What are you doing?” I hissed.
Augustus ignored me and continued to address the crowd, “As for her future in modeling, such a thing isn’t Sienna’s dream career, I’m afraid. Though I will confess how incredible I think she is at it, I must respect her wishes.Thatis why it will be a one-off campaign for her.”
Linda did her best to cover up her gawking and turned back to the room at large. “Are there any other questions?”
A representative from one of the major television stations stood and directed her gaze toward me. “Yes. Lord Huntington, how long have you been seeing Miss Beachley? It must be rather new, considering you were seen on a yacht in Spain with Lady Jane Brams of Denmark not one month ago.”
Before Augustus could respond, Linda held her hand up to him. “Anyotherquestions pertaining to the line?”
