Page 29 of Once upon a Summer Night

“Miss Carberry,” the man began. “You’ve remained awfully quiet today. Are you doing this of your own free will, or have you been steamrolled into it by your opinionated aunt?”

Colin opened his mouth, but Ellie placed a staying hand on his arm. She gently moved her microphone closer to her mouth and made eye contact with the reporter, trying not to blink in the onslaught of flashing bulbs.

“What an interesting question.” She drew a breath and mustered a smile. “While I’m a very private person, my aunt, as you all know, is not.” A chuckle rose from the crowd. She continued, “My aunt, however, has never ‘steamrolled’ me into anything. It’s difficult for many to remember that behind the pen, there’s a living, breathing person. She loves, she lives, and she laughs. She took me in when I had nothing. I owe her everything, and so when she asked if I would help her to prove a company’s worth, I agreed. And I was able to agree, of my own free will, as you so aptly called it, because I was given a chance at living a life.” She paused, the knot in her stomach loosening, then looked out at the crowd of silent faces. “You all know that I’m American by birth. You also know I’m a Londoner by choice. I’ve grown up here. I live here. I holiday here, and I am a business owner myself. The only thing my aunt has any sway over is where we eat dinner—and that’s only because her palate is more refined than my own.”

Another chuckle from the crowd emboldened Ellie further. She turned to Colin and gave him a half-shrug. “You have todo more than convince my aunt that your company doesn’t cater to the higher classes of British society. You have to convince me as well.”

The room erupted into scattered applause and laughter.

“Challenge accepted,” Colin murmured, his eyes showing his surprise.

Ellie turned back to the reporter. “I hope that answered your question,andgave you something to misquote in your papers.” She eased the jab with a bright smile. “I respectfully ask that you not stalk me on these various dates, but I think we all know how that’s going to go. So until we meet again.” She gave a small smile, then stood. Colin followed, and they exited the conference room as quickly as they’d entered it half an hour beforehand. Colin steered her down the hall to a back staircase.

“There’s a car waiting for us,” he said. “I want to avoid the media frenzy as long as possible.”

“What media frenzy?” she asked.

He slanted her a look. “The one you just created with that impassioned little speech in there. I have to prove my company to you, too?”

Ellie gave him an incredulous look. “Of course. And I honestly hope you’re joking about the frenzy, Colin.”

“I wish I was. But I’ve been down this road before, and it leads right into the flash of a photographer’s camera.” He ushered her into the back alley, and, as promised, a sleek black limousine was waiting for them. The door swung open, and they all piled inside, joining Reilly and Gwen.

“You were brilliant,” Emma declared, her smile genuine.

Winnie exclaimed, “You were so sweet, saying those things about me. I hope it didn’t damage my reputation, though.”

“Doubtful,” Colin muttered.

Ellie sighed. “I’m glad the hardest part is over.”

“The hardest part?” Reilly shook his head and pointed tothe small, silent television panel in the limo. “Lass, that press conference was simply the warm up.”

Stunned, Ellie’s eyes tracked the news ticker at the bottom of the screen.

…CARBERRY, NIECE OF COLUMNIST WINIFRED EMSWORTH, SET TO GIVE CELTIC CONNECTIONS A RUN FOR ITS MONEY…

…ELEANOR THE GREAT, OR ELEANOR THE FAKE? WILL BRITAIN’S AMERICAN TAKE HER CAKE?…

“Oh, that one’s just terrible.” Winnie tsked as she adjusted her scarf. “That reference is most decidedlynotBritish. Or American. I could come up with a better moniker in mysleep.”

“You might have to,” Gwen replied, dismay flitting across her features. “Ellie, they’re comparing you to Marie Antoinette!”

“I figured that one out, Gwen.”

“They’re just looking for something that will stick,” Winnie sighed. “That one won’t.”

Ellie buried her face in her hands. “I have a strong need to swear right now.”

“And ruin my delicate ears? I should hope you have better restraint,” Winnie said pertly.

“Your ears are the furthest thing from delicate,” Ellie muttered.

“Rot the lot, I say,” Reilly declared. “You charmed them. They’ll be dogging your every step. Also, your flat’s bugged.”

“Is he serious?” Ellie demanded, looking first at Colin, then Emma. “Is he?”

“I am,” Reilly replied. He held up his phone. “I sent someone over to check, and looks like someone’s definitely been and gone.”

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