Page 48 of Wedding Games
He waited for Zoe to respond. If she wanted to keep going then he’d suck it up.
She glanced at him. ‘I don’t think I can handle any more,’ she said. ‘If that’s alright with you?’
His shoulders sagged with relief. ‘Are you mistaking me for Charlie?’
She giggled. ‘Sorry, I’m just so frazzled I don’t know which way’s up right now.’
‘Okay,’ Sam said. ‘Food starts in half an hour. Why don’t you run off and hide for a bit? I’ll sort the photographers out.’
Zoe hugged her. ‘Thank you.’ She took Rory’s hand and led him along the corridor towards the main stairs, ignoring the calls from the wedding coordinator.
Finally he was going to get some peace and quiet with the only reason he was going through this rigmarole.
‘Zoe! There you are!’
He bit back a sigh as his mother-in-law rushed towards them.
‘My darling girl!’ Mary cried, her cheeks pink and the feathers on her fascinator vibrating with excitement. ‘How are you doing?’
‘I’m a bit knackered to be honest, Mum,’ Zoe replied.
‘Oh, my love, I’m sure you are.’ Mary took Zoe’s hand from his. ‘Let’s find somewhere quiet to sit down before the meal.’ She glanced at him. ‘Your mother’s looking for you. She was in the great hall the last I saw her.’
He tried to keep his features calm, but Zoe could read him like a book.
‘Mum—’
‘It’s okay,’ he said. ‘You go. I’ll see you at dinner.’
Mary put her free hand over her heart. ‘Bless you, Rory.’
She led Zoe away, and Rory strode in the opposite direction. Right now, if he couldn’t have Zoe, he just wanted silence.
At the end of the corridor was a small, unobtrusive door cut into the panelling. Unless you were looking for it, it was easy to pass by. It led to the servants’ stairs and no one ever used it.
He opened the door and passed through.
The light was on inside, and Henry Foxbrooke was sitting on the top step.
Henry stood. ‘Sorry. I, er…’
‘Wanted a bit of peace and quiet?’ Rory replied, shutting the door behind him.
Henry gave a rueful smile. ‘Yes. I find events like this a bit much.’
‘Try being the groom,’ said Rory, leaning back against the wall and running his hands through his hair.
‘Didn’t you want a wedding this big?’ Henry asked.
‘Fuck no,’ Rory huffed. ‘A registry office would have done me. But when you’re the earl, apparently that’s not good enough.’ He paused. Henry was going to become the Duke of Somerset one day. ‘You must know what I mean?’
Henry passed a hand over his face. ‘Yeah, I do. But I don’t want any of it.’
‘Your title?’
Henry sighed. ‘The title, the estate, my family, the lot.’
‘Any particular reason?’
