Page 158 of The Duke Who Saved Christmas
I unlocked my tablet and scrolled through my spreadsheet, marking that particular one as done. I continued on through the things I needed done until a good chunk of my list was checked off.
And I could breathe a sigh of relief.
All we needed to do now was two things: get through the rehearsal without any major mishaps and get through one night of sharing a bed with my sister.
The night was going to be harder than the rehearsal.
We’d shared but a few words since this whole fiasco had started, and we still hadn’t resolved our previous disagreement from a week ago. The last thing I wanted was to have bad blood between us during the wedding tomorrow, and we were sharing the bridal suite room tonight as bride and maid of honour. I had every intention of clearing the air—I just needed to figure out how to do that.
“How will you be participating in the rehearsal, Miss Sylvie?” Louise asked, sidling up next to me. “You’re the maid of honour, aren’t you?”
I smiled down at her. She really was as cute as a button, and if I were ever really sick in hospital, I’d want her nursing me for sure. “I am. I’ll be participating the same as everyone else, but I’ll also be in work mode. Honestly, I’m a bit nervous.”
“You are? You don’t look it!”
“That’s sweet of you to say.” I patted her arm. “I’ve never been a participant in a wedding I’ve planned, let alone such a huge role.”
“I’m sure the duchess will help if there are any issues tomorrow.”
“Oh, of course.” I forced a smile. “Don’t tell my sister this, but I’m prepared for everything that can go wrong, to go wrong.”
“You’re so pessimistic.” Thomas wrapped his arms around my shoulders from behind and rested his chin on top of my head.
Louise took a step back, and I swore I saw her blush.
“Please let go of me,” I said. “This is highly inappropriate.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. I’m working.”
He sighed, but he loosened his grip and stepped next to me, leaving one arm wrapped around my shoulders.
Fine.
Whatever.
I was reasonable. I could compromise.
I wouldn’t be happy about it, but I would do it.
“This wedding has had its fair share of misfortune—there’s no way anything else can go wrong,” Thomas said, tilting my tablet screen towards him. “Hey, you’re all on fire. I guess you don’t need my help.”
“The rehearsal is starting in an hour. What help could you possibly be?” I turned my face towards him. “Just sit in the corner and look pretty.”
“Aw, you think I’m pretty.”
“Don’t flatter yourself so much. It’s unbecoming. And stop flirting with me in public. Your mother is getting the wrong idea.”
“I think you’re the only one with the wrong idea.” He grinned. “Everyone else is on the same page as me.”
I sighed and shrugged out of his embrace. “Heath, is there nothing for this nuisance to do? Can we put him on the door to greet the guests coming for the rehearsal?”
Heath stroked his chin. “Unfortunately, Miss Sylvie, I’m unable to tell His Grace what to do. The only person he’ll presently listen to is his mother. Until he gets a wife, that is.”
“That poor nameless woman,” I said flatly.
“Nameless? I’m pretty sure her name is Sylvie Harding,” Thomas said into my ear.
