The first thing that struck her was the kiss after his name, which she touched with the side of her thumb. Since she was alone, she didn’t have to suppress the urge to throw herself back on her bed with a little squeal of happiness as she gathered the covers around her once more and typed her reply, sending it immediately.
Love to!
She didn’t think how odd it seemed for a mum and her little girl to be invited to a stag party, and the ‘wear old clothes’ thing had escaped her notice too. All she felt was a curious warm glow and sleep coming for her once more, so she lay back down, smiling woozily, her phone on her pillow.
Chapter Seventeen
‘I already told you my name. It’s Araminta Clove-Congreve. Youmusthave the booking. I’m holding your quote in my hand. Of course, I know the date. Saturday the second, a week on Saturday! Clove Lore Estate. I’ve engaged your services for three hours. None of your modern rubbish, remember?’
‘Mint?’ Jowan popped his head into the ballroom where the wedding would take place. Minty had it set out as a makeshift planner’s HQ for now, with folding tables and bundles of papers everywhere. ‘Elliot’s here with his suit and Jude’s dress.’
‘Hold on one second,’ Minty instructed the unfortunate harpist on the line. ‘What do you mean, he’s here with Jude’s dress? He’s not supposed to see the bride’s dress until their wedding day.’
Elliot popped his head in too. ‘It’s OK, I’ve seen it already, remember? In Jude’s parents’ wedding photos?’
‘Well that’s not the point, is it? Honestly. We must notinviteill fortune willy-nilly.’ Her ire was drawn back to the phone conversation. ‘What? Yes, I’m still here.’
Jowan gingerly closed the door and smiled apologetically at the young groom.
‘I wouldn’t have thought Minty was the superstitious type,’ Elliot told Jowan, who didn’t think it was necessary to remind the younger man of Minty’s love of tradition.
‘She’s jus’ got a lot on,’ he said instead.
Minty’s head appeared suddenly around the door, making Elliot jump.
‘What are your thoughts on Jordan almonds?’ she asked, her eyebrows raised. ‘I’ve the confectioner to ring next.’
‘Uh?’ Elliot wasn’t sure he had an opinion on them. He wasn’t even sure what they were.
‘Sugared almonds?’ Minty encouraged. ‘Do you want classic white or pastels?’
‘Um.’
‘Just choose one, lad,’ Jowan advised under his breath. ‘Put her out of her misery.’
‘OK, uh, white?’
‘Really?’ Minty’s forehead creased in disbelief. ‘For a summer wedding? I’d have thought pastels best, no?’
‘OK,’ Elliot shrugged, bewildered, and Minty disappeared into the ballroom once more, leaving the men to share weary glances. ‘Guess a wedding’s not a wedding without a pastel-coloured choking hazard.’
‘Best leave her to the decision making, I always find. And she made such a nice job of our own wedding,’ Jowan reassured Elliot. ‘Mind you, t’was a much smaller task. She weren’t tryin’ to set up a business then, or hold a glitzy showcase wedding for her brochure pictures.’
‘We really just need the basics,’ Elliot tried to protest.
‘Son, you could sooner stop another flood than stop Minty turning this into the wedding of the decade. I might as well warn you, she wants the photos in all the right magazines.’
Elliot knew only too well what Jowan meant by this, having been pictured in the society pages ofTatlerandTown and Countryamongst his parents’ smart set when he was younger at events from the Chelsea previews to the last day at Goodwood.
He thanked the universe those days were over and he could be himself here in Clove Lore, with no expectations other than his being happy.
Jowan led him away. ‘I was under instruction to hang your suit in our bedroom, so I reckon that’ll be the place for the dress too. Did you remember shoes? Minty expressly told me to mention shoes.’
‘Got ’em,’ Elliot said, indicating the tote bag over his shoulder.
‘Belt, tie and handkerchief?’
‘Yep.’
