“I know. But her real name also happens to be Mrs Cook,” he whispered quickly.
“How do you know?”
They were both halfway down the stairs; Cook herself had already reached the bottom.
“She told me,” he muttered. “But I’m not supposed to tell.”
“I hate you.”
He widened his eyes at her.
“You’ve barely been here a month and already made friends with everyone. Even Cook takes you into her confidence.”
He scoffed. “You’d rather I make enemies?”
She shoved him playfully. “Yes.”
“I’ll try. Now hurry up.” He tapped her shoulder with a gentle cuff. “She’s waiting for us.”
“Stop dawdling or you don’t get pudding tonight,” Cook called up.
Pierre turned and continued down the stairs.
Lunch was a mushroom omelette served with salad and seeded bread. They ate quickly and were just about to return to the office when Liam reached across the table and caught her sleeve.
“Can I talk to you for a sec?” He angled his head towards the garden door.
“Go.” Gabriel pushed his chair back. “I’ll be upstairs making a start on the book cover.”
She watched him leave then turned to Liam. He led her towards the kitchen garden. Whatever he wanted to say was obviously private.
When they were outside, he showed her his phone. “Do you know anything about this?”
His screen showed an Instagram feed.
@NICOLEBARBER: Lord Du Montfort’s son to wed, bride wearing Vivienne Westwood couture.
It also showed a picture of a large box with the Westwood logo on the side. It was half-open, showing a mass of ivory fabric inside.
Pierre looked at him, confused.
“It’s all over Twitter too,” he said, swiping to load a different app. Nicole’s page was full of similar tweets.
“I thought she was wearing the dress Laura made for her,” Liam said, looking worried. “Laura will be heartbroken.”
Pierre took out her own phone and checked all her social media apps. The news was everywhere.No. No. No.
“But it can’t be true. Millie herself told me she was so excited about Laura’s dress.”
“So, what’s Nicole up to?”
Pierre thought for a moment. Nicole clearly hadn’t given up her vendetta against Laura and was still trying to bring in a famous designer. But at this late stage? The dress was all but finished.
“What is she hoping to do?” Liam asked. “Upset Laura so much to make her give up and leave?”
Pierre sighed. Today of all days, she really could have done without this problem. She placed a hand on Liam’s arm. “Wait here.” She went back into the kitchen.
Millie was just finishing her lunch and talking to someone on the phone. Pierre hovered anxiously, waiting for her to finish. They had less than two hours to get the book to the printers.
