"Just leave it to me." He winked suggestively.
"And Fromage can be the ring-bearer," Sophie put in.
Victoria felt something warm and overwhelming rising in her chest. "You'd all do that? Help me?"
"Of course we would," Lady Charlotte said softly. "You're family. And Sasha's family too. We want this to be perfect for you."
"Well," Grandmother Alexandra said, setting down her teacup with a decisive click. "Not perfect. Perfect is boring. But memorable. That we can certainly manage."
The door opened and Sasha appeared, hair still damp from the shower, wearing one of Victoria's jumpers. "Sorry I'm late. What did I miss?"
Everyone immediately fell silent, turning to look at Victoria with varying expressions of conspiracy.
"Nothing," Victoria said, her voice only slightly strangled. "Just discussing… Christmas plans."
"Right." Sasha looked suspicious. "Why does everyone look guilty?"
"We always look guilty," Ambrose said. "It's the Sullivan family default expression."
Sasha didn't look convinced, but she sat down next to Victoria, stealing a piece of toast. "You alright? You look stressed."
"I'm fine. Everything's fine."
Under the table, Sophie kicked her. When Victoria glared at her, Sophie just grinned.
The plan was afoot.
EVENING CAME TOO quickly.
Victoria stood on the terrace, watching the sun sink toward the horizon and trying very hard not to throw up from nerves.
Everything was in place. Lukas had built a bonfire in the garden, perhaps slightly larger than necessary, but the flames cast a warm glow across the lawn. The terrace had been cleared of mud and debris. Fresh roses from the greenhouse lined the stone balustrade, their scent heavy in the cold air.
Ambrose was positioned somewhere in the gazebo with his mysterious snow plan. Sophie had Fromage groomed and ready, a small box attached to her collar with a ribbon. Archie and Cathy were stationed by the French doors as witnesses. PaniKaminska sat on a garden bench, beaming with excitement even though she probably didn't understand half of what was happening.
Sir Archibald and Lady Charlotte watched from the drawing room windows, her mother's hands clasped together like she was watching a wedding already.
It was perfect. Too perfect. Victoria's heart was in her mouth.
"You'll be fine," Lukas said quietly, appearing at her elbow. "She loves you. That's all that matters."
"What if I forget what to say?"
"Then say something else. She won't care."
"What if…"
"Victoria. Breathe."
She breathed.
"Good, now let me go get a fork to start turning that fire over. Good luck."
"You don’t want to watch?" Victoria asked.
Lukas laughed. "I’m not sure I want the world watching when I ask Ambrose, so I’ll give you some privacy."
Victoria’s mouth dropped open. "You’re going to ask Ambrose…"
