Tom held up a hand, aware of Stella and Corentin’s eyes upon his back. “Don’t worry about me, I wouldn’t dream of standing in the way when there’s a wedding emergency. So long as Reine is okay with it, I’m okay with it.”
“We should get going then,” Luis replied, standing. “Reine,mi cielo, estás bien si te quedas conmigo y elUncle Sebastianesta noche? Voy a hacerte una capa tan suave y hermosa que será como usar algodón de azúcar.”
Reine looked to her mother, and Ari nodded.
“I’m picking her up at 8a.m. sharp,” she warned Luis, leaning over to plant a kiss on Reine’s head. “We need to be at the airport on time.”
“Please,” Sebastian broke in, waving his hand, “You know how much we love Heathrow. An hour in the lounge sipping champagne before a flight and a good rummage through Harrods always makes the travel experience less trying on my nerves.”
“That’s great,” Ari said. “Except we’re flying from City this time.”
Sebastian’s face fell. “You’re kidding, right?”
Ari shook her head.
“But... but there’s nothing at London City Airport. One post box, a sad little WH Smith selling wine gums and one poky overpriced bar filled with city banker types does not an airport make, Ari. What the hell were you thinking?”
“I don’t know,” Ari mused. “I just thought the convenience of getting to City outweighed the lounge experience at Heathrow and—”
“Urgh, stop.” Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll see you at City. But next time I’m booking the flights. And the airport lounge.”
“I’m coming with you,” Marnie suddenly announced, standing quickly.
“That’s fine,” Sebastian replied. “The airport lounge is members only, but I’m sure I could rustle up a guest pass—”
“Not to the airport,” Marnie bristled. “I meant to your house, now. I want to spend some time with Reine before the madness of the wedding begins tomorrow.”
Sebastian shrugged. “Fine by me. Given that Luis’s going to be up sewing all night now, I could do with some company after Reine’s gone to bed. I’ll make tea. We can watchBridgerton.”
“What’s that?”
Sebastian and Luis exchanged a look.
“You don’t knowBridgerton, Marnie?” Luis asked.
“No. Will I like it?”
“Mom—” Tom began, but Sebastian had already begun speaking.
“Tell me, Marnie, how do you feel about shirtless and attractive men?”
Tom watched as his mother grinned.
“I’d say I was on the positive side,” she replied. “Honestly, if you’d seen Tom’s father back in the day, in his tight trousers and V-neck shirts—”
“Mom!” Tom exploded, covering Reine’s ears. “Too much information.”
“Tom,” Marnie replied calmly, “don’t be such a prude. Women of my age have sex, you know.”
“Ooh,” Sebastian grinned. “You’re going to loveBridgerton. Come on, then, let’s go so Luis can get this cape started. You ready, Reine?”
“I’ll have a bike drop the cashmere to you ASAP, Luis,” Stella said, also standing. “See you all in Iceland.”
“You’re leaving too?” Ari asked, frowning. “You don’t want a glass of red wine or anything?”
“Oh, I’m allergic to tannins,” Stella explained, giving Ari a smile as her fiancé helped her into her coat. “So, no red wine for me.”
“That’s right, and I’ve developed an empathy allergy to them too, in support of my wife-to-be,” Corentin added.
