“No! He just lives to piss me off. They couldn’t come up with anyone better? At this rate, I’ll take one of the boring ones I can lead around by the nose. Anyone but him!”
“What happens if you back out?” Natalie questioned.
“Then I lose any semblance of happiness in my life. Nothing compares to the feeling of sketching a design and then bringing it to life. In a way, the clothes are my babies—my creations.”
Amy mused, “We know what happens if you break things off, but what happens if Preston does?”
Too blinded by what this entire situation meant for my future, I hadn’t taken a moment to ponder the other half of the equation. Taking a moment to think about it, maybe Amy was onto something. I couldn’t be blamed if Preston walked away, and I was confident I could make a compelling argument to my grandfather that I’d held up my end of the bargain. Throw in some tears, and boom—I would be the picture of the sad, jilted woman.
There was only one problem. “Preston has just as much to gain in this match as I do.”
“What’s in it for him?” Amy asked.
“He’s getting a bump in social station. Being the second son of a duke, he holds no title. Marrying me would likely see him granted one.”
She paused, choosing her next words carefully. “So, what’s the worst that could happen if he ends the courtship? They find someone else? That’ll take time, essentially creating a stay of execution on your single life.”
“What makes you think he will call it off?”
Amy smiled wide, motioning to the ladies joining us on the computer screen. “That’s why we brought in the big guns.”
Hannah smirked. “I like how you think, Ames.”
I was still lost. “I don’t get it.”
With a wicked gleam in her sparkling green eyes, Amy clarified, “Between the four of us, I’m sure we can find ways to run Preston off.”
“Turnabout is fair play,” Hannah offered.
Mulling over their words, my mind slowly put the pieces together, and a light laugh left my lips. “Amy, you’re a genius! He’s tortured me for my entire life. Now, it’s my turn.”
Pleased with herself, Amy added, “The best part of this plan is that it’s rinse and repeat. New suitor, same plan. It’s time to take back some of the control.”
She was right. I could scare all the men away until word got out that I was impossible to tame, and they began refusing Grandfather’s proposed matches. I couldn’t care less if I became known throughout the nobility as difficult. My freedom mattered more than my reputation among a bunch of stuffy old men stuck in the ways of the past.
Ready for battle, I asked my ladies, “So, what’s the plan?”
Natalie had been quiet but chose now to speak. “We don’t want it to be too obvious, so it’s best to start slow. How does a shopping spree sound, Lucy?”
Hannah added, “And not on the weekend, either. Call him in the middle of the workday and say you need to see him urgently. He doesn’t need to know it’s a fashion emergency.”
For the first time in two days, I smiled. “If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s being a picky shopper. Preston won’t know what hit him.” I was filled with hope that we could pull this off. “We have a little more than two months to scare him off. The family wants to announce our engagement right after Christmas.”
“Two months is plenty of time. Women have been pushing men away since the beginning of time—they tend to spook easily. Between the four of us, there’s no way Team Lucy can lose.” Amy’s confidence was contagious.
“I love you, girls. I was so ready to throw in the towel, but now I’m excited to watch Preston squirm.”
“You’ve got this, Lucy! Let us know when you need more ideas!” Hannah winked. She was the most mischievous of the bunch, so when it came to fresh plans to push Preston into breaking off our courtship, she was the first one I’d call. As the last single girl in their friend group, whoever ended up with her was in for a wild ride.
Amy and I said our goodbyes, making sure to tell Natalie to give the kids lots of hugs and kisses from us before ending the video call. Sighing with relief, I flopped onto the many decorative pillows propped against my headboard.
“Feel better now?” Amy asked as I heard her closing the laptop.
“You have no idea.” I blew out a breath.
“Sometimes, you just need to take a breath and remember how many people are in your corner.”
For the millionth time tonight, she was right. I’d have never thought of this plan on my own, but it was brilliant. I couldn’t wait to see Preston running to Grandfather with his tail between his legs. It would be the sweetest revenge for all the pain and suffering I endured at his hands.
