'There is one thing we should probably discuss, though. The family dinner tomorrow night.'
‘What should I expect?'
‘It's a bit of a tradition when any of us come up to the estate. Nothing too fancy, but put it this way – there won't be any chowder.’
‘Right. Who will be there that I don’t know?’
‘My cousin James and his wife Sarah will be there. They might bring their kids. Let's see, who else? Ah, Aunt Agatha will probably be there. Just nod and smile, and you'll be fine. I’m not sure who else but there’ll be quite a few of us.
‘Right.'
'It's usually just family when we're up here. Though fair warning – Aunt Agatha will go on about her stamp collection. It's her pride and joy.’
'Noted.'
‘And then of course we have the delightful Alastair. Mum, Cecilia, and Reg.’
‘Is Alastair bringing Octavia?'
Logan nodded. ‘Yep. They're practically inseparable these days. It’s all happened quickly.'
‘It has.’
Logan took a sip of his tea. ‘Alastair's already talking about rings.'
Cally nearly choked on her shortbread. 'Rings? As in engagement rings? But they've only been dating for a while.’
‘You know Alastair. When he sets his mind on something, he doesn't hang about. I guess he’s no spring chicken these days. Doesn’t want to hang around getting shrivelled is what he said.'
Cally shook her head in disbelief. 'Wow. That's quite something. And Octavia? How does she feel about all this?'
Logan shrugged. 'From what I can tell, she's just as keen. They seem to be very much on the same page. Remember when I had dinner with them the other week when you were feelingpoorly? He mentioned it then. Sorry, I completely forgot to tell you.'
Cally sat back, processing this information. She'd met Alastair’s partner Octavia a few times at various events in London and at the manor, and while she'd found her pleasant enough, she hadn’t warmed to her much. 'Octavia's from quite an old family, isn't she?' Cally asked, trying to keep her tone casual.
Logan nodded. 'The Fitzwilliams. They've got estates all over England. Octavia's father is an Earl.'
Cally felt the familiar flutter of insecurity in her stomach. 'Right. Of course. Because everyone has an Earl for a father.'
Logan raised his eyebrows. ‘Ouch.’
Cally sighed. ‘Sorry. I forget how different your world is from mine. Earls and estates and whirlwind romances. Honestly, it really is very different. I’m still getting used to it…'
'We’ve had this conversation. Don’t even go there. Your world, my world – whatever.’
Cally internally rolled her eyes. It was alright forhimto say that. 'I know. I don’t want to go down that road again, but yeah…’
'I get it.’
Cally nodded.You really don’t, she said in her head.
Logan continued. ‘I'm pretty sure Octavia feels the same way sometimes. She might come from an old family, but she's still finding her feet, just like you.'
'Really? She always seems so composed and...' Cally wanted to add “full of herself” but didn’t. There wasn’t any point. She’d keep Octavia at arm’s length and leave it at that. She searched for a word. ‘Calm.’
Logan chuckled. 'I reckon it's all an act. The story goes that she’s been head over heels for Alastair for years and now she’s got her chance. She hates the stuffiness of her upbringing, apparently. I think that's part of why she and Alastair get on sowell. I think he enjoys shocking the Fitzwilliams with his casual approach to, well, everything.'
Cally raised an eyebrow. 'And Octavia's okay with that?'
