Page 118 of Broken Beyond Repair

“James.” Beatrice turned to face him and took his hand. “I believe I have you to thank for throwing this fabulous woman into my hands.”

“You do, and well caught. You’ve taken my best PA.”

“And wasn’t she the best? I give you my thanks and apologies. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to steal her away.” Beatrice patted his hand and then let it go, slipping hers back into Sydney’s as she led her to the stairs.

Sydney watched as Beatrice took another glass of champagne from a waiter and then climbed a couple of steps. She smiled as the woman she’d grown to love — even more deeply than when she last stood on that spot — gazed down at her and winked. Beatrice’s red nails tapped on the glass, and all eyes in the room turned to her.

“Thank you all for joining us for a little get-together to celebrate Sydney and her incredible book,” she announced. “We wanted something more intimate for friends and family after the official book launch yesterday, which was…” She turned to Sydney.

“Overwhelming, exhausting, unbelievable,” Sydney supplied.

She felt her face flush as light clapping filled the hallway.

“So do make sure you all take a copy home. I’ve made sure she signed them all.”

“Devalued them all.” Sydney grinned, creating a light chuckle around the entrance hall.

“We also have another reason to bring everyone together this afternoon. It’s been just over a year since this remarkable woman walked into my life and shook it up a little.”

“A lot,” Sydney corrected her.

Beatrice squinted back at her. “I knew early on that I never wanted to be apart from her, but as the story goes — and she tells it so well to anyone who cares to listen — I did let her go.”

A resoundingboofilled the air.

“Yes, thank you. As the story also goes, I came to my senses.” She winked at Alex and received one right back. “And now I am never letting her go again. So much so that two months ago, I asked Sydney if she would marry me.”

Sydney stepped up beside Beatrice to gasps around the room. “And I said yes.”

“So yes, we are here to celebrate a book launch, but… we’d also like you to bear witness to our marriage.”

Alex opened the door of the drawing room to reveal it laid out in readiness for a wedding ceremony.

“Please don’t let this overshadow the remarkable achievements of this exceptionally talented writer, whom I’m immensely proud of, and whom I’m about to make my wife,” Beatrice instructed the crowd. “If you’d like to make your way in, we are already a few minutes behind. Be sure to stock up on champagne on the way. We’ll no doubt take all your questions after.”

Sydney looked to her friends for their reactions as Alex and Rhona ushered them into the drawing room. Rosie blew her a kiss, and James was already wiping away a tear. Sam shot her a wink and a smile.

A tall, thin lady approached the brides and took each of their hands. “Oh, I’m so nervous! And so excited too.”

“You’ll be fine, Mrs C,” Sydney said, lightly patting the woman’s trembling, wrinkled hand. “I’ve heard you practising, and you play beautifully.”

“When you’re ready, Mrs Clarkson.”

The woman squeezed their hands, took a deep breath, and headed off to the piano.

“I do wish you wouldn’t call her that,” Beatrice whispered.

“What? Mrs C? She likes it. She said it made her feel young.”

Beatrice scoffed. “I just like to keep things professional with the staff.”

It was Sydney’s turn to scoff. “Seriously! Might I remind you that you are about to marry the hired help?”

As Beatrice opened her mouth to reply, Rhona and Alex assembled beside them.

“They are ready for you both. Shall we go first?” Rhona asked, holding her arm out to Sydney.

Sydney flashed a wink at Beatrice. “See you in there. Hit it, Mrs C.”