Page 25 of Forbidden Earl

He wrapped his arms around her waist and someone snapped their picture. They both ignored it as Remy whispered in her ear, “I want to do more than just dance with you, but tonight, I’ll honor your wishes. Let me go do the best man thing. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here.” She waved and he headed into the side door where the wedding party waited for the ceremony to begin.

She kept her head down and intended to pick her own seat, but Remy came right back out. He placed his hand on her back and she turned around and he took her hand in his. “Cassidy, Donna needs a maid of honor and doesn’t have any friends here.”

Cassidy quickly realized the American had no one in their country to ask for assistance.

Remy tugged her arm gently. “Can you help?”

“She wants me?” Cassidy followed him toward the door willing to step into the role. Donna had been nice to her and she hoped they both lived happily-ever-after.

“Yes.” Remy motioned for her to go inside where the bride waited.

An older American woman hugged her as she let herself in. “I’m Beth, nice to meet you Cassidy.” Then she adjusted the netting on the bridal veil and asked, “Donna, are you ready?”

Donna looked amazing in her white bohemian style wedding gown. The bride-to-be rushed over and hugged her too. “Thank you, Cassidy. I didn’t even think about what was needed for this wedding ceremony. I was too nervous.”

Taking care of details was what Cassidy excelled at. Donna stepped back and Cassidy handed her a tissue in case there were any happy tears before the bride ruined her makeup and picked up the extra bouquet that must be for her. At least her pink dress matched the pink flowers. She adjusted a peony and said, “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll help.”

Donna nodded and returned to her makeup crew for a last second touch up. “You are my fairy godmother, matching me and Blackwell, so tomorrow, if there is anything you need…”

Her computer program had worked for everyone else. Remy was perhaps something special, but he wasn’t in love with her. And she couldn’t possibly be in love with him. She adjusted more of her flowers as she remembered his kiss that burned through her soul, but that was just physical and didn’t mean anything. She told Donna, “I just want to see that love exists and you and Blackwell are proving it’s possible.”

The makeup people let her go and Donna turned around, her energy dialed high. “I’m hoping we can be friends.”

“I’d like that.” Cassidy touched her simple diamond pendant.

“Good.” Donna’s smile seemed genuine.

A few minutes later the wedding march began. Cassidy walked next to Remy up the aisle, as if they were practicing for tomorrow. People snapped photographs. “Your picture will be in the papers for sure, Cassidy.”

Cassidy pasted a smile on her face but leaned closer to him as they walked. “At least my sister didn’t show up here and ruin Donna’s big day. I’m worried about tomorrow. She had to be invited, being as she’s my sister and all.” In fact, Chelsea was to be her bridesmaid.

His gaze narrowed. “What do you think she’ll do?”

They were almost at the altar where they’d go in opposite directions, but she answered fast. “I don’t know. She’s not used to losing to me. We usually walk two very different paths, but she’s always been competitive.”

“Whatever it is, we’ll handle it together.” He squeezed her hand.

Both then split up and she took her place in Donna’s wedding party, seeing for herself the love the two people shared. She occasionally caught Remy’s gaze as they stood across from each other—and suddenly she knew that tomorrow would be fine. Marrying Remy was a good decision and tonight, they’d dance.

Chapter 11

Cassidy stared across the ballroom at the Duke of Oakley’s manor for the small wedding reception of under fifty guests. The bride and groom finished their first dance and she clapped along with everyone else. It had been special to be part of Donna’s ceremony.

Once the dance was over, the music started again, and she saw Remy sitting at their table. She left the edge of the dance floor, where most people began to drift into a dance.

Remy sipped his champagne but stood the moment she joined him. She tugged on his arm, and asked, “Are you ready to dance, my lord?”

“My lord?” His eyes were bright as if on the verge of a laugh.

She pulled on his arms. “Come on, Remy.”

His hand went to her waist and a thrill raced through her. She held his arm and let him guide her. They hadn’t danced together in twelve years, since their one dance at the prom, but she trusted him not to spin her into the other dancers.

He traced her spine and warm goosebumps grew all over her. “I’m excited about tomorrow in a way I didn’t expect.”

Really? Her heart skipped. She stared at his collar because her face was too hot to glance into his brown eyes. Pretending not to understand his meaning she said, “Me too. Our dance lessons as children really paid off for you.”

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