Page 79 of Not Exactly Mr. Darcy
“Tired?”
She supposed now was as good a time as any. “I’m actually working at Hartbury Hall.”
“Really?” her mother shrieked, then demanded to know what was entailed, which Liv shared. Then Mum fell into reminiscences about her own many visits to the Hall over the years, concluding, “Oh, you are a blessing to that family. I knew you were so gifted and talented and smart for a reason.”
She didn’t feel so smart. It didn’t feel smart to be noticing the gardener and wanting his help so frequently. Even contemplating going out with him felt unwise. What was the point when she’d leave the country in a few months, and he’d stay? Long-distance relationships didn’t tend to work out, or so she’d heard. Besides, it was hard to consider this was any real form of a relationship when they barely related or talked at all. He might be considered her friend. If that.
She couldn’t ask her grandmother about it. Despite his challenging history, Gran seemed to think the sun shone from Liam. And as confusing as her feelings were, they weren’t tangible enough to articulate to anyone who didn’t really know her.
“So, what’s next with the planning?” her father asked.
God bless Dad. Always grounded, practical, wise. “I’ve been thinking about upcoming events. It’s summer still, then we’ll have some autumn events; but what I’m really looking forward to is decorating the place for Christmas.”
“Ooh, tell us more,” Katie invited.
Here went nothing. “I’ve been investigating what other stately homes do at Christmas, and Christmas really is a big deal over here. I’ve seen everything from Victorian- and Edwardian-era Christmas displays to more modern themes like the seventies and eighties.”
“Ugh.” Elinor’s nose wrinkled. “Who would want something from the eighties? The era that style forgot.”
“I’d be okay with a Gothic Christmas,” Katie said.
Of course she would. “Anyway, I was thinking Hartbury Hall would be perfect for a Regency-themed Christmas.”
Her mother clapped. “Yes, that would bewonderful.Oh, can you just imagine? You could have Regency decorations, like wreaths and kissing balls.”
“Kissing balls?” Dad asked.
“It’s what they used to hang up before mistletoe. Liv, you could even sell little mince pies or Regency-themed food.”
“If the café gets approved by then.”Please, God.
“And you could get your volunteers to dress up! Does the Hall have any costumes you could wear?”
“Now, Elizabeth,” Gran said, “I don’t think you should get carried away.”
“It’s just an idea,” Liv cautioned. “I haven’t run things past the other committee members yet. I think they’re startled enough at all of my ideas. But it would be good to make the most of the Hall’s Austen connection.”
“Oh, I definitely should come and visit you,” Liv’s mother said. “Seeing as I am Elizabeth Bennett, after all.”
“Mum …”
“You should have a Christmas Regency Ball,” EJ said.
“I’d wondered about that.” She mentioned that she’d said as much to Liam, who hadn’t seemed especially enthused, thanks to the repairs needed for the roof. Gran glanced at her, her expression unreadable.
EJ nodded. “You could make it a fundraiser. Or a dating night. You know, an opportunity for singles to mingle.”
“I don’t know. That sounds a little seedy.”
“Come on. How are men and women supposed to meet these days? I mean, obviously they meet on the internet”—EJ winked—“but live events can be filled with challenges. It’s why we’re so careful about who we screen on our dating app.”
EJ and Jordan had created Dream Match, a dating app which was going extraordinarily well with local editions around the world. No wonder she could now afford to live in an apartment overlooking Sydney Harbour and the Opera House. Living the lifestyle of the rich and fabulous was EJ.
“I don’t know what kind of market there might be if it’s advertised as a date night,” Liv said. “Besides, there would be so much extra work involved in setting up something like that.”
“It’s not that hard,” EJ insisted. “If you want it to be strictly a fundraiser, then maybe you and I and Gran should chat.”
“That’d be awesome.”
