The first indication that something was wrong was the champagne.
Not the expensive champagne itself. Philippa Cholmondeley had always considered anything less than vintage a personal insult.
It was the six crystal glasses arranged on the dining table.
And the enormous floral centerpiece.
And the solicitor.
Stetson Kingsleigh stood beside the fireplace, studying something on his phone while a beautiful brunette adjusted his tie.
“Honestly, Stetson. You look like you’re attending a funeral.”
“I may be.”
Bette Vavasour laughed, kissed his cheek, and handed him his drink.
Chandler Kingsleigh, lounging on the sofa, watched them with obvious amusement.
“Try to look enthusiastic, brother. We’re getting married.”
“Speak for yourself.”
“I am. Apparently, I’m getting married too.”
Bette Vavasour rolled her eyes.
“You’re both being ridiculous. She’s hardly going to eat you.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,”
Chandler replied.
“Behave,”
Bette Vavasour warned affectionately.
He caught her hand and kissed her knuckles.
Across the room, Wilmot Kingsleigh stood beside his new wife, one arm resting comfortably around her waist as he checked his watch.
“Where is she?”
Philippa glanced toward the doorway.
“She’ll be here. I told her we were having a family dinner.”
Wilmot pressed an affectionate kiss to her temple.
“Darling, you might have mentioned that tonight’s dinner comes with two candidates.”
“Nonsense. She’ll be delighted once we explain.”
Stetson finally looked up.
“You did tell her about the arrangement?”
A brief silence followed.
Philippa adjusted the diamond bracelet on her wrist.
“I thought it would be nicer to explain everything together.”
Chandler’s smile faltered.
“Sorry. Explain what?”
Wilmot sighed, swirling the champagne in his glass.
“Philippa, sweetheart, I thought we agreed you were going to tell her.”
“Oh, don’t start. We’re all here now, aren’t we?”
Before anyone could answer, the drawing-room doors opened.
The butler stepped aside.
“Your daughter, madam.”
Philippa immediately brightened.
“Oh, darling! There you are!”
She crossed the room, kissed her daughter warmly on both cheeks, and turned toward the two men standing by the fireplace.
Wilmot approached with a welcoming smile, slipping an arm around his wife’s waist.
“Welcome to the family, sweetheart. I believe there are a few introductions we need to make.”
“Come, darling. There are some people I’d like you to meet,”
Philippa announced.
Stetson straightened.
Chandler slowly put down his champagne.
Bette Vavasour remained beside the fireplace, one hand resting comfortably against Stetson’s chest.
Philippa smiled.
“These are Wilmot’s sons.”
She paused, looking positively delighted.
“And, if everything goes according to plan, and only if you say yes, one of them will be your husband.”