CHAPTER SIX
‘It’s terrible,’ I agreed, stepping closer to examine it.
I’d been snapped turning away from the camera, looking at something that was going on behind us.
‘You can’t even see that it’s you. What was Wyatt thinking? Ellie took loads of photos. There must have been a better one.’
‘To be honest, I’m quite glad it’s one of me turned away from the camera. I’ve never enjoyed having my photo taken or being the centre of attention.’
She grinned. ‘As opposed to Wyatt, who’s grinning like the proverbial Cheshire Cat and would have the cameras following him everywhere if he could.’
I shot a surprised look at her. ‘That’s a bit harsh.’
‘Sorry.’ She winced. ‘Only joking.’
‘He does like performing,’ I conceded. ‘I envy Wyatt his lack of inhibitions. I’m far too shy for my own good.’
‘No, you’re not. You just don’t like showing off, that’s all.’
I smiled sheepishly. She was right, of course. Wyatt was a bit of a show-off. But that was his personality and there was nothing wrong with that. It would be a boring world if we were all the same!
‘It’s really nice that he wanted me to be in the photo as well.’ I smiled, admiring the twinkle in Wyatt’s eye and his cheeky grin to the camera. I was biased, of course, but I felt sure that smile alone would increase the numbers gathering for the event . . .
‘It was handy that you were available,’ said Maddy.
‘I know. He didn’t give me any notice.’ I laughed. ‘Just turned up with a horse and said I need you in Regency costume now!’
Maddy nodded. ‘You saved the day. He’d have had to do it minus the attractive female passenger if you hadn’t stepped in.’
‘Stepped in?’
‘In place of Caitlyn?’
‘Caitlyn?’ I glanced at her, puzzled. ‘You mean the Caitlyn who’s playing Darcy’s sister at the event?’
Maddy nodded. ‘Caitlyn Fox. I thought you knew. Wyatt phoned the café earlier in a panic when you didn’t answer your mobile and I happened to pick up.
Caitlyn had just found out she was being whisked away by her boyfriend on a surprise trip to Paris.
An early birthday present. So she couldn’t do it, after all.
I did mean to tell you but I got waylaid, and then Wyatt was there already, so it didn’t matter anymore. ’
‘Oh.’ I frowned. ‘So Caitlyn was going to be doing the publicity shots with him?’
‘Apparently.’ She shrugged. ‘It makes sense, I suppose, bearing in mind that she’s such a brilliant horsewoman.’
I nodded. ‘She really is.’ During rehearsals, I’d admired Caitlyn on several occasions as she rode side-saddle in full Regency dress through the grounds of the Brambleberry Manor estate.
I frowned, processing this latest development. I’d felt so flattered that Wyatt had wanted me on the horse with him. But really, I’d been a substitute? For Caitlyn Fox?
‘Great photo,’ said a familiar voice.
With a sinking heart, I turned to find Arabella eyeing the poster with a grin.
And then – oh joy of joys! – Mr Side-Eye himself appeared, holding a loaf he must have bought from the village store.
Arabella beamed at him. ‘Dante, look! Isn’t it clever how they managed to capture her best side?’ She pointed at the picture of the back of my head.
Dante leaned in to see.
Braced for a whole heap of additional sarcasm, I was therefore quite taken aback when he murmured, ‘I’d take the back of Lizzie’s head over that grinning faker any day.’
I looked at him, not quite sure how to take this.
On the one hand, it seemed like a compliment. He’d remembered my name as well. But the venom in his eyes as he glared at my lover’s cheery face was very revealing. It was clear he really hated Wyatt and would be happy to see any face on that poster in place of his.
So really, it wasn’t a compliment to me at all.
‘Never mind, Lizzie. You’ve got a great face for radio!’ called Arabella as they walked away.
‘She’s a proper piece of work,’ muttered Maddy darkly.
I shrugged it off. ‘Talk about an old joke. I’m pretty sure that “face for radio” jest came out when I was running around in a romper suit.’
‘What on earth does a gorgeous man like him see in a cow like her?’ wondered Maddy as we watched the pair sauntering off along the hight street.
I flicked my eyes to the sky but didn’t reply.
I happened to think they were perfectly matched . . .