Cordelia glanced at the ceiling and took a breath. “You do not need to take such drastic measures. We have been invited by Lady Merton to come to London and stay with her as soon as I can travel. Grace has offered the use of one of her traveling coaches, which will arrive in the next day or two and remain until we are ready to leave.”
Her husband heaved a sigh. “What about our other two daughters, my dear?”
“I wish Tilly was back with us, but unfortunately, her mother has taken a turn for the worse. I only hope we will not be required to find another governess. Until then, Nurse is perfectly able to take care of the girls for a week or so. We will, of course, bring them to Town for the wedding.”
He still looked undecided.
Poor Henry; he hated to have his family away from him. “Or we can take them with us. We must also bring Harry down from Oxford and Stephen from Rugby for Dotty's marriage.” She passed a hand over her forehead. “Perhaps it would be best if Harry fetches Stephen and escorts the girls.”
“
Are
you able to travel?” he asked dubiously.
“I shall call for the doctor immediately.” She set the letter on her lap. “Good gracious. There is no reason for such a long face, Henry.” She handed him the letters she'd received and reached for the bell pull. “I am sure everything will be fine.”
He glanced up from one of the missives. “If not, that young man will answer to me.”
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and wondered how her forward-thinking husband would take to the old-fashioned-thinking marquis and vice versa. Then she smiled. Dorothea thought they would fall in love. That was all Cordelia could hope for any of her children. “Won't Mama be surprised to hear this news?”
“You seem very happy about his title.” Henry came to her and kneeled down. “Do you ever wishâ”
“Never.” She kissed him lightly. “I am even more in love with you now than I was twenty-two years ago. Although, I won't deny that I'm very pleased Dorothea is making a good match, I would not want it if she didn't think they would come to love one another.”
Henry finally smiled. “Is that what she told you?”
“Yes, and even you must admit Dorothea is a sensible young woman.”
“That she is.” He sighed. “I suppose I shouldn't worry. I'll probably feel better after I've met the young man.”
“I must write Mama immediately. I'm sure this news will wrest her out of the country and back to Town as soon as my sister is safely delivered.”
The butler entered the room. “My lady, the regular post has just arrived. You have another letter.”
Opening the missive, Cordelia quickly perused the lines. “My sister has finally had a boy. Mama says he is the picture of health, but looks like his father.”
Henry gave a bark of laughter. “Poor lad.”
Cordelia wrinkled her nose at him. “That is not kind.”
“Yes, but accurate.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “I'll admit he makes up for it in other ways, but Leonard was never a handsome man.”
She ignored him and continued reading the letter. “Mama says she will be back at her house within the week.” Cordelia put the letter down. “She never stays after the baby is born.”
“Of course not. That's when all the work begins.”
“It is just as well. Dorothea needs her in Town.”
“Exactly.” Her husband chuckled. “A duchess to give our girl a bit of cachet.”
Not willing to concede the point, Cordelia retorted, “Our daughter is going to be a marchioness. Mama can show her how to go on.”
“We
are
talking about the same woman?” Henry grinned. “The one the Prince Regent won't acknowledge because she told him to stop quacking himself?”
“That was a long time ago. I am sure he has got over it.”
“I wonder if Merton will survive your mother. You might not want them to meet until after the wedding.”
“Henry.” How exasperating her husband could be. “You should not be so disrespectful. If it was not for her we would not be married.”
“Now, now, my love. You know I'm only teasing. I esteem your mother greatly. Though even you must admit that after a few days it's a relief to see her leave.”
“It is just that she likes things just so.”
A wicked look suddenly appeared on his face. “Tell me she's staying with Bristol.”
Cordelia shook her head. Henry would never forgive her brother and his one-time friend for not supporting their marriage. “No, he is still in the country.”
Her husband planted a kiss on her lips. “I'm off to write Harry and Stephen. I want to be well out of hearing distance when you tell the girls. My eardrums would shatter with their screeches.”
“Send for the doctor as well.”
“I shall. The more I think about it, the more I want to be in Town. I'd like to get to know my future son-in-law better before the wedding.”
Cordelia's good humor faded. “Henry Stern, I shall not be responsible for my actions if you attempt to scare him off.”
“If Dotty wants him, she shall have him, but he'll soon learn he'll have me to deal with if he mistreats my daughter.” He paused for a moment. “Besides, if he allows me to scare him off, he is not the man for Dotty.”
The door closed and Cordelia sank back against the cushions. Perhaps she would ask Grace to have Worthington warn Merton about her husband's more radical ideas. On the other hand, it might be better to wait and see where the cards fell. This could be vastly entertaining.
Chapter Twelve
Two days after the betrothal, Dom received a terse letter from Sir Henry approving the marriage. No congratulations, no surprise or gratitude that his daughter would marry a marquis. Just a simple statement that Sir Henry Stern gave Lord Merton permission to wed his daughter, Miss Dorothea Stern.
Dom wasted no time sending the announcement to the
Morning Post
by one of his running footmen. For some reason, seeing it in the newspaper would make it less likely anything could stop the marriage.
Later that morning, Worthington sent over the first proposal of the marriage settlements. As Dom broke open the seal, he was surprised to find he was actually looking forward to finalizing the agreements and getting on with his wedding, even if his uncle would have considered it ill-bred haste. Most couples did not wait long to marry. Worthington hadn't.
However, the more he read of the draft, the angrier he became. Preposterous! No. It was worse. The damned thing was an insult.
What the hell was Worthington about suggesting that Thea keep all her property in a trust for her use only in addition to receiving an allowance? Thea would be Dom's marchioness. Of course, he planned to be extremely generous. She would have no need for her own money. What woman did? And stating that she would have her own coaches and horses. It was unthinkable that she would not have her own phaeton or whatever type of sporting carriage she wanted as well as a team and a hack, with his approval naturally. Or did Worthington expect her to set up her own stable? No woman was capable of choosing good horseflesh.
He snatched the offending document from his desk and strode out the door. Walking should calm him down. A few minutes later, the door to Worthington House, where his cousin still kept his office, opened as Dom stalked up the steps.
The butler bowed. “Good morning, my lord. I believe his lordship is expecting you.”
Dom reined in his rage and inclined his head. “No doubt.”
Expecting him indeed. A footman opened the study door, depriving him of the satisfaction of slamming it back against the wall.
He waved the document in front of his cousin. “What the devil is the meaning of this?”
Worthington leaned back in his chair and slid a file from the side of his desk to the space in front of him. “Good morning to you as well.” He motioned with his hand to a chair. “Take a seat.”
Dom gritted his teeth, but remained standing. “I will not agree to this.”
His cousin smiled humorously. “Are you planning to jilt Dotty?”
Jilt her?
Never
. She was his. “No.”
Worthington shrugged. “Then you'll sign it.”
Dom clenched and unclenched his hands. His desire to punch his cousin was almost overwhelming. “Has she seen this?”
Worthington raised a supercilious brow. “No. I've told her what's in it, but she, of course, has no experience dealing with marriage settlements. What is important is that Sir Henry has approved it.” Worthington tapped the folder. “Dotty is merely happy that you are being so generous. In fact, even my stepmother is inclined to look more favorably upon you.”
Dom couldn't keep the scowl off his face. “You did this to embarrass me and for no other reason.”
His cousin leaned forward, putting his elbows on the desk. “On the contrary. I did it to protect Dotty. As a matter of fact, my agreements with Grace are almost identical.”
Suddenly, he felt like one of the hot-air balloons that crashed down in the trees. He was so startled, he could only croak out, “Yours?”
Worthington reached over to a small table with a decanter and two glasses on it. After pouring some of the amber liquid into both tumblers, he offered one to Dom. “Brandy?”
“Yes, thank you,” he said, taking it gratefully.
“Grace and I aren't the only ones to change the way we look at agreements and what a woman might need. Several of my friends have as well. It is a modern age, Merton. You might want to try entering the nineteenth century.”
He took a drink, savoring the smoky flavor and the burn as he swallowed. He did not need a lecture from his cousin, but he also didn't need a fight. “I'll sign it.”
Worthington smiled, and this time it was genuine. “I thought you might. By the way, I understand your mother wrote to Lady Stern, inviting her and Sir Henry to stay at Merton House until after the wedding.”
Dom nodded. Mama had told him of her idea, but he didn't know if she'd received a response yet.
“They will arrive at the end of next week. That is the soonest the doctor will allow Lady Stern to travel.”
Of course they would come as soon as they were able. “I'd expected nothing less.”
Worthington raised a brow. “Do not make the mistake of thinking Sir Henry and Lady Stern care about your rank. All they are concerned with is Dotty's happiness.”
Had the whole world gone mad? Sir Henry was a baronet. He should be strutting around like a bantam cock.
Something of what Dom had been thinking must have shown on his face, because Worthington added, “Sir Henry is almost of the opinion that the peerage should be abolished.”
For a moment, Dom was speechless. “But why? Doesn't he benefit from our system of order at all?”
His cousin nodded. “Yes, but what is more important to him is that a few have so much and still enact laws to make life harder for those with very little. If I were you, I would try to avoid a political debate with him.”
Dom's mind quit working. He had always assumed that only supporters of the French rebellion and the former American colonies held those beliefs. “Does he disparage you?”
“No.” Worthington grinned. “Then again, I vote the way he would.”
Hound's teeth. That must be where Thea got her ideas from. What else did she believe? Dom set his glass down. “I would like to see Miss Stern now.”
His cousin waved his hand in the direction of Stanwood House. “Be my guest. I have no idea if they are home.”
That was too much. A man should keep track of his women. “I'd think you would make it a point to know.”
“If you imagine,” Worthington said dryly, “I am going to drive myself to Bedlam trying to keep up with their schedules during the Season, you've gone mad. I go where I'm told and try to make myself useful the rest of the time. Or have you forgotten that Grace and I still have ten at home and her brother, Stanwood, at school.” He paused for a moment and took a sip of brandy. “Come to think of it, I believe I said good morning to your mother and her companion before I left the other house today.”
How was that possible? Dom had seen his mother earlier at breakfast. She hadn't mentioned going out. “I shall stop by just in case.”
“Do as you please.” Worthington picked up his pen. “As soon as you sign the settlements, that is.”
Dom took the pen, scribbling his signature before leaving the room.
What was his mother doing? Not that he minded her spending time with Thea. In fact he should have suggested it. Still, Mama ought to have at least told him she was going out. What if he had needed her? He strode across the square and knocked on the door of Stanwood House, where Worthington's family resided this year.
The door opened and the butler bowed.
“I would like to see Miss Stern.”
“I'm sorry, my lord. The ladies are not at home at present. Shall I tell her you called?”
He shook his head. “No. I'll come by later.”
The butler bowed again. “As you wish, my lord.”
He glanced at his watch. It was too early for morning calls. Where the devil could they be? And why had no one informed him?
* * *
“Oh, Madame Lisette, it is lovely.” Dotty stared at her reflection in the mirrors surrounding the platform on which she stood being fitted. The pale blue silk ball gown covered with silver netting had a lower neckline than what was considered appropriate for ladies just coming out. The puffed sleeves and flounce near the hem were trimmed with tulle. She'd never had anything like it. The gown was the first outward indication that her whole life was about to change. Even after Dom's kiss, their betrothal hadn't seemed real.
“Oui, d'accord,”
Madame said. “
Moi,
I think it will do nicely.”
“May I show the others?”
“
Naturellement
. I shall call them in.”
A minute later, Grace, Charlotte, Louisa, and Lady Merton entered the small room.
“Dotty, you look wonderful.” Charlotte practically breathed it out.
Grace smiled approvingly. “It's perfect.”
“Splendid, my dear,” Lady Merton agreed. “If you do not have any appropriate jewels, I believe I have just the thing to wear with it.”
For a moment, Dotty was stunned by the offer. “I don't know if I should.”
“Nonsense. You will be the Marchioness of Merton in a few weeks and all the family jewels will be yours.”
Dotty rubbed her brow, earning a rebuke from the seamstress making adjustments to the garment.
“If you like,” Lady Merton continued, “you may return them after the ball.”
Turning only her head, Dotty glanced at Grace. “When is the ball to be?”
“I received a letter from your mother this morning. She will be in Town by next Friday.” Grace laughed. “She had to promise the doctor she would not dance, and that she would stay off her leg as much as possible.”
Dotty could see her mother convincing the doctor to allow the journey. “It sounds as if Mama browbeat him into giving his permission.”
“You are probably right. Now that we have their arrival date, Lady Merton will hold the ball the Saturday prior to the wedding.”
Now that was a surprise. “Not at Stanwood House?”
“It only makes sense,” her future mother-in-law said. “Your mother accepted my invitation to stay with me. We thought you might like to move to Merton House as well. It will give you time to learn the staff and go over the house.”
Dotty was beginning to suspect she'd be well advised to take better notice of the plans being made. “With no disrespect to Mama, I would have thought she'd write to me as well.”
“Oh!” Grace gave a look of consternation. “You probably do have a letter mixed in with the rest of the post. I did not think to tell our butler to deliver it to you when he brought mine up.”
“Yes, of course” was all Dotty could think of to say.
She had been having so much fun with her friends that she hadn't actually thought of living elsewhere. Which was silly. She would be married in less than three weeks, and she was happy about it. Ever since he had taken Tom in, she and Merton had become even closer, and he appeared to be abandoning his stiff ways. This would turn out very well indeed.