The Marquis and I by Ella Quinn (38)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Charlotte, Louisa, and Dotty were contemplating a fresh bottle of champagne when Merton, Rothwell, and Constantine strode into the parlor. Con and Rothwell perched on the sofa arms next to Charlotte and Louisa. Merton sat on the sofa next to Dotty.

A moment later, Hal entered carrying more champagne and glasses. He poured the remainder of the first bottle into the ladies’ goblets, opened the new bottle, and filled the glasses he’d just brought.

“What are we celebrating?” Con asked.

“Our family and friendship.”

Con raised Charlotte’s hand and kissed the palm. He wanted to take her into his arms, but even in this company, he would not.

“How did the meeting between Jemmy and his family go?” Charlotte asked.

“Quite well.” Con took a sip of wine. “He met his grandmother, Lady Litchfield, who was more than a little distraught that she had misidentified his birthmarks. He has a number of cousins all within a few years of him.” He set his glass down, twining his fingers with hers. “Naturally, Theo, Mary, and Phillip were extremely protective at first. Yet, even they agreed that his family seemed to care a great deal about Jemmy.”

“Where is he now?”

“He agreed to remain for dinner,” Con said. “After which, he’ll return here until after our wedding. Which I hope will not be much longer.”

“Then what is the plan?” Charlotte tightened her fingers around Con’s.

“As you know, Worthington is taking the family to Stanwood as soon as he can after our wedding.” If he kept repeating that they were to marry, he might get a date. “He would have done it sooner, but I understand your sister told him he could make the arrangements if he thought moving the family was that easy.” Thinking of the boy, Con sobered again. “Jemmy will go to the Moorings’ after our wedding breakfast, with the knowledge that your family is not far if he needs them.”

“So all’s well that ends well?” Charlotte asked.

“It appears so.” He kissed her lightly on her head. “He will miss all of you, but he does seem happy. We would not have left him there otherwise. Once he goes to live with them, he has orders to write every week.”

Tears of joy pricked her eyes. “I’m so, so glad he found his family.”

“As am I, my love. As am I.” He resolved to make Worthington agree to a date. The last Con had been told, his future brother-in-law had to speak to someone at St. George’s.

“I propose a toast before all the ladies begin to cry,” Rothwell said, pouring more champagne into everyone’s glasses. “To new families and to my newest brother.”

“And,” Merton said, standing, “to our families always remaining close.”

They raised their glasses. “Hear, hear.”

“We have something else to celebrate.” Louisa blushed rosily. “Rothwell and I are expecting an interesting event at the end of February.”

“Oh, Louisa, that’s wonderful!” Charlotte leaned over and hugged her sister.

Dotty hurried over and embraced Louisa as well. The men slapped Rothwell on the back, congratulating him.

Con drew his arm around Charlotte, and whispered, “We’ll be next.”

Even now she could be carrying his child. What he did not understand was why the devil her brother would not make his wife set the damn date.

* * *

Con woke early the next morning as had become his habit recently. Last evening the Worthington table had been expanded to accommodate the Mertons and Rothwells.

Most of the talk had centered around Jemmy and the upcoming party to which all the children were going to be allowed to attend. There was so much energy infusing the room, he thought the children would resist going to bed. Yet he was wrong. The mere threat of being deprived of the treat made them docile.

Con had been able to sneak a few moments alone with Charlotte, but since they all had to be up early, their party broke up shortly after nine. Still, the evening had been successful. Worthington had agreed to tell Con this morning when he could marry.

A noise came from his dressing room, and Cunningham came out carrying his black silk breeches.

“I thought I would wear pantaloons this morning,” Con said.

“Not to the breakfast, my lord.” His valet appeared shocked.

“No, but until then. I still have several hours to go.”

“You received a message from Lord Worthington that he wishes you to attend him at eight-thirty.”

Perhaps this was it. Con would find out when he was marrying Charlotte and they could announce it at the breakfast. “What time is it now?”

“Just on seven, my lord. Your bath is ready.”

He was tying his cravat when Cunningham answered a knock at the door. He came back carrying a small velvet bag. “This is for you, my lord.”

“In just a minute.” Con lowered his chin, making sure the creases in his neckcloth were perfect. “Now you may give it to me.”

His valet pulled out a folded piece of paper and a tie pin.

Con opened the paper.

“It reminds me of the ring you gave her ladyship.”

A flawless emerald winked at him from a bed of small pearls. “It does at that. I shall have to visit Rundell and Bridge after the breakfast today.”

Perhaps he would take Charlotte and they could find a piece together.

“Your sister said she would meet you in the breakfast room.” His valet helped him with his jacket. “There you are, my lord.”

A pot of tea was being set on the table when he entered the breakfast room. Annis was already there, dressed for the day instead of in her customary morning gown.

“Where are you going?” Con asked, taking a piece of toast and placing it on his plate. Slices of ham and a baked egg followed.

“I’m going visiting.” She set down her cup. “Mama said to give you this. It is for Charlotte.” His sister handed him a large velvet pouch. “It is to go with the ring she chose.”

He took out a necklace. Opals were interspersed with emeralds set into the same figured gold pattern as her ring. “She will love it. She sent me this tie pin this morning. I think I shall send this over to her. She may wear it at the breakfast.”

Annis raised her cup, hiding her expression. “That is a lovely idea.”

Con ate quickly, then went to his study. He pulled out a piece of pressed paper and tried to think of something romantic to write, but he was no poet.

“Webster, have this delivered to Lady Charlotte.”

His butler bowed and Con thought he saw the man’s lips twitch. His eyes must be playing tricks on him. Just the idea was shocking.

* * *

Charlotte was dressed in a silk gown of Pomona green. Her maid was putting pearl-tipped pins in her hair when the door opened and Mary and Theo ran in.

“Grace just told us you are getting married this morning and that is what the party is for.” The words rushed out of Mary’s mouth before Theo could get a word in edgewise. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

Taking their hands, Charlotte drew the little girls to her. “Because it is a surprise for Constantine. He does not know he is being wed this morning.”

“Does Merton know?” Theo asked a bit belligerently.

“He does, but only because he had to keep Constantine busy.” Charlotte hoped Theo would understand. “But Rothwell, Cousin Jane, Cousin Hector, and almost everyone else do not know. Dotty and Louisa had to be told because I needed their help. And Lady Kendrick and her mother know for the same reason.”

“Then I don’t feel bad.” Mary hugged Charlotte carefully.

“I don’t either.” Theo kissed Charlotte on the cheek. “You look beautiful, but we don’t have anything for you.”

“Let’s not be so hasty.” Grace strolled into the bedchamber holding a posy of pink roses with blue nigella blooms. “What do you think of this?”

Eyes shining, the girls nodded. “That’s the best posy we’ve ever given anyone.”

“We have accomplished something blue.” Grace shot Charlotte a grin. “I am afraid Madeline and the twins are slightly put out as well.”

As if they had been summoned, the three girls entered the room. They each held a handkerchief embroidered in white work. “You would have had more,” Alice said, “if we had been told.”

“These are beautiful. Please forgive me, but I truly want to surprise Constantine.”

“Almost no one knew,” Theo said. “Only Dotty, Louisa, Grace, Merton, and Matt.”

“And Constantine’s mama and sister, because Charlotte needed them to keep the secret,” Mary added.

“We forgive you,” the older girls said as one.

“My lady.” Walker turned from the door. “This came for you.”

Charlotte put the bag on her dressing table and took out the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. Setting it down on her dressing table, she read the note. “It’s from Constantine. Do you think he knows?”

“Not at all,” Grace said. “Annis remembered a necklace went with the ring, and she gave it to him this morning.”

“Are we late?” Dotty strolled into the room. “I see you have new handkerchiefs, blue flowers, and an old necklace. You may borrow my butterfly pin.”

“I have earbobs for you.” Louisa spilled out a pair of earrings of emeralds and opals into her hand.

“Thank you both.” Fighting the tears that threatened to fill her eyes, Charlotte hugged her friends. “These are perfect.”

“Don’t forget me.” Augusta rushed into the bedchamber and handed Charlotte an opal bracelet. “Grace said I could buy one with emeralds, but I thought you might want something you could wear more often.”

“That is very thoughtful.” Charlotte kissed her sister on the cheek. “I shall wear it often.”

“Char.” Charlie tapped on the open door. “It’s time to go. Matt has Kenilworth in his study so we can leave from the front.”

“Are we going to walk this time?” Mary asked.

“No, sweetheart,” Grace said. “We don’t want Constantine to see you. He will arrive at the church last.”

“So now everyone knows but him?” Theo asked.

Charlotte nodded. “Yes.”

* * *

When they arrived at the church, Mr. Peterson, the young clergyman who had performed all the Worthington marriage services, had a grin on his face.

He greeted Charlotte. “My lady, I have never heard of the bride planning a surprise wedding, but I understand from your brother the gentleman is happy to be marrying you.”

“He has been trying for the past several days to convince my brother to agree to a date.”

“Well then.” Mr. Peterson chuckled. “As Lord Worthington is bringing the groom, who will give away the bride?”

“I shall.” Charlie stepped up next to her.

“My brother, the Earl of Stanwood.”

Mr. Peterson glanced around the church. “Will your other brothers attend?”

“Yes,” Louisa, standing next to Dotty, said. “They are coming with our husbands.”

Annis slipped into a pew with her mother and gave a little wave.

The girls had just settled down when Walter, Phillip, Jemmy, Rothwell, and Merton arrived.

The boys had wide smiles on their faces. “We had to tell the coachmen to bring us,” Walter said.

“I have never heard of a surprise wedding.” Rothwell strolled up to Louisa. “And you knew all about it.”

Dotty tucked her hand in the crook of Merton’s arm. “Thank you for helping to keep the secret.”

“Anything for my family.” He bent and kissed her cheek.

“They are coming,” Hal called from the door at the side of the church.

The children settled down. Dotty and Louisa stood next to Charlotte with Charlie, and Merton and Rothwell stood on the other side where Constantine would be.

Charlotte caught Constantine’s eye as he strode in with her brother. “Isn’t he handsome?”

“Are your insides fluttering as if birds had taken up residence?” Dotty asked.

“I had trouble breathing. It was as if my breath had been taken away,” Louisa added.

“All that and more.” Charlotte’s smile grew as Constantine’s grin broadened.

When he finally reached her, he took her hands. “You had me completely flummoxed. But now that I think about it, I can see the hints our families accidentally dropped.”

“You are happy?” She did not even know why she asked. His eyes told her everything she needed to know.

“Can you doubt it?”

“No, never.” She glanced at the clergyman. “We are ready to begin.”

Charlotte had heard the words so often of late; still, she was almost surprised to hear herself repeating them. She wanted to laugh out loud when Constantine’s gaze heated as he promised to worship her body.

When the vicar pronounced them man and wife, he shocked everyone by kissing her at the altar. “Finally.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Finally.”

Constantine turned to leave and she tugged them to the side. “We have to sign the register.”

“I forgot it as well,” Rothwell said.

“Something about wanting to be alone with one’s bride,” Merton added.

“Now that that’s done,” Constantine said, “we have an End-of-Season wedding breakfast to attend. Did you plan our wedding trip as well?”

Charlotte widened her eyes. “Of course not. That would have been much too forward, my lord.”

He chuckled. “What do you think of the Lake District? I hear it is lovely this time of year.”

“What a wonderful idea.” She shot a suppressive look at Dotty, who had gone into whoops.

“I am glad you agree. I might even have a lovely little house near Lake Windermere. With very few servants.”

Charlotte slid him a sultry smile. “Even better.”