The butler was in the foyer talking with Beckwith. “Peters, make sure my mother’s luggage is loaded onto the carriage. She’ll be leaving momentarily.”
“I’ll see to it, my lord.”
“Goodbye, Beckwith,” George said with a nod.
“Goodbye, Lord Hutchinson.”
He wanted to say more to his mother’s maid, as she’d always been kind to him, but it was best if he just let them depart without any further discussion.
His mother swept by him without even a nod and went out the door, followed by Beckwith. Perhaps rusticating in the country would do her some good. At the very least, he wouldn’t have to cringe every time he saw her for fear of her caustic tongue.
For the first time in his life, he’d be entirely on his own in the house…at least until he married. His lips turned up at the prospect of having Lydia with him every day for the rest of his life.
Chapter 17
It was the evening ofthe Surry Ball, and Lydia’s insides were in turmoil. She’d barely eaten all day. Tonight would be the most momentous evening of her life. Being acknowledged by Lord and Lady Surry as their granddaughter would certainly elevate her standing in Society, but that wasn’t the most important thing to her. Finding out she had grandparents were titled was truly a blessing, especially since she’d always believed only Papa and Aunt Agnes were left in her family. She looked forward to spending time with her grandparents and getting to know them better. She couldn’t wait to hear more stories about her mother and wondered if her mother would have been proud of her.
A knock on her door interrupted her musings.
“Come.”
Aunt Agnes walked into her bedchamber. “Oh, my dear girl, you look so beautiful this evening.”
“Thank you, Aunt.”
Ellie finished putting the last pin in Lydia’s hair and began fastening the pearl necklace around her neck. “These are stunning, miss,” she said.
“They are indeed.” Lydia hadn’t told her maid about her connection to the Surrys yet. After tonight, everyone would know, and she was content to let events happen in their own good time. She put on the pearl earbobs and grabbed her gloves. “Are you ready?”
Agnes nodded. “Yes. Let us depart. I don’t want Lord and Lady Surry to have to hold dinner on us.”
They went downstairs and walked outside, where Owen handed the women up into the carriage before jumping up on the driver’s seat and flicking the reins. “Walk on,” he said to get the horses moving.
“Are you nervous, dear?” Agnes asked.
Lydia nodded. “I am, but my grandparents seem so very nice. Plus, you and Lord Hutchinson will be by my side this evening, so I won’t feel so alone.”
The carriage soon slowed and stopped in front of the Surry townhouse. There was a blaze of lights in all the windows on the lower floors. Owen opened the carriage door and handed them down.
Before they made it up the stairs, the butler opened the door. “Miss Weston, Mrs. Kennedy, welcome. You are expected. Please follow me.”
The butler led them to the parlor and announced them. Lord Surry was standing by the fireplace and Lady Surry was seated on the sofa. When Lydia and Agnes walked into the room, her grandparents both smiled.
“My darling Lydia, you look so beautiful,” Lady Surry said before turning to Agnes. “Good evening, Mrs. Kennedy.”
“Thank you, Grandmother. I’m glad you approve. I absolutely love my mother’s pearls. I shall cherish them always.”
Agnes curtseyed. “Good evening, Lady Surry, Lord Surry.”
“Would you care for a glass of sherry before dinner?” Lord Surry asked them.
Both women said yes, and he went to the sideboard to pour the drinks. Before he had a chance to hand them out, the butler announced Lord Hutchinson.
“Good evening, all,” George said, walking into the parlor.
“Hutchinson, care for a sherry?” Lord Surry asked.
George nodded before going to Lydia. “Good evening, my darling. You look stunning. I’m so proud you’ve chosen me to be your husband,” he said, kissing her hand.
