“I’ll have my girls start on adding this to the dress right away.”
“Would you have time to make a new dress for my aunt?” Lydia asked.
“Yes, I believe we can manage. Let me show you some fashion plates I think would work best for her.”
“Lydia, that isn’t necessary,” Agnes whispered as they viewed the fashion plates.
“Yes, it is. You’ve been instrumental in bringing about my happiness, and you deserve a new frock to help me celebrate.”
When the two women returned to the Weston townhouse, they found that Lord Hutchinson was meeting with Mr. Weston to sign the marriage contracts.
George breathed a sighof relief when Mr. Weston finished signing the contracts. It was done. In three weeks, he’d marry the love of his life. He added his signature to the documents. “Thank you, Mr. Weston. I’d like to take Miss Weston to see Hutchinson House so she may decide what renovations she’d like to make. With your permission, of course.”
“I expect you to act like a gentleman, Hutchinson.”
“Of course. Good day, Mr. Weston.”
He picked up his copy of the marriage contracts and went in search of Lydia, finding her in the parlor with her aunt. “My darling, the marriage contracts have been signed, and I thought you’d like a tour of Hutchinson House.”
Lydia jumped up and hugged him. “That would be wonderful. I’d love to see the house.” She turned to Agnes. “Would you care to join us?”
Agnes shook her head. “No. You go ahead. I’ll see it another time.”
“I’ll only be a moment, my darling, while I get my bonnet and gloves,” Lydia said to George.
“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere,” he said as Lydia rushed out of the room. “Mrs. Kennedy, how are you faring today?”
“I’m well, Lord Hutchinson. Thank you for asking.”
“I wanted to extend an invitation for you to visit us anytime you like. If it weren’t for your courage in writing that letter to Lord Surry, I feel my betrothed might have had a much more difficult time navigating theton.”
“I couldn’t let you and my niece suffer any longer. You belong together.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
“The way to thank me is to take care of Lydia. Seeing her happy is all I need.”
“You’re a remarkable woman, Mrs. Kennedy.”
“I agree,” Lydia said, walking back into the parlor. “Shall we depart, my darling?”
George held out his arm, and they walked outside, where a groom was holding the horses. He handed her up before getting in the curricle beside her and taking the reins. “I hope you don’t mind riding in the curricle today. The family carriage hasn’t returned from the country yet.”
“Oh? Why is it in the country?”
“Because I sent my mother to live at the dower house.”
Lydia gasped. “You did what? Oh George, was that necessary? I was hoping to meet her soon.”
He shook his head. “That wasn’t going to be possible, my darling. My mother threatened to tarnish your good name to anyone who would listen. Even though she hasn’t been active in Society since the funerals, she still has influence with quite a few members of theton,andI wasn’t going to stand for that kind of outlandish behavior.”
“Do you think she really would have done that?”
“Yes. She’s opposed to our marriage, and honestly, I don’t think her views will change anytime soon.”
“I see. That’s unfortunate. I was looking forward to getting to know her.”
“My mother is difficult. I’ve never done right in his mother’s eyes and I no longer cares to continue trying.”
