The breakfast room became as quiet as a church during prayers. Finally, Vivian’s father looked at Rupert. “I’m sorry for the trouble I caused. I wish you happy on your marriage to my daughter.”
Rupert stuck his hand out. “We thank you. Now the rest of us are going to my house for a wedding breakfast. You are welcome to join us if you wish.”
“I’d like that. You’re very generous.”
“That must have been some dog,” Nick muttered, most likely speaking to himself.
“Oh, she was.” Vivian’s father took out his handkerchief and for a moment Rupert thought he’d weep.
“Nicholas Beresford.” Silvia took him by the ear. “Do you not know when to be quiet?”
“There will be no more talk of dogs.” Lady Brackford took her husband by the arm and led him out of the room. “Honestly, you’d think you were a bunch of little boys instead of grown men.”
“One time my brothers and I tried to trade my eldest sister for a horse,” Hawksworth said, earning him furious glares from all the ladies. “Fortunately, my father discovered the plan. We couldn’t sit for a week and were on short rations for a month.”
“I’m surprised Susan didn’t hit you,” Mr. Trevor added.
Hawksworth grinned ruefully. “Oh, she did. Papa had two footmen hold each of us while she took a shot. Made me wish I’d never taught her to punch.”
Vivian began to giggle, then laugh, and finally tears ran down her cheeks, and she was holding her stomach, gasping for breath.
“You’ve given our poor daughter the vapors, Henry.”
She waved a hand in front of her face as she tried to speak. “No . . . not vapors,” she managed to get out between whoops of laughter.
Rupert held her, trying not to laugh himself. Eventually, she recovered her countenance enough to say, “Rupert, my love, I’ve never seen anything like this before. You were wonderful. The perfect knight in shining armor. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Damn everyone. He kissed her for all they were both worth, which was quite a lot, as it happened.
“All’s well that ends well,” Freddy chimed in. “My son, I have frequently been proud of you, but never more so than today.”
“Yes indeed.” Vivian dropped her arms. “Now we have a wedding breakfast to attend.”
Standing in the hall of her new home, Vivian was overwhelmed at the number of guests who had arrived. “I had no idea there would be so many people. However did you manage it in such a short time?”
“Mama, Grandmamma, and Cousin Clara arranged it. I merely loaned them my staff.”
Even Lord and Lady Banks were present; however, their daughter was apparently suffering from an indisposition and could not attend.
In addition to those of Rupert’s friends whom Vivian had already met, the Huntleys, Wivenlys, and Feathertons had also arrived. Vivian had heard of them all, but never before met the other ladies. They were, to a woman, strong and resilient. She couldn’t believe her luck in finding not only a wonderful husband but such good friends as well.
“It is time to join our guests, my lady.” Rupert grinned as he took her arm.
She stared up into her husband’s eyes. “I am the most fortunate of ladies to have found you.”
“And I the most fortunate gentleman.” Drawing her into his arms, he kissed her lightly. “I love you.”
“I know.” It had taken her so long to believe she was worth loving. Now his love sank into her bones, her very being. “I love you too. Forever.”
“And ever.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Three hours later, only Vivian’s and Rupert’s friends and a small collection of other guests were left at Stanstead House. The weather was warm and dry as they gathered at a table near one of the terrace doors.
“Well, this is the end of it.” Huntley glanced at each couple in turn. “Who would have thought that this would be the outcome of our wager at Beaumont’s wedding?” He touched his glass of champagne to Serena’s. “We have all married extremely well.”
“I give credit to Marcus for starting this off. If it wasn’t for him and Phoebe deciding they’d suit, I would not have met Serena.” Robert Beaumont raised his glass. “A toast to finding the right mate.”
