Vivian almost choked on her wine. “Now?”
“No time like the present.” Freddy set her glass down. “Whitsun, have my coach brought round.” The butler bowed and left the room. “Even though you are a widow, you’ll not wish to be seen going into Rupert’s residence without a chaperone. Serena and I shall accompany you for propriety’s sake. Our husbands can take care of the children.”
“After you see the house,” Serena said, “we can go with you to Mount Street where you can change, and we’ll all meet back here for dinner.”
“Excellent.” Robert gave a slow smile. “We can all tell Vivian stories about Rupert’s childhood.”
“Only the most embarrassing ones, I’m sure,” Rupert shot back.
“Naturally. That’s what families are good for. Have you told Grandmamma yet?”
Rupert grimaced. “I didn’t think she was in Town.”
“She arrived back today.” Robert bounced his daughter. “Ever since she was introduced to that French modiste, she’s been going to Paris for her wardrobe.”
Rupert’s arm tightened around Vivian’s waist. “I suppose that will be our next stop.”
“If you give me a moment,” Serena said, “I’ll send Grandmamma an invitation to dinner.”
“My lady.” Whitsun bowed from the doorway. “Your coach is waiting.”
Once again, it was only a matter of minutes before they arrived at Rupert’s house in Grosvenor Square. The door was opened by a white-haired butler who stood as erect as a soldier.
Rupert kept his palm on the small of Vivian’s back. “Harlock, meet your new mistress, currently Lady Beresford.”
The servant bowed. “We received the information about your marriage, and I speak for the entire staff when I say we have been a long time without a mistress, and it will be our pleasure to serve you.”
“What he means,” Freddy said dryly, “is that I never liked the place, which had nothing to do with the staff, and the last female to live here was Stanstead’s grandmother.”
Well, that was plain speaking. Vivian was glad Rupert had told her what had taken place here. She inclined her head to the butler. “I’m sure Lord Stanstead and I will put things to rights soon enough.”
“This is your house, my lady,” Rupert said firmly. “It is not for me to interfere with your management of it.”
If only he knew how much that meant to her. She would thank him later, when they were alone. “In that case, is the housekeeper available? She might wish to accompany us as we tour the house.”
“If you will consent to drink tea in the morning room, I shall have Mrs. Honiwell prepare what will be necessary.”
“Thank you, Harlock. Rupert, lead the way.”
No more than twenty minutes later their little coterie had consumed several delicious biscuits, most of a cake filled with nuts and fruit, and two pots of tea.
A plump woman in her middle years with light brown hair knocked on the door and curtseyed. “My lord?”
“Ah, there you are, Honey.” Rupert stood, helping Vivian to rise from the low chaise. “My dear, allow me to present your housekeeper, Honiwell. Honey, my future wife, Lady Beresford.”
The housekeeper curtseyed again. “A real pleasure, my lady.” She smiled as if Vivian was the answer to all her prayers. “I have my notebook, if you’d like to begin with a short tour. We shall have a full inspection later, if you agree.”
“Certainly.” There wasn’t time to-day to look at everything. “Perhaps in the next week or so.”
“More likely after we return from our honeymoon.” Rupert took Vivian’s hand. “I have a surprise planned for you.”
Her cheeks warmed in a blush. “What a time to tell me.”
“I could hardly tell you before you agreed to marry me.”
Her face was going to be beet red at this rate. Naturally, she would have thought he had meant to take Cleo. “Very true. How bad is the house?”
Rupert gave her a sly look, but Honiwell responded, “We’ve kept it clean, my lady, and the linens are in good repair, but there has been no one to select new hangings.”
