“Neither were Constantine and I,” Charlotte added.
“We were not either.” Elizabeth signaled for her friends to sit where two footmen were setting up a table for them. “I cannot imagine having to wait two months to marry.”
Her friends murmured their concurrence.
She raised her glass. “To us and our futures.”
“Here, here,” Louisa, Dotty, and Charlotte said as one.
“When do you depart for Holland?” Louisa asked after they had taken sips of champagne and filled their plates.
“In three days,” Elizabeth responded. “Geoffrey and I wanted to leave at first light, but his parents asked us to remain for a while longer and we agreed. It is not as if we are simply going on a wedding trip and will return in a few months.”
Charlotte finished swallowing a bite of food. “Do you know how long you will be away?”
“From what my mother-in-law said”—Elizabeth cast her eyes to the sky—“until I give birth to a son. She suggested I wish for girls.”
Dotty hastily covered her mouth with her serviette and started to laugh. It took her a few moments before she could speak. “What did Harrington say to that?”
“I haven’t had time to tell him.” Elizabeth finished her glass of wine and poured another glass. “I was told only yesterday, and we have not been alone for more than a minute today.”
“Harrington appears to dote on you,” Charlotte ventured. “I was looking.”
“As was I,” Louisa said. “I am so happy you found love.”
He had still not told her he loved her, but . . . “I am, too.”
“Speaking of Harrington,” Dotty said. “It seems he is missing you.”
“He has our husbands in tow as well.” Louisa smiled as Rothwell approached.
Geoffrey leaned forward, his hands on Elizabeth’s chair, his fingers languidly stroking the back of her neck causing pleasurable thrills. “It is time to cut the cake.”
“After which,” Kenilworth said, “we shall provide cover while the two of you slip away. I remember how hard it was for Charlotte and me.”
Elizabeth casually glanced up at Geoffrey to see if he showed any signs at all of being jealous of his lordship, but he merely grinned down at her. “We shall thank you for it. What do you say, sweetheart?”
“Yes, indeed.” She covered one of his hands with her much smaller fingers. “I had hoped we would not even have a wedding breakfast.” She rose as did the rest of the ladies. “I suppose we should go in.”
One by one her friends embraced her.
Charlotte bussed Elizabeth on her cheek. “I wish you and Harrington the best of everything.”
“I wish that for you, too.” She kissed Charlotte’s cheek and whispered, “Thank you for not wanting him.”
“I know you will be happy.” Louisa hugged Elizabeth.
“I believe we shall.” She returned the embrace.
“Have a wonderful journey, and please remain safe,” Dotty said, taking Elizabeth’s hands.
“I—We shall. Thank you for everything.” She stepped back and tucked her hand in Geoffrey’s arm. “You must all join us in Paris sometime next spring.”
They strolled into the ballroom, Elizabeth and Harrington in the lead.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Less than forty minutes later, Geoffrey took her hand in his. “Through the door the footman just came out of. We’ll go the back way.”
