He should have exercised more caution with her. Even if she had instigated several of their couplings. After all, he was the one with the experience.
* * *
An hour later, they were dressed. Geoff took her hand in his.
“They all know what we were doing, do they not?” Elizabeth’s voice was more than a little uneasy.
“Wearemarried.” The only problem was he was feeling a little nervous as well. This was most likely the reason couples went on wedding trips.
She straightened her shoulders. “Yes, we are, and I cannot imagine them saying anything.”
“No.” Still, he was relieved when they were the first ones to arrive in the breakfast room.
Father’s under butler directed the placement of the dishes while Gibson looked on.
“I have a feeling Gibson will be happy to see Preston gone,” Elizabeth whispered.
“I think you are correct,” Geoff whispered back. “Come, you can show me what you like to eat, and I’ll fix your plate.”
“Thank you.”
She declined the kippers, but took the baked eggs and ham. He pulled out a chair for her in the middle of the table, and a footman placed a pot of tea, sugar, and milk down next to the plate. “Thank you. I would like toast as well, please.”
He liked the way she addressed the servants. Not everyone thanked them, but he had found he received better and more loyal service when he did.
A few minutes later, his parents arrived.
“Good morning, my dears,” his mother said, taking her place at the foot of the small table. Preston placed a plate of eggs and kippers in front of her.
“Tea?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, please.” More toast was set on the table. “One lump of sugar and milk.”
Father spent more time selecting his food from the dishes on the sideboard, before joining them.
A fresh pot of tea was set on the table next to his mother, and she fixed Father’s cup. After Mama had taken a sip of tea, she said, “Elizabeth, your mare arrived the day before yesterday. I also received a note from your aunt and brother saying they would visit you this afternoon.” Mama’s lips pressed together in an expression of displeasure. “Your father has returned to the country.”
“Please do not feel bad for me,” Elizabeth said, spearing another piece of ham. “It is nothing more than I expected. I will be glad to visit with Aunt and Gavin.”
“Please feel free to invite them to luncheon if you wish.”
“We could entertain them in our dining room, if you’d like,” Geoffrey said. “You have not been able to show our apartment to anyone.” He did not think Elizabeth had seen her bedchamber for more than the time it took to dress today since it had been finished.
Her face brightened. “That is an excellent idea.” She turned toward his mother. “Would you like to join us?”
“No, dear. You will want to spend some time alone with them.” His mother grinned. “I am afraid you will be with me most of the morning. I have a list that I received from my mother-in-law, oh, years ago, but I believe it is still pertinent, regarding items you might need that you have not already thought of.” Geoff opened his mouth to protest that he’d had a list from his father, but Mama held up her hand. “It will not hurt anything or delay your journey.”
Later that morning, he was surprised to see trunks filled with linens and other bedding. As well as a set of dishes, and who knew what else. And he had thought he had everything they required. Obviously, he was wrong. He’d not packed any household items.
His wife strolled by, staring at a list, a frown on her lovely face. “I am of two minds,” Elizabeth said, looking up. “Your mother has offered to give us Preston if we would like to take our own butler. His mother is French, and he speaks the language. He would like to come with us. I know hiring a butler is in your purview. What do you think?”
“It would be helpful to have a servant who speaks French,” Geoff tried to divine what she might want.
Her face cleared. “That is what I thought. I shall tell him we would like him to join us.”
“Aside from bedding, what is in the trunks?”
“Everything we will need to immediately set up our household.” Taking out a pencil, she made a mark on the paper and glanced at her pin watch. “I must finish this. Aunt and Gavin will be here shortly, and I have yet to speak with your grandmother.”
