Elizabeth crossed the final item off her list, and made her way to the dowager’s apartment. Cousin Apollonia answered the door. “Come in. We have not had a chance to welcome you to the family properly. Her ladyship’s parlor is this way.”
They walked into a room off the small entryway. All the apartments must be set up in the same fashion as Elizabeth and Geoffrey’s. The dowager’s parlor was decorated in creams and large patterns with vines, birds, and flowers.
“Welcome, welcome.” Squawk, squawk.A gray parrot flapped its wings in a large cage.
How delightful! She snoodled forward, not quite sure how to approach the animal. “Thank you. What is your name?”
The bird tilted its head first one way then the other, and blinked.“Florian, Florian. Nice chit, nice chit.”
“Your name is Nelson, and cease using that word. She is a lady,” the dowager said. “If I have told you once, I have told you a hundred times. Nice, lady.”
“Nice chit, nice chit.”
“He does not appear to be at all convinced.” She grinned and curtseyed to her grandmother-in-law.
The dowager sighed. “Ever since he heard the name Florian, he has insisted it belongs to him.”
Elizabeth stifled a giggle. “How are you doing, ma’am?”
“I’m better than I ought to be at my age.” The older woman’s sharp eyes focused on Elizabeth as if looking for something. “The question is how are you doing? Is my scapegrace grandson treating you as he should?”
Thinking about yesterday and last night, her cheeks began to warm. “I think he is.” Elizabeth wished she had a fan. “At any rate, I have no complaints.”
The dowager nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. Now, I assume you have the list I gave Catherine when she joined the family. Do you have any questions?”
“I am a little concerned about all the items I am taking with me. I’m afraid you won’t have anything left.”
“Piffle.” The Dowager Lady Markham waved Elizabeth’s concerns away. “You need all of it, and it just gives us an opportunity to buy new. Will you take Preston with you?”
“Yes, ma’am, as well as the second housekeeper, who is able to cook if need be, a maid, and a footman. I have a personal footman as well. That will give us two. We should be able to make do until we can hire local servants.”
“Yes, that should be sufficient. I understand the government is putting its hands on every vessel it can to ferry the soldiers and equipment over. You might be in Harwich for the nonce.”
“That is what we heard as well. With that in mind, Harrington made arrangements for a ship to meet us there. Naturally, we will take anyone else who needs passage onboard with us.”
Again the dowager nodded. “It sounds as if you have everything well in hand. I only have one thing to say. The honeymoon doesn’t last forever. Just keep in mind what brought you together, and tell him what you need. Men can be totally oblivious much of the time. Most of the time they can’t see what’s right in front of their noses. Now give me a kiss, and I shall let you finish your preparations.”
Elizabeth dutifully bussed the dowager’s cheek. “Thank you. I’ll remember what you said.”
Not long after her conversation with the dowager, Aunt and Gavin arrived. Before sitting down to eat, Elizabeth showed them around the apartment.
“I like what you’ve done with your bedchamber and the entry,” her aunt murmured approvingly. “I agree that you should keep the rest as it is for the time being.”
They took their places at the table, and Gavin raised his wineglass. “To you and Harrington. I’m glad I was able to bring you together.”
Aunt glanced up at the ceiling and shook her head, but Elizabeth raised her glass as well. “Thank you for all you did. You are truly the best of brothers. Perhaps I can help you find a wife as well.”
“Not in the near future,” he said drily. “But someday.”
Luncheon was served by Preston and Kenton, her personal footman she had chosen to accompany their little household overseas. Jacobs, the new footman, stood at the door in case he was needed.
“I’m sorry I am late.” Geoffrey kissed Elizabeth’s cheek before taking his place at the end of the table. She was glad when he joined them.
“Have you finished your preparations?” Aunt asked.
“Almost. I am so looking forward to the journey, and between Harrington and Gavin, I have met several people who will be in Brussels as well.”
“I’ve half a mind to come with you,” Gavin said. “Unfortunately, someone must be here to mind the estate.”
