“That sounds like a better idea. When will your aunt and cousins arrive?”
He’d received a letter that morning from his aunt informing him they would stay with him as it was easier than opening their house. “In a few days. She is not good at informing one exactly when she plans to arrive.”
“Interesting.” And not at all convenient. “I heard from my mother. They are already traveling to Town and should be here at about the same time. Not knowing their plans, Grandmamma sent messengers out to find them.”
“For all that she appears to be a sweet older lady, she is frighteningly efficient.”
Georgie chuckled. He was not the first person to have misunderstood her grandmother. “She is a sweet older lady. She is also ruthless in achieving her ends.”
The housekeeper had left them alone, and he pulled her into his arms. “Do you know what I’d give to be able to take you back to my bedchamber?”
“About as much as I would give.” She rose up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. His hands slid down and over her derrière, drawing her closer. “We are not going to be left alone long enough.”
“Reluctantly, I have realized that.” He took her hand and they walked down the stairs. “Where do you wish to go for a wedding trip?”
“Paris.” She had always wanted to go to the city. Then she remembered that Gavin’s sister lived there. “But, if you do not mind, I do not want to stay with your sister. At least not at first.”
“Agreed. We would be much more comfortable alone. I know of an excellent hotel that would be perfect.”
* * *
London was thin of company, but, between the two of them, they had so many family members come to Town that it seemed there was always something planned. Even Mary, Kit, and their new baby came for the wedding.
* * *
Her wedding day was finally here. Georgie gazed into the mirror and marveled at the way the royal blue gown made her skin glow and brightened the rubies around her neck and hanging from her ears. “It is perfect.”
“I’d say so, miss.” Smith packed up the last of the items on the toilet table and put them in a bag. “You’ve been saying all along that the brighter colors would look better.”
Gowns of red, emerald blue, bright deep pinks, and other strong colors had been arriving for the past few days, but this was the first time Georgie was allowed to wear one of them. Her mother had very definite ideas as to what was proper for an unmarried lady as opposed to a married lady, or one minutes away from being married, should wear.
A knock came on the door. Smith answered it, and Adeline, Dorie, and Henrietta strode in.
“I have never seen you look better.” Adeline hugged her lightly. “We come bearing wedding traditions.” She put her hand in her bag. “This is something blue. Although it seems a bit redundant when you are wearing blue.” She handed Georgie a ring with a single sapphire.
“It’s perfect.” Tears of joy pricked the back of her eyes.
“There is to be no crying,” Henrietta said sternly. “If you start the rest of us will follow. I have something borrowed for you.” She handed Georgie the same gold combs that she had loaned to Adeline and Dorie.
Smith took them and fitted them into Georgie’s hair.
“And I have something old.” Dorie clasped a ruby bracelet on Georgie’s arm then stood back with a pleased smile. “The minute I saw it I knew it would be perfect.”
Mama, Grandmamma, and the duchess strolled one after the other through the door.
“We have wedding presents that we have been keeping for today.” Mama embraced Georgie lightly. “We almost waited until after the ceremony but decided that there would be too much excitement. This is from my side of the family.” She handed Georgie a large, deep rectangular box.
She opened it and found a long strand of matched pearls, earrings, and a bracelet. “These are beautiful.” Georgie almost felt bad that she was wearing her new rubies. “If you wish me to wear them . . .”
“No. Save them for another time.”
Grandmamma stepped forward with another box. “This is from the Featherton side of the family. The moment I saw your dark hair and blue eyes, I knew they belonged to you.”
Inside this box was a heavy necklace set with emeralds and diamonds. “Thank you. They are magnificent.”
The duchess bussed Georgie on the cheek. “You’ll have to go to the stable to meet my gift. When I found out that Turley was having a phaeton made for you, I bought you a pair of matched bays to go with it.”
Adeline quickly handed Georgie a handkerchief. “No crying.”
