“Dorothea, since we haven’t had a chance to talk before now”—Mama turned bright red—“I . . . well, I suppose I should”—she swallowed—“speak to you about what goes on between a man and a woman.”
Oh dear. Poor Mama was going to have apoplexy before she got it all out.
Suddenly she brightened and asked almost hopefully, “You haven’t anticipated your vows, have you?”
Dotty sputtered, grabbing the serviette to cover her mouth. “Mama!”
Her face fell. “No, I didn’t suppose you’d have had an opportunity. Not with all of us between your chamber and his.” She sighed. “I better get on with this—”
“There is no need,” Dotty interrupted. Better to stop this conversation now before her mother expired of embarrassment. “If you remember last year when Papa told Mr. Brown he had to marry?” Mama nodded. “I’d wondered how anyone could get in such a fix, so I asked his wife and she told me everything.”
“Oh good.” Mama breathed a sigh of relief. “It is not that it isn’t nice, I just do not like to discuss such personal things. Perhaps when your sisters are ready to come out, you could . . .”
“Yes, I’ll be happy to. Now, let us enjoy our breakfast.”
They’d just finished, when Dotty glanced at the mantel clock. “Stay here if you wish, I must dress.”
Mama rose. “I brought you something that has been passed down through the family. I’ll fetch it now.”
“Thank you, Mama.” Dotty bussed her mother’s cheek, then went back into her room.
“I was just going to get you.” Polly’s arms were full as she stepped out of the dressing room.
By the time her maid was done, Dotty’s hair was styled in an elaborate arrangement of curls and braids.
Mama brought a package of sapphire and pearl hairpins. “These will work perfectly. It might be a bit early in the day, but it is your wedding.”
Polly held the gown of deep turquoise with silver netting over Dotty’s head. “Oh dear, maybe I should have put this on you first. Let’s not muss your hair.”
Once the gown was in place and fastened, Lady Merton knocked on the door. “I had the rest of the Vivers jewels sent to your dressing room, but I thought this”—she held up a simple necklace made of sapphires—“would be perfect with your gown.”
Tears pricked Dotty’s eyes. “It’s perfect, thank you.”
“Hmm,” Mama mused. “We have old, blue, and borrowed, but we’re missing new.”
“My lady,” Polly called from the door. “I think we’ve got it! This is from his lordship.”
Dotty took the rectangular box, opened it, and almost laughed. “More sapphires. A bracelet.” She took the jewelry out and held it up. “It’s beautiful, but how did he know?”
“Your coloring is perfect for them,” Lady Merton responded.
“Yes, but he could have given them to me anytime.”
“Well”—Polly smiled sheepishly—“it could be because when Mr. Wigman asked the color of your gown, I told him.”
Dotty grinned. “I hope you made him work for the information.”
“Oh I did, miss.” Her maid blushed. “You can be sure of that.”
Another knock came on the door. Polly opened it and Papa strolled in. “I’ve been told it’s time to get you to the church, missy. Worthington took your bridegroom off about a quarter hour ago. I just got a message telling me to hurry.”
Polly placed a small bonnet made mostly of ribbons and netting on Dotty’s head. “There you are, miss. While you’re gone, I’ll get the rest of your things and take them to the other chamber.”
Tears misted Dotty’s eyes. By the time she returned she’d be Dom’s wife. She’d never been happier.
* * *
“Where is she?” Dom paced on the pavement in front of the side door to St. George’s. The church was already full. He had picked nine o’clock so that they would not have everyone and their brother here gawking at them. Wasn’t it enough that they would all be at the wedding breakfast?
