She read the second line twice before her heart started to pound. When she was finally able to give voice to her excitement, her tone sounded shrill to her ears. “Hudson!”
Without batting an eye, he replied in a sonorous tone, “My lady?”
“Fetch Sir Henry. Miss Dotty is getting married!”
This proved too much for even Hudson. His eyes widened. “Our Miss Dotty?”
Cordelia fanned herself with the letter. “Do you know another?”
“No, my lady. I shall find him straightaway. Our Miss Dotty getting married! Excellent, excellent.”
She glanced down at the missive again.
Dearest Mama,
You will no doubt hear the whole story from Grace. Try not to be too worried about how my betrothal came about. It has all turned out for the best. Even if we are not yet in love with each other. I am marrying a man I can love. Lord Merton has been everything that is kind. You will remember him as the gentleman who helped me rescue . . .
Yr Devoted Daughter,
Dotty
Tears came to Cordelia’s eyes as she opened the note from Grace, who did indeed explain the whole situation and gave her opinion that, although Merton could be very high in the instep, he seemed to dote on Dorothea.
The third letter was from the Dowager, Marchioness of Merton. Marchioness? Dotty was going to be amarchioness,and she hadn’t even mentioned his title. Cordelia shook her head, smiling. How like her daughter to be more concerned that he took in her strays. Not that with her birth and connections she couldn’t look as high as she wanted. It was merely that Cordelia never thought that her daughter would make such an advantageous match.
Not too many minutes later, her husband strode into the room holding two letters and frowning.
“What is it, my dear?” she asked.
“I don’t know if I like how Dotty is conducting herself in Town. I’ve half a mind to bring her home.”
Cordelia glanced at the ceiling and took a breath. “You do not need to take such drastic measures. We have been invited by Lady Merton to come to London and stay with her as soon as I can travel. Grace has offered the use of one of her traveling coaches, which will arrive in the next day or two and remain until we are ready to leave.”
Her husband heaved a sigh. “What about our other two daughters, my dear?”
“I wish Tilly was back with us, but unfortunately, her mother has taken a turn for the worse. I only hope we will not be required to find another governess. Until then, Nurse is perfectly able to take care of the girls for a week or so. We will, of course, bring them to Town for the wedding.”
He still looked undecided.
Poor Henry; he hated to have his family away from him. “Or we can take them with us. We must also bring Harry down from Oxford and Stephen from Rugby for Dotty’s marriage.” She passed a hand over her forehead. “Perhaps it would be best if Harry fetches Stephen and escorts the girls.”
“Areyou able to travel?” he asked dubiously.
“I shall call for the doctor immediately.” She set the letter on her lap. “Good gracious. There is no reason for such a long face, Henry.” She handed him the letters she’d received and reached for the bell pull. “I am sure everything will be fine.”
He glanced up from one of the missives. “If not, that young man will answer to me.”
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and wondered how her forward-thinking husband would take to the old-fashioned-thinking marquis and vice versa. Then she smiled. Dorothea thought they would fall in love. That was all Cordelia could hope for any of her children. “Won’t Mama be surprised to hear this news?”
“You seem very happy about his title.” Henry came to her and kneeled down. “Do you ever wish—”
“Never.” She kissed him lightly. “I am even more in love with you now than I was twenty-two years ago. Although, I won’t deny that I’m very pleased Dorothea is making a good match, I would not want it if she didn’t think they would come to love one another.”
Henry finally smiled. “Is that what she told you?”
“Yes, and even you must admit Dorothea is a sensible young woman.”
“That she is.” He sighed. “I suppose I shouldn’t worry. I’ll probably feel better after I’ve met the young man.”
