“I must write Mama immediately. I’m sure this news will wrest her out of the country and back to Town as soon as my sister is safely delivered.”
The butler entered the room. “My lady, the regular post has just arrived. You have another letter.”
Opening the missive, Cordelia quickly perused the lines. “My sister has finally had a boy. Mama says he is the picture of health, but looks like his father.”
Henry gave a bark of laughter. “Poor lad.”
Cordelia wrinkled her nose at him. “That is not kind.”
“Yes, but accurate.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll admit he makes up for it in other ways, but Leonard was never a handsome man.”
She ignored him and continued reading the letter. “Mama says she will be back at her house within the week.” Cordelia put the letter down. “She never stays after the baby is born.”
“Of course not. That’s when all the work begins.”
“It is just as well. Dorothea needs her in Town.”
“Exactly.” Her husband chuckled. “A duchess to give our girl a bit of cachet.”
Not willing to concede the point, Cordelia retorted, “Our daughter is going to be a marchioness. Mama can show her how to go on.”
“Wearetalking about the same woman?” Henry grinned. “The one the Prince Regent won’t acknowledge because she told him to stop quacking himself?”
“That was a long time ago. I am sure he has got over it.”
“I wonder if Merton will survive your mother. You might not want them to meet until after the wedding.”
“Henry.” How exasperating her husband could be. “You should not be so disrespectful. If it was not for her we would not be married.”
“Now, now, my love. You know I’m only teasing. I esteem your mother greatly. Though even you must admit that after a few days it’s a relief to see her leave.”
“It is just that she likes things just so.”
A wicked look suddenly appeared on his face. “Tell me she’s staying with Bristol.”
Cordelia shook her head. Henry would never forgive her brother and his one-time friend for not supporting their marriage. “No, he is still in the country.”
Her husband planted a kiss on her lips. “I’m off to write Harry and Stephen. I want to be well out of hearing distance when you tell the girls. My eardrums would shatter with their screeches.”
“Send for the doctor as well.”
“I shall. The more I think about it, the more I want to be in Town. I’d like to get to know my future son-in-law better before the wedding.”
Cordelia’s good humor faded. “Henry Stern, I shall not be responsible for my actions if you attempt to scare him off.”
“If Dotty wants him, she shall have him, but he’ll soon learn he’ll have me to deal with if he mistreats my daughter.” He paused for a moment. “Besides, if he allows me to scare him off, he is not the man for Dotty.”
The door closed and Cordelia sank back against the cushions. Perhaps she would ask Grace to have Worthington warn Merton about her husband’s more radical ideas. On the other hand, it might be better to wait and see where the cards fell. This could be vastly entertaining.
Chapter Twelve
Two days after the betrothal, Dom received a terse letter from Sir Henry approving the marriage. No congratulations, no surprise or gratitude that his daughter would marry a marquis. Just a simple statement that Sir Henry Stern gave Lord Merton permission to wed his daughter, Miss Dorothea Stern.
Dom wasted no time sending the announcement to theMorning Postby one of his running footmen. For some reason, seeing it in the newspaper would make it less likely anything could stop the marriage.
Later that morning, Worthington sent over the first proposal of the marriage settlements. As Dom broke open the seal, he was surprised to find he was actually looking forward to finalizing the agreements and getting on with his wedding, even if his uncle would have considered it ill-bred haste. Most couples did not wait long to marry. Worthington hadn’t.
However, the more he read of the draft, the angrier he became. Preposterous! No. It was worse. The damned thing was an insult.
