Charlotte accepted the plate Lord Harrington offered. “Thank you, my lord. This looks delightful.”
He took the seat next to her. “We got to the lobster patties before anyone else did, and snagged several of them. I hope you like them. Worthington didn’t seem to know.”
Looking at Louisa, Grace was pleased to see Lord Bentley hover solicitously over her, making suggestions.
“My love,” Matt murmured, leaning over, “will you also try a lobster patty?” His lips grazed her ear. “You can finish it this time, as well as your champagne.”
Rogue! How dare he have reminded her? Still, she smiled and was so happy tears started in her eyes. The last time she’d been in a supper room eating a lobster patty and drinking champagne was the evening he’d found her. “Yes, I would love to.”
With the young couples settled, Patience turned to Grace and Matt. “It has occurred to me that our living arrangements will seem very odd to our neighbors.”
Matt leaned back in his chair and toyed with his champagne glass. “Yes, well, I suppose as long as we’re not crossing the square in our nightclothes, they should be happy.”
Grace choked. “That would certainly give rise to talk. Patience, are you settled in?”
She took a sip of champagne and nodded. “Most of my clothing and other items arrived by the time we returned this afternoon. I think all of Louisa’s things are there. Grace, Louisa’s chamber is lovely, and it was a wonderful idea to have Charlotte and her share a parlor between them. They seem to have so much in common and have become great friends.”
Matt had arranged to have most of the work done while they’d been out to-day. Grace shot him a sidelong glance to find him grinning at her. “They actually chose the room. Still, I am pleased you agree. How are your apartments?”
“Perfect. I have even more room than I had at Worthington House.”
She’d been worried that Patience might not feel at home at Stanwood House. “I’m so glad. Please tell me if you’d like to have your rooms at Worthington House redecorated or remodeled.”
Patience smiled. “What a lovely offer. I shall take you up on it. Yet first, let’s take care of the wedding and the children.”
Grace glanced up to see Phoebe and Marcus coming to join them. She stood and hugged Phoebe.
After she’d seated herself, Phoebe grinned. “It has been so busy, I’ve not had an opportunity to look for you. You will be pleased to hear, I was barely asked a question about you. It seems as if thetonhas a new interest.”
Marcus caught Matt’s eye. “I see you have prospects.”
“Yes, I don’t know who is more nervous, them or me.”
“I am very pleased I have time before my nieces come out.” Marcus chuckled.
Matt spoke to Marcus in a low voice, but not so low Grace couldn’t hear. “Marcus, how do you like married life?”
“There is nothing better.”
“I think it will be the same for me.”
Phoebe nudged Grace. “You look far away.”
“I was just thinking, to-morrow I’ll be wed to the gentleman I always wanted to marry and everything is going so well.”
Her friend nodded. “And you feel as if it cannot all be true?”
Maybe that was the fear she had tonight when the note came. “Precisely. As if something will come along to ruin it.”
Phoebe covered Grace’s hand with hers. “You and Worthington each have different strengths. Trust him when you don’t trust yourself.”
It seemed like a long time since she’d had someone to rely upon and Matt was already taking care of her and the children. Looking up she noticed some of the guests were leaving the supper room. “Louisa, Charlotte, we’ll go and see Charlie now.”
Charlotte turned to Lord Harrington. “Please excuse me. My brother is home from school and we haven’t seen him in such a long time.”
He helped her to her feet and bowed. “Then I shall not keep you, my lady. May I make plans to drive with you to-morrow afternoon?”
Charlotte’s eyes flew to Grace. “I’m sorry. We—we have family plans.”
