“Then the next day?”
“Yes, I’d be happy to ride with you.”
He kissed her hand and a light blush infused Charlotte’s cheeks. “I shall come for you at five o’clock.”
Though Grace was unable to hear, she was sure a similar conversation was going on between Louisa and Bentley.
Matt stood, took Grace’s hand, and addressed Bentley. “We must be going. Although we all have a busy day to-morrow, I am sure the ladies will be at home the next day.”
The young man bowed. “Thank you, my lord.”
Grace smiled to herself as Matt herded them all to bid their hostess a good evening and called for the carriages.
The rain had finally let up, leaving a clear sky for their wedding in the morning.
Chapter Twenty-Five
No sooner had Matt, Grace, and Patience crossed the Stanwood House threshold than shouts from above for them to come see Charlie reached them. The children must have been watching out the window.
Charlotte and Louisa ran up the stairs, hoisting their skirts in a very unladylike manner, while he, Grace, and Patience followed at a more sedate pace. Matt reached the school-room to see both Charlotte and Louisa being hugged by a tall, lanky sixteen-year-old with the signature Carpenter hair and eyes.
The boy held Charlotte back. “Char, look at you. Have you been at a ball?”
“No silly, a soirée. This is an evening gown, not a ball gown.”
Charlie hugged her again. “Well, you look as fine as five-pence.” He glanced at Worthington’s sister. “And you are Louisa. You’re to be my new sister? Char wrote to me about you. How nice that you’re both making your come outs together.”
Alice pulled him away. “Here is Matt.”
Mary jumped up and down. “We’re all getting married to-morrow.”
Charlie picked her up and twirled her around. “Are we?”
Suddenly, both Great Danes bounded through the door. Daisy tried to wrap herself around him. “Yes, yes, girl.” He patted her head. “But what have we here? A friend for Daisy?” Charlie reached out to Duke and stroked his back. “How are you? You’re a handsome boy.” Duke’s tail thwacked hard against the wall so hard, Matt was concerned either the wall or the tail would break.
Watching Charlie with the others made him understand, in a way he had not before, the reason Grace had fought so hard to keep her brothers and sisters together. He’d be here to help her now and to protect her and the children, his and hers.
Charlie broke away to hug Grace. “I’ve been told I am to wish you happy.”
Nodding, she responded in a tight voice with emotion, “You are indeed. Charlie, this is Matt, Lord Worthington.”
The boy stuck out his hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, sir. I feel as if I know you already. The twins and Walter said you’ll keep us together.”
Matt shook Charlie’s hand. “I shall. That is a promise.”
Charlie glanced at the children. “Thank you for agreeing to take us on and for my new sisters.”
Laughing, Matt replied, “Don’t thank me. I couldn’t get your sister unless I took the whole bunch of you.”
Charlie chuckled. “She does drive a hard bargain.”
The Earl of Stanwood might be only sixteen, but he took his family seriously. Matt wondered what it was like for him to be the head of the family and have no control over the welfare of it. He and Grace would have to make a point of discussing the arrangements they’d made with Charlie.
“I think all of you need to go to sleep,” Grace said, as she kissed each of the younger children. “Charlie will be here for three weeks, and we have a lot to do in the morning. You’ll have circles under your eyes for the wedding if you don’t go to bed.”
They tucked the children in then took Charlie, Louisa, and Charlotte with them down the stairs.
Matt glanced at Charlie. “Did you learn of the marriage tonight?”
