Her uncle lowered his brows as he thought. “No need to talk to the rector. I’ll send a note around. My wife isn’t the only one to have contacts at St. George’s. One of the clerics is a nephew of mine. Do you have the license?”
Matt thanked God that he’d had the foresight to procure it. “Yes.”
Grace’s troubled eyes flew to his. “What about Charlie? He’s not due to come home until to-morrow.”
Heedless of her uncle, he drew her into his arms. “We’ll send for him this afternoon. I’m sure he won’t mind leaving school a day early.”
“But, who will stand up with me? Phoebe sent me a note saying she’d be out of Town for a few days.”
“Chartier is not far. I’ll send a rider this afternoon, if need be.” He smoothed her brow with his thumb. Somehow, Matt would make this rushed wedding up to her.
Herndon set out the documents for the settlement on a small writing table.
Matt guided Grace to the chair in front of the desk. She picked up the papers and, after a few moments, glanced up. Her gaze focused on him. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
He’d spoken with Marcus and Rutherford about the settlements they’d arranged with their wives. Neither of them had an heir closer than a second cousin and expressed concern over the treatment of their wives if anything were to happen and both had a normal marital settlement. Matt didn’t trust his heir to care for his wife either. The conceited popinjay would like nothing more than to treat her as a poor dependent. That sort of rubbishing treatment wasn’t going to happen to Grace. Matt had decided upon allowing Grace to place all her property in trust for her benefit made the most sense. “It is.”
Herndon spoke up. “Since you gave me power of attorney to act for you, I’ve already placed your property in trust, my dear.”
Taking a breath, Grace dipped the pen in the standish and signed the agreements.
After Matt added his signature, his mood lightened. He’d be married to-morrow. Nothing was going to stand in his way.
Grace glanced up at him with an innocent demeanor. “Oh dear, if my landau remains my property, should I still have your crest put on it?”
Her uncle gave a shout of laughter. “I am happy to see you joking again, my love, but I wouldn’t push your young gentleman too far.”
Matt shook his head and grinned. He was just coming to appreciate his Grace’s wicked sense of humor. “No, sir, she’s made enough of a May game of me to-day. Come, my love.”
“Grace,” her uncle said, “who is standing up with you?”
She gave him a wry smile. “Lady Evesham, but I fear we must send for her.”
Herndon put the settlement agreements in his drawer. “That is one problem I can relieve you of. I saw traveling coaches arriving at Dunwood House not long before you arrived.”
Grace heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you for telling me.”
Taking her arm, Worthington bowed to her uncle. “Let’s go see if Phoebe and Marcus are receiving.”
“Give me just a moment. I must send permission for Charlie to be brought home.” Grace scribbled a quick message and handed it to her uncle. “Thank you for taking care of this for me. You’ve been a great help through everything.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. “I could not have done it without you.”
Herndon hugged her, clearing his throat. “I’ll have the permission sent now. Once I speak with my nephew, I shall give you the time of your wedding.”
Grace rose and kissed her uncle again. “Thank you. You are the best of uncles.”
“So you always tell me, my dear.”
Matt had to agree. Absent her uncle’s efficiency, he and Grace would have to wait, and he had a strange feeling that would be dangerous. Something was definitely afoot.
* * *
The Dunwood butler bowed to Grace and Matt, then showed them to the morning room at the back of the house.
Marcus helped Phoebe rise. “Grace, Worthington, how happy we are to see you.”
“Phoebe, I’m so relieved you have returned.” Grace and her friend embraced and bussed cheeks. “The wedding day has been moved up again. We are getting married to-morrow.”
Eyes wide, Phoebe stared at her. “What happened? Why so soon?”
