T.V and M.C.
Susanna was not surprised. She had been both stunned and suspicious when he had started to court her and then asked for her hand in marriage. There was always something about him she hadn’t trusted. His lordship probably used the betrothal to her as a way to stave off his creditors. She and her father knew about his debts almost immediately. After all, everyone in the City knew which members of the aristocracy were under the hatches. Although she doubted his lordship was aware that they had knowledge of his financial difficulties. He probably believed that he was fooling them. She glanced at the initials again. M.C. could be someone from the Carpenter family, but who was T.V.? It did not really matter. Lord Normanby had signed the settlement agreement exactly as she had wanted. He apparently did not care that he had ceded almost all control to her, or he had not read it. Susanna wondered if he was really as intelligent as he thought he was. She went to the library, took out a copy of Debrett’s, and found the Earl of Stanwood. His sisters included a Lady Mary Carpenter, Lady Alice and Lady Grace Carpenter who wed the Earl of Worthington whose sisters included a Theodora Vivers. Susanna called for her family’s town coach. Perhaps it was time to put Lady Mary’s and Lady Theodora’s minds at ease. Susanna was also interested in meeting the ladies who would warn her about Normanby.
When she reached Worthington House, she was informed that Ladies Mary and Theo were out with their governess, but that Lady Alice was available. Susanna was then led to a parlor by the very correct butler. “Would you like tea, miss?”
“Yes. Please.”
A few minutes after tea had been brought in, a blond lady entered the room. Her gait was so smooth it was as if she was floating. Susanna had been trained well at school, but she always thought that type of elegance must be natural or taught from early childhood. She rose. “Good morning. I am Miss Susanna Greenway.”
“Good morning.” The lady held out her hand and shook Susanna’s. The action had the effect of putting her immediately at ease. “I am Lady Alice Carpenter.”
“Thank you for taking time to speak to me, my lady.”
Lady Alice appeared curious. “Please have a seat and tell me what I may do for you.”
Susanna took the letter from her reticule. “Earlier, I received this missive. I wanted to ease the authors’ concerns.”
Lady Alice’s brows rose. “Authors?”
Susanna nodded. “Yes.”
Her ladyship took the note and laughed lightly. “They have been very busy lately.”
The front door opened, followed by the parlor door opening. Two schoolroom ladies, one younger than the other with blond hair, the other older with dark chestnut hair, stood in the door.
“Come in,” Lady Alice said. “This is Miss Greenway. She has come to address your letter.”
The girls glanced at one another, entered the room, and took seats on the sofa.
“I am Lady Mary,” the blond girl said.
“And I am Lady Theo,” the older girl said. “We are happy you have come.”
“How will you deal with his lordship?” Lady Mary asked.
“I intend to wed him. Faults and all.” Lady Theo opened her mouth, and Lady Alice shook her head. “Firstly, I want you to know that we, my father and I, know about his debts.” She glanced at Lady Alice. “I did not know about you. However, I am not surprised. No doubt he thought to jilt me as soon as he wed you. I take it you do not plan to marry him?”
“Not at all.” A smile curved her lips. “I am betrothed to the Marquis of St. Albans. The Duke of Cleveland’s heir. We will marry in three days.”
Susanna was glad for the explanation of the relationships. She really would have to start memorizing Debrett’s. “I wish you happy, my lady. In his arrogance or haste, Lord Normanby signed the settlement agreement drafted by my father and myself. He will find that all the servants will be mine and loyal to me. He will have an allowance, but nothing more. And as soon as he gives me two sons he may do as he wishes, but not in England. There was one other complication.” All three ladies nodded, which surprised Susanna. “It has been dealt with in a manner of which I believe you will approve.”
“She will be treated well.” Lady Mary stated flatly.
“Extremely well.” After speaking with the woman, Susanna had arranged for “Celeste” to be sent to her family who had been searching for her. “She is going home.”
Lady Theo stared at Susanna for several seconds. “Do you want to marry him?”
“I do not dislike the idea. I am marrying for the rank. So that my father will have a peer for a grandson. It is my mother’s dearest wish, and I shall not disappoint her. I might have a few duties I will dislike, but knowing I am in control of all aspects of the marriage will compensate me.” Lady Theo was still not convinced. “He will not harm me either physically or with words. If he does, I have a remedy. More than that I cannot say.”
Lady Alice rose. “Thank you for visiting us. After everything is settled, do you mind if I invite you to one of our charitable meetings? We will all be back in Town in autumn.”
“I would be delighted.” Susanna had never expected to be approved of so quickly.
“Wonderful.” Her ladyship held out her hand again. “I look forward to knowing you better.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
Giff’s grandfather, uncles, aunts, and whatever older cousins had been around when Grandad decided to depart arrived from Scotland two days before the wedding and tried to enact the ritual of taking the bride and groom out separately to drink a great amount of whisky that they just happened to have brought with them. Giff took them to Worthington House to meet Alice and her family and to see how quickly his grandfather’s idea was shot down.
