“Excellent.” Her ladyship smiled. “Now that that is settled, I suggest you repair to St. Albans’s estate not far from here. I assume your family will arrive within the hour. I shall leave a note directing them to”—she frowned—“what is that strange name of the estate?”
Alice grinned. “Whippoorwill Manor.”
Her ladyship nodded. “Yes. That is the one. I suggest you tell the staff to make enough rooms ready.”
St. Albans’s pointed at Lord Normanby. “What about him?”
Her ladyship’s lips flattened into a thin line, and she pushed his inert body with the tip of her shoe. “I will see to it.”
Alice tugged on St. Albans’s hand. “Let us depart.”
“You’re right. We are well rid of certain scum.” They strolled out of the inn and to his curricle. “I cannot wait to show you the manor.”
She could not wait to see it. “How far is it?”
As he lifted her into the curricle, Alice started to prickle all over. It was the feeling she had had before with him. How strange she had not recognized it for the sensations her sisters talked about. She had been attracted to him from the beginning and did not know it. “Around six miles.” He climbed up and took the ribbons. “How many of your family do you think will arrive? I believe there is only a reduced staff.”
What would the staff think of him bringing her with no notice? She straightened her shoulders. It was no matter. They were betrothed. Her family would be there soon. Alice would simply have to start as she meant to go on. “We will make do. My family will understand.”
We.
Giff loved how she already thought of them as a couple. “At some point, I would like to kiss you.”
She flashed him a smile. “I think that is an excellent idea. Where shall we live first?”
“Right away?” He hadn’t even considered it. Giff would like to take a jaunt to Scotland to see his estate.
“Yes. I thought we might want to go to Scotland.”
Once again, he was glad they thought along the same lines, but... “Do you not wish to have a honeymoon?”
“Yes.” She frowned. “Well, I suppose I do. Still, we have duties.”
She was amazing. He didn’t know another lady who would put her duty before such a normal pleasure. “I have an idea. My mother’s father has a ship. I can ask him to send it to the London docks or somewhere nearby, and we can sail to Scotland. After that, we will take it to France and join your sisters.”
Alice looked at him as if he was the most brilliant person in the world. “What a perfect solution!”
“Now that that’s settled, when would you like to marry?” He hoped she’d say immediately. But he remembered Montagu and Stern having to wait. All very well for them. They’d had work in the Lords and Commons. Giff would have to find something to occupy himself. He wouldn’t mind starting the changes at Whippoorwill Manor, but he didn’t want to be that far from Town, and he wanted Alice with him.
He was watching the road, but the burning on his cheek made him glance at her. She couldn’t have changed her mind. “What is it?”
“What do I call you? St. Albans?”
“I would like you to call me Giff. It is short for—”
“Gifford.” She laughed. “Very well. Giff it is. We shall wed in two weeks. Grace will not agree to a shorter period of time.”
“Two weeks.” It wasn’tthatlong he supposed. After all, he had to arrange the church, purchase the special license, write to his grandfather, and negotiate the settlement agreements.Lord save me. He could accomplish any contracts on his own property, but his father would have to negotiate the agreements regarding the dukedom. Knowing Papa, that could take more than two weeks. Giff would have to get his mother involved as soon as possible. He could feel Alice staring at him again. “Agreed.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Less than an hour later, Giff turned into the gate of Whippoorwill Manor. He was surprised to see the lawn had been scythed. The circular drive led to the front stairs had been groomed, and large urns with flowers flanked the entrance. The door opened before he stopped the carriage. A tall man in his middle years dressed in black, obviously the butler, walked down the steps. He was followed by the rest of the servants lining up in order of precedence. The butler bowed. “Welcome home, my lord.”
“Thank you . . . er.” Giff raised a brow.
“Cummings, my lord.” He waited until Giff went around to Alice.
“It appears someone notified the staff,” she whispered.
