Eunice hurried forward. “What took you so long?”
Her mother kissed her cheeks. “The ogre.”
Lady Featherton grinned. “We finally lost the blackguard. Now where are the children?”
“Gone with their friends to Edinburgh.” Eunice linked her arm with her mother, leading her into the drawing room, as Brian escorted Lady Featherton in and closed the door behind them. “I believe the thinking was that Mr. Featherton would have an easier time courting Mary there rather than here.”
“Oh my.” Lady Featherton pursed her lips. “I take it all did not go as planned.”
Eunice raised a brow. “If you mean, you thought she would give up all her fantasies about a Season, and being courted, and falling inlove . . . No, it did not go as planned.” She glanced at the door. “Be careful what you say around the servants. They believe Kit and Mary are wed. I’ll ask Cook to hold back dinner for a half hour so that you can refresh yourselves.”
When they reached the top of the stairs, Mama looked at Brian as if she were just seeing him, and stopped. “And who might you be?”
He bowed. “Mr. Brian Doust, rector, Your Grace. I take it you’re my new mother-in-law.”
“Well, at least someone got married,” Mama groused. “I want to hear all about it over dinner.”
Simons looked at Eunice. “Which bedchambers, my lady?”
“The Blue Room and the Green Room. We’ve been keeping them ready. I’ll show them up. Please see to places for their servants.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Two hours later, she, Brian, Mama, and Lady Featherton sat in the drawing room sipping tea.
“There you have the whole story.” Eunice, eschewing tea for wine, took a sip. “Brian and I have been waiting for your arrival before moving to our new house.”
Lady Featherton slowly shook her head. “We made a mull of this one, Constance.”
“We’ll come about,” Mama said. “Though I believe we should stay here for two or three days before traveling to Edinburgh.”
“Perhaps you should wait until we receive word that Lady Mary and Mr. Featherton have wed,” Brian suggested. “I’m afraid neither of them is happy with you at the moment.”
“We shall take your advice, Mr. Doust,” Lady Featherton said. “Better to let them work it out from here. I don’t wish to distract them from each other.”
Mama frowned. “We’ll see. I’m concerned about Tolliver though. I’d like to make sure he’s nowhere around Mary.”
“I’ll write to Mary and ask how she is enjoying the Season,” Eunice suggested. With any luck at all, they would receive good news. “In the meantime, do not become too comfortable here. Brian and I are moving into our home to-morrow, and we’d like you to stay with us.”
He glanced at her, a look of longing in his eyes. Ah well, even if they were not able to be alone, at least they’d have the bathing tub.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Morna awoke to the somewhat odd and very pleasant sensation of being cuddled next to Simon as he snored softly. This was only their second full night together, the last being their wedding night.
Yesterday evening they’d returned to the town house in mainly pensive moods. All except for Finella; she had been as happy as a grig. Morna wondered how the change would affect Cormac, yet she had the feeling Simon might know what to do better than she did. This morning was also the first time in years she’d felt completely happy. There would most likely be a scandal, but she didn’t care for herself, and it would all be over by the time Finella came out. Now that Simon was here, there was no reason to rush her daughter.
Simon brushed a kiss on her hair. “You’re awake?”
“I am.” She snaked an arm across his broad chest, holding him tightly to her. “Where do we start unraveling this mess my father caused?”
“I have an appointment with my brother-in-law’s solicitor to-day. He was to attend me in Charlotte Square, but instead I’ll go to his office. The first thing to do is end your father’s guardianship of the children.”
“Will it be difficult?” she asked, trying not to be distracted by the black curls covering his chest, and failing.
“No, I have proof of the marriage.” He rolled her on her side, snuggling up behind her, as if they were two spoons. “Your father tried to have the documents destroyed, but the innkeeper was a wily old man and hid the originals. I’ve also got a statement from the couple who witnessed our marriage.”
She wiggled her bottom against his growing erection. “I’ll leave it to you then.”
