The talk turned to their wedding trip. Neither Grace nor Worthington had traveled overseas much, but friends had. Theo decided Leo and she should visit her cousins who had taken her sister Augusta to Europe.
When they arrived at Worthington House, he kissed Theo goodbye and walked home. Fortunately, his mother was still out. He really didn’t know how he would react to seeing her after the events of the evening. He had been furious with her and nothing had changed.
The next morning, after Leo returned from breaking his fast with Theo, a message arrived from Marrow informing Leo that Lady Carlisle had invited Sarah’s mother to reside with them for the remainer of the Season. Lady Pettigrew would remove from her leased house to Carlisle House before Sarah and Marrow’s wedding. Sarah would stay with Theo. He suggested that her grace could view it in three days’ time.
Leo wandered into Whiting’s office. “The house I will lease for her grace will be vacant in a few days. I would like you to take her.”
“Certainly, your grace.”
“I am expecting letters from some hotels in Europe.” Leo had given his address for the hotels in Calais and on the route to Paris. The rest of the responses would arrive at Lady Evesham’s Paris home. “Please make sure all the post comes to you first.”
“I will.” His secretary gave him a concerned look. “Is there anything else I can do?”
“No, thank you. You will be quite busy enough while I’m on my honeymoon.” Aside from his wedding, that was what he was looking forward to most.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Theo woke early as usual, but today she would not be riding. Today was her wedding day. Yesterday, Chandos, who had taken possession of the family jewelry and brought over a collection of rings. She selected an emerald ring in a wide gold band. Her trunks had been sent to the yacht. Then they attended Sarah and Marrow’s wedding and the wedding breakfast. After two weeks of planning, it seemed to be happening so soon. Which made no sense at all.
Payne entered the room, and Theo donned a simple day dress for breakfast. It was strange not to have Chandos there, but her sisters insisted that he not be allowed to see her before the ceremony. While she dressed for the wedding, a knock came on the door and Mary, Elizabeth, Constance, and, Louisa’s daughter, Alexandria entered.
“We have gifts for you,” Mary said. “Well, three gifts and one on loan.”
The little girls nodded. Mary stepped forward. “I have something new.” She held out a rectangular box covered in silk.
Tears sprung to Theo’s eyes. She remembered all the times she and Mary had done this on their older sisters’ wedding days. “Thank you.” She opened the box. In it was a gold bracelet set with emeralds. It looked as if it had been made to match her ring. But how could that have happened? “It is beautiful!” She hugged Mary. “Thank you so much.”
Next Elizabeth came to Theo. “I have something old.” She handed Theo a velvet bag. In it was a delicate necklace with an emerald shaped in a teardrop. It was as if they all knew which ring she would choose. “It is lovely.” She hugged her niece. “Thank you!”
Mama helped me,” Elizabeth said.
Constance was next. “I have something borrowed.” She handed Theo a gold hair comb. “Mama said not to lose it.”
Theo chuckled wetly. “I will not lose it, and I will return it immediately after the ceremony.”
Alexandria blushed as she handed Theo a packet wrapped in paper. “This is something blue. I hope you like them. I embroidered them myself.”
Theo unwrapped the gift. In the paper were three handkerchiefs embroidered with three different blue flowers, a forget-me-not, a bluebell, and a delphinium. “These are extremely well-done!”
Her niece blushed again. “Thank you. Mama said that the same thing.”
Mary patted Theo on her back. “No crying.”
“I know. Is it time to go yet?” As Theo spoke a knock sounded on the door.
Grace opened it. “All right, everyone. We need to be off.”
Sarah stood behind Theo. “I am so happy for you.”
“One more to go.” They would all attend Felice and Crewe’s wedding tomorrow. Theo linked arms with Sarah. “I am so excited I can hardly breathe.”
“That sounds like me yesterday.” She smiled. “I can tell you that thus far, married life is wonderful!”
They drove to the church with Matt and entered through the side door. All Theo’s brothers and sisters, including the ones by marriage, were already seated. Then she saw Chandos. He was magnificent. He wore a black jacket and trousers, with a snowy white cravat. His waistcoat was green paisley with silver thread. He had never looked more handsome. He turned from speaking to Marrow and smiled.
Theo took Leo’s breath away. Her gown was of salmon-colored silk with gold netting. The neckline of the bodice hinted at her lush breast. It dropped almost to her natural waistline showing off her small waist. The skirt, narrower than in previous years, flared out over her hips. He couldn’t wait to get her alone. But first the wedding and the breakfast afterward.
The rector took his place as Theo moved toward him, Worthington by her side. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony …”
