That seemed out of character. “MyAdele has?”
“My suspicion is that she worried no one would believe my intentions were genuine unless we put on a little spectacle. So, if all goes to plan, the ceremony will be followed by a wedding breakfast at my home. Then we will stay in London another week or so before leaving for my estate in Kent.”
“I suppose that makes sense. Adele is usually quite modest. I would not have expected her to want an elaborate wedding. I would not have expected her to marry a duke, though, either.” George shook his head, still unable to quite believe any of this was happening. “What can I do?”
“She will need a trousseau, so any funds you can spare should go to that. It can be modest. She is already living in my home, and she will want for nothing, but money for a few new gowns or some jewelry would be most welcome.”
George sighed. “Yes, I will see what I can pull together. She deserves great things, my Adele. She deserves this. She cares only for others, never for herself. She’s been like that her whole life. My wife died about ten years ago, and Adele sat at her deathbed, always making sure she was comfortable and had enough to eat. Never worries for fashion or her own comforts. She is good-hearted and honest and… she told you of her previous fiancé, I hope?”
“She did, yes.”
“She was devastated. I worried for her. Most of the reason I found her positions was so that she would have something to do, something to care about. When she lost hope of ever marrying, I’m afraid I did, too. But she… she will be such a good wife and mother. Have no fear about that.”
Swynford smiled. “I have no fear about that at all.”
“Good, good. I must say, I am overjoyed to be gaining a son, especially one from such a prestigious family as yours. I know my own flaws and how they must reflect upon poor Adele, andI am grateful you have overlooked them. Not everyone in your position would.”
“Yes, I am acutely aware. Not to put too fine a point on it, but several people have tried to talk me out of this marriage. But I’m afraid the more people who tell me it is a bad idea, the more stubborn I feel about seeing it through.”
George chuckled. “I knew your father a little, and he struck me as being quite similar. Some of the other peers in Lords referred to him as the Mountain of Swynford because he was often quite immovable.”
Swynford tilted his head as if this story confused him, and George worried he might have offended the man, but then he laughed and said, “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard that before, but that lines up with how I remember him.”
“I shall not try to talk you out of this because I am very pleased with the match.”
“That is most kind. I must be off to make some arrangements, but please do not hesitate to contact me at the Upper Brook Street house should you need anything. And you may, of course, call on your daughter any time you wish.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. Sincerely. Likewise, you may reach me here most days, and if I am not here, my secretary usually knows where I am.”
“Very good.”
After Swynford left, George sat in his chair thinking this over for a long moment. He was thrilled for Adele for making such a smart match. He hadn’t exaggerated; Adele had spent her whole life caring for others, and she deserved an easy life in which she was well cared for in return. Swynford could give her that. On top of that, having his daughter marry into the Swynford family would certainly raise his profile and might impress His Majesty and His Majesty’s cabinet.
Yes, yes, this was good news all around. George hopped up from his chair and decided he’d call it an afternoon and celebrate at the nearby pub where many politicians tended to cavort. On the way out, he said to his secretary, “Let us find a pint of ale. My daughter is getting married.”
“Excellent news, my lord,” said Drake. “To Swynford, I gather.”
“Yes. I can hardly believe it. This calls for… two pints.”
Drake laughed. “All right. Let me get my coat.”
*
In the weeksbefore the wedding, Adele found herself as something of a curiosity.
Once the wedding was officially announced in the newspaper, a parade of callers, most of them female, came by the house on the pretense of congratulating Adele but mostly, she felt, to gawk.
This was far from her first social season, so she was able to play her part, becoming the very picture of poise and politeness.
One of the women who arrived to call on her introduced herself as Lady Louisa Petty. “My brother is the Marquess of Landsdowne. Although in all honesty, I am here at the request of Baron Fowler.”
It took Adele a moment to recall that Baron Fowler was the title of Hugh’s friend Fletcher. She wondered if Lady Louisa had been sent to check on her. “How do you know Baron Fowler?” she asked conversationally as they sat together in the red sitting room.
“We are old childhood friends,” Louisa said with a smile. “My parents want us to be married, but neither of us has feelings like that for the other. I view him as a brother.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If you want the truth, I’ve had my eye on Lord Waring, but, well, Fletcher says he has some lover now that he’s quite taken with, and I don’t want to compete with that.”
