“That takes courage,” Foster allowed. “And a lot of love. What on earth was she thinking of? She doesn’tlookto be weak of intellect.”
Durward snorted with laughter. “She’d tie you in knots! She flattened me with two words on our first acquaintance.” He let his smile fade. “She’s everything I ever wanted, Foster. Only I didn’t know it.”
“Who is she?”
Durward shrugged. “No one of rank, just a lady. A sea captain’s daughter of reduced circumstances.”
“Will you marry her?”
“Yes. I was going to even before you showed up though I couldn’t think a Newgate wedding would be quite the thing for her.”
“Well, you can do it in St. George’s, Hanover Square now. Or anywhere else you like. Talking of weddings, aren’t we meant to be attending one?”
Durward set down his brandy. “Are you up to this?”
“I insist upon it.” Foster rose without help and for a moment Durward stood looking at him. “What?”
“Is this really going to be fine, Foster?”
“Do you know, I think it is? Now.”
DURING THE WEDDINGbreakfast, Carina sat next to Foster, who entertained her with funny stories about youthful mischief, which generally featured Durward and occasionally Lord Calton, an amiable if rakish gentleman who sat on her other side.
Durward was placed further up the table among the children who were full of lively spirits, no doubt influenced by Harriet who had never shone quite so brightly as she did now. Durward himself seemed unexpectedly content among the children, making them laugh, and clearly enjoying their own unique company.
“I never saw Durward as the fatherly type, before,” Foster remarked, casting Carina a knowing glance. “Quite the revelation.”
Heat seeped into her face. “He has a young brother who is devoted to him,” she said defensively.
“Very true,” Foster agreed, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“He told you, didn’t he?”
“We wish him well, you know. All his friends do.” Foster lifted his wine glass to her very slightly and for some reason a tide of well-being washed over her. He hesitated. “I don’t need to tell you that he will never be charged over this foolishness, do I? Nor that he will never repeat the mistake. Nor will I. I think we have both grown up. Finally.”
“Or woken up,” she murmured.
“That too.”
“You are a good friend,” she said with difficulty.
“So is he,” Foster said, which was probably the oddest thing ever said, for a man who had almost died by the hand of the same good friend.
Carina’s sense of well-being lasted into the departure of Lord and Lady Sanderly, who set off on their wedding journey toScotland via the earl’s principal seat, where he would introduce Harriet to his household and set in motion any urgent changes she wished to make.
Sanderly spoke in low tones to Sir John, who was warmly shaking his hand. Harriet turned to Carina who stood among the children in the front driveway.
“Thank you for taking care of them,” Harriet said, just a little shakily.
“It is my pleasure,” Carina said. Everything was, right now.
To her surprise, Harriet pressed her bridal posy into Carina’s hands. “Good luck,” she whispered. “He is a loyal man and he loves you.” And then she was hugging the children, her smile bright and her words light and joking.
The children cheered her into the carriage and ran after it, waving madly for as long as Orchid could keep up. There was a moment when the child’s lip wobbled, as though the reality of being without the sister who had always looked after her had hit home. But Lily and Alex took her hands, and swung her high in the air, and she laughed again.
Since the wedding guests all began to drift off, either to their own rooms or toward the stables to arrange their departures, Carina swept the children back to the nursery to chatter and play games like jackstraws, during which Orchid fell asleep on Lily’s shoulder, and was carried to bed for a nap. The excitement was too much for her.
Mildred, the nursery maid, appeared shortly after, saying that Lady Grandison would appreciate Carina’s company whenever it was convenient.
