It was the day before her wedding to the Duke – no, Theodore - and Fiona, Louisa, Catherine and Harriet’s mother, Lady Devonmere, were gathered in her bedroom.
The weeks since she had agreed to his proposal had flown by in a blur. She had seen her future husband only twice since she had accepted his proposal, both encounters brief and perfunctory, though they corresponded most days. Usually about wedding details – things like the menu for the breakfast, confirming her guest list and how she would get to the church on the day.
He had told her that he was happy for her to arrange things like the flowers and the wedding breakfast without his approval,, but she had felt odd not involving him at least a little.
“Only you would worry about being too much on your wedding day.” Fiona laughed. “You are supposed to be the center of attention.”
Harriet emerged from behind the screen, straightening a crease in her day dress as she sat down on her chaise longue as Louisa and Fiona made a space for her. “I know, but… But what if people think I am trying too hard or something like that?”
“Then they will have to answer to us.” Louisa nudged Harriet playfully. “Besides, you are about to be a duchess – they will be tripping over themselves to win your favor.”
“Louisa is right.” Catherine nodded her agreement, wrinkling her nose slightly. “They may think unkind things, but to your face they will be unfailingly, sickeningly polite.”
“They are the same with me, and I am only the daughter of a duke.” Fiona grimaced. “You get used to the sycophants eventually but they are no less tiresome to deal with.”
Harriet thought of the way people crowded around Catherine after she had become a duchess and felt as though she might be sick. “I do not think I will have much time for socializing. My priority is to care for Phoebe. She is the reason for all of this after all.”
“So you keep saying.” Fiona exchanged a look with Louisa. “But I suspect his brooding good looks were not unappealing.”
“Far too serious for me, but I am glad he appeals to you.” Louisa nodded to Harriet.
Harriet rolled her eyes even as she twisted her fingers in the fabric of her dress. “You two are utterly ridiculous.”
“That is why you love us.” Fiona grinned and sipped on her glass of ratafia.
“I will admit, I had not expected Irondale to be quite so generous.” Louisa gestured to the suitcases stacked in a corner of the room.
“He is a traditionalist.” Harriet glanced at the suitcases, still uncomfortable with the volume she had purchased.
She had not planned to commission so much, but the modiste had told her that this was the sort of wardrobe one needed if they were to be only one step removed from royalty. Harriet had spent days waking in the middle of the night, expecting Theodore to arrive at her house and accuse her of taking advantage of him. But he had not.
“Clearly, though not so traditional.” Catherine took a delicate bite of one of the biscuits. “He did insist you order at least three sets of riding attire.”
Harriet nodded, her eyes going to the letter she had received from him a fortnight ago.You will require more riding attire. Yours, Theodore Langford, Duke of Irondale.
She clapped a hand to her mouth as a thought struck her. “Oh goodness, the flowers! The bouquet, I –”
“- it is all in hand, Hettie. You have checked with the florist three times already. If you check again, I suspect she will quit.” Catherine gestured for Harriet to sit. “Everything is perfectly in order. The food is arranged, the carriage will be here in the morning and Fi, Louisa and I will meet you at the church.”
Harriet ran a lock of her hair through her fingers, repeating the motion as she nodded. “I just do not want to make a fool of myself. The church may be small, but that will not stop people from lining the streets. Do you remember what they were like when Lady Arabella wed Lord Simon? And he was only an earl.”
“All will be well. We will be right by your side.” Fiona gave her a reassuring smile. “We will not let anything happen to you, I promise.”
“The wedding will be over before you know it, and then you will get to retreat out of the spotlight. All you have to do tomorrow is be on time to the church and repeat after the priest. You do not even have to smile if you do not want to.” Louisa squeezed her hand.
Harriet felt a lump form in her throat as she continued to run her hair through her fingers over and over again. “I suppose I may as well get used to the attention.”
“You are going to be a duchess, it comes with the territory I am afraid.” Catherine gave her a wry smile. “But try not to dwell onit. Tomorrow, you will look radiant – every woman will wish she was you and every man will wish that you were his.”
“I suspect even Irondale will be moved by the way you look.” Fiona gave her a sidelong look, and Harriet felt her cheeks blush. “It will do him good to see just how lucky he is.”
Harriet gave a weak laugh and Louisa, Catherine, and Fiona all pulled her into a hug. “All you have to do is get through the ceremony and breakfast, and then you can get on with the rest of your life,” Fiona murmured into her ear.
“And Irondale is very near to Coldmere, so you can visit whenever you wish. Perhaps it would do Phoebe good to meet someone her own age?” Catherine said. “I am sure Oliver would not object to it.”
Harriet felt numb as she tried to think of what to say. Her mind kept replaying Fiona’s words.Get on with the rest of her life.A weight settled across her shoulders. What had she been thinking? She was marrying a stranger tomorrow.
She was dimly aware of her mother standing, smelled the lilac scent of her perfume as she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. “I think that is enough wedding talk – Harriet needs to rest before tomorrow.”
