“Then we should celebrate,” she said, rising. “We will have champagne with our breakfast.”
“Isn’t it rather early to be drinking?” Colin questioned, amused.
She turned her gaze towards him. “Don’t be such a killjoy,” she said with a wave of her hand. “It is not every day that one of my sons gets engaged.”
“No, it is not,” Colin agreed.
His mother walked over to the door and opened it. “Dickson!” she exclaimed. “Will you see to some champagne for our breakfast?”
After she closed the door, she stepped over to John and patted his cheek. “I am so proud of you,” she said. “I cannot wait to meet Lady Marjorie.”
“I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed,” John expressed. “She is a remarkable young woman.”
His mother smiled. “When is the wedding?”
John glanced nervously at Colin before replying, “I am not entirely sure.”
Her smile dimmed. “What does that mean?”
“There is some confusion about the date we are to be wed.”
“Confusion? How?”
John sighed. “Marjorie’s brother is tasked with posting the banns, but he has not informed me of having done so.”
“Then you must ask him,” their mother encouraged.
“I wrote a letter last night to Marjorie, and I’m having a messenger deliver it to her today,” John explained. “With any luck, she will notify me of the date.”
“How romantic,” their mother said. “Writing notes can be rather scandalous.”
“There is nothing scandalous about my note,” John defended.
“You are no fun,” she joked. “Soon both of my boys will be wed, and I will have a horde of grandchildren to spoil.”
Colin furrowed his brow. “I have no intention of marrying any time soon.”
“We shall see,” their mother said.
“I am in earnest,” Colin pressed.
“Of course you are, my dear,” she responded in a complacent tone. “Shall we adjourn to the breakfast parlor for some champagne?”
Colin opened the door. “After you, Mother,” he encouraged, standing to the side.
* * *
As Arabella descended the stairs,she saw her grandmother standing in the entry hall speaking to Moore. She came to a stop in front of them and waited to be acknowledged.
Her grandmother turned to face her. “Did you have a good rest?”
“I did.”
“I am pleased to hear that, because the manor will soon be filled with boisterous children,” her grandmother declared.
“It sounds wonderful.”
“Today will be a most joyous occasion.”
