‘What do you think, Your Grace?’
‘I think you are delicious. I want to rip your bodice open, and put my mouth on your—’
‘Stop! And we not married yet.’ She batted her eyelashes at him. ‘What would Flossie say?’
Flossie, who had helped her mistress get ready and was tidying up, had not heard him, but now she came out of the room and interrupted them. ‘Come, come, your guests are here. And the vicar awaits in the parlour.’
She herded them down the stairs, Curtis following; they were both dressed in their best clothes. Halfway down, they were met by Alice, who ran up to meet them, bearing a slim bandeau sewn with pearls she had brought for her cousin’s hair.
She hugged Marguerite, saying, ‘I am so happy for you, dearest cousin. I could see you were in love with him, even before you knew it yourself.’ She turned to Argyle and said, ‘Congratulations, Your Grace.’
Argyle took her hand and kissed her fingers. He said, ‘Come, we are family now. You must call me Thomas. And thank you, I am the happiest man in England today.’
Flossie, who had been standing by, placed the bandeau deftly in Marguerite’s hair, rearranging the rosebuds; curls framed her face and a few ringlets fell to her shoulders. Then they all made their way down the stairs.
Chapter 20
The parlour had been transformed by the addition of several vases of flowers, among which Lady Montgomery’s bouquet held pride of place in the centre of the table. Lord and Lady Lennox renewed their acquaintance with the old lady, resplendent in a puce gown embellished with gold lace, and holding an ebony cane with a silver handle in the shape of an eagle’s head. Diamonds flashed at her throat and wrists, and she was even wearing a finely wrought tiara in her white hair.
Lord Lennox bent over her hand, lightly kissing the tips of her thin, silk-clad fingers. ‘I am pleased to see you looking so splendid, my lady, despite having journeyed so far.’
‘Yes, I confess it has been a great inconvenience—at my age one does not travel happily. My nephew and your daughter have been leading us a merry dance.’ She pressed her thin lips together.
Despite her words, Lord Lennox could see she was rather amused by this adventure, and his impression was confirmed when she went on to say, ‘However, I cannot deny I am pleased he has finally won her over, even if he nearly killed himself doing so. He has been obsessed with her for quite a while.’
Lord Lennox smiled. ‘Yes, the course of true love has been littered with obstacles, I fear.’
Lady Lennox said, ‘I’m afraid our daughter can be rather headstrong.’ She also looked well, in a gown of pale orange crape with a tulle overdress and ruffles at the hem.
‘Well, Argyle too can be obstinate, and arrogant—quite insufferable, in fact. But he has some sterling qualities, and I would not have liked him to marry for mere convenience. I am rather fond of him, you see.’
Marguerite came in, holding her posy in her hands, followed by her beloved. She bowed her head to the assembled company, a wide smile on her face, then went up to Lady Montgomery, curtsying and taking her hand.
The old lady said, ‘Let me look at you, girl. Yes, you will do. I hear you have been putting my nephew in his place?’
Marguerite grinned. ‘I try to, ma’am. He can be exceedingly annoying sometimes.’
‘I am sure. I am glad he has met his match.’
‘We are of a mind, now.’
‘I should certainly hope so. Well, when you are back in London, you will come and see me and tell me all about it.’
‘I would like that. And thank you for the flowers, they have eclipsed all the ones we had managed to procure.’ Marguerite embraced her parents.
Her mother said, ‘You look lovely,ma chérie.’
‘Thank you,Maman. I am happy.’
Her father grinned. ‘I told you things would become clear. I am only sorry it took an accident to do it. I assume you are marrying for love?’
She laughed at him. ‘Of course, Papa. I always said I would, didn’t I?’
Her mother sighed. ‘I wish you had accepted His Grace’s offer in the first place,ma chérie. Things would have been simpler.’
‘But not nearly as much fun, I am sure,’ said Lady Montgomery. ‘What’s life without a little drama?’
‘I did not even like him then,Maman. I found him arrogant, and—’
