Caroline studied her brother as if perplexed. “You made no mention of your plans to return to London in your last correspondence.”
“Did I not?”
“No. I would have remembered.”
“As would I,” Annabelle added with affront.
Sterling did not so much as glance at her. He seemed inclined to direct his words to his sister alone. “Allow me to clarify matters. I’ve decided a speedy return to London is paramount. To that end, I’ve sent for my steward to oversee the estate in my absence.”
Annabelle deemed her presence here not only unnecessary but half-forgotten.
“How exciting,” Caroline enthused, clapping her hands together with obvious relish.
“Exciting?” Sterling prodded.
“Of course,” Caroline said. “I can only imagine the hubbub surrounding your return the moment word spreads about your marriage.”
“I’ve already explained that all of London will know of our nuptials, and by the time we arrive, will deem us old news,”he retorted calmly. “The banns will be posted by the day after tomorrow at the latest.”
Annabelle decided she’d had quite enough of witnessing their conversation as a mute bystander. Her cutlery clattered as she tossed it across her plate without the least care. “Sir, what of my parents? Surely they should be made aware before all of society.”
Finally, he spared her a glance. “How do you propose I accomplish that, madam? According to you, your parents are away on holiday. Or was that another fabrication?”
She refused to deign his question with a reply. “We must send a telegram to my aunt. She can forward the news to them. At least the attempt must be made.”
A long moment ticked past. “As you wish,” he allowed. “So long as you understand the ceremony itself will move forward as planned.” Having issued his arrogant decree, he frowned down at the half-finished plate before her. “Annabelle, are you…unwell?”
His change of topic caught her off guard.
“I haven’t much of an appetite this morning.”
He searched her face. Then his gaze drifted to her mouth, where it hovered.
Heat infused every square inch of her body, then pooled in her low belly. The sensation was most unusual, and oddly intoxicating.
“Of course she hasn’t one, Sterling,” Lady Caroline said in a chiding tone. “She has the pre-wedding jitters.” With that, she rose from her seat. “Come, Lady Annabelle.”
Sterling frowned up at his sister, who sent him an imperious stare. “We’ve a wedding to prepare for.”
Chapter 25
The following morning, Annabelle boarded Sterling’s carriage, hardly able to fathom what lay ahead. Marriage—to Sterling Randall, Viscount of Stoneford.
Caroline, smiling ear to ear, joined her. The carriage lurched into motion.
Annabelle peered out the small-paned window at the wintry landscape, her heart in her throat. This was really happening.
Yesterday had passed in a blur, but had been, for all Annabelle’s misgivings over her groom’s stated reasons for marrying her, and the notable lack of affection between them—especially on his part—enjoyable.
Lady Caroline’s excitement over her coming nuptials buoyed her as nothing else could have.
Too, Babette’s delight over preparing her gown and planning her coiffure had been sweetly contagious.
Both women acted as if this union was something to be celebrated, and not a ceremony forged upon the hope of minimizing scandal. Combined, their encouragement almostcaused her to feel a degree of happiness over the occasion. Yesterday.
Today, she was all nerves and uncertainty.
Without warning, Caroline crossed the aisle and plopped herself onto the bench beside Annabelle.
