Page 39 of The Muse of Maiden Lane

Anne’s eyes twinkled back at her. “I expect you at my wedding in March.”

Stella’s brows swept up in astonishment. “So soon?”

“Hartford and I are set on marrying on the first day of spring. We’ve waited seven years to be together. We neither of us wish to wait any longer.”

“But I thought it was to be a grand society affair?”

Most aristocratic weddings took months and months of planning, not to mention all the travel arrangements that must be sorted out for extended family.

“It will be,” Anne said. “The earl and my mother are sparing no expense. Mama will be planning most of it. All I’ve insisted upon is the date, and that I must have three bridesmaids—you, Evie, and Julia.”

“Oh, Anne.” Stella’s heart swelled. She desperately wanted to be there. And not only for her friends, but for herself.

London suited her far better than Derbyshire. Far better, indeed, than any of the rambling, remote places in the country. She and Locket were made for town living. Not the fashionable parties or the fast-paced social whirl, but for the energy and the industry. For the museums, the galleries, and the shops; and for the wild—and completely improper—gallops in the park.

“I won’t take no for an answer,” Anne said. She caught Mr. Hartford’s eyes as they met up with the others. “Hart! Come and persuade Miss Hobhouse.”

Mr. Hartford was immediately obedient to Anne’s summons. He joined them on the path, his mouth tipped in a smile. “On what subject?”

“You must convince her to return to London for our wedding,” Anne said.

Mr. Hartford looked at Stella, a bit surprised. “Will it take convincing?”

“No, indeed,” Stella said quickly. “I want to come. It’s my brother that’s at issue. He won’t be eager to escort me back to London so soon after we’ve left it. He means us to remain in Derbyshire through the summer.”

Through the end of time, more like it. But Stella wasn’t inclined to be specific.

“If he won’t bring you,” Anne said, “I’ll come fetch you myself.”

“You will not,” Stella said. “I won’t have you disrupting your wedding planning on my account.”

“I mean it.” Anne’s face held a gleam of unchecked determination. “The instant you need me, I shall be there, come what may.”

Stella felt a fierce rush of love for her friends. For Anne and for each of their sister Furies—all of whom, Stella understood, would do anything for her. “I know you will,” she said.

But when the worst happened, as it was bound to eventually, Stella had no intention of summoning her friends to save her. She loved them too well to burden them.

“I shall find a way to be at your wedding,” she promised Anne. “You may depend on me.”

Teddy was wheeling himself to the library later that morning, hoping to have a word with his sister, when he encountered Felix Hartford in the corridor. It was the first Teddy had seen of anyone, except Jennings and Alex, since breakfast. Most of the others had gone sledding, with Stella having no doubt been among them.

Alex and Laura were among the few who had stayed behind, owing to Laura having awakened with an uneasy stomach. It was somewhat concerning. Teddy’s sister was rarely in ill health. Even the enduring effects of the scarlet fever were no match for her physical determination. A keen swimmer, Laura was forever pushing herself to her limits in an effort to strengthen her lungs and improve her general well-being.

It wasn’t like her to linger in bed. She didn’t have the patience for it. When he’d gone to check on her earlier, Teddy hadn’t been surprised to learn that she was already up and dressed, and had nipped down to the library in search of a book to relieve her boredom.

Jennings had helped Teddy down the stairs and into his chair so that Teddy might find her. The manservant remained several paces behind Teddy as Mr. Hartford approached.

“Mr. Hayes,” Hartford said. “Just the man I was looking for. Are you going to the library?”

“I am,” Teddy said.

Hartford held the door open for him. “Can you spare me a moment?”

“Of course.” Teddy wheeled into the room. On entering, Jennings dutifully withdrew to the corner, mutely awaiting the moment Teddy would have need of him again.

The library at Sutton Park was as vast as a cathedral, with a ceiling that rose two stories high. Leather-bound books lined the walls, and groups of overstuffed chairs and sofas were arranged in quiet nooks, both on the richly carpeted lower level and in the iron-railed gallery that surrounded the library’s second floor.

Some of the older guests were availing themselves of the chairs in front of the library’s cavernous fireplace. To Teddy’s disappointment, Laura wasn’t among them.