Page 70 of The Earl’s Hoyden

Not only did Lucien not change his mind about marrying her, but he was elated at the idea of having the wedding in the country instead of under the prying eyes of the ton.

Hannah’s friends all congregated at Westwich Manor in York immediately after the season ended, and the morning of her wedding finally arrived. The ladies dashed about the room this way and that, in a flurry of activity with maids running into one another in an attempt to get them all into dresses and have their hair perfectly styled. But amid that flurry came a barrage of laughter and good cheer.

After all, the first of Lady Finch’s ladies who had vowed never to wed was actually getting married.

“So what did you tell Lady Alison?” Elizabeth queried while her maid pinned several rosettes into a loose, upswept hairstyle.

They all looked to Lucy, who had insisted on being the one to quell Lady Alison’s need to spread gossip about Hannah and Lucien’s indiscretion.

Lucy feigned innocence. “What is said between ladies should remain between ladies.” A cheeky smile curled her lips. “But be sure she will never speak ill of any of us for as long as she lives.”

“You are so very wicked,” Hannah laughed.

“Thank God,” Jillian confirmed, and they all erupted into giggles.

“And how do you feel now that you’re free?” Amy asked Jillian who the Duke of Dudley had abandoned in place of the affections of Lady Alison.

Jillian spread her arms wide and leaned her head back. “Free,” she repeated with a sigh.

Lucy scowled as she smoothed her hand over her silky dark hair. “I do hate that she gets to marry a duke.”

“You needn’t worry,” Elizabeth said confidently. “The villain of a story always pays the price.”

Jillian barked a shrill laugh. “Perhaps her price is having to endure Dudley for the rest of her life.”

“I believe you are finally ready, my lady.” Mary ceased the little plucks and tucks of her primping and moved back to observe her work.

Tears filled Amy’s eyes as she gazed at Hannah despite her attempts to blink them away. “Oh, Hannah. You look every bit what a bride should be.”

“Are you crying?” Lucy teased.

“Wait until the wedding,” Elizabeth said. “I believe we will all require a handkerchief to witness our amazing Hannah marrying the man she loves.” She nudged Lucy with her elbow. “Even you.”

Lucy discreetly pulled a delicate handkerchief from her sleeve to demonstrate. “I’m fully prepared.”

Jillian waved Hannah forward. “Come see how beautiful you look.”

They all turned to Hannah as she strode toward the mirror, breathe held, body tense.

While Hannah had always liked her eyes for the way they reminded her of her father, and even her hair on occasion for how different it was from everyone else’s, she’d never considered herself anything above pretty on her good days. Plain on most others. But at that moment, gazing at the mirror on the wall, she truly did feel beautiful.

Her hair was lifted from her shoulders amid a crown of pale pink roses with sprays of small white flowers, and her mother’s diamonds shone at her throat. The gown, made by Madame Bannery while they were still in London, was simple blue silk with dozens of tiny crystals sewn into the bodice to represent the constellations, so she glittered like the night sky when she walked in the day.

Her friends were not the only ones to have need of a handkerchief. Hannah blinked back her tears, and immediately, four handkerchiefs were thrust in her direction. She waved them all off with a laugh and turned from the mirror. “I have something from Lucien that he said I must open prior to our arrival at the chapel.”

Mary hastened over, holding an envelope from Lucien. “I’ll send for the carriage,” she said as she passed the item to Hannah.

But before she could rush out, Hannah caught her maid’s hand and squeezed it affectionately. “Thank you for everything.”

After all, Mary had done so much more for Hannah than always being at her side. She had persisted with Lord Brightstone even after Hannah had given up. It was to Mary whom Hannah owed her happiness.

Mary had always had a gift for getting others to trust her, and in only a few intentional run-ins with the Brightstone staff at market, she was well aware of how miserable Lucien was with Lady Alison. A few convincing chats with Lucien’s valet and she had discovered the truth, information Lucien’s valet shared in the hopes Mary could mend what was broken.

And mend it she did, with the help of Hannah’s closest friends when Hannah had stubbornly refused to listen.

“I would do it all again in a heartbeat to see you this happy, dearest Hannah.” Mary embraced her charge and then shooed the other maids from the room as she departed.

Hannah wiped a tear from her eye, sniffed and faced her friends with her emotions solidly restored once more. “Lucien said this gift was something he wanted me to open in front of you all. He worried after the wedding we might be too excited and forget, but conveyed that it was very important.”