Page 41 of Her Summer Duke

“Ah! An excellent idea. Although perhaps I should formally ask her for your hand, rather than just telling her...”

Lady Peabody smiled, and gave a small laugh.

“I am not so sure of that, Your Grace. Perhaps telling will be simpler, given the rather exciting few months that Lady Margaret has had, with matters of the heart.”

Adam looked at her, and at the blush rapidly rising on Lady Margaret’s cheeks. So, this was all related to the discussion of Saltonbury, and Harrington, that Lady Margaret and Lady Phoebe had carried out in the theatre.

He would, most definitely, wish to get her to tell him all of it, later.

“Oh? I will have to take your advice on that, my Lady.”

~~~~~

As they entered the hotel, Lady Mantrell, Phoebe, and Lady Huntington rushed toward them all at once.

“Where ever have you been, Lady Margaret? And Lady Peabody – I did not realise that you were together! After yesterday evening, this has quite given me palpitations! I believe that I should send for a physician. For me, or perhaps for you - you have been acting most peculiarly.”

Margaret laughed, filled with joy. “I am acting peculiarly because I am in love! I am to be married, and soon.”

Lady Mantrell looked around the parlour, a frown growing on her face, as she undoubtedly remembered the previous times that Margaret had seemed set on marriage.

“To whom dear girl?”

Captain Halstone… no, the Duke of Milbrook, how would she get used to that? - stepped forward.

“To me. I have asked Lady Margaret to be my Duchess, and she has consented.”

“When I met him, I thought him an Ensign, and loved him, I love him still, although his rank is far different now. He has been truthful with me in everything, everything except that one first gift of a name.”