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Gregory again took a moment to formulate his reply.
“I admire both her spirit and her beauty. I am in need of a male heir, and you are an old and respected family. Annabelle is young and strong. It is a good match.”
The protective instinct of a father leapt to the fore and prompted Oscar’s response. “I had heard that your first wife died in childbirth. You have my sympathy sir, for I suffered the same fate. I have been lucky enough to find another perfect helpmeet. If you thaw a little, and give my daughter the chance, I am certain she will bring you happiness. By-the-by, she prefers to be called by her second name, Holly.”
Gregory did not care to be criticised, but he supposed he had sounded a trifle frosty.
“I can see my honesty has disconcerted you. May I add that I will be a gentle and caring husband, so long as Annabelle does not defy my wishes.”
“And should she get into mischief as many young people do?”
“I would never brutalise her, Lushington, if that is what you are implying, but should my wife require correction then she will receive it. Does that answer your question?”
“What form might that correction take, may I ask?”
Gregory bit off his instinctive response which was that it was none of Lushington’s damned business. Instead, he answered his future father-in-law in a measured tone. “If my wife pushes me too far then I shall take her across my knee for a sound spanking as most husbands would, but that is as far as my discipline would go.”
“Holly has been gently raised; I have never so much as lifted a finger to her!” Oscar exclaimed.
“And your wife…?” Gregory hated how personal this conversation had developed, but Annabelle was to become his property after they were wed, and her father would no longer have any rights over her. Lushington’s questions were an affront to him as a gentleman.
“Well, perhaps, but only once or twice, but understand she was young at the time of our marriage and…”
“Quite; no need for any more discussion. This conversation is at an end. Gregory downed the last of his drink. Closing the distance between them, he proffered his palm.
The two men shook on the agreed proposal.
“Friday, St Georges, eleven o’clock. I wish you good day, sir.” Gregory turned and left the room, leaving his future father-in-law gaping after him.
Gregory retrieved his greatcoat and hat from a footman and exited the house. There was a great deal to arrange before Friday.
CHAPTER4
“But what on earth am I supposed to wear?” Holly wailed for the umpteenth time.
“I repeat, I am sure the estimable Mademoiselle Adele shall be able to create a dress before Friday,” her father blustered, hands raised in a helpless gesture.
“Oscar, I have explained that no modiste worth frequenting could possibly manage to create a wedding gown of quality in such a short space of time.” Henrietta sounded thoroughly irritated, and well she might. The whole idea seemed ridiculous. Had the man lost his mind to expect a wedding in five days hence?
“What about the gown you wore on our wedding day, Hetty? As I recall, it was your grandmother’s. I remember that was a pretty enough confection. Holly can simply have the thing adjusted.”
Both mother and daughter stared at him, utterly speechless. Oscar obviously took their silence for approbation and left.
“Mama, what am I to do?” Holly wailed after he had gone.
“You know, your father might have found a solution, my dear. Estelle, my great-grandmother,
had her wedding gown made with an abundance of embellishment made from highly prized Flanders lace.”
“Where is the gown now?” Holly asked. She was keen to see if such a dress would suffice.
“Pull the cord, and we will have the footman search the attics,” her mother said.
“I shall go with them,” Holly answered and tugged the bell.
“Oh no, it will be filthy up there, darling!” Henrietta exclaimed in horror.
Nevertheless, Holly prevailed. Enlisting the help of her maid, Matilda, she followed a footman up the many stairs that led to the great attic. After an exhausting couple of hours, they finally located a trunk hidden in the farthest reaches of the lofty space. On investigation, it appeared to contain a gown made up of mostly stiff and aged, yellow lace.
