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“Does she have any idea about the Society and what kind of man she is marrying?” The question came out almost like a growl, and Rex knew this was what Walter was most upset about. Unfortunately, he had a feeling his answer was going to upset Walter even more.
“Yes.”
Walter actually rocked back, glancing over his shoulder to Roger, asking his lover to confirm what he thought he heard. Roger appeared just as stunned and at a loss for words. A crooked grin reluctantly grew on Rex’s lips. He cocked his head to the side when Walter turned back to him, confusion writ over his expression.
“Your cousin overheard us talking when I visited Arabella’s at-home and invited herself to the masquerade that evening.” Remembering his own shock and outrage, Rex had ample sympathy for the emotions flitting over Walter and Roger’s faces. “I believe she received a thorough education on the activities of the Society before I caught her, which I did so by pure luck. She is petite enough to stand out when I knew Lady Verner was in another room—and her reactions were all wrong.”
“I should say so,” Walter muttered, his arms dropping so he could rub his hand over his face in consternation. He looked beseechingly at Rex. “Did she see… do you know…”
“She saw enough to realize your preferences,” Rex replied soberly, knowing how much that would jar the younger man. “From what I have seen, and she and I have discussed, such things do not affect her opinion of you at all.”
Walter actually sagged with relief, Roger coming up beside him and wrapping his arm around Walter’s waist, his support becoming physical as well as emotional in the wake of the revelations. Both of them still looked conflicted, though, as was to be expected.
“I believe you can count upon her discretion.” Rex’s lips twitched, and so did Walter’s after a moment, although Roger looked as though he might still need convincing. But then, he would not have personally encountered Mary yet. Rex had noticed Roger deliberately avoided the Hood family in social settings when he ventured out in Society.
“Mary is nothing if not discreet.” Walter laughed, but there was no humor to the sound. He shook his head. “I had not realized… Well, I suppose she knows what she is marrying into.” Making a face, he shook his head again, this time more as if he was trying to shake a thought from his mind. “I am not sure I needed to know such things about my cousin.”
“Perhaps she feels the same way,” Roger teased, finally speaking up to ease the tension. It had been the right thing to say; Walter chuckled and relaxed even further.
“I suppose so.” Turning his attention back to Rex, the expression on Walter’s face had morphed into apologetic. “I am sorry… I…”
“You are protective of your cousin.” Rex smiled, holding out his hand to take Walter’s and confirm there was no harm done. “I feel the same way.”
Interest piqued, Walter studied Rex for a long moment before giving his hand a shake and pulling away.
“Congratulations,” he murmured before he turned, throwing his last few words over his shoulder. “And good luck.”
A frisson of premonition crawled up Rex’s spine like a shiver sinking deep into his bones. Luck, eh? For some reason, he thought he might need it.
Mary
“Mary is getting married, Mary is getting married,” Arabella chanted under her breath, turning the sentence into a silly song that made Mary giggle despite her nerves. Arabella carefully finished weaving the strand of pearls through Mary’s curls, something she had insisted on doing herself.
“You look beautiful,” Josie gushed, coming to stand behind Mary and peer over her shoulder into the mirror. “A little pale but beautiful.”
“You should have stopped talking after the first sentence.” Lily nudged Josie out of the way and leaned down to kiss Mary’s cheek. “Besides, brides are supposed to be pale, are they not?”
“Likely frightened of the wedding night.” Josie bobbed around to Mary’s other side, Arabella watching her with amusement. “Are you frightened of tonight, Mary?”
Of course, she would have to ask that. Groaning, Mary shook her head, ignoring the heat that flared in her cheeks. Well, at least she was no longer so pale. The ivory dress with its gold edging made her skin appear even creamier than usual, and she could see some of the red in her hair glinting through. Behind her, Josie was pretty in light pink jonquil and Lily coolly mysterious in a light grey damask. Arabella’s dress was the same gold as the edging on Mary’s dress.
Mary had asked Arabella to stand with her for two reasons—so she did not have to choose between her friends and to stop any wagging tongues who remembered Hartford had courted Arabella first. Arabella’s presence beside her at the altar would put thetonon notice that she supported the union and cut the gossipmongers off before they could begin to trod down that path.
Unfortunately, Felix and Gabrielle were going to miss the day, though they sent their congratulations and a warm letter expressing their hope they would see the happy couple soon. Mary hoped she would be happy by the time shewasable to visit them.
“Is it time to talk about the wedding night now?” Cynthia, Countess of Spencer, was sprawled out on Mary’s bed, although Mary was not entirely sure why she was there. She had come in with Arabella but had stayed out of the way of the actual preparations. Resplendent in a dark pink gown that dipped perilously low in front for a day gown, displaying a fair amount of her ample bosom, she sat up, looking far more energetic than before.
Arabella turned to her, frowning. “We cannot talk about it yet, not with…” She tilted her head in Josie and Lily’s direction.
Immediately, Josie and Lily began to protest.
“We should not have to leave…”
“Why can we not stay?”
Snorting derisively, Cynthia got to her feet, waving at the two indignant young women and fixing Arabella with a stern look.
“Like how Gabrielle and I sent you from the room before our discussions?” Cynthia asked. Arabella’s mouth opened and closed, and Mary was fascinated to see her at a loss for words. Very few people could put Arabella in her place, and she had honestly not expected Cynthia to do so. “If you wish to preserve your privacy and speak to Mary alone, that is your prerogative. However, I do not care if Misses Pennyworth and Davis hear my advice as well. They might learn something.”
