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“You’ll be welcome to visit me,” Lady Marcella continued.
“On the Hurrow estate or at the townhouse,” Reginald added. “London can be quite enjoyable, even if it’s not during the Season.”
He couldn’t possibly take Lady Marcella to the parts of London he frequented, though. They would be wholly inappropriate for a lady like her, or so he assumed. Truthfully, Reginald hadn’t the faintest idea of what Lady Marcella might like, save for kisses in the rain. She’d seemed to enjoy that quite a bit.
“Indeed,” Simon replied dryly. “London is a nice enough place, although I much prefer the country to the city.”
Lady Adeline linked her arm with Lady Marcella’s. “I do love London! The shopping and the balls,” Lady Adeline said with a dreamy expression.
Lady Marcella nodded, but she didn’t look particularly enthusiastic. “Well, I suppose it’s time for the party?” she asked instead.
Lady Adeline grinned. “I’ll meet you at the estate,” she said. “Congratulations, again.”
Despite Lady Adeline’s cheer, Reginald caught the look exchanged between the two women. Lady Adeline’s eyes were soft and sympathetic. She must’ve known how little her friend wanted to be wed.
“Why don’t you go with your friend, My Lady?” Reginald asked. “I’ll meet you at the party.”
Lady Marcella looked taken aback, but she offered him a small nod. “If you insist. I think that’s a good idea.”
She and Adeline walked away, their skirts swishing together as they forged a path from the chapel. With a laugh and a smile, Lady Castamere bade farewell to Reginald’s aunt Blaire and followed her stepdaughter.
“Your bride seems eager to leave you,” Simon said.
That comment wouldn’t have hurt if it wasn’t true. Reginald forced himself to relax, so he wouldn’t inadvertently reveal just how horrid the whole affair was. “So she does,” he said instead. “I assume she probably just needs some time with her friend. Ladies have to gossip about everything, you know.”
“Lady Marcella isn’t the usual lady,” Simon replied.
“No,” Reginald agreed. “But she’s still a woman, and women like to have support.”
“Do they?” Simon asked. “I don’t suppose I’ve ever contemplated the interests of ladies all that often.”
“That is why you remain unwed,” Blaire said, joining them. “I think most men would be wiser if they paid ladies more mind.”
Simon nodded. “As you say, Mother.”
Blaire smiled. “Congratulations, Reginald. I can’t even tell you how much it warms my heart to see you and Lady Marcella happily wed.”
Reginald nodded. “I…I think it may be too soon to determine if the marriage will yet be a happy one,” he confessed. “It wounds my heart to say it, but…”
“But I’m quite certain Lady Marcella will fall in love with you in due time,” Blaire said. “You’re a man of fine breeding and come from a long line of worthy people.”
But is that all that matters? Is that all that I have in my favor?
