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Chapter 26
Sarah closed the door and leaned her back upon it, taking her face in her hands. There was so much to contend with, so why was Sarah so happy deep down? She was impossibly in love, she had to admit, and what’s more, she trusted Patrick Day. So odd to trust someone whom she met while he was in disguise.
She walked over to the window and watched as the guests all returned on their horses. Sarah instantly spotted her sister, and her father, riding beside the duke. How could her father be so keen on her marrying Lord Edward Guilford? There was one answer and one alone: money. Surely, when Patrick said that her father cared for her happiness, he must have been mistaken.
Sarah had to wonder what supper would have in store that evening. All the guests knew about the scandal, the engagement, the rouse. Sarah was quite sure that it was all that anyone could talk of. As her lady-in-waiting entered, Sarah was convinced that she must know, as well.
“I have fresh linens for you, ma’am.”
“I thank you,” Sarah replied.
“Would you like me to wait to change the bed?”
“No, it’s quite all right. You may do it now.”
Sarah seated herself in the chair by the window while the lady changed the linens. Within moments after peeling off the sheets, the lady’s eyes went wide with shock as she held up Patrick’s cravat.
She felt her heart pound in her chest, and then a deep flush came to Sarah’s cheek. But what should she be ashamed of? Patrick was to be her husband. They’d slept in the same bed and barely touched one another. Sarah had nothing to fear.
She tilted her chin into the air. “That is my fiancé’s cravat.”
“I see,” the lady replied, inspecting it.
“You may return it to Lord Reginald’s … Patrick’s room,” Sarah said, correcting herself.
“As you wish, ma’am,” the lady said, setting the cravat aside and continuing to make the bed.
Sarah sighed to herself. The instance was rather humorous, and Sarah even felt the inclination to laugh. All things said, to the outside eye, the situation must look extreme, at best.
Once the bed was made, the lady helped Sarah into her evening clothes—even though it was only late afternoon—as there was to be a candlelight get-together on the veranda just as soon as the sun set. Sarah assumed that it would be a magical night, and hopefully, the special time outdoors would help to clear some tension that all the guests at the estate felt.
After Sarah was dressed, the lady excused herself to go to Patrick’s room to return the cravat. No doubt, he’d find the situation just as humorous as Sarah did.
Inspecting herself in the mirror, Sarah was finally quite alone. She cocked her head to the side and examined her lavender gown. The lady had placed little jeweled combs in her hair. All in all, Sarah looked nothing like the girl in pink that was depicted in the portrait hanging in her room back in London. Sarah was a woman now, just as Lisbeth had said.
As she had that thought, her sister was the next one to come through the door.
“Oh, Sarah! I’m so excited about tonight.”
“Yes, I assume that it will be lovely,” Sarah replied, adjusting one of her crystal earrings.
“Do you think they’ll serve champagne?”
Sarah laughed to herself. “Lisbeth, if you have any doubt as to whether or not they’ll serve champagne, then I’d say that you haven’t been at this estate for the last week.”
“So marvellous,” Lisbeth said dreamily. “The men will all wear their best suits.”
“As they do every night.”
“And I’ll wear my finest peach gown.” Lisbeth looked out the window. “I’m so happy that the rain has abated. We had a marvellous ride in the countryside, but the grass was too damp for a picnic.” She momentarily frowned. “Now, I’m starving.”
“Even more reason to anticipate the evening ahead. I’m sure that hors d’oeuvres will be passed.”
Lisbeth clutched her tummy. “That is very good to hear.”
“Lisbeth, shouldn’t you return to your room to be dressed?”
“I’d rather have your lady dress me. She’s far better than my lady.”
