Lois Menzel (21 page)

“I have a better plan,” he said. “We will be married as soon as possible, by special license, in deference to my family’s recent bereavement. We will travel to the Continent, where we will join Tony and Mother and tell them personally of our marriage. Then we will go off on our own for several weeks of honeymoon in the Greek isles. Afterward, we can return to London as a family, all of us together, showing one united front. How does that sound to you?”

Then, without giving her an opportunity to answer, he kissed her again. “Unless, of course, you want a big, formal wedding,” he said, “which I know every woman wants.”

“I do not want a big, formal wedding, Robert. I only want you.”

Lavinia Demming had decided to cut short her visit to her sister in Richmond. If she hurried, she would be home in time to dress Celia for Almack’s. Lord Trevanian would be there—and perhaps Lord Walsh. He had waltzed with Celia, then surprisingly taken her driving. This behavior had given Lavinia food for thought.

When the butler relieved her of her cloak in the front hall, she said, “Is Miss Celia home, Walker?”

“Yes, madam. She and Miss Browne are in the sitting room.”

More to herself than to him, Lavinia muttered, “Good. I must speak with her.”

As she took a step toward the sitting room doors, Walker spoke again, “The young ladies are not alone, madam. They are entertaining callers.”

“At this time of day? Who?”

“The Earl of Walsh and Mr. John Hardy.”

Lavinia’s eyebrows rose with interest. “John Hardy is Walsh’s cousin, I believe,” she said, once again thinking aloud. “How long have the gentlemen been here, Walker?”

“They came at teatime.”

A quick glance at the hall clock showed Lavinia that it was well past five o’clock. “That is more than an hour, Walker! What can they be talking about so long?”

“I cannot say, madam. When I went in to collect the tea things, Miss Browne and Mr. Hardy were seated near the fire. Miss Celia and his lordship were sharing the window seat.”

Without another word, Lavinia turned and sailed off toward the sitting room, a smile as broad as the Thames upon her face.

Copyright © 1995 by Lois Menzel

Originally published by Fawcett (ISBN 0449223426)

Electronically published in 2013 by Belgrave House/Regency

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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.