by Ella Quinn
“Too soon.” He gave a heartfelt groan, then rolled her onto her back. “I could spend the rest of my life here with you.”
“Hmmm. I think that is what honeymoons are for.” Except she hoped they did not have to wait until then to do—to make love again. “But I think I can find a great many things that I must do here.”
The smile Alex gave her lit Dorie from deep inside. “I hope so.”
“My lord.” A knock sounded on the door. “I have Lady Dorie’s maid with me.”
She grabbed at the linens and tried to cover herself. “I thought all the servants were gone?”
“It’s Flemings, my valet. He won’t enter without permission, and he did bring your maid.”
She pushed back her hair. “I supposed I should be happy about that. I’d never have got my hair up again. But why is he here?”
“He’s been with me for years, and he knew I was going to propose to you, and that I’d arranged to have my sisters and their governess go out for the day, and gave the servants the rest of the day free.”
Alex sounded like Henrietta. “And the rings were here. You do not need to go on. I see how he managed to guess what we would be doing.” She rose onto one elbow. “I had better take a look at my apartment while I’m getting dressed.” Glancing over the side of the bed, she saw the mess her clothes were in. “I hope Curran brought another gown.”
He rose from the bed and for the first time, Dorie saw all six foot plus of strong male body. The muscles in his back flowed as he sauntered across the room. To think he was all hers.. “Two weeks is too long.”
“It is.” He took a brightly colored banyan from a peg and handed it to her. “But you will never convince your mother to agree to shorten the time.”
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she shrugged on the dressing gown and scooped up her clothing. “Shall we go to Rundell and Bridge after we dress?”
“We shall.” Still naked, he wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll drive this time. It will be more convenient.”
“I agree.” He backed her up to the connecting door, kissing her as they went, then opened it. “Let me know when you’re ready.”
She turned into the bedchamber and gasped. “Well, this must change. Immediately.”
Her maid opened the last window. “Yes, indeed.” Curran ran her finger along one of the old-fashioned wooden chair tops and it came up black.
Dorie opened the door again. “Exeter, have you ever seen this room?”
“You might want me to put something on before I do. How bad is it?”
“It’s filthy, the hangings are falling apart, and it looks as if no one has been in here in years.”
Dressed only in his shirt, he poked his head into the chamber and his lips tightened. “I shall dress in the dressing room. You will have the bedchamber. As soon as we’re done, we shall speak with Mrs. Wooton.”
Dorie nodded. “I am shocked that she allowed the room to sink into such disrepair.”
“I am as well. There must be a reason.”
Alex went back into his bedchamber, and once he disappeared through another door, she and Curran went into the bedroom.
Three quarters of an hour later, the housekeeper sat in front of Alex’s desk. Dorie had decided to take the chair next to Mrs. Wooton’s so that she would feel more comfortable. Still, he’d had to take several deep breaths. It had not even occurred to him to inspect the marchioness’s apartments. The rest of the house was spotless. There was no reason he could see why those rooms should not be as well.
Dorie glanced at him and he nodded. She would soon be the mistress of this house, she’d be better start as she intended to go on. “Mrs. Wooton, Lord Exeter brought me over to look at the house. As you are aware, I am familiar with much of it, but was”—she paused—“surprised at the state of the mistress’s rooms.” Alex would have used much stronger language. His love was much more diplomatic than he was. “Can you tell me why they are in that condition?”
The housekeeper nodded. “Years ago, his lordship’s father ordered that no one enter them even to clean them. Not since before Lady Phillida was born. And before that, no one did anything to refurbish them.” Mrs. Wooton glanced at Alex. “Those furnishings and all the hangings date to your grandmother’s time if not before.”
“My grandmother’s? Why didn’t my mother change them?”
“I can’t answer that, my lord. I just don’t know.” She tapped her fingers together. “I can tell you that after your parents stopped …well, separated, she slept in the green room.”
Dorie nodded. “They will be redecorated now. First, the rooms must be cleaned, and all the furnishings and hangings removed.”
“Thank you, my lady. Those chambers have been an embarrassment.” The housekeeper looked as if she’d like to kiss Dorie’s feet. “I should have mentioned it to his lordship, but with everything else going on, I didn’t think about them. I’ll have it done straightaway.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wooton. I know you will do an excellent job.”
Once she left, Alex looked at Dorie. “Another mystery.”
“Not so much of one. I have no idea why your mother did not redecorate. Perhaps she liked the rooms the way they were. I do know she did not spend more than a few weeks in Town for the past several years. I suppose by then she and your father, for all intents and purposes, had separated.”
“I can’t imagine my father ordering no one to enter the rooms.” He’d known a very different man than his mother had known. “He probably thought to punish her for not forgiving him for the affair.”
“I suppose in his mind that made sense.” The corners of her lips pulled down. “Even when he engaged in a bigamous marriage.”
He stood and went to Dorie. “Let’s go. I’m tired of trying to understand my parents.” He held her hand as they made their way to the garden. He still didn’t want anyone to see them until after their betrothal was announced this evening.
When they arrived at Rundell and Bridge his groom took charge of the horses. “Ask if they can size the ring while we wait.” Alex wanted Dorie wearing something of his. “It doesn’t take very long to make one smaller.”
“It would be nice to be able to wear it this evening.” She smiled and tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.
He hoped they would always see eye to eye, but that was a castle in the air. It would also make life boring. A good argument led to making up. He looked forward to that.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
While Dorie took care of having the ring refitted, Alex surveyed the loose jewels. Speaking in a low voice, he told the clerk, “I want a necklace and earrings made to either match or coordinate with my lady’s ring. And I’d like them ready for our wedding in two weeks.”
“Very good, my lord. I shall tell our jeweler. You will be notified when the drawings are ready.”
“I would also like a necklace and earrings to take with me. Something suitable for a ball.” The clerk brought out three trays and he finally chose a gold and pearl set. If he’d been thinking of it earlier, he would have gone through all the Exeter jewels. Then again, he wanted to give her something that was her own and did not belong to the estate. Although thinking of that, he’d have his valet have them all cleaned before the wedding.
Dorie joined him. “What are you discussing?”
The clerk made himself scarce. “I am planning a surprise for you.”
“How lovely.” She beamed at him, and he couldn’t wait until they were finally married. “We missed tea, but there is still time to have a drive in the Park.”
“There is, isn’t there.” He couldn’t remember the last time they had driven together during the Grand Strut. Although the official announcement of their engagement was this evening, there was no reason why he couldn’t tell anyone they happened to see that he and Dorie were betrothed.
“My lady,” a clerk said as he came out from the back bearing the ring on a velvet cloth. “If you could try the ring on.”
“Of course.” Alex took the ring and slid it on her finger. “This is much better. I shan’t be afraid of it falling off.”
It looked perfect on her, but he’d like it even better when it was on her left hand. “Do you wish to look at anything else, or shall we be off?”
She took his arm again. “I am ready to go.”
One of the first people they came across upon reaching the Park was Lord Bottomley. “Lady Dorie,” he said, a little too possessively for Alex’s taste.
“My lord, how are you today?” She inclined her head, but he sidled closer as if he’d take her hand.
“I am well and have begged the deities that you will honor me with a waltz this evening.”
“Rough luck, Bottomley, she has no sets left for you.” Alex gave the man a smug smile. “You see, we are betrothed. Any dances she has not already promised are mine.”
He enjoyed watching Bottomley’s eyes bug out, as his mouth flapped like a fish. Eventually, he was able to speak. “But you were courting Miss Chatham.”
“No, I was protecting Miss Chatham until Dursley returned from the Continent. I expect you will soon hear of their betrothal.”
“I shall wish you happy, then,” Bottomley said, not sounding glad at all, and took himself off.
Dorie gave Alex a narrow-eyed look. “Are you going to do that with every gentleman we meet?”
“I did tell you that if I had to wait until today to propose, all your dances were mine.” He’d done his best to use a superior tone but had trouble keeping his laughter in.
She just shook her head. “For whatever reason, I did not believe you.”
“Now that hurts.” He placed his hand over his heart. “I have never given you any reason to doubt my word.” And he never would.
“It is not that.” She gave him a searching look. “I merely thought you were jesting.”
Alex pulled the carriage up to the verge and took her hands in his. “I will never joke about us. I do want all your dances this evening, and if we come across anyone to whom you have already promised a set, I’ll do my best to talk or bribe him out of it.”
Dorie’s eyes looked a little watery, and her lips trembled. “Would you truly?”
“I am true blue and will never stain.” His use of the childhood oath brought a smile to her face. “My love, you mean everything to me.”
“I cannot tell you how glad I am to be marrying you.”
“And I you.” He dropped his gaze to her lips. “Do you think I could get away with kissing you here?”
“Lady Dorie.” Lord Belmont rode up to them. “You are proposing to her here, are you, Exeter?”
“No.” Her gold flecks shone in her eyes as they danced. She glanced at his lordship. “He proposed this morning.”
“Damn—I mean, dashed well done, Exeter, but don’t think I’m giving up my dance with your betrothed for you.”
“I hadn’t asked,” Alex objected.
“No, but you would have. All you love matches are the same.” Belmont had a self-satisfied smile on his face. “You’ll just have to suffer.”
“Rubbishing commoner.” Alex scowled.
“Worthless fribble.” Belmont rode off laughing.
Dorie sighed. “I suppose you were at school together?”
“Yes.” Alex glanced at her. “How did you know that?”
“Your insults that are not really insults. Huntley does that with his school friends.” She cast her gaze to the sky. “Ladies would never do anything like that.”
Interesting. He had much to learn about living in close contact with ladies. “Gentlemen only do it with their friends.”
“So I have surmised.” She looked around and waved at someone he didn’t know.
He kept an eye out for men who might have had sets promised to them but didn’t see anyone. Still, he was serious when he’d told her he wanted all her sets. “How many other gentlemen have you promised dances to?”
For a second she regarded him as if he was insane. “You are really going to do this?”
“Of course I am.” Then a thought niggled at him. “You do not expect a fashionable marriage, do you?”
“A fashionable—no.” She appeared startled, then apparently understood what he was asking. “If you require all my dances, my lord, you may have them.”
“Excellent.” She was probably going to hit him, but he grinned anyway. “This evening while we are in the receiving line, you can whisper to me when a gentleman to whom you gave a set appears, and I shall do my best to divest him of it.”
She touched two fingers to her forehead and rubbed. “You are mad.”
“My sister does that frequently with Merton.” Miss Stern pulled up accompanied by Lady Adeline. “I am pleased to see you are getting along so well.”
Her ladyship’s eyes brimmed with laughter. “We each received packages from Augusta today.”
“A new fabric called tulle she sent from Paris,” Miss Stern added. “Lady Worthington had them sent to our houses, so yours will be waiting for you.”
Dorie gave Alex an excited look and he knew she wanted to see the stuff. “I’ll have you home as soon as I can manage it.”
“Oh, and we wish you happy,” Lady Adeline called as Miss Stern started the carriage.
“Tell everyone,” he called back.
“Completely mad,” Dorie said drily.
No, just in love. Who knew falling in love would make the prospect of marriage even better?
* * * *
Shortly after Dorie and Exeter left to go to Exeter House, Caro and Huntley arrived.
“I take it the proposal went well,” Caro said.
Sally accepted a glass of champagne from Hugh and Huntley poured goblets for Caro and himself. “Extremely well.”
“Where are they?” he asked.
“If he is as intelligent as I give him credit for”—Sally took a sip of champagne. She might drink this the rest of the day as a present to herself for bringing this match about—“he is doing his best to get her into bed.” Her son spewed the fine French champagne all over himself. “Fortunately, it will not stain.”
“I cannot believe you just said that.” He took out a handkerchief and dabbed at his cravat and waistcoat. “You are talking about your daughter.”
“Yes, and my daughter should be marrying a man who loves her so much he cannot wait to make her his.” She slid a look at Hugh, who had downed his glass and was pouring another. “Is that not right, my love?”
Once he had taken another drink he schooled his countenance into a mask of perfect stoicism that was only ruined by the steamy look he gave her. “Perfectly correct, my love.”
She would have said something to her son about wanting to do the same, but their circumstances had been different and she did not want in any way to remind Caro of what had occurred when she was a girl.
Caro patted Huntley on his arm. “Perhaps we should pray for sons.”
“I think we’ll have to.” He finished his glass, strolled to the sideboard, and poured a brandy. “When will you announce the engagement?”
“Tonight at the ball,” Sally said. “I have sent a note around to Exeter House that Exeter will dine with us. I think Penelope and Phillida should dine with us as well. They can spend the night with Ophelia. I must have known this would be a special evening because I did not invite any of our friends to join us for dinner as I usually do.”
“I have always said you were prescient.” Hugh sat down next to her and slid his arm along the back of the sofa. His fingers sent shivers down her spine as they played with the curls at the back of her neck.
“Thankfully, it is only for good things.” She attempted
to maintain a calm tone. “I would not wish to know anything bad beforehand.”
Caro handed her glass to Huntley. “I’d like another, please.” Then she turned to Sally. “Is that what prompted your trip to France to find us?”
“Don’t you remember, they said they had received my letter,” Huntley said.
“We did.” Hugh glanced at Sally. “But before then your mother thought something was going on. She had the house in Paris arranged before your missive arrived.”
“Indeed.” She took another sip of wine. “You would not believe how long it takes to arrange a suitable house in Paris. Fortunately, Lady Elizabeth and Lady Harrington were able to assist me.”
Huntley glanced at Caro, whose eyes widened. “Do not look at me. If the sight ran in my family, my mother would not have walked in on us in Nancy.”
* * * *
It was after six that evening when Dorie returned to her parents’ house. It was strange that she had already started thinking of Exeter House as her home. Most likely because Alex had given her a free hand to redecorate as she saw fit, and she’d had control of it before he returned. It was a wonderful feeling knowing she finally had what she had been dreaming of. A gentleman who loved her, a house and estate to manage, and, hopefully, children would follow.
“My lady.” Curran had a bolt of a fine, rather stiff netting in a cream color so rich it was pale yellow on the bolt. “This came for you today. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Dorie opened the note her maid gave her as she slid her fingers under a piece of the fabric. “It is a new fabric called tulle. This is magnificent. But how to make it up?”
“Won’t it be fabulous to be the first lady to have a gown made of it,” Curran said.
“One of the first. Lady Adeline, Miss Stern, and Miss Featherton have received the tulle as well.” Dorie already had an appointment with the modiste in the morning. “We shall take this with us to Madame Fontaine. She might have some ideas.” When Dorie and Alex visited Paris, she would purchase more of the tulle in different colors.
