The Scandalous Adventures of the Sister of the Bride

by Victoria Alexander

  “Or a wedding,” Teddy added.

  Delilah sipped her tea. “I shall keep that in mind as well.”

  Teddy also knew most of Delilah’s secrets just as Delilah knew most of Teddy’s. Others might suspect the truth of it but Delilah was certain she was the only one who actually knew Lady Theodosia and her mother, the Countess of Sallwick, were not merely amusing themselves with their wedding and party planning services but needed the income.

  “I do intend to marry,” Teddy said. “I just find it remarkably difficult to find the right man.”

  “Yes, there is that,” Delilah said under her breath. A vision of Mr. Russell’s enticing smile flashed through her mind. His face had an unnerving tendency to appear from nowhere whenever the topic turned toward desirable men and marriage, especially now.

  Delilah had tried to put him completely out of her mind and indeed there had been days when she scarcely thought of him at all. Unfortunately, he was there very nearly every time she closed her eyes. It was both annoying and pointless. She would never see him again after all. But ever since her return to Millworth, recollections of him had stubbornly taken up residence in the back of her mind. It was due no doubt to the upcoming wedding and all those bloody Americans who would soon be invading.

  It was certainly not because he was the right man. Far from it. Mr. Samuel Russell was the complete opposite of the type of man she planned on for her second husband. Aside from any number of other reasons, he was an American. That would never do. Besides which he was an adventure. Adventures were meant to be brief, enjoyable, and finite. And best kept to oneself. He was one secret she would never share even with her closest friend.

  “Well then.” A wicked gleam sparked in Camille’s eyes. “We should indeed go over the guest list. We might be able to pick out your future husband as well as Delilah’s.”

  Teddy laughed. “I would much rather pick him out in person than from a list, thank you very much.”

  “I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you don’t already know every single person on that list already.” Camille tapped Teddy’s notebook with a pointed finger.

  “Nor would I.” Teddy wrinkled her nose. “Which is no doubt part of the problem. I should like to meet someone new. Someone different.” She thought for a moment. “Someone who, I don’t know, doesn’t know my family, my background. Someone I haven’t known, who hasn’t known me, for much of my life. Which I think is one of the problems of the society we live in. There’s never any new blood. It’s just the same people, the same families, it’s just so . . . Well, I think expected is the right word. I would like something or rather someone unexpected.”

  “An adventure,” Delilah said under her breath.

  “Exactly.” Teddy beamed at her friend. “I want a man to be an adventure. To be unknown and new and exciting.”

  “And make your heart race,” Delilah said without thinking.

  Camille and Teddy stared at her.

  “Isn’t that what an adventure does?” Delilah said quickly. “Make your heart race? Doesn’t Grayson make your heart race?”

  “He always has.” Camille’s satisfied smile had returned. “Perhaps one of Grayson’s American friends would suit for your adventure, Teddy. They’re not titled but I’m fairly certain they all have tidy fortunes.”

  “I’m not sure I wish to go all the way to America for a suitable match.” Teddy sipped her tea thoughtfully. “Although that would certainly be unexpected and quite an adventure.”

  “You have no idea,” Delilah said more to herself than the others. Especially if they were deliciously handsome with hard bodies and laughing brown eyes.

  Camille studied the wedding planner for a moment. “Aside from the unexpected, Teddy, what do you want? What are you looking for in a prospective husband?”

  “I don’t know really. I do know I want someone who isn’t looking for a debutante in her first season. I have, after all, reached the overly-ripe age of twenty-six.” Teddy cast the others a rueful smile.

  “As have we both,” Delilah said mildly.

  There was nothing she could do to alleviate Teddy’s concern about age, a concern Delilah shared to a certain extent. But Teddy really had nothing to worry about. With her tall stature, rich red hair, and air of competence and intelligence, she was at once classic and unique. Delilah had long thought Teddy fit in far better in terms of appearance with Camille and Beryl than Delilah did. The twins were tall and blond and annoyingly perfect beauties. While the blue of Delilah’s eyes did match her sisters, she was several inches shorter, her figure a bit fuller and her hair a definite, dark brown. Regardless, her mirror said she was quite lovely even if she had always felt rather plain when standing next to the goddess twins. As such, she could certainly understand Teddy’s concern about a real or imagined flaw. “And I’m not the least bit worried.”

  “You’re a widow. You’ve been married. If this was a game, you’ve already been chosen once. You’re simply playing again. No one has ever chosen, or rather married, me.” Teddy stirred sugar into her tea.

  “That’s not entirely true, is it?” Delilah pointed out.

  “That was a dreadful mistake.” Teddy’s tone hardened. “I wasted nearly a year in an engagement to a man who was not at all right for me. I consider myself lucky that I did not marry him.”

  Camille’s eyes widened. “What happened?”

  Teddy sipped her tea, her manner matter-of-fact. “He died.”

  Camille winced. “Oh dear.”

  “You needn’t look like that, Camille,” Delilah said. “It’s not as if she did away with him.”

  “Although I might have had to resort to that if we had actually married,” Teddy said with a shrug and a sharp look at Delilah.

  This was not something Teddy liked talking about and Delilah knew better than to bring it up. “But you have had other offers since then. None of which you’ve accepted.”

  “Fortunately I learn from my mistakes and I have very high standards.” Teddy adopted a lofty tone. “And on the vine of matrimonial bliss, I have yet to be . . .” She rested the back of her hand against her forehead in a theatrical manner and heaved a dramatic sigh. “Plucked.”

  Delilah tried not to choke. That was one secret of Teddy’s she’d take to her grave.

  Camille laughed. “I wouldn’t let my mother hear you say that. She claims she is not the type of mother to interfere in her children’s lives but we know better. She simply can’t resist meddling.” Camille traded a long-suffering look with her sister. “Even though you’re not her daughter, Teddy, she would take your comment as a challenge. She’d have you wed in no time regardless of your standards. But you have evaded my question. Unexpected is not a good answer.”

  “I suppose if I knew the answer to what I was looking for, I would know where to find it. Or him.” Teddy thought for a moment. “I suppose all I want is what you and Grayson have found.” She toyed absently with her spoon. “It’s quite remarkable you know and terribly obvious to anyone around the two of you. I can’t tell you how many weddings my mother and I have planned when neither the bride nor the groom looked especially happy about their union. What you have is exceedingly rare.”

  “No one is more aware of that than I am. And no one is more grateful.” Camille smiled. “I hope the two of you find that one day.” She glanced at Delilah. “If that’s what you want of course.”

  “Well, I for one, have a plan,” Delilah said. “I find things have always worked out quite nicely when I have a plan.”

  Camille and Teddy exchanged glances as if each knew Delilah well enough to know what she was thinking. Absurd of course. While Teddy probably knew Delilah better than anyone in the world, Camille scarcely knew her at all. Camille and Beryl were five years older than their younger sister, old enough that their lives had never particularly included her. Although admittedly all three sisters were making an effort to change that. Why, hadn’t Delilah accompanied Camille and Grayson on their brief trip to the cit
y of New York for the exact purpose of getting to know her sister better?

  And hadn’t that worked out well? a little voice whispered in the back of her head.

  She pushed the thought aside. She had come to know Camille, and even Beryl, much better in the months since Christmas when they had vowed to make an effort to be, well, sisters rather than merely blood relations.

  “A plan?” Camille’s brow rose. “What kind of plan?”

  “Oh, Dee always has a plan of some sort.” Teddy cast her friend an affectionate smile. “She’s had plans for as long as I’ve known her about one thing or another.”

  “I’ve heard about your plans,” Camille said slowly.

  “From Mother I assume.”

  Camille nodded.

  “Then you have heard the majority of them turn out most successfully.”

  “Well, yes, I have heard that as well.” Camille nodded.

  Teddy wisely held her tongue.

  “Perhaps you have forgotten.” Delilah ticked the points off on her fingers. “I had a plan for exactly the kind of man I intended to marry. No less than a viscount, a sizable income, and no previous wives or children to muck things up. I married exactly as I was expected to.”

  “I thought that was our mother’s plan,” Camille said in an aside to Teddy.

  “Regardless it was an excellent plan,” Delilah said. And exactly the same plan followed by her older sisters. “And proved to be exceptionally well thought out.” Although admittedly she had not thought Phillip would die at such a young age. He had scarcely passed his forty-third year. Dashing, charming, unobtainable Phillip.

  “After Phillip died, I decided upon a plan whereas I would actively begin looking for a new husband once he had been deceased for three years.” She paused to collect her thoughts. “I must confess though it’s not entirely my idea. Phillip left a letter along with his will in which he suggested I mourn no more than six months and remarry again after two to three years. That time has now passed.”

  “Wasn’t that thoughtful of him,” Teddy offered with a pleasant enough smile that wasn’t the least bit genuine. It was the mark of a true friend that while Delilah might have forgiven Phillip, Teddy never would.

  “It was thoughtful,” Delilah said firmly. “But I haven’t had a plan since Phillip’s death and now I do.”

  “I see.” Camille considered her sister thoughtfully. “And does your plan include the name of your future husband?”

  “Don’t be silly.” Delilah scoffed. “I haven’t selected my next husband. I don’t know that I’ve met him yet but it’s possible that I have. I have more, oh, requirements, I suppose than an actual individual.” Once again, she counted the points off on her fingers. “One, I want a title at least equal to my own.”

  “One would hate for you to have to give up being Viscountess Hargate for simply being Lady Whoever,” Teddy said.

  Delilah ignored the sarcasm in her friend’s voice. “Exactly. One should always marry up. It defeats the purpose to marry down. Two, he should have a fortune again at least equal to my own. I agree that a woman should not be wealthier than her husband.” She paused. “Although I shall follow Beryl’s example in terms of legalities and make certain my funds remain mine.”

  “Very wise. One never knows what might happen in life.” Camille nodded.

  “I want him to be intelligent. Perhaps even of a scholarly nature.”

  “Scholarly?” Doubt rang in Teddy’s voice.

  “I cannot abide stupid men.” Delilah shuddered. “I prefer a man who can carry on an interesting conversation. One who isn’t overly amusing—”

  “Can’t have that,” Camille said.

  “Although I wouldn’t mind a droll sort of wit. And above all, I want a gentleman of honor, of good English stock. A man who understands the value of tradition and heritage. One who treasures the symbols of that heritage like Millworth Manor and Hargate Hall.” Delilah’s gaze shifted between her sister and her friend. “Is that too much to ask?”

  “Probably.” Camille chuckled then sobered. “But what of love?”

  Teddy shot Delilah a quick look.

  “You haven’t mentioned love or passion,” Camille continued. “This time, Delilah, don’t you want that?”

  “Not necessarily. With the right match, love will surely come in time. Love is much more difficult to find than a suitable income and much less important.” Delilah refilled her cup. “And a suitable income would come in handy at the moment.”

  “What do you mean?” Camille’s eyes narrowed. “Phillip left you a fortune. Don’t tell me you’ve gone through it.”

  “That’s not all like you, Dee.” Teddy stared at her friend.

  “Of course it’s not like me. And it’s nothing of the sort. It’s a . . . oh, a legal difficulty I would say.” Delilah braced herself. She couldn’t continue to hide the truth forever. Still, she had avoided it up till now and had hoped it would be resolved before she had to mention it to her family and her closest friend. She chose her words carefully and adopted a casual tone. As if this was of no importance whatsoever. “While I had always assumed Phillip had no heirs, indeed he thought the same, there seems to now be a claim on his—or rather my—properties and fortune and, well, everything from some scoundrel in Leister or somewhere thereabouts.”

  “Good Lord.” Camille stared.

  “My solicitors have assured me this is nothing more than a momentary annoyance. It should be resolved in no more than a few months although it does seem to be taking forever. Unfortunately, my assets are not available to me until this matter is settled. So you see . . .” Delilah cast them her brightest smile. “There is nothing to worry about at all.”

  “Nothing? Delilah.” Camille leaned closer and put her hand on her sister’s arm. “Nothing is exactly what you could end up with. And you are not the type of woman to survive long without money.”

  “I admit, it is a bit awkward. I have had to economize,” Delilah said smoothly but then she had known she would have to reveal her predicament eventually and she had practiced. Why, the word economize scarcely stuck in her throat at all now. “I have closed Hargate Hall and the house in London for the immediate future. I intend to stay here at Millworth until this is settled. With any luck at all, it will be over before the wedding.”

  “And if it isn’t resolved in your favor?”

  “I shall cross that road when I come to it.” That was a possibility Delilah tried not to consider even if it loomed in her mind nonetheless. “I am confident this is nothing more than a temporary inconvenience.”

  “When did you learn this?” Teddy asked.

  “Oh, let me think.” Delilah forced an offhand note to her voice. “Six weeks or so I believe, something like that.” Six weeks, two days, and twenty-some hours but she couldn’t be exact without looking at a clock.

  “Delilah.” Camille chose her words with obvious care. “I know we haven’t been especially close in the past—”

  Teddy choked then coughed and smiled apologetically.

  “—but I shall of course provide you with whatever funding you need.”

  “Thank you, but it hasn’t come to that yet. And I doubt that it will.” Delilah had practiced that air of confidence as well.

  “Are you sure?” Worry colored Camille’s face.

  “Quite. But I do appreciate the offer.” She drew a deep breath. “And if you don’t mind, I’d much prefer not to discuss it further. It does tend to make my head pound.”

  Teddy nodded. “Understandable.”

  “So you can see why a suitable income would be appreciated,” Delilah said in hopes of steering the conversation in a different direction.

  This was not something she wished to talk about, even with her sister and her dearest friend. It was bad enough that it was scarcely ever off her mind. Bad enough that a heavy weight that felt suspiciously like doom had settled in the pit of her stomach the moment she’d been informed about this difficulty, six weeks, two days, an
d twenty-some hours ago. She had never been an especially patient person and waiting to find out her financial fate was wearing on her nerves. The only time her finances were out of her mind was when her thoughts turned to Mr. Russell. Which was every bit as disconcerting.

  “Even so.” Camille studied her sister. “Don’t you want to find what Beryl and I have found? Don’t you want to be happy?”

  “I fully intend to be happy. However, it’s been my observation that love does not ensure happiness. One only has to look at the trials and tribulations you and Grayson have experienced to see that. No, I think life is much easier without allowing emotions to muck things up.” Delilah shrugged. “I shall be quite happy with a man with a respectable title and impressive fortune.”

  “And should he be handsome as well?” Teddy teased. “Tall and broad-shouldered with a square jaw and a twinkle of amusement in his dark, smoldering eyes?”

  “Goodness, Teddy. You’ve been reading romantic novels again. I am not so shallow as to judge a man on his appearance. Why, that would be the very definition of shallow.”

  The other women glanced at each other then burst into laughter.

  “I know what you’re thinking.” Delilah huffed. “And choosing a man for his position and his fortune is not the least bit shallow. It’s practical.”

  Teddy grinned. “So you wouldn’t refuse to consider a man who was handsome?”

  “That too would be silly, if he met all of my other requirements. This is absurd.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I will confess, I don’t want a man whose visage would make small children run in fear. I will have to share his bed after all. He should be of acceptable appearance. And I would prefer that he not be more than ten years older than I. I would like my next marriage to last longer than the mere five years my first marriage did.”