“I love you.” It was so good to be able to say that and know it was true.
“I love you too. Sleep.”
Her maid woke Alice early in the morning. “My lady. We are departing within two hours.”
“That is not much time at all.” She grabbed her robe and rose. Giving one last look at her beloved, she left the room. She truly did wish they did not have to leave Whippoorwill Manor, but there was so much to do to prepare for the wedding.
Giff was waiting for her when she left her chamber. She took his hand. “No one is panicking about breakfast this morning.”
“Which means they are doing what I told them to do.”
Yesterday while she and Giff had visited tenants, her nieces and nephews had taken boats out onto the lake, ridden ponies, and played in the maze. They barely made it through dinner before they were falling asleep. This was the perfect place to raise children. She touched her stomach. She could already be pregnant. “When are they going to let the groom go?”
“An hour after we leave.”
“Good.” Considering Normanby only had a pair for a traveling coach, there was no way the groom could catch them on the road. “I wish I could ride with you.”
“Your sister would not allow it. Once we reached the toll road, it wouldn’t be possible.”
They would be lucky if there was not talk from the inn Normanby had taken her to. Thank God Lady Bellamny had been there. And Giff. If he had not immediately followed, they would not be preparing to wed.
“There you two are,” his mother exclaimed. “Have you decided where the wedding should take place?”
Alice took her place at the foot of the table. “I have. I will give the decision over to you and Grace.”
“Intelligent girl,” Con whispered from her left.
On her right, Rothwell nodded his agreement.
“Before I forget,” the duchess said. “I remembered to bring a selection of family rings. Alice, you may choose the one you wish to have as your betrothal and wedding ring.”
Matt took out his pocket watch and flattened his lips. “Make it fast. I wish to depart soon.”
She gave him a look Alice doubted he had received in years and signaled to a footman. “Please have my maid bring the ring case down.”
The servant left immediately.
Giff caught her eye. His sparkled with laughter. “Thank you, Mamma.”
“You are welcome, my son. This must be done properly after all. We will put it about that the gathering was planned to celebrate your betrothal.”
Alice had been wondering what the duchess had decided. And now she knew. Having her as well as Alice’s family and Lady Bellamny would depress any talk. No one would want to be on the wrong side of those ladies. The duchess smiled at her and lifted a teacup. Alice saluted her in return.
When the box arrived, her sisters gathered around as she inspected the rings. One stood out. It was a square sapphire with small diamonds on the sides. “This one.”
Giff came to her. “Allow me.” He slid it onto her left ring finger. “Perfect. I believe there is a parure that goes with it. Mamma?”
“There is. I will give them to her as a wedding present.”
Which meant they were Alice’s to keep. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Now that that is settled,” Matt said, “it is time we depart.” He glanced at Grace. “When is the next large entertainment?”
She worried her bottom lip and glanced at the duchess. “Tonight.”
His mother’s eyes flew wide. “My ball! The plans were made so long ago I completely forgot.” She pushed her chair back and rose. “We must go immediately. I would like all of you to dine with us.” A sly expression donned on her face. “We will put it about very quietly that this is where we planned to announce the betrothal.”
“What an excellent idea,” Grace said rising as well.
“Alice.”
“Your grace?”
“You shall wear the sapphire parure this evening.”
That would certainly make a statement.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
This was better than her come out ball. Alice twirled in front of the mirror. Her gown was so creamy it looked like butter. The parure consisted of a gold filigree necklace in which square sapphires dropped down like flowers from gold and diamond leaves. The earrings were of the same design. The sapphires in the bracelet and tiara were set into the leaves. The pins holding Alice’s hair had light-green tips that matched the embroidery on her gown.
A knock came on the door, and her maid opened it. Eleanor and Madeine stood there smiling. Alice almost fell into their arms. “How did you arrive so soon?”
“Well.” Eleanor had a sheepish look on her face. “After Madeline’s wedding, we all decided to stay in Richmond at a house John and I have. We were certain you would wed soon, and we wanted to ensure we were close by.”
Tears filled Alice’s eyes. “I have missed you so very much.”
“We have missed you too.” Madeline hugged her again. “We are overjoyed for you. All along we knew there was something between you and St. Albans.”
