Lady Alice’s brows rose. “Authors?”
Susanna nodded. “Yes.”
Her ladyship took the note and laughed lightly. “They have been very busy lately.”
The front door opened, followed by the parlor door opening. Two schoolroom ladies, one younger than the other with blond hair, the other older with dark chestnut hair, stood in the door.
“Come in,” Lady Alice said. “This is Miss Greenway. She has come to address your letter.”
The girls glanced at one another, entered the room, and took seats on the sofa.
“I am Lady Mary,” the blond girl said.
“And I am Lady Theo,” the older girl said. “We are happy you have come.”
“How will you deal with his lordship?” Lady Mary asked.
“I intend to wed him. Faults and all.” Lady Theo opened her mouth, and Lady Alice shook her head. “Firstly, I want you to know that we, my father and I, know about his debts.” She glanced at Lady Alice. “I did not know about you. However, I am not surprised. No doubt he thought to jilt me as soon as he wed you. I take it you do not plan to marry him?”
“Not at all.” A smile curved her lips. “I am betrothed to the Marquis of St. Albans. The Duke of Cleveland’s heir. We will marry in three days.”
Susanna was glad for the explanation of the relationships. She really would have to start memorizing Debrett’s. “I wish you happy, my lady. In his arrogance or haste, Lord Normanby signed the settlement agreement drafted by my father and myself. He will find that all the servants will be mine and loyal to me. He will have an allowance, but nothing more. And as soon as he gives me two sons he may do as he wishes, but not in England. There was one other complication.” All three ladies nodded, which surprised Susanna. “It has been dealt with in a manner of which I believe you will approve.”
“She will be treated well.” Lady Mary stated flatly.
“Extremely well.” After speaking with the woman, Susanna had arranged for “Celeste” to be sent to her family who had been searching for her. “She is going home.”
Lady Theo stared at Susanna for several seconds. “Do you want to marry him?”
“I do not dislike the idea. I am marrying for the rank. So that my father will have a peer for a grandson. It is my mother’s dearest wish, and I shall not disappoint her. I might have a few duties I will dislike, but knowing I am in control of all aspects of the marriage will compensate me.” Lady Theo was still not convinced. “He will not harm me either physically or with words. If he does, I have a remedy. More than that I cannot say.”
Lady Alice rose. “Thank you for visiting us. After everything is settled, do you mind if I invite you to one of our charitable meetings? We will all be back in Town in autumn.”
“I would be delighted.” Susanna had never expected to be approved of so quickly.
“Wonderful.” Her ladyship held out her hand again. “I look forward to knowing you better.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Giff’s grandfather, uncles, aunts, and whatever older cousins had been around when Grandad decided to depart arrived from Scotland two days before the wedding and tried to enact the ritual of taking the bride and groom out separately to drink a great amount of whisky that they just happened to have brought with them. Giff took them to Worthington House to meet Alice and her family and to see how quickly his grandfather’s idea was shot down.
They were in a large drawing room drinking tea.
“Ye can no have a proper wedding without whisky,” his grandfather said fully expecting Grace to cede to his wishes.
But Grace, as Giff had been told to call her, squared off with his grandfather and put her dainty foot down. “No one is going to get drunk before this wedding. I leave it to you to do as you wish afterward.”
Brows raised, they stared at each other until his other family members began to fidget. “Are ye sure ye do nay have a tiny bit of Scots in ye? Ye’re mighty fierce fer a wee Englishwoman.”
She folded her lips together. “I have a great, great, great grandmother from Scotland. Are you satisfied?”
“Ach, aye. I can see my lad is marrying into a good family. Unlike his mother ye understand.”
Grace inclined her head. “It was a pleasure meeting you, your grace.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “And just how did ye know about that? I do nay recognize the English king’s title.”
“In that event, you should contact Debrett’s and convince them to stop including you in their publication..”
Mamma patted Grace’s shoulder as she followed her family out of the room. “Well done, my dear.”
Once the door had closed, she resumed her seat. “I would like a glass of wine.”
Alice quickly poured three glasses of claret and handed her sister one.
“Thank you.” Grace glanced at Giff. “Other than your mother, do you have any relatives that are not intent on getting their own way?”
He shrugged. “A few of my father’s brothers. You will meet them tomorrow evening.”
She drank her wine. “This is the most interesting wedding we have had thus far.”
Giff was simply glad he had talked his grandfather out of having them piped from Park Lane to Berkeley Square and over to St. George’s church. He had agreed to wear the plaid sash they’d brought for him to honor his Scots side, but not the kilt. His father would have been apoplectic.
The night before the wedding Alice’s family, his Scots family, and all the family members from his father’s side who came to Town for the wedding dined at Cleveland House. Grandpa brought a few bottles of whisky as well. “Fer after dinner, ye understand.”
His mother shared a look with Grace and sighed. “All I can say is that you had better not be late for the ceremony tomorrow. It is at nine-thirty in the morning.”
His grandfather’s, uncles’, and male cousins’ eyes shot open.
