“We are.” She kissed him.
Reaching over, he touched the brooch. “Where did you get this?”
“Your Aunt Joan. She does not have any daughters and wanted me to have it.”
“She likes you a lot. To give you that.” He sat back. “She has a granddaughter.”
“I am going to cry.” Alice took out her new handkerchief. “I had no idea.”
Giff placed his arm around her shoulders. “I arranged to leave after we cut the cake if that is all right with you.”
Alice dabbed her eyes. “It is. Where are we going?”
“I thought about a hotel, but except for the nursery, our home is ready. And everyone thinks we are going to a hotel, so we’ll be all alone, with the exception of the servants.”
“Our servants who will not bother us on our wedding night or tell anyone we are there.” They might have even thought to leave food for them to eat, and wine to drink. If they knew. “Do they know?”
Giff was dragging one finger in circles on her back and up her neck. “Yes. I told my valet to inform everyone.”
They reached Worthington House before everyone else. Once Grace, Matt, and the duke and duchess arrived, they took their places in the receiving line to greet their guests and receive their good wishes. The tables for food were set up inside, but there were small tables scattered around the garden where people could eat.
Giff led her out for the reel she had been practicing. It was very much like some of the country dances, but it seemed much faster. Afterward, they were piped to their table by the piper his grandfather had brought. The duchess was right, the music sounded much better than Alice thought it would. The duchess also insisted that the sword dance be held before the dancers became too “relaxed” as she put it. Alice was surprised at the skill it took to perform the dance. After the men were done, the children all insisted on being allowed to try.
This was a nice party, but she would rather be alone with her new husband. “When are we cutting the cake?”
He glanced at something. “Right now.” He led her over to where the cake stood on the table and took a wicked-looking short sword from his grandfather. Giff and Alice gripped the sword together and cut the cake. He gave her a small piece, and he took a larger one. Their chef du cuisine finished cutting the cake. “It’s time to make our escape. You go first. I’ll meet you in hall.”
Considering everyone was in the garden, that made sense. Alice signaled to her twin and Madeline, and they slipped into the house. “I will see you tomorrow at the docks. Someone will advise you when the ship plans to sail.”
They nodded and hugged her.
“Happy night,” Eleanor said.
Giff joined them. “Until tomorrow.”
Alice waived as they escaped through the door to the waiting coach, cleaned of ribbons, boots, and other items.
The carriage drove up to the front door of the heir’s wing—They should really think of something else to call it—and Giff jumped out lifted her down then turned to the coachman. “I will send word when we need you tomorrow.”
“Yes, my lord.” The coachman drove the horses away.
“Is he our new coachman?”
“He is, and he’ll have a nice vacation while we’re in Scotland. He and the second coachman are meeting us in France.”
The door opened, and Giff swooped Alice into his arms and carried her into the house. “Welcome home, my lady.”
She hung onto his neck. “Welcome home, my lord.”
Simmons bowed. “The staff would like to offer their congratulations, my lord, my lady. We have arranged some delicacies we hope you will enjoy. If you require anything at all, please tug the bell-pull.”
“Thank you all.” She glanced at Giff. “Onward.”
They spend a quiet afternoon alternately making love, eating, and drinking. Close to seven o’clock, a knock came on the door. “My lady.
“What is it, Bertram?” Alice asked.
“We just received news that the ship will sail at five in the morning.”
It was a good thing she was tired. “Please have Williams send word to Lady Madeline’s and Lady Montagu’s houses. They already know to meet us at the docks. And tell the coachman.”
“Already done, my lady. Good night.”
Alice went to the basin and washed. Giff did the same. They crawled back into bed cuddled in each other’s arms.
His valet and her dresser woke them the next morning. Betram brought tea and toast. “I was told you will be able to break your fast on the ship.”
Alice brushed her teeth and washed her face. She was glad she had given herself a through washing the previous evening.
She liked the design of their apartments. A parlor was the first room one entered. That led to the bedroom, which was flanked by dressing rooms and bath chambers. It made a great deal of sense. A bright yellow carriage gown was laid out in her dressing room for the morning.
She finished her tea. “Are the trunks downstairs?”
“They are already on the ship,” her dresser said. “They were taken there yesterday.”
Another thing that made sense. Now to brace herself for a full ship of family.
The main part of the house was quiet when they drove away. Giff’s grandfather and the rest of his family must be at the docks already. Alice hoped she and Giff were not running late. “What time is it?” Why was she asking? She had her own watch.
