Page 32 of Watching the Earl

They all looked at her in astonishment. Sophie was the most kindhearted person they knew. Georgina wanted to say she despised them too, but felt that would be wrong, so she kept her lips pressed together to keep quiet.

Sophie continued. “Since my husband and I are your witnesses, we will be happy to have you travel with us. Silver Meadows isn’t so far away. We can all stay there and travel to the church the following morning. I’ll arrange it with the duchess.”

Rose immediately made an offer: “If that were not to be acceptable, you could always ride with Dory, my brother, Arabella, and me. We would be happy to have you.”

“Or you can come with me and my parents,” Felicity chimed in. “We would be honored to escort you.”

Georgina looked to each woman, her heart filling with thankfulness. “What would I do without all of you?”

Sophie took her hand, the one squeezing her dress fold, forcing Georgina to release the material. “You never need to wonder that. We are always here for each other.”

Rose took her other hand as well as Arabella’s, then Arabella took Felicity’s hand, and Felicity took Sophie’s.

Georgina looked at each classmate in turn. “And I will be here for all of you, should you need me.”

At that, they all smiled and returned to their warm drinks. As Georgina sipped her hot cocoa with cinnamon, she felt much calmer—at least until Rose spoke.

“If your parents aren’t attending, then who is hosting the wedding breakfast? You will celebrate your marriage, will you not?”

That hadn’t even occurred to her. “I don’t know. The wedding is at Newnham parish because it’s where my future home is.”

Felicity set down her cup of cocoa. “Then we will need to enlist the help of the soon-to-be dowager Countess of Durham. After all, that is the home where she raised her children, so it’s the perfect place for a wedding breakfast. But we must act quickly, as there aren’t many days before the wedding.”

Georgina held up her left hand, her fingers spread out. “Only five.”

“There, you see? We must make plans now. My mother is friends with Lady Durham, so we will call on her tomorrow.”

At Felicity’s offer, Georgina laid her hand on her chest. “Thank you.”

“And what about flowers?” Arabella gestured to them all. “Not only do you need a special bouquet, but I think we all should have flowers. It will make the church smell, well, heavenly.”

As the ladies laughed, Georgina’s knee started to bob up and down quickly. She set her hand upon it to stop the movement. “I had not thought any further than which dress I’d wear.”

Sophie smiled kindly. “Nor need you. We will take care of everything.”

“Thank you.” Georgina didn’t know what else to say. How was she to run an estate home when she couldn’t even remember to prepare for her own wedding?

Chapter Ten

It was done. Philip glanced over at his new wife as she spoke to the Duke and Duchess of Northwick, two guests he hadn’t expected at his wedding. Then again, there had been much he hadn’t expected from the day, including the numerous guests for the bride, the flowers, and the wedding breakfast at his own home.

But the most surprising of all was seeing his bride walk down the aisle on the Duke of Northwick’s arm, almost taking his breath in her emerald-green silk satin gown that accentuated her small waist and slender neck. During the ceremony, he couldn’t help glancing at her profile as she focused on the priest. Then she’d finally turned toward him, her amber eyes so uncertain beneath the crown of greenery that adorned her head. She looked like a nymph being pursued by Zeus instead of a woman excited to be marrying an earl.

After placing the ring upon her finger, he noticed her turning it with her thumb, until he took her hand in his to still her or comfort her—he wasn’t sure which.

“Your new bride brings you impressive connections, Durham.”

He glanced at Wellsley, who had stepped up beside him, surprised to see no smirk on the man’s face for a change. “Yes, she does.”

“I congratulate you. How long before you return to Town?”

“I haven’t decided. Not too long.” Though Wellsley was a good enough sort, Philip wasn’t comfortable sharing his plans with the man.

Wellsley patted him on the back. “Then I will wish you a happy wedding night and I’ll be on my way. I have another engagement I must attend tonight that involves an interesting game with women.”

Philip ignored the man’s waggled brows. “Then I wish you safe travels and good luck.”

No sooner had Wellsley left than Tamworth approached. “You have done well, my friend.”