Page 63 of A Symphony for the Earl

He bowed. “If you say so, Mother. You have carte blanche at Madame Brigitte’s regarding Fiona’s trousseau, and I shall make an account at Rundell and Bridge.”

“Really, Richard,” she reproved. “You should choose the jewels yourself.”

He laughed. “If I do, I’ll be lucky if she doesn’t throw them back in a temper. It will take a period of adjustment for Fiona to accept my wealth as her due.”

“She is very proud. You are including her in these details, are you not?”

“You and she and Valentina may plan to your heart’s content. I have simply chosen the venue and the date. I must go, Mother. The carriage is waiting. We shall speak again at dinner.”

With a nod, he strode out of the room.

Chapter Twenty-One

The Aftermath of Lord Richard’s Announcement

While Richard slept peacefully through the early morning hours, Fiona had paced since dawn in her elegant bedroom. At eight o’clock, she pulled the bell and asked the housemaid for breakfast in her room. She planned to avoid everyone as long as possible, especially her fiancé.

Betty appeared an hour later to change her, full of excitement and good wishes.

“Oh, Miss Fiona, it’s like a fairytale, isn’t it?” she exclaimed, helping Fiona into a morning gown of rose-pink challis, edged in delicate cream lace.

Fiona inspected her appearance, turning right and left in the large standing mirror. She had no desire to cross Richard’s path without more time to think on her options, but perversely wanted to look her best should that occur.

“Yes, Betty. I suppose everyone knows.”

“Yes, miss.” She threaded matching ribbons through Fiona’s long hair, finishing with a loose chignon at the nape of her neck.

“Are you sure you’re feeling all right, miss?” She picked up the tray of untouched food.

“I’m just tired from all the excitement last night. Are Valentina and Lady Amelia still abed, Betty?”

“No, miss. Miss Valentina took Octavia to the library and Lady Amelia is in the morning room.”

“I have some letters to write before I come downstairs.”

Hopefully, Richard had offered his family a reasonable explanation for their unexpected engagement. That would only be fair, as the whole debacle was his fault. After much thought, she had concluded there was little recourse but to wed him. She sat down at the delicate desk to write a letter to her solicitor in Dublin, informing Mr. O’Cleary of the coming marriage. A marriage of convenience. She couldn’t bear it if he dallied with women like Mrs. Davenport.

Fiona supposed if she demanded he keep his vows, then it was only right that she performed her wifely duties. Her cheeks flamed. If they were anything like her experience last night, or in the library, it wouldn’t be much of a hardship, she thought wickedly. What would Richard look like naked? Just the idea put butterflies in her stomach.

With a groan, she rose and smoothed her skirts into place. Enough of hiding. It was time to face her future mother-in-law.

Lady Amelia was still in the pale-yellow morning room, absorbed in writing. She glanced up, putting aside her papers with an uncertain smile. “Good morning, my dear. Forgive me, but I’m rather at a loss for words—the announcement last night took me quite by surprise. Nevertheless, I’m thrilled to welcome you as my daughter-in-law.”

“Thank you, Lady Amelia.” Fiona stood twisting her hands, a nervous habit that lingered from childhood.

Lady Amelia led her to the pale-lemon settee by the window, patting the seat beside her. “You are glad to be engaged, aren’t you? Richard didn’t go into details regarding the circumstances of your engagement, but he did not…persuade you to rush into marriage? My son can be somewhat relentless once decided on a course of action.”

She could not distress her with the truth. “No, he did not coerce me. I’m sorry you didn’t know sooner. I do hope you aren’t too disappointed in his choice.”

Lady Amelia reached up and brushed back a dark curl that had come loose at Fiona’s temple. “Oh, no. Never think that, my dear. It’s just that I had no expectations of Richard marrying anytime soon. Since his days at university, he’s shouldered the responsibility for our family and never expressed an interest in finding a wife. I began to despair he ever would.”

“Can you tell me a bit more about him, Lady Amelia? He is such a private person.”

A whiff of lilac drifted through the air as she drew a Dresden lace handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her eyes.

“You are aware his father died in a riding accident. After Cambridge, Richard immediately returned to Merrick—our affairs had fallen into terrible disorder by then—and took charge of everything. At such a young age, too. I’m sure it was disappointing to put aside his plans to travel and to pore over the books and finances instead. Then, those dreadful headaches began…am I prattling on?”

Fiona wondered if she was just another responsibility added to his list.