Page 66 of A Symphony for the Earl

Her brother picked up the sheet of paper, scanning the contents. “Yes, Octavia, but I’d rather you be a ladylike bird.”

“Richard! You mustn’t encourage her. We have been compiling a list of guests for the ball, Fiona. I have nearly a hundred fifty names.”

Fiona sat across from Octavia. “Well, I’m sure you know best, but it seems like quite a lot of people to me.”

“Oh, no. The guest list topped two hundred when Emily Cowper gave a ball last Season for her niece’s debut. The Duke of Wellington attended, and there were rumors that the Prince Regent might make an appearance. You’re good friends, Richard…shall we invite him?”

“Prinny always spends Easter hunting at Balmoral, Mother,” he replied absently, still reading. He looked up, frowning. “Must you invite Fellingham?”

“It would be the worst snub imaginable not to include him, Richard, when most of society is on our list.”

“And me!” Octavia crowed. “Richard said I can attend! Just think, Fiona, my first ball! What a crack-up!”

He handed the paper back to his mother. “I said you could stay for the beginning. But that need not happen if this vulgar cant continues.”

Octavia drew a finger across her mouth. “I’ll button it up, I promise. Mama says I might carry the flowers at your wedding. Will you and Fiona live here? She could play the piano for us every day! Have you found a dress yet, Fiona? I’m going to have a taffeta dress, all the way to the floor. Just like a real lady.”

“How wonderful. Your first ball gown. What color shall it be?”

“Pink! I love pink. With lace, like your dress!” She turned to Lady Amelia. “Can I have lace on my dress, Mama? It would be smashing!”

Octavia’s face fell as Miss Ernest came into the room. “Do I have to study now? Do I, Richard? I want to stay and hear about the wedding.”

He smiled at Octavia. “If you wish to have your riding lesson later, yes, you must see to your studies. I promise you shall be the first to hear our plans.”

She ran toward the governess, but on second thought, stopped and made a demure curtsy to her family.

“Very pretty,” approved her brother.

“I’ve been practicing for the ball.”

As they withdrew, Richard turned to Fiona. “I understand you’ve planned a visit to Madame Brigitte’s. I have business at home, so I’ll send Jerome to drive you in the phaeton.” He glanced at his mother. “It looks to be a temperate afternoon, but you may take the closed carriage if you prefer. I’ve secured Saint James’s Church for Easter Sunday.”

Fiona swallowed hard. She was going to be married in scarcely a month. “A-are you sure? But the banns…”

“They will be in this evening’s paper. Our copy arrives each day by four o’clock. Were you hoping I might have second thoughts, Fiona?”

“Now, Richard, don’t tease your betrothed,” Lady Amelia admonished. “Where on earth can Valentina be? She went upstairs more than a half hour ago.”

“Valentina is home?” Fiona asked, relieved to change the subject.

“Yes, a carriage splashed mud on her dress and she went to change. We have so many things to decide regarding the ball. Flowers, the guest list, the menu. And of course, I must show you the ballroom. We generally keep that part of the house closed off, but it is large and quite lovely. There is even a platform for the musicians. There you are, Valentina. Madame Brigitte is expecting us at half past two.”

Valentina wore a simple pale-blue muslin, but the cut was beautiful and it flattered her fine figure. She bent to warmly kiss Fiona’s cheek. “I’m so happy that you and Richard are to be married. You’ll become my sister in reality.”

Fiona reached up to hug her. “Mo chara milis, not everyone would have welcomed me as you did.”

“Before I call for the carriage, I have an idea in mind.” Richard played with the onyx signet ring on his right hand. “I have a horse—a very good one—racing at Newmarket Saturday.”

Valentina beamed. “Richard, are you offering to take us to Newmarket? I’ve always wanted to go.”

“I cannot imagine why,” he sighed. “It’s a long dusty ride with a short layover at a mediocre posting house. The town is crowded and boisterous during the races, with a preponderance of men and only a few decent lodgings.” He paused, frowning. “On second thought, I take back my offer.”

She flew over to him, playfully striking his broad chest with her fists. “Don’t you dare! We are going, are we not, Fiona? I don’t care if it is a crush.”

He held up his hands to ward off the blows. “I give in. We shall go; I have already planned it. You and Fiona will take my traveling carriage; it is lighter and well-appointed. Denys and I shall travel in the phaeton. We will need a vehicle from which to watch the races.”

“Denys is to accompany us?” Valentina asked joyfully.