Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
The following morning presented Thomas with a new set of problems: that of trying to eat breakfast in the main dining room of the hotel whilst keeping a low profile.
The hotel manager had inexplicably expressed his wish to celebrate Lord Rosemount’s recent nuptials with all the fanfare they deserved. On the table before them sat a large bouquet of sweet peas and two champagne glasses.
Cecily raised an eyebrow as she took a seat at the table and looked at the flowers.
“You shouldn’t have,” she said.
Thomas met her gaze. “I didn’t. My parents and I stay at this hotel on our regular trips up and back from London. The landlord has clearly taken to you and wants to wish the future Viscountess Rosemount every happiness on her recent marriage.”
A smile came to her lips as she picked up the bouquet of pink, purple and white sweet peas, burying her nose into the pale delicate flowers. “They are beautiful. No one has ever given me flowers before,” she said.
The landlord appeared with a bottle of champagne in his hand. Thomas quickly rose from his seat and managed to stop him before he had removed the cork.
“Thank you so much; you don’t have to give us champagne. The flowers were a generous gift,” he said.
The landlord looked crestfallen.
“It is a little early in the morning for us to be imbibing. We still have a few miles to go today,” said Cecily, coming to the rescue.
“Oh course,” replied the landlord. He handed the bottle to Thomas, who was left with no choice but to take it.
“Please enjoy it when you reach home. And, on behalf of my wife and myself, may I offer you both the heartiest of congratulations on your marriage. I expect Lord and Lady Rosemount are delighted.”
When they were finally alone once more, Thomas set the champagne bottle down on the table.
His plans for a quiet escape with Cecily to Rosemount Abbey were beginning to fray at the edges.
It wouldn’t be long before everyone who passed through Huntingdon and stayed at the George Hotel would know that Thomas Rosemount had taken himself a wife.
“Finish up your breakfast quickly, Cecily. We need to be on the road as soon as possible,” he said.
“Yes, husband,” she replied with a smile.