Chapter Eighteen #2
“That’s because I don’t wear it often,” Harriet replied.
“You should. It’s quite becoming,” he said nearing her. He gathered her in his arms and began to kiss her slowly, but thoroughly. “Shall we join the others in the drawing room?”
“I’d rather not, but there’s no way we cannot show ourselves.”
They entered the drawing room and were immediately greeted by Lucien’s parents.
“We haven’t been here too long ourselves,” the duke said. “Whiskey, Lucien? Harriet, what would you like?”
Harriet glanced at the goblet her mother-in-law was holding in her hand. “Wine, please.”
She settled herself on the opposite side of the couch the duchess was sitting on. It would be easy to talk with her and the men.
“I’m going to my modiste tomorrow if you’d like to accompany me. We both need a couple of gowns for all these balls we’re going to be attending. One especially for the one we will be hosting for you and Lucien.”
“A good way to spend part of the day.”
Lucien and his father returned, each holding an extra glass.
He handed Harriet her glass of wine. She thanked him for it and took a sip.
Conversation was easy with the duchess and duke.
A lot easier than with her parents. At least, her mother.
Her father tried to make up for her mother’s brashness.
She’d always wondered if her mother had been like that all her life or if it was something she picked up once she became an adult.
The duchess was warm, kind, and picked up when people were having difficulty in a social situation.
Harriet couldn’t wait to ask her about how she gave clothing and food to their tenants at their country estate.
Lucien had mentioned it, and Harriet was immediately fascinated by how a duchess had no problem helping the people who worked for them.
The duke cleared his throat and gave his wife a look only the two of them understood. “There is something your mother and I have done.”
“What would that be?” Lucien asked.
“We have arranged a wedding trip for you. The duchess and I know you’d keep putting it off, so we took care of that. Your mother can tell you better where you’ll be going,” the duke continued.
“You’ll go to Calais first, then Paris, Vienna afterwards. Italy will be your destination. Milan, Naples, Florence, and of course Rome. If there is somewhere that doesn’t interest you, feel free to make changes.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Lucien said. “This is too generous.”
“We thought waiting until next year was too long,” the duchess said.
“When do we leave?” Harriet inquired. She glanced over at her husband who was attempting to maintain control.
“In three weeks,” the duke replied. “Everything is set up. If there’s something needing your attention, someone will be in touch.”
“Do my parents know?” Harriet asked.
“They do, and I must say your mother was most gracious about it. She was relieved to have extra time to plan social events,” the duchess replied.
Harriet smiled. “I’m not going to question my mother’s thinking or actions about this. I’m just going to accept that she’s fine with the changes.”
“That’s probably for the best,” Lucien said with a straight face.
There were a few moments of silence. Harriet and Lucien had discussed it a few times but thought waiting for a year would allow them time to get into a routine.
She was afraid waiting would mean more postponements.
Something would come up with Lucien’s businesses.
He had estate managers who were more than competent to handle things while he was away.
If they had questions, they could always get in touch with him or his father.
“I would like to go see Onyx and what sort of progress he’s made,” Lucien said. “A day or two would be all we’d need.”
“Then we’ll go,” Harriet replied.
Sitting in their own parlor later in the evening, Harriet sighed. “Did you have any idea they were going to do this?”
“None,” came the reply.
“I think they thought it would help ease any tension with my mother. Your mother is right; it’ll give everyone a better chance to plan out any balls they might want to give us.”
“I like the idea of being away from all of this,” Lucien said.
“As do I,” Harriet replied. “Have you been to any of these places?”
“I have been to Paris of course, and Belgium, but nowhere else. That’s always been for business.”
“You didn’t spend your grand tour on the Continent?”
“I never had a tour. If I had, I would have gone somewhere exotic like Egypt.”
“Why didn’t you have a tour?” Harriet asked with a grin.
“I had no interest in going,” came Lucien’s reply.
“I understand it’s a time for the male sex to go wild before they have to return and begin their adult lives.”
Lucien threw his head back and laughed. “You’re one hundred percent right.”
“Not hard to figure out, and besides I’ve known sons of my parents’ friends who have said that.”
“It’s a well-known fact,” he replied.
“When do you want to go to the country?”
“Day after tomorrow? I thought it would give you and my mother time to go for a dress fitting. We’ll leave and stay a couple of days before coming back to London. I’m sure Onyx is progressing nicely. Otherwise, I would have had word.”
“You need to see him with your own two eyes,” Harriet replied. She knew what the horse meant to him and wanted to encourage him spending time with Onyx.
“Thank you for understanding,” he said.
“It gives me time to make notes of what I might want to change when we return.”
“Like what?”
“Our bedchamber. That’s our space, and it’s personal. I’d like to redo it to reflect our tastes. Perhaps new paint and wall covering. New draperies, things like that,” Harriet replied.
“Blue. I like shades of blue. Would you have any objections to using blue?”
“Not at all. We could use a couple shades of blue and use white to accent,” she replied.
There were so many things Harriet wanted to do, especially since the estate had not been in Lucien’s family. He’d bought it as an investment, and because he wanted his own place close to London. The dukedom’s other estates were too far away for a simple trip to the capital.
“I wonder if I should see my mother before we leave for the Continent. I don’t want her to be upset in any way about this change of events. She was so looking forward to being able to host a ball in our honor.”
“I believe my mother’s already spoken with her. Mother mentioned she seemed to be relieved she would have more time to prepare.”
She hoped this was the case. Her mother sometimes got ahead of herself if an idea popped into her head.
“Good, though I’m surprised she was so agreeable. Then, she wouldn’t let anyone know otherwise.”
“There will be a lot to do before we leave. We’ll be gone for a couple of months so packing correctly will be important. You’ll be bringing your lady’s maid, of course, so speak with her about what you need to take with you.”
“I will,” she replied. “Do you think at some time we could go to Provence? I hear it’s so pretty down there on the Mediterranean Sea.”
Lucien nodded. “Yes, of course we can. It’s one place I’ve always wanted to visit. Once we arrive in Paris, you and I can sit down and decide what we want to do and how long we should spend.”
“Your parents won’t mind?”
“No. We can visit Nice after we do Italy. There are trains and such to get us there,” Lucien said.
“There certainly have been some unexpected turns since we returned. I think I should speak with my mother and make sure she’s really good with all of this.”
She and her mother had been on opposite sides for a long time.
Her mother wanted her living one way, even as a married woman.
As much as she loved her mother, Harriet knew the last person she wanted to be like was her own mother.
She didn’t need the hysteria caused by her, something her mother seemed to thrive in.
By putting off any social event to celebrate their marriage, it gave more time to plan something more elaborate.
Harriet wondered what she’d be like when it came time for her to plan out their first social event.
She’d be more organized and begin planning months in advance with who would be invited to what sort of refreshments would be offered.
Invitations would be prepared by hand writing them in calligraphy rather than printing them out.
Though it took longer, the effort put into hand done invitations was more than satisfying.
“What are you so deep in thought about?” Lucien’s voice woke her from her thoughts.
“Nothing important, just silly nonsense.”
“I can’t believe it’s anything silly,” Lucien replied.
“One thing to be thankful for with all these changes is that your partner can deal with the Prince of Wales directly.”
“Excellent point. Miles and the prince seem to have built a rapport. It’s helped me out tremendously.”
Harriet picked up a book and thumbed through it. “I suppose we should go to bed. There’s a lot going on tomorrow.”
*
The ride to the country was pleasant and uneventful.
Harriet was looking forward to being there even if it was only for a couple of days.
She walked alongside her husband once they arrived.
Lucien wanted to see his beloved horse. His strides were much longer than hers and it was all she could do to keep up with him.
Onyx was found in the same stall with a paddock that they’d left him the previous time they’d seen him. He was outside when they entered the stable, but when Lucien whistled to him, Onyx came walking inside nickering as he recognized his owner.
Opening the stall door, Lucien stepped inside to examine the animal’s knees. “They’re healing nicely,” he said.
“Will you be able to ride him soon?” Harriet inquired.
“Possibly when we return from the Continent,” Lucien replied.