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.”
“Indeed, I have. It is like salt in the wound.”
Tamworth frowned. “How so?”
“I spent years destroying everything my father built, including the family name, only to now value that above all else. Then, to help make that happen, I married a woman who has every connection I could ask for to further bolster my standing. Something I did little to deserve.”
“You married her. That was an honorable act. Imagine, with her family, what would have become of her?”
Philip cringed. He had no doubt that she would have been locked away somewhere or sent to live with some old, distant relative in Scotland.
But if marrying her was to be his punishment for failing his father, gaining a better reputation and connections didn’t feel appropriate.
“Yes, I did marry her. I now have a wife. Does it take long to adjust to having one?”
Tamworth grinned. “It took me no time at all, as Sophie is my partner in everything, but every marriage is different. I will tell you that Lady Durham has much more knowledge and understanding than the average lady, so I suggest you discover all she has to offer before deciding on the best arrangement.”
“If you’re hinting that I should take you up on the offer of the townhouse in London, I’ve already decided to do so. I don’t think I have a choice with all these people expecting to call on her.” Philip gestured to the dozen or so people still milling about the dining room preparing to leave.
“I will thank you, then, as that frees up funds for Sophie’s parlor.”
“I thought your lord’s suite was still unfinished.”
“It is, and I like it that way. I much prefer spending the nights with my wife. Speaking of that, did you talk to Lady Durham about tonight?”
Philip rubbed the back of his neck, in no hurry to answer the question.
Tamworth’s constant reference to Lady Georgina as Lady Durham made him think of his mother.
In addition to that, he had no idea what he planned to do about the wedding night.
It wasn’t as if she was a virgin, which was a relief, yet there was the issue of her past experience to compete with.
“I have not, but I have learned that she harbors no tender feelings for the man who ruined her. Do you know who it is?”
“I do, but I think she should tell you if you wish to know.”
Did he want to know? “On one hand, it doesn’t matter.
On the other hand, I don’t like being ignorant while that man is well aware I have married her.
My greatest concern is protecting the family name.
I will have to think upon it more.” His gaze moved to his wife, who was accepting a gift from Tamworth’s wife.
It looked like a large book wrapped in brown paper.
His guess would be a book on birds. He didn’t have time to contemplate it further before his mother approached him.
“Philip, I hope you’re pleased with the wedding and celebration.”
“Indeed I am. It was much more than I expected. Thank you.”
“Well, I can’t have my only son’s marriage be a small affair. Though I admit, it was your wife’s friends that truly made it all so easy.” His mother looked at Tamworth. “Lady Tamworth was especially helpful, my lord.”
Tamworth acknowledged the compliment with a nod.
Philip’s mother lowered her voice. “Are her parents so ill that they could not come?”
He looked at Tamworth then back to his mother. “No, they are not. If you must know, they could not wait to be rid of their last child. From what she has told me, she has felt unwanted in her own home.”
His mother clasped her hands to her chest. “The poor thing. She’s so full of caring and wants to do well.
At least now, we can be her new family. We can show her what it is like to be loved.
And to that end, I will hasten the rest of your well-wishers out, so that you may start your lives together… alone.”
“You’re not staying?”
“Of course not. Your sister and I are going to stay at the school so many of the ladies attend. There is quite a contingent overnighting there this evening before returning to Town tomorrow. Your sister couldn’t resist such an invitation, and honestly, neither could I.
Though apparently the duke and duchess will be staying at the school longer.
From what I understand, someone is expecting a baby, and the duchess, of all people, plans to deliver it!
” She patted his arm. “It’s best this way, so you two can be alone.
I remember your father’s and my first few days together. ”
His mother’s smile was gentle as she seemed to look back into the past. It was just another reminder of how he’d failed her as well. “Very well. I wish you a pleasant stay, then.”
She blinked as if she’d forgotten what they spoke of, but then she smiled. “You shall have this house to yourselves within the half-hour, just see if you don’t.” And with that, she sashayed toward the closest guest.
“You didn’t tell your mother the truth of your marriage?”
He frowned at Tamworth. “No. I have disappointed her in too many ways as it is. It is better that she think it a match I wished for.”
“You did wish for it.”
“Yes, but not for the same reasons she wished for it. There’s no need to bother her with the details, as then I would have to admit I’d almost lost everything.”
“I understand. I will now gather my lovely wife and take my leave. I’m hopeful that your next few days are all you hope them to be.” Tamworth clapped him on the shoulder then meandered toward his wife.
That left Philip with the question of what he wanted the next few days to be.
He looked across the room to his wife, who had taken a seat and now spoke to the lady in the wheeled chair, Georgina’s hands moving about as she talked.
She was definitely an asset and pleasant to gaze upon.
That her parents didn’t see her finer attributes irritated him, but it was to his benefit.
It was just as well they’d be alone for at least a sennight, maybe longer. It would give him a chance to gauge exactly how much penance being married would be. Since he was married until death, he hoped it would be enough to atone for his actions.
Lord Manning interrupted his view as he strode toward him. “Well done, Durham. Well done. Pretty, accomplished, knowledgeable, and well connected. You have set a high bar.”
“It’s not that I’m competing with anyone. It’s more about finding the right woman to be my countess.”
“Yes, of course. Still, I will take your good fortune into account when I set out to find my own wife. Not yet, of course, but soon. I congratulate you once again, but now will take my leave.”
Philip gave Manning a nod and watched as the man joined a group leaving the room.
Soon he would be alone with Lady Georgina.
No, Lady Durham. He cringed again at calling his wife by his mother’s title.
Absolutely not. Georgie? He couldn’t call her that either.
Damn, he needed to be able to call his own wife by a name.
Georgina? It seemed rather informal, but his parents had done the same. Georgina. Yes, he could do that.
He remained where he was as Georgina kindly accepted final good wishes from those who’d already spoken to him. When the last guests, the Duke and Duchess of Northwick, made their way to his wife, he strode over to be with her just in time to hear the end of the duchess’s sentence.
“…can always call upon us.”
He stood next to Georgina and responded, “Thank you for supporting my wife. We are both grateful.”
The duchess raised a brow. “I’m glad to hear that. We know you will do all you can to make Georgina happy.”
The duke chuckled. “That shouldn’t be too difficult. Did you not hear the birdsong as we exited the coach to come inside? Lady Durham will be very happy here when not in Town.”
“Oh yes. And did you know that there is an old dovecote here? I hope we can bring it back.” Georgina looked at him.
At such a simple request, he smiled. “That we shall.”
The duchess gave a small smile of her own, obviously pleased by his answer. “Very good. Then we shall take our leave of you. I look forward to a visit from you when we return to Town.”