Chapter 16 #2
“You spoke ill of my ward, Miss Montague, two nights past. I suspect you said even more to other people, including a number of gentlemen who have no honor. Yesterday, my ward was approached by two such men who had heard rumors about her and was attacked.”
“She was unharmed, surely?” Lady Raikes asked, her eyes wide. Darius suspected she was not fully aware of her daughter’s poisonous words.
Lady Mary, however, did not ask after Meredith’s health. Her eyes gleamed with triumph and that made Darius furious. He could have strangled the woman for that evil joy so clearly showing on her face.
“She was thankfully unharmed, thanks to the efforts of myself and others, but the damage to Gunter’s confectioner’s shop was severe. Given that your daughter has put Miss Montague in danger”—he paused, looking at both women—“I have decided to finally act upon my feelings and marry Miss Montague.”
The fire in Lady Mary’s eyes grew hot enough to burn. “You’re marrying her?”
“Yes, and I wanted you to be the first to hear the good news. I have you to thank, Lady Mary. Your lack of kindness and your petty jealousy have done what you wished would not happen.” Darius took great satisfaction at the way the blood drained from Lady Mary’s face.
“But you cannot!” Lady Mary insisted. “You are a duke, and she…is no one. A bastard. A—”
“Take care how you speak of my future wife, Lady Mary. Any word or deed done against her I will consider to be done against me. And you may ask anyone who has done me wrong that my retribution does not come lightly.”
“But—” Lady Mary sputtered.
“Hush, you stupid girl,” Lady Raikes hissed. She turned to Darius, humble and apologetic. “My daughter will not bother you or the future Duchess of Tiverton again.”
“Good. See to it she doesn’t,” Darius warned. “Because if she does, my justice will be swift and unforgiving.”
Lady Raikes nodded frantically in acquiescence to his command.
“Now that my point has been made, I will take my leave.” He collected his hat and coat from the butler and left the Raikes townhouse.
Once outside, he mounted his horse and headed to his next destination, the dressmaker’s shop.
He wanted Meredith to have a gown befitting the future Duchess of Tiverton.
He would also order several sheer negligées for her trousseau to take on their honeymoon.
As he rode down the street, he felt his spirits lighten at the mere idea of Meredith as his bride. His wife. His forever.
What a fool he had been to deny himself the joy of being in love.
* * *
That evening, Meredith wore her finest evening gown, a dark blue silk decorated with peacock feathers in bright gold and green that led into a long train that mirrored the plumes on the magnificent bird that the dress was inspired by.
When the dressmaker had mentioned such a gown, Meredith had thought it too bold to wear.
But Darius had overheard, and insisted on her having it.
Tonight she felt brave enough to be bold, to wear a gown that would attract attention.
For once she wanted the attention of others, rather than to hide behind potted plants.
Her reflection in the tall cheval looking glass presented a striking image.
She turned about, admiring the way the peacock-feathered patterns shimmered in the light.
“You will make quite an impression tonight,” Nell said as she put the finishing touches on Meredith’s coiffure. “As you should, seeing as how tonight is your engagement dinner.”
“I do hope I make a good impression.” Meredith’s nerves left her feeling edgy and unsure of herself. She knew she looked beautiful, but would she be enough for Darius’s friends? Would tonight garner support for Darius’s choice of bride, or would she come across as silly for trying too hard?
Tonight Darius would tell his friends that they were to be married, and she could only pray that they would accept her, not for her sake but for his.
It was one thing for them to accept her as his ward, but his wife?
That was an entirely different matter. They hadn’t given her any reason to think they wouldn’t accept her, but she was so used to being unwanted, a burden even to those who loved her, like Uncle Ben.
It was still hard for her to break that pattern of believing she was not enough.
Her bedchamber door opened. Darius was there, waiting for her.
“Are you ready?”
His gaze swept over her, the heat in his eyes an approving one. That settled part of her nerves. She was enough for Darius. That was all that truly mattered. She could see it so clearly in his eyes that it melted her heart.
“You look magnificent.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her so soundly that only Nell clearing her throat broke them apart.
With a bashful grin, Darius tucked her hand in his arm, and they met Mrs. Petersham, who was waiting for them at the top of the grand staircase.
“Congratulations, my dear. This is the happiest of news.” Her chaperone kissed her cheek and wiped away a stray tear.
“Thank you, Frances,” Meredith replied with tears in her own eyes.
The others waited for them in the drawing room, all busy talking. But upon her entrance, the room went silent as they took in the sight of her and Darius with their arms linked.
“Well? What news have you to share with us?” Vincent asked.
Darius looked to Meredith, a teasing smile in his eyes before he replied. “Meredith and I are to be married.”
“To each other?” Felix asked with a devious chuckle. Lionel whacked him on the back of the head with the newspaper he’d been holding.
Darius seemed torn between laughing and scowling. “Of course to each other.”
“Well, in that case, bravo!” Felix said. Soon, everyone had surrounded them, offering cheers and well wishes.
Meredith noticed poor Felix was still a bit bruised from the fight in Gunter’s. When he came toward her, she embraced him and whispered a thank you. The rogue looked utterly embarrassed if the red tips of his ears were any indication.
“I would destroy Gunter’s for you anytime,” he promised.
She hugged each of Darius’s friends in turn and came at last to Lord Kentwell and Suzannah, who was wiping her eyes.
“This is quite wonderful, isn’t it?” Suzannah said with a delighted smile.
Lord Kentwell offered one of his rare smiles to Meredith. “It certainly is.”
“Thank you, Lord Kentwell,” Meredith said.
“Kit, please. I insist. You will outrank me upon your marriage.”
“I…” She couldn’t think of what to say in response to that, and Kit laughed at her obvious discomfort.
“Trying to scare off my future wife?” Darius asked his friend as he joined them.
“Not intentionally, I assure you.” Kit shook Darius’s hand. “I simply reminded her that she will soon outrank me. I daresay she hasn’t given that part of your arrangement much thought.”
“Nor should she,” said Darius. “At least, not amongst friends.”
Meredith’s face heated in embarrassment. Darius put an arm around her waist and kissed her forehead.
“Shall we go in to dinner?” Darius asked everyone.
The chorus of agreement, followed immediately by someone’s stomach growling so loudly everyone could hear, and it made Meredith laugh.
Warren stepped up beside her and gently pulled her away from Darius. “I would like the pleasure of escorting the future Duchess of Tiverton to dinner.” He informed Darius, who rolled his eyes but allowed it.
As Warren led the way, he leaned in close to her. “I felt this would attract less suspicion than asking to speak to you alone in another room.”
Meredith nodded in understanding.
“Crell might not be at his new home much longer,” he continued. “I heard he might be planning a trip to the continent. I imagine Darius’s visit with Doyle has spooked him enough to think he must leave the country. If you wish to make a move, it should be soon.”
Meredith pulled out the letter, which had been tucked away into her skirts. “I have the letter here. Deliver it tomorrow after Darius has left.”
Warren answered with a single nod. Feeling confident in her plan to catch Crell in a confession, she enjoyed dinner immensely.
She felt as though she belonged here. Everyone included her in their stories and teased her almost as much as they did Darius.
She was thankful to have so many wonderful friends in this room.
Suzannah was seated beside Meredith. Her soft smile warmed Meredith’s heart as they shared a miniature toast between the two of them by clinking their glasses of wine together.
“I believe Darius will make you very happy,” said Suzannah.
“And I hope to make him happy.”
“My dear, he already is, can’t you see?” Suzannah nodded ever so slightly toward Darius. He was laughing at something Vincent said, but whenever he glanced Meredith’s way, his eyes grew bright and his grin infectious. She grinned back at him.
“You two are clearly besotted with each other,” Suzannah said. “And I, for one, cannot be happier for you.”
Meredith agreed. It was impossible to believe one could feel so deliriously happy.
And yet she was.
* * *
Warren laughed. “Look at that silly grin.”
For once, Darius didn’t care how silly he looked. Dinner had ended, and now he swirled a glass of brandy as he lounged in a chair in the billiard room with his friends. Life was good.
“You had better stay away from them, Warren,” Felix warned. “This marriage business seems to be catching.” He pointed his billiard cue at Kit and Darius, who sat next to each other. Kit shared a look with Darius that was reserved for only the happily married men in the room.
“You don’t have to look so smug, you know,” Vincent added as he leaned over to take his shot. Balls clacked and scattered in every direction.
“We’re not smug,” Kit said. “We are merely content in our happiness.”
“We should celebrate with a shooting party. Felix, what say you?” Warren asked. “You have the best woods for pheasant hunting. Why don’t you, Lionel, and Vincent go hunting with Darius?”
“What about you and Kit?” Darius asked.
“I would, but I fear I have a business meeting tomorrow morning. Rather urgent. I could join you in the afternoon. As for Kit, I know better than to speak for a married man. His will is his own, so long as his wife allows it.”
Kit chuckled. “I’m sure Suzannah will not mind missing me for a few days.”
“Excellent,” Warren said. “Our shooting party is settled.”
“Shall we leave early in the morning?” Felix asked. “My country house is ready for visitors.”
“Yes, let’s leave at half-past eight,” Lionel suggested. “We would then have the afternoon to shoot.”
Darius was quite excited at the prospect of a shooting expedition. It had been quite a while since they’d gone shooting together, and certainly not since Kit had come home.
Once they had finished their drinks and a round of the billiards, they left in search of the ladies. Chelsea informed them that, given the late hour, Suzannah had been escorted to her home across the street by a footman, while Mrs. Petersham and Meredith had gone up to bed.
Darius bid his friends farewell and told Chelsea to have the valet pack his valise for two days of shooting at Felix’s estate. Then he went upstairs to Meredith’s chamber.
He found her asleep in bed. With a soft chuckle, he removed his clothes and slipped under the sheets beside her, pulling her into his arms.
“Darius?” she murmured sleepily.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
She yawned and rubbed her cheek against his chest.
“I love you.”
His heart clenched. “You and Frances may make any additional arrangements for the wedding you like, as well as choose your wedding gown. I will be leaving early tomorrow to go shooting with my friends at Felix’s estate.
I’ve given Chelsea orders that you are now the lady of the house and shall defer to you on all things, and he is to help you with everything for the ceremony.
I thought, perhaps, we could get married here in the gardens. ”
“That sounds lovely,” she murmured. “Simply lovely.” A moment later, she drifted back to sleep.
For the first time in Darius’s life, he was more than content.
He was truly happy.