Page 40 of Sincerely, the Duke
He expelled an exasperated breath. “I never have parties here. Palmer is not prepared to serve this many people.”
“Of course he is,” she answered with confidence and a look that told him she had everything under control. “Do you think I would have left him to manage your wedding alone? What kind of mother would I be? I sent over some of my staff earlier with food, champagne, flowers, and other things to help with the wedding buffet. Unlike you, Palmer has been a gemstone about the unexpected number. The day is beautiful. Tables have been set up outside in the garden. I didn’t ask you about this because I knew you’d never agree.”
That was for sure.
“Besides, it would be bad luck to have only a few people to show up at the wedding of a duke.”
Rick’s head pounded harder and his neckclothsuddenly seemed too tight. He forced the thoughts of the fever from his mind again and concentrated on what his mother was saying. “What are you talking about? Did you get that ridiculous idea from the books you’ve been reading?”
“No, one of my friends in the Insightful Ladies of London Society told me. She’s wise about such things as good and bad luck.”
That comment was so outrageous, Rick almost smiled. “You must stop with this superstitious poppycock.”
Wanting to avoid mischief like this was the reason Rick hadn’t wanted to set a time in advance for his mother to meet Miss Fine. He should have known she’d find an opportunity of some kind, seize upon it in any way she could, and put her stamp on it.
“But your wedding is important so why take the chance? Now look on the bright side for a change.” She breathed in deeply and surveyed the crowd. “Everyone will see your duchess and be properly introduced to her today, so you won’t have to worry about it at future gatherings.”
Rick sighed and whispered a curse low in his throat. He pushed the tail of his coat aside and settled one hand on his hip. With the other he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to tamp down the pounding in his head. Getting married was bad enough, but now he had to contend with the ever-increasing crowd watching every move he made.
“The only thing we needed was a vicar and to sayI do.”
“I always enjoy swapping banter with you, Stonerick, but don’t be combative today.” His mother shifted her gaze to scan the room again without moving her head.
“I’ve waited almost thirty years for you to marry. Andyou decided to do it in little more than a week. You gave me no time for announcements or parties to celebrate your engagement.”
The duchess knew no amount of feeling sorry for herself was going to pull on Rick’s heartstrings. She’d been trying to do it for years with no success.
“This will be my only time to show off my son, the duke, and his bride. I don’t intend to let it go unnoticed by anyone in London. If you are upset with anyone about what is happening today, Stonerick, be upset with yourself for not having a proper betrothal period with dinner parties, teas, and other social gatherings befitting your title.”
Rick reluctantly accepted the inevitability of the teeming crowd bearing witness to his vows. His mother’s somewhat contrite expression remained and so did his frustration at what she’d done.
He blew out a short laugh of surrender. “I’ll give you today, Maman, as it seems I must, but no more meddling. This ends it.”
“Yes,” she answered as innocently as a young child. “I’m happy you are marrying, but…”
“But what?” he asked, suspiciously. Had she done something else he didn’t know about?
“I was wondering if you did as I suggested in my note to you yesterday and asked the apothecary to give you a potion Miss Fine could wash into her hair to tone down the red? I would hate for anyone to—”
“Maman,” he warned with a scowl and mentally shook himself to keep from saying more than he should. It might help his attitude if the damned pounding in his head would cease. “I don’t care if she was born on a full moon, All Hallows’ Eve, or any other day that might bother youand your group. She’s beautiful, she’s mine, and I don’t want to hear another word about your tales.”
“Yes, of course,” she agreed without a hint of petulance. “It was only a suggestion, Stonerick. I guess you would know by now if she could indeed read your mind. We’ll just be happy she’s not one of three.”
“Throw away those cursed books and stop attending those meetings. They are warping your mind.”
“They are enlightening me.”
“Excuse me, Your Grace,” Palmer said, amazingly composed despite the chaos that must be going on with the servants and kitchen staff. “I’ve just been alerted the bride is ready to enter the house.”
Rick’s stomach tightened.
“Right on time.” His mother smiled at him triumphantly. “That’s a good way to start a marriage. See, having a large crowd has already brought good luck.” She turned to the butler. “Clear a path for her entrance, Palmer.” And to Rick, she said, “You and the vicar stand here and ease the frown off your face and smile. You are about to be married. With some of Shubert’s good luck you’ll have a son by this time next year.”
That’s exactly what he wanted. And in the meantime, Rick intended to enjoy his beautiful wife. He bent his head and quietly said to the elderly vicar, “Do you remember what we have discussed in the past about your lengthy services?”
“Yes, of course, Your Grace. You always ask that I keep them short.”
“Keep this short too.”
