Page 27 of Vying for a Viscount
“I hardly recognize myself. Thank you, Jane.” Letitia stood and stepped back from the mirror, then turned around, admiring herself. “You outdid yourself. I shouldn’t be late.”
“Have a wonderful time, my lady,” Jane said as she curtsied, thenleft, leaving the door to her chambers open, knowing Letitia was right behind her.
Chapter Nine
Greyson returned homeand went directly to his study, where he wrote to his cousin, requesting her assistance during his upcoming assignment-related absence. He had just finished when a footman entered and announced Hunter.
“Would you like a drink?” Greyson asked, turning the letter over so Hunter could not see what he had written.
“No.”
“Letitia and I didn’t see you in Hyde Park. Were you there?”
“Yes, we saw you, but we were several carriages ahead of you. The ladies wanted the roof up because the wind was chilly.”
“Hmmm.”
“What, hmmmm?” Hunter inquired.
“Nothing. You seem nervous. Did something happen?”
“I’m here to request your permission to marry Lady Anastasia and to negotiate the marriage contract.”
Greyson tried to hide his smile as he opened the desk drawer and took out Anastasia’s marriage contract. Before his father took ill, he had drafted both his sisters’ contracts. He slid the document across his desk. “This is the contract my father already prepared for an event like this. He went so far as to incorporate the pin money and how you will provide for her and any children in the event of your death. Let me know if you are agreeable to it.” He should be.Both his sisters came with ten thousand pounds to be placed in a trust in their names. Their husbands would control the interest it accrued, which was the standard for marriage agreements.
Hunter’s eyes moved across the document and down. “Everything looks acceptable to me. No need to have my solicitor look at it.”
Greyson handed him a quill dipped in ink, and Hunter scribbled his name and date on the contract with a shaky hand. Greyson was surprised by Hunter’s nervousness, since he was an easygoing fellow, and it took a lot to make him jumpy.
“Phew,” he said, relaxing back in the chair. “I didn’t expect to be so nervous.” He ran his hand through his hair. “In fact, I’ll have that drink now, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I need one too after seeing my friend look like he was going to vomit on my desktop.” He stood, moved to the sideboard, poured two glasses of brandy, and handed one to his friend. “So, when do you plan to ask Anastasia?”
“Tonight, if you’ll allow me to come to dinner.”
“I’m sure Cook can whip up something special. I already invited Letitia, and I could send a note to Lord Warren. We’ll make a night of it.” He drained his drink, wondering whether, if and when he planned to propose, he’d be as nervous as Hunter. Most likely. “So when will the big day take place?”
Hunter choked on his drink. “Christ! Give a man a warning before you blurt out something like that!”
“Sorry,” he grinned. “Having never gone through it myself, I’m enjoying your discomfort.”
“Funny. If she says yes, which I believe she will, I hope you’ll have the banns posted this Sunday. After three Sundays, we can wed. That is, unless Anastasia wants a large, fancy wedding, which I pray she doesn’t. Waiting months will not be easy for either of us.”
A strange sound came from Greyson. “Please, I don’t want to think of the two of you together like that.”
Hunter snickered. “Why? It never bothered you when I spoke of other ladies.”
“Have a care. This is my sister, not one of your other ladies.”
“I know. I’m just teasing you for remarking that I looked like I was about to vomit.”
Greyson inhaled and let it out slowly. “I’m so happy for you both. She will say yes, and, with any luck, you will be married in a month.”
“Yes. I hope.”
Greyson leaned forward, his elbows on his desk and his fingers steepled. His demeanor grew serious. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything,” Hunter replied.
