All eyes turned to the duchess. “What do you mean?” Lydia asked.
There was a knock on the carriage door, and George opened it. Standing outside were the Earl and Countess of Hartley. “Hartley! I can hardly believe you’re here.”
“How could I miss your wedding?” Hartley said. “I do hate London, but this is a special occasion.”
“Good day, Lady Hartley,” George said. “Lovely to see you again.”
“Thank you, Lord Hutchinson. I’m so very pleased to be here with all of you. A wedding celebration is the best reason to come to Town.”
“Would you care to ride with us?” the duke asked. “Your driver can meet us at Lord Surry’s.”
“Yes. That would be wonderful. Let me go inform him of the plan,” Hartley said, striding toward the line of carriages.
George hopped down and helped Harriet into the carriage. It was his turn to be surprised. Though he’d written to Hartley telling him of his impending marriage, he’d never thought to see his friend in London again. To have all three of his fellow soldiers with him on his wedding day was more than he could ever have asked for.
Hartley soon returned to the carriage, and they were off to Lord Surry’s townhouse.
“Evans and his lovely wife will meet us at the townhouse,” George said. “I thought this day couldn’t get any better, but with all my friends here to celebrate my marriage, I couldn’t have asked for a better day.”
When they reached the Surry townhouse, there was already a line of carriages waiting for guests to disembark. Finally, it was their turn and the duke’s driver hopped down from his perch, opening the door.
The men climbed down first and handed the women down. The Evans carriage was right behind them, and Richard was handing down Helena. It was quite a sight to see a duke, two marquises, and an earl walk into the Surry townhouse. That kind of thing rarely happened, and thetonwas all atwitter at the spectacle.
“Your Graces, my lords and ladies, welcome to my home,” Lord Surry said, as they came through the door. Lady Surry curtseyed. “We’re so very pleased you could join us to celebrate our granddaughter’s wedding.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Wolf said, leading the group into the ballroom.
Lady Surry had outdone herself with the decorations. There were vases of flowers all around the room, giving it a most festive feel, and the French doors to the balcony were open to let in the cool breeze.
“I can’t believe all these people came to wish us well,” Lydia said as George held out a chair for her.
“I think they’re here more to gawk than anything else, and what a treat they’ve gotten now that my fellow soldiers are in attendance.”
“You may be right, but I don’t care why they’re here. As long as you’re by my side, I’ll be very happy.”
“How happy are you?” George asked with a raised eyebrow.
A blush stole up Lydia’s face. “I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”
“I shall wait with bated breath, my darling.”
Lydia had insisted that her aunt sit with them at the table, although Agnes argued against it. “Lydia, I’ll be fine over there with the matrons.”
“No, you’re my family, and I want you here.”
“I feel a bit overwhelmed in such prestigious company,” Agnes said.
“Lady Dalling and Lady Collin,” announced the butler.
The two women walked straight to their table. “My darling girls, I’m so happy to see you,”Lady Collin said, hugging Mercy and Harriet. “Your Grace, my lords and ladies,” she said with a curtsey.
George stood and pulled out a chair for each of them. “Lady Dalling, a pleasure to see you again.”
“Lord Hutchinson, I couldn’t be happier about your marriage. I could see how much you loved Lady Hutchinson in Bath,” Lady Dalling said.
“Yes, and I have you to thank for inviting me to join you last summer. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“Is your lady mother in attendance?” she asked.
