The banns would be read in the local church, and as soon as her father arrived, they would wed. And this new phase of his life would begin.
He rang the bell to call for a member of his staff, and was pleased when Soames attended him in the study.
"I’d like to give you some advance warning, Soames, and for you to tell the staff too. I do not have an exact date, but as soon as Lady Constance’s father arrives, we are to be wed."
Soames broke into a smile. "My congratulations, my lord. I am very happy for you."
"Thank you, Soames. I am very happy myself. I understand it’s difficult without a date, but Lady Constance and I wish to host the wedding breakfast here. Will that be a problem?"
"No, I shouldn’t think so. I’ll speak to Mrs Porter and she can get prepared. I presume we will have a few days’ notice?"
"Oh yes, definitely."
"Well then, anything fresh can be made then, and the rest in advance, I am sure."
"Thank you, Soames. It won’t be a large event – just family and some local friends – so Mrs Porter needn’t be too concerned. I’m sure she’ll do us proud, as she always does."
???
"Well?" Charity asked, before Constance was even able to dismount from her horse. "What did he want?"
Constance laughed at her sister’s eagerness.
"To show me the castle," she said, jumping down from her mount.
"He’s already shown you his castle," Charity said with a tut. "He must have wanted something else."
"Well…"
"Did he ask you?" Charity asked, clapping her hands excitedly. "Did he finally do it?"
Constance couldn’t help but smile in response.
"He did."
"I knew it! I knew it! Oh, congratulations!" she said, pulling her sister into a tight hug. Then she pulled away. "You did say yes, didn’t you?"
Constance laughed, her heart full of joy.
"Yes, I did say yes," she said, hardly daring to believe it was all real.
Charity grabbed her by the hand and dragged her into the house.
"Come, you must tell Grandmamma – she’ll be thrilled! She said all along that there was something between you. And then you must write to Father. When are you marrying? And where?"
"Give me a minute to catch my breath," Constance said, struggling to keep up with her sister. "And yes, I must write to Father without delay."
???
They had only planned for a small ceremony, but there was nothing they could do to stop the residents of Gracewood turning out in their finest clothes for the wedding of the Earl of Gracewood and the daughter of the Earl of Basingstoke.
When Constance saw all those people waiting in the church, she almost fainted.
"Nerves are perfectly normal," her father said, presumably noticing her going pale and quiet.
Constance nodded, a queasiness in her stomach that she hoped would not ruin the day. Balls were hard enough, with all those people waiting for you to make a mistake, all those eyes, all those lips ready to gossip.
But at least at a ball, one wasn’t the only person being appraised.
