“Honor and I should return to Morgan Court until a few days before the wedding,” Allegra said.
“Why?” he asked. He didn’t want her to go. He had grown quite used to having her about.
“The house is finished. The workmen will be gone in a week’s time. The architect leaves tomorrow. I have no reason to remain,” she told him.
“When has the appearance of propriety meant anythingto you?” he asked her. “Soon you will be my wife.”
“I have matters to resolve at Morgan Court,” Allegra responded.
“Is Rupert Tanner one of those matters?” he demanded, suddenly angry, and openly jealous.
“Rupert?What does he have to do with anything?” Allegra said, genuinely puzzled. “I must look over the wedding gifts that are being sent to us, and arrange to have them transported here. Madame Paul will be coming from London to do the final fitting on my wedding gown and on Sirena’s gown. She will be visiting her mama while I am there. We spoke on it at Lord Walworth’s wedding. I have little gifts to buy for the servants who have looked after me my entire life. I want to bid them all a proper farewell. And then Papa’s secretary and I must list the gifts sent to us, and send thank you notes. I have a great deal to do, Quinton, and I can only do it at Morgan Court. When I have finished, I shall return here before our wedding.” She smiled at him. “I should think you would be glad to be rid of me for a few weeks, Quinton. There will be no one to boss you about and complain because the painters could not get the color quite right. You shall have peace and quiet.But only until I return,” she finished with a twinkle, and she smiled up at him.
“I shall miss you,” he admitted. “I have become used to your presence. I have even grown to like your company.”
“Have you? How nice,” Allegra replied.
He wanted to strangle her where she stood. Could she not see that he was in love with her? Did she see him at all except as the Duke of Sedgwick? Had she no emotions? No feelings? My God, he thought, I am behavinglike my brother, or Ocky. But at least their wives reciprocated their affections. Allegra is as cold as a marble statue. No. When I touched her body she melted like ice in the summer’s sun. I can make her love me in spite of herself. If I have fallen in love, then surely she can fall in love, too.
“I shall look forward to your return with much anticipation, my dear,” he told her. “And I shall look forward to our wedding day…and night even more.”
She had the grace to blush, then said, “Honor and I will depart tomorrow, sir, the sooner to return.”
Home at Morgan Court again Allegra was horrified at the number of wedding gifts that had already arrived. “But the wedding is to be held at Hunter’s Lair and will be most private,” she said to her father’s secretary, Charles Trent. “Must we keep them? Or can they be returned, Charles?”
“I fear you must keep them, Miss Allegra, even the ones in questionable taste. Remember that the duke’s family is an ancient and revered one. Now that he is to have the power and prestige that being wealthy again will bring him, there are those who will want to keep, or gain his favor. I have listed everything that has arrived so far, along with the names of the donors. The thank you notes are written. You have but to sign your name to each one.”
“It is astounding,” Allegra said, shaking her head. “Neither the duke nor I intend joining London society. We are both agreed that we prefer the country life. We can be of little influence for anyone.”
“Ahh, but who is to know that, Miss Allegra?” Charles Trent said with a small smile. “I’m certain Hunter’s Lair has storage rooms where much of this may be put away from the light of day.”
“Gracious! What are these?” she demanded, pointing.
Mr. Trent chuckled. “They are from a gentleman nabob who does business with your papa. I believe the elephant with his trunk upraised is a symbol of good fortune, Miss Allegra. The pair are a third life-size, overlaid with gold leaf, and decorated with semiprecious gemstones. Their tusks are genuine ivory. Perhaps if the duke would consider it, they could be installed outside his library doors.”
“Never!”Allegra said emphatically. “Our home is both classic and elegant, but certainly not gaudy. What could this man have been thinking?”
“Most likely of impressing your papa with his generosity. It is a most expensive gift,” Mr. Trent said dryly. “These nabobs, Miss Allegra, have great wealth, but many are self-made men of little or no background.”
Sirena came shortly after Allegra had arrived home. The cousins greeted each other happily. Octavian Baird saluted his wife’s relation warmly.
“How did you leave Quint?” he asked her.
“Strangely not happy to be left alone, although I thought he should enjoy a bit of peace and quiet after the uproar of the last few months. The house is finished at last.”
“I shall pay him a visit then while Sirena stays with you,” Viscount Pickford said.
“Not fair,” Sirena cried. “Then you shall get to see the improvements to Hunter’s Lair before I do.”
“As you have never been to Hunter’s Lair, it should make no difference at all,” her husband said sensibly. “Enjoy your visit with Allegra and your parents, my darling.”
The two young women had been placed back in their girlhood bedchamber. Allegra suddenly found the roomold-fashioned after her beautiful and spacious apartment at Hunter’s Lair, but she and Sirena were soon gossiping away as if they had never been parted.
“I see what you mean about Mama and Steppapa,” Sirena told her cousin. “They are behaving quite like April and May.”
“More like September and October,” Allegra replied. “I had hoped that after a few months away they would have become more dignified again, but they are worse than ever.”
“They are in love,” Sirena said softly. “Is it not wonderful that your papa and my mama were able to find love again at their time of life? I am so happy for them.”
