"They're not all for you, my dear." Lady Regina smiled lovingly. "How would it look if I spoiled you, by giving you everything?"
As he silently watched their exchange, Sir Cedric coughed behind his hand. "I'm afraid you don't have to be concerned with that, my dear," he said to Lady Regina. "You've already done it." Humor danced in his eyes as he pressed a kiss against Elyse's cheek.
"You look ravishing. I propose a toast." He took three goblets of champagne from a nearby tray and raised his ceremoniously. "To the two most beautiful women in all London. One I consider as dear as my own daughter," he said, his eyes twinkling beneath the sweep of frosty white brows. "The other," he hesitated, a devilish gleam sparkling in his eyes. "I should like to call my bride," he announced softly, his gaze fastened on Regina.
"Bride! Good heavens, Ceddy, have you taken leave of your senses?" Regina pressed her hand against her heart as the champagne threatened to go down the wrong way. Several of her guests glanced in their direction.
"Not at all!' Sir Cedric smiled back at her, knowing the advantage was all his. "I've asked you several times, and I've decided it's now or never.
"Is that so?" Lady Regina recovered quickly. "You know very well I don't like ultimatums," she responded.
Elyse headed off the impending confrontation. Both Ceddy and her grandmother could be unreasonably stubborn.
"I think it's a grand idea," she announced. She'd like nothing better than to see the two dearest people in her life together. "It's about time you made an honest woman of her." She smiled as she sipped from her glass.
"I can see whose side you're on, my dear!" Regina replied. "I think this is hardly the time or place to be discussing such matters. And I'll tell you both right now, I won't be manipulated into a decision."
Cedric ignored her last remark. "It's precisely the time and place." He reached for a nearby bottle of champagne and refilled their glasses.
But Regina begged off. "Please, you know how it affects me. I can't have you talking me into something when I've had too much champagne."
Filling her glass with bubbling liquid, he would have none of that. "I want it to affect you, my dear. And I think there's no better time to discuss this. After all, Elyse is to be married in June. Then what will you do with yourself?"
"I hadn't thought about it. There's been so much to do lately. And there are still plans to be made..."
"I'm afraid that won't do, Reggie," he informed her matter-of-factly. "You see, it's not a matter of my making you an honest woman, but of your making me an honest man. My dear, you've absolutely ruined my reputation, keeping company with me as you have the last several years."
He shook his head as Regina's mouth dropped open at his outrageous announcement. He pressed his argument.
"Therefore, I insist that you accept this now." He slipped his hand into the pocket of his waistcoat, producing a small box.
Elyse watched in delight as he opened it, revealing the ring inside. A large gleaming emerald was set amidst smaller diamonds.
"I can't think of anything I would like more than for you two to be married," Elyse replied as her grandmother wavered. Then with sudden inspiration, she added, "We could make it a double wedding! Wouldn't that set London on its ear." She whirled around. "I must find Katy and tell her." She was off in a swirl of red silk.
"Elyse, wait!" Lady Regina called helplessly after her granddaughter. Then she turned on Cedric, her eyes, so like Elyse's, narrowing. "You did that deliberately. Now everyone will know about it," she accused.
"That's what I'm counting on, my dear. It's a sorry situation when a man is forced to beg a woman into marrying him." He smiled in spite of himself, quite satisfied. "But there you are. Now you dare not refuse."
Lady Regina fought back a smile, her eyes sparkling. "I should be angry with you."
He wasn't fooled. "You should, but you won't. Because, my dear, " he took her arm, pulling it through his as he lifted his glass in a toast to her. "You know as well as I that it's time to get on with our lives."
Regina smiled softly. "You're right, of course. And I do love you, Ceddy."
Her gaze wandered across the parlor to where Elyse was laughing at something someone said. Her granddaughter was beautiful, and Regina so wanted her to be happy. Her expression became pensive.
"I had hoped Jerrold would be here by now." She frowned, wondering what diversion kept Elyse's fiancé from her side at this time. "There are times when I wonder if I'm doing the right thing in allowing her to marry him," she mused aloud.
"Allowing her?" Sir Cedric almost burst out laughing. "My dear, I've never seen a campaign to match yours in arranging this marriage. I thought it was what you wanted."
"I only want for Elyse to be happy." Regina watched her granddaughter thoughtfully.
"She seems happy enough." Cedric's gaze followed hers.
"Yes, so it seems," she replied hesitantly. "I just wish I could be certain. I wish she were more concerned about Jerrold's absences. It's as if... " the rest went unspoken.
"She wouldn't have accepted his offer if she wasn't certain. Elyse is a strong-minded girl. I can't imagine anyone forcing her to do anything. She reminds me of someone else I know."
