Regina smiled at his last remark, but she was still troubled. "I lay awake nights wondering if she's doing this for me. Jerrold's mother was a dear friend of mine, but that's not a reason to agree to this. She's been through so much with the death of her parents..." she said, thinking of that tragic day years before. "I just want her to be happy.
"There are times when I look at her, or hear something in her voice when she speaks of Jerrold or the wedding," she continued. "Almost as if she's resigned herself to it. That's not how a bride should feel."
"I would hardly call her resigned. Look at the girl, she is positively radiant."
Regina nodded, unconvinced. "Yes, she does seem happy, but still... " Regina knew that the dreams still woke her at night.
"She's taken to riding early in the morning and refuses to take anyone with her. I'm at a loss to understand this restlessness in her. And, every once in a while, I find her looking out the window, as if she is watching for something..." Or someone? she thought to herself.
"Have you tried talking to her about it? I can't see Barrington tolerating that sort of thing."
"Yes, but she insists that if she can ride in the country, she can ride when we're here in London. I've had Quimby follow her at a discreet distance. I'm not certain if she knows it."
"Then what have you to worry about? She's safe enough with Quimby about." Cedric tried to ease her concerns.
"You're right of course," she admitted. "Still..."
"Are you worried about how it looks for the future Lady Barrington to be out alone about London?" he teased, knowing full well Regina had never given a fig about what other people thought. It was one of the things he loved about her.
Since Elyse had come to live with her, she had made an effort to observe certain rules of propriety, determined that her American-born granddaughter would take her rightful place in society.
"I want the very best for Elyse. Look at her." Lady Regina's eyes glowed with pride and love. "She is lovely, isn't she?"
"Almost as lovely as her grandmother."
She squeezed his hand affectionately, but her worried expression remained. "Perhaps after the holidays, she'll take more interest in the wedding."
"Speaking of weddings," he hinted. "I should like you to consider ours. Don't worry about Elyse. Jerrold will make her a good husband." Any doubts he had, he kept to himself. He was not family, yet. "After all, Lord Barrington wants this marriage almost as badly as you do."
Lady Regina smiled as she looked down at the ring he'd given her. She prayed Ceddy was right. Jerrold did seem to care for her granddaughter, and it did seem that lately he was curtailing some of his more indiscreet activities. In his circle, membership at White's, one of London's more elite men's clubs, was expected, as was occasional gaming or betting on horses at the private jockey club.
That didn't bother her. What did bother her were the rumors of various liaisons since the betrothal was announced. It might have been old-fashioned, but she had hoped that Jerrold's affection for her granddaughter might curtail such activities. Ceddy tried to assure her that these were most likely nothing more than a man's dalliances before settling into marriage and family.
"Have you given Elyse the gift we spoke of?" he asked.
"Not yet. I do hope she'll like it," Regina replied. She had kept it for her granddaughter. Now, with the wedding only months away, it seemed like an appropriate time to give it to her.
They crossed the formal parlor together. Elyse looked up and smiled.
"I have been keeping this for you," Regina said, handing her the small, wrapped package. She laid a hand against her granddaughter's cheek. "It's very precious to me, as you are."
"Shouldn't we wait until Christmas morning?" Elyse asked.
"I've waited long enough for you to have it. Go ahead, open it," Regina smiled.
Elyse removed the gold paper to reveal a small box much like the one Ceddy had given her grandmother. She opened it, her eyes widening at the sight of the pendant on the gold chain.
She'd seen the pendant once as a child. She had come upon her grandmother in her room and found her staring at it. There had been something in her eyes and on her face, a sadness she hadn't understood. She had quietly left without saying anything. Now, she stared down at the piece of jewelry that she knew meant a great deal to her grandmother.
"It's beautiful," she said.
The design was old-fashioned with twelve small blue diamonds encircling a large pearl at the center. It was attached to a gold chain. Elyse looked at her grandmother.
"I saw this once, a long time ago, and then you put it away," she told her. "I know how much it means to you. Why are you giving it to me?"
"You're right," her grandmother admitted. "It does mean a great deal to me. It was a gift from a very dear friend of mine, Jerrold's mother."
Surprise filled Elyse's eyes. "Felicia Barrington?"
