A New Family
Reed was allowed no time alone with his newly betrothed as Caroline had immediately whisked Goldie upstairs. Which, he supposed, was as it should be.
But although he had matters to attend to himself, not being able to talk to her frustrated him. He wanted to learn more about her reasons for changing her mind. They obviously had something to do with her father. Had the duke discovered that she’d met with him? Had the duke hurt her in some way?
Caroline, however, would take good care of Goldie. Already, Reed heard the sounds of heated water being carried upstairs. Servants scurried about and the house seemed to come alive for the first time since the passing of the old duke.
Thinking there must be much to do, but at a momentary loss as to what any of it might be, Reed returned to his study.
He would send word to West. Yes. And to the church, confirming the prior arrangements. Keeping busy grounded him. Keeping himself occupied was just the ticket.
He retrieved the special license from his top drawer. All he needed to do was fill in Goldie’s name.
Marigold.
A glance at the clock on the mantel sent a burst of vigor shooting through his veins. Because, by some miracle, he might just pull this off.
And pulling this off roused an entirely new set of nerves.
Because, it seemed, he was taking a wife.
Tonight.
Lady Caroline didn’t waste a moment as she all but dragged Goldie upstairs and into a luxurious chamber. “I’d put you in the suite that adjoins Reed’s, but my aunt’s belongings are yet to have been cleared out. We didn’t think it would be necessary so soon.” She sent Goldie an apologetic wince and shrug. “But we’ll have them removed this afternoon. You’ll be needing it after you return from the church this evening.”
Church. This evening. Goldie blinked away the dizziness that threatened.
And before she could protest that this suite would be quite sufficient, two other girls appeared.
“Lady Marigold,” Caroline said. “May I present my two younger sisters to you—your future sisters-in-law: Lady Melanie and Lady Josephine.” Caroline grimaced. “I’m still not quite used to that. We never expected Reed would have the title.”
Both were younger versions of their older sister, and equally pretty.
“It is rather exceptional, isn’t it?” Goldie clutched her valise in one hand, not sure what to do.
“Are your trunks going to be delivered later?” Lady Josephine asked. Because under normal circumstances, the daughter of a duke would have more than one valise of belongings to bring with her into a marriage.
She’d also have a dowry.
And a church full of guests.
“I… I don’t know.” Goldie decided to jump right in with the truth. “My father doesn’t know I’m here. He wouldn’t approve if he did.” The thought struck her that if he suspected any of this, he’d likely storm his way inside and challenge her betrothed. He might not consider her feelings as his daughter, but he expected her to follow his rules.
Goldie turned cold at the thought.
“You mustn’t worry about that right now,” Lady Melanie offered. “By marrying Reed, you’ll have his full protection. And you’ll soon learn that he doesn’t take his responsibilities lightly.”
“You will also have free reign with his accounts at all the local shops,” Lady Josephine added with a wink.
“Josie…” Lady Caroline shot her younger sister a stern look.
In the hours that followed, Goldie couldn’t help but acknowledge that all three girls were every bit as friendly as Reed had said, and his descriptions of their characters, surprisingly accurate.
Lady Caroline managed everything with an abundance of enthusiasm, while Lady Melanie offered quiet support, and the youngest taunted her older sisters that she would be Reed and Goldie’s children’s favorite aunt.
Whereupon Lady Caroline sent her youngest sister a second stern look before asking the maid to bring tea.
In the quiet that settled after, Lady Melanie spoke. “Your father shouldn’t blame Reed, you know. It’s not his fault the hunting lodge burnt down.”
