‘But not so much that you won’t want to go back to the country?’
Lizzie shook her head. ‘London is wonderful! I’ll always love it, and I’ll always cherish memories of when I lived there. But …’ She paused, not sure if he was ready to hear how much she loved making a home, for him, and her, and – soon – for their baby. ‘Anyway! I’ve got so much done since I’ve been here, my mother is going to be delighted. We even made a wedding list at Peter Jones. I’m sorry you didn’t get to choose anything but, to be honest, even with Alexandra and Meg it was pretty grim.’ She lit the gas under the kettle. ‘Apparently we can take back anything we don’t like and choose something else.’
‘Your mother will be very relieved. I know it was on her mind.’
‘My mother isn’t one for bottling things up. If she’s worried about something she likes the whole world to worry with her.’
Hugo laughed. ‘Yes, but she loves you very much and so I forgive her. But actually, talking about your parents, which we sort of were, I went to see your father. We had a man-to-man talk and he’s going to escort you down the aisle very proudly. I think you were right: he was embarrassed that he’d overreactedin the beginning, but he’s very happy about it all now.’
‘Oh, Hugo! That’s amazing! I can’t thank you enough! I tried to tell myself it didn’t matter and that David would do it if necessary but in my heart—’ Suddenly she couldn’t speak.
Hugo came to where she was sitting and put an arm round her and hugged her to him for a few seconds. ‘There’s something else as well.’
‘What?’
‘He rang your mother and told her he couldn’t cope without her any more and she’s going home first thing in the morning.’
‘That’s a miracle,’ Lizzie said, awed. ‘And she doesn’t mind?’
‘Obviously I haven’t seen her but I suspect she’s delighted to be so needed. But you can see her before she goes and tell her about the wedding list and the dress. She’ll leave happy as a grig.’
Lizzie laughed at his archaic language but there were tears in her eyes.
‘Let’s get this tea, shall we?’ said Hugo.
A few moments later they both had mugs of tea. Lizzie sat at the table and ate a miniature quiche. Fortified, she said, ‘So tell me. How did you get on at your mother’s?’
‘I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Sometimes my mother follows my father and does everything he wants without question. Sometimes she rebels.’
‘My mother is the same! I think she does what Daddy wants if she doesn’t care but if she does care – like wanting to plan my wedding – she goes ahead and does it.’ Lizzie hesitated. ‘I can’t thank you enough for talking to him.’
‘It was my duty as your future husband to reassure him about me. And he is very reassured, believe me.’
This made Lizzie smile again. ‘So, your mother? Does she think I’ve ruined your life?’ Another sip of hot tea helped keep her chin from wobbling.
‘She still hasn’t accepted the idea of my giving up the law, but I don’t think she still blames you for that. I think she’ll eventually see you as her daughter-in-law instead of Electra. Nessa has helped, obviously, going on about how lovely you are. As did I!’ he added, answering her unspoken question. ‘She will come to the wedding.’
A wedding without the groom’s parents, at least one of them, would have been a bit embarrassing. Weddings, she realised, were terribly public. She didn’t want hers spoilt by scandal.
‘She also sent you this.’ Hugo reached into this pocket and drew out a slim leather box. He handed it to Lizzie. ‘It’s not a present; she’s lending it to you.’
Inside was a delicate tiara of pearls and tiny flowers formed out of enamel and diamonds.
‘Oh my goodness, it’s so pretty!’
‘Try it on?’
She took the circlet to the mirror and set it on her head, threading it through her hair so the jewels were partly obscured. ‘It’s beautiful.’
‘I thought it would suit you.’ He paused. ‘My mother offered to lend you one of several tiaras that are part of the family jewels but most of them are in the bank. I thought this one was the most you. The others are a bit big and old-fashioned. My mother was surprised I chose that for you. She hardly considers it jewellery. It’s not nearly valuable enough.’
‘It’s perfect! It’s so kind of your mother.’
‘Not all that kind. It’s a tradition in my family to lend the bride jewellery for the wedding, particularly headdresses, which they may not have.’
‘But it’s a good sign, isn’t it? She’s keeping with tradition and lending me a crown.’
He laughed gently. ‘It’s hardly a crown but it looks lovely on you.’ He hesitated. ‘As we’re going to get married, I suppose we’re engaged?’
