Her husband studied her gravely. “You look very lovely. Exactly as a duchess should, butseldomdoes.”
The train squealed to a halt, and she glanced out to see a bunting-draped platform. “Good heavens!” she said blankly. “There are hundreds of people outthere.”
“I did warn you.” He stood and walked to the carriage door. “It’s probably the entire population of Swindon Minor and everyone for five miles around. The schools will have given a holiday so that the pupils can come and wave flagsatyou.”
“It’s different actually seeing them.” Observing her husband’s closed expression, she said, “You don’t look veryenthusiastic.”
“Gavin was much better at this sort of thing.” Perhaps that was true, but when Justin opened the door and stepped onto the platform, a roar of welcome went up. He gave a nod of acknowledgment, then turned to help Sunny step down. Another cheer went up, so she gave afriendlywave.
She met a blur of local dignities, all of whom gave speeches of welcome. Luckily she was good at smiling graciously, and the sables kept her from freezing in the chill,dampair.
The only part that stood out in her mind was the little girl who was pushed forward, clutching a bouquet in her tiny hands. “Give the posies to the duchess, Ellie,” her motherhissed.
Unclear on the theory, Ellie swept the bouquet around in circles. With a grin, Sunny intercepted it, then dropped a kiss on the child’s soft brown curls. “Thank you,Ellie!”
Another cheer arose. Sunny blushed. Her gesture had not been calculated, but apparently kissing babies was good policyeverywhere.
The mayor of the borough assisted her into the waiting carriage and Justin settled beside her. However, instead of starting for the palace, there was a delay while the horses were unhitched. A dozen men seized the shafts and began pulling the carriage up the village high street as the church bell began to ringclamorously.
Sunny gave her husband a doubtful glance. “This seems dreadfullyfeudal.”
He lifted his hand in response to a group of exuberant uniformed schoolchildren. “This isn’t really for you, or for me, either. It’s a celebration of continuity. Of a life lived on this land for centuries. Swindon Palace belongs as much to the tenants as it does to theAubreys.”
She supposed he was right, and certainly the crowd seemed to be having a very jolly time. Nonetheless, her democratic American soul twitched a bit. Trying to look like a duchess, she smiled and waved for the slow two miles to SwindonPalace.
Another crowd waited in the courtyard. After the newlyweds had climbed the front steps, Justin turned and gave a short thank-you speech in a voice that carried easily to everyone present. Gavin might have had a talent for grand gestures, but the tenants had had more daily contact with Justin, and they seemed to heartily approveofhim.
After one last wave, she went inside with her husband. The greetings weren’t over yet, for a phalanx of Aubrey relations waited with a sea of servantsbehindthem.
As she steeled herself for more introductions and smiles, two huge wolfhounds galloped toward the door, nails scrabbling on the marble floor. The sight of the enormous dogs charging full speed at her made Sunny give a small squeak ofalarm.
Before the beasts could overrun them, Justin made a quick hand gesture andcommanded, “Sit!”
Instantly the wolfhounds dropped to their haunches, though they wriggled frantically for attention. Justin stroked the sleek aristocratic heads, careful not to neglect either. “These were Gavin’s dogs. They miss himdreadfully.”
To Sunny, it looked as if the wolfhounds were perfectly satisfied with the new duke. It took a moment to realize that Justin’s comment was an oblique admission of his owngrief.
She was ashamed of the fact that she had not really considered how profoundly he must feel his brother’s death. Though the two men had been very different, the first time she had seen them they had been standing side by side. They must have been close, or Justin would not have chosen to manage the family property when he could have done many otherthings.
While she was wondering if she should say something to him, the relatives descended. First in consequence was the dowager duchess, Justin’s mother, who wore mourning black for Gavin. Her forceful expression reminded Sunny of her own mother, though Augusta was far moreelegant.
After a fierce scrutiny of the colonial upstart, the dowager said, “You look healthy, girl. Are youpregnantyet?”
As Sunny flushed scarlet, Justin put a protective arm around her waist. “It’s a little early to think about that since we’ve been married less than a month, Mother,” he said calmly. “Sunny, I believe you already know my older sisters, Blanche and Charlotte, and their husbands, Lord Alton and LordUrford.”
Sunny had met all four in London during the season. The sisters were in the same mold as Gavin: tall, blond, handsome Aubreys whose self-absorption was tempered by underlying good nature. They examined Sunny’s furs with frank envy, but their greetings were friendly. After all, it was her money that would keep up thefamilyhome.
Next in line was Lady Alexandra, the Gargoylette. She hung back until Justin pulled her into a hug. It was the most affectionate Sunny had ever seen him. “I don’t believe you’ve met my little sister,Alexandra.”
He accompanied his introduction with a speaking look at his wife. Sunny guessed that if she was dismissive or abrupt, he would not easilyforgiveher.
Alexandra stammered a greeting, too bashful to meet her new sister-in-law’s eyes. Dark and inches shorter than the older girls, she looked very like Justin. There was nothing wrong with her appearance except that her mother dressed her verybadly.
Following her instinct, Sunny also hugged her smallest sister-in-law. “Thank you so much for your letter!” she said warmly. “It was good to know that I would find afriendhere.”
Alexandra looked up shyly. Her gray eyes were also like Justin’s, but where he was reserved, she was vulnerable. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said simply. “I saw you when you came to the garden fete last spring, and thought you were the loveliest creature in theworld.”
A little embarrassed at such frank adoration, Sunny said lightly, “It’s amazing what a good dressmakercando.”
