“I didn’t think he would. I’m pleased to be wrong.”
“I can see that. I knew he wasn’t interested in me, so I’m glad you won him. Really, I’m happy for you.”
She hugged the twin who waxed hot and cold. “I know you are. And I’ll be happy for you when you make up your mind about a husband. You really don’t need to rush it, Em. Be sure first. It’s so much better when you’re sure.”
“Are we going to cry?” Layla asked as she hugged them both.
“We might,” Emily mumbled. “We only just got you back, Nessa, and now you’re leaving again.”
“But I’ve been told I’ll only be a day or two away.”
“Then we’ll both visit you.”
“Not until you’re invited,” Vanessa replied, but softened her words with a grin.
“Of course not, you’ll be on your honeymoon,” Layla agreed.
“Which could last a year or more.”
“Nonsense, we’ll see you soon.”
She was hoping that she and Monty could escape soon when she was besieged by his family, en masse. She’d already met the lot of them, even the nieces and nephews, when her family had been invited to dine at their town house.
Angela Townsend hugged her warmly today and whispered, “His father and I despaired that this day would ever come. It’s such a joy to welcome you to our family.”
And Weston said to Monty, “I suppose I’ll have to tolerate you now. You’re too bloody happy to get annoyed at my jibes anymore.”
It was a complaint and yet it wasn’t. Weston even smiled as he said it. But Andrew still poked him in the ribs, saying, “You still have me, Brother. I promise to take the bait when you feel inclined to boorishness—oh, wait, you always are!”
Weston snorted, but Monty’s eldest sister, Evelyn, put her arm through his and warned Andrew, “Leave him alone. Today is a day for cheer. Baby Boy has joined our ranks.”
“Let’s hope without our trials and tribulations,” Claire put in with a grumble.
Vanessa might have been confused if Monty hadn’t already told her that Evelyn wasn’t talking to her husband and Claire wanted a divorce from hers because she believed he’d cheated on her, even though her entire family had assured her it wasn’t so.
But then Evelyn said to Claire, “Speak for yourself, darling. I’m talking to my husband again.”
Vanessa whispered to Monty, who had just put his arm around her waist, “Did she really call you Baby Boy?”
“They all did for a while. It’s hell being the youngest.” But then before the tiff between his sisters escalated, he grinned at Evelyn. “I think I’m a little too old for that nickname, Evy.”
But Claire, still smarting over Evelyn’s remark, turned to her older sister. “At least he didn’t use his old nickname for you, Evil.”
At which point Brian Townsend said in a warning tone, “The lot of you will remember that this is a gloriously happy day for our family.”
“Of course!” more than one of them said in unison.
But then even he ribbed the groom a little. “The rake never did become you, Montgomery, but I always knew it would only take the right woman to help you to figure that out. Wasn’t so complicated after all, was it?”
Monty laughed. Vanessa guessed what his father was referring to, though she doubted Monty would tell his family it had required royal intervention to free her to marry him. She was so pleased that his parents appeared to like her so much, but now they wanted more grandchildren! When that subject was mentioned, Vanessa extricated herself without blushing.
“WE SHOULD ARRIVE BEFOREevening tomorrow. The property is near Harwich on the Essex coast. Your father mentioned that you like a view of the sea, so I’m quite pleased with the location. And Mother assured me the staff she hired has the manor cleaned and stocked.”
“Just hired?”
“The house has been empty for a good number of years. And you can pick your own staff if you’d prefer. She just wanted the place ready for us.”
“To be dealt with as needed. Just now, you’ve a wife to be dealt with.”
