"I know, sir." Martin's voice was rough. "I will spend the rest of my life proving worthy of her."
"See that you do." Lord Wayworth's tone was stern, but there was warmth beneath it. "Now, I believe this calls for celebration. Margaret, ring for champagne. We have a betrothal to announce."
***
The next hour passed in a blur of congratulations and champagne.
Lady Wayworth, once she had recovered from her initial shock, threw herself into planning mode with frightening efficiency. She spoke of announcements and betrothal partiesand trousseau and wedding dates, her words tumbling over each other in a torrent of maternal enthusiasm.
"A June wedding, I think. The gardens will be in full bloom, and the weather should be pleasant. We shall have to begin the guest list immediately, there are at least three hundred people who must be invited, perhaps four hundred if we include the…"
"Mama." Vanessa held up a hand. "We have been betrothed for less than an hour. Perhaps we might wait a day or two before planning the wedding?"
"Nonsense. There is no time to waste. These things take months to arrange properly, and I will not have my daughter's wedding be anything less than perfect." Lady Wayworth turned to Martin. "You have no objections, I trust?"
"None whatsoever, Lady Wayworth. I defer entirely to your superior expertise in such matters."
"A wise answer. I can see you will make an excellent son-in-law." She patted his arm approvingly. "Now, about the venue. I assume the ceremony will be at St. George's? It is the only appropriate choice for a duke, of course, but we shall need to secure the date quickly. The vicar is notoriously difficult about scheduling."
Vanessa caught Martin's eye across the room. He raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
Help me,she mouthed.
You are on your own,he mouthed back.
She glared at him. He grinned.
"If you will excuse me," Vanessa said, rising from her seat, "I need a moment of fresh air. The excitement has been rather overwhelming."
"Of course, dear." Lady Wayworth waved a distracted hand. "Do not dawdle…as we have much to discuss."
Vanessa escaped to the garden before her mother could rope her into a debate about flower arrangements.
***
The garden was quiet, the afternoon light filtering through the leaves of the old oak tree. Vanessa settled onto the stone bench beneath its branches and let out a long breath.
She was betrothed…to Martin Hale, Duke of Montehood.
It still did not feel real.
"Hiding already?"
She looked up to find Edward approaching, his hands in his pockets, his expression somewhere between amused and affectionate.
"Not hiding…merely recovering." She shifted to make room for him on the bench. "Mama has already planned the entire wedding. I believe she mentioned ice sculptures."
“That is definitely the work of our mother.” Edward sat beside her, stretching his long legs out before him. "She has been waiting for this moment for years, you know. The chance to plan a society wedding for one of her children."
"Then she should have focused her energies on you. You are the heir."
"Yes, but I am also a man, which means I am entirely useless when it comes to matters of lace and flower arrangements." He bumped her shoulder with his. "You, on the other hand, are the perfect canvas for her ambitions."
“I am favoured by fortune indeed.”
They sat in companionable silence for a moment. The sounds of the city felt distant here, muffled by the garden walls and the rustling leaves.
"I am happy for you," Edward said finally. "Truly, Van. I know I gave you both a hard time on that terrace, but, I am glad. Martin is a good man. He will take care of you."
