Chapter Thirteen
The family had gathered for afternoon tea in the parlor of the Mount Street townhouse, as Leonora effusively described the luxurious five-story home in Mayfair where she and her husband would spend the Season. She finally ran out of superlatives. “Have you seen Gerard’s London house, yet Harriett?”
Harriett shook her head. “It’s leased. There’s no urgency.”
Leonora widened her eyes. “Surely you don’t intend to remain in the depths of the country? Not for thewholeseason?”
“If Gerard wishes it, then yes.”
Leonora shrugged. “How very dull.”
“I hardly think so,” Harriett said with a smile. “I’m passionately in love with Gerard. I’ll be happy as long as I’m with him.”
A shadow of doubt darkened Leonora’s blue eyes. “I’m sure I shall come to feel the same for Frederick in time.”
Harriett suffered a jolt of sympathy for her sister. Leonora had made a stunning match, and one day she would make a beautiful duchess. But would she ever experience the passion that she and Gerard felt for one another? “You will, I’m sure,” she said emphatically. “I find Frederick a most charming fellow. I can see he loves you dearly.”
Leonora’s lips trembled into a smile. “Yes, he does, doesn’t he?”
“You shall be the toast of London, my love,” Mama said, raising her head from a fashion periodical. “You and Frederick will become ape leaders of theton, of that I am quite certain.”
“What a high pinnacle of achievement,” Father said dryly, coming to sit down for tea.
Mama smiled at him as she picked up the teapot. “Oh, Edgerton. What do you know of these things?”
Father winked at Harriett.
Harriett’s mother took over the organization of her wedding with her usual efficiency, but when it came to choosing the wedding gown, Harriett put her foot down. “You have far too much to do as it is, Mama, with Leonora’s wedding following so soon after ours,” she said tactfully.
Harriett chose a white embroidered cotton mull, which with little alteration would serve her well for future occasions. Her bouquet was to be a simple arrangement of cream sweet peas, her hair bound with white ribbon, and she would wear her mother’s pearls.
