“One might thinkso.”
“How fortunate he is tohave found his love,” Grant said lyrically.
Jack grinned at his cousin.Grant was a confirmed cynic.“For love,all love of other sights controules, And makes one little room, aneverywhere.”
Grant raised an eyebrow. “Neverexpected to hear you quoting Donne. Are you suffering the samecomplaint as Harry? Might marriage be on the cards?”
It seemed like daring fate to talk ofhis hopes and dreams. “Have I given you any reason to suspect itwould be?”
Grant chuckled. “Me thinks you protesttoo much, Jack.”
Jack grinned despite himself as theyskirted a hedgerow. “One doesn’t need to be in love to appreciategood poetry.” He sought to change the subject. “What about you? Igather a lady has yet to steal your heart?”
“Nicely deflected, Jack.”Grant settled his hat more firmly on his head. “I grow weary ofdebutantes. Frightened fawns most of them. And their mothers!” Heshuddered.
They strolled through the superbparkland approaching the renowned gardens. “Not surprising, whenyou’re the most sought-after bachelor in London,” Jack said. “Youmight want to choose a bride, so you can find somepeace.”
Grant frowned. “Marriage doesn’tnecessarily bring peace.”
Jack recalled Grant’s parents’ fraughtrelationship. Now a widow, his mother had at last begun to enjoylife. “Is Aunt Elizabeth here?”
“No. Mother has settled inthe London house with great enthusiasm. She’s always off attendingsome affair. I seldom see her,” Grant pursed his lips. “But everyso often she holds a soiree or a dinner party for the specificreason of introducing me to some debutante.”
“Ah.”
He scowled. “And she makes no secretof which of them she favors.”
Jack slapped him on the back. “Buckup. You might agree with her choice one of these days.”
~~~
Erina stood before the Cheval mirrorwhile her aunt fastened the pearl buckle on the white satin girdleat her back. It was a lovely gown. Made by a modiste in London ofsheer muslin over white satin, ornamented at the border with narrowquilted flounces. The bust was trimmed with beautiful lace, so werethe short sleeves. She pulled up the long white kid gloves andgently patted her hair dressed in the Roman style, a short delicateveil falling from the tiara of pearls.
“You look beautiful, Erina;your lovely hair is set off perfectly by this gown. Just like yourmother on her wedding day.”
“Mama worewhite?”
“No, blue as I recall, orwas it green? She looked perfectly lovely in it.”
Erina wished she didn’t feel so alone.She hadn’t even been able to invite her friends she’d made lastyear in her first Season. But they lived so far away it wasdoubtful they would have made the journey.
“I remember your mother’sfirst introduction to the family,” her aunt continued. “Furiouswith my brother’s choice, our father almost refused to acknowledgeher.”
Erina touched her mother’s pearlnecklace at her throat; the matching pearl and diamond earringsdangled from her ears. If only she were here beside her. Aunt Abbiewas obliging, but she did talk so.
“My goodness, you’re pale,Erina; the lightest touch of rouge.” Her aunt hurried to her room.She returned and urged Erina to sit before the dressing tablemirror. “No need for anyone to know,” she said as she applied alittle to Erina’s cheeks. “That’s much better. Bite your lips dear.Like this.” Her aunt’s visage appeared at her shoulder in an oddgrimace. “You should be sparkling with excitement not driftingabout like a waif. Why, when I married Herbert I declare Iwas…”
As Aunt Abbie’s voice droned onErina’s thoughts drifted. What was Harry thinking? Was he eager tomarry her, or deeply disappointed? They could have prevented thismarriage if only she’d stayed in London and not dragged him off toIreland. The only pleasing thing in the whole affair wereCathleen’s glowing letters, filled with joy now that Mr. Leahy hadreturned to Naas.
In her quiet moments, Erina was forcedto admit that she’d been running away, afraid life would notmeasure up to her dreams. Poor Harry. Struck down by Gormley andnow forced to marry her. Tears blurred her reflection in themirror. She blinked them away, fearing they would run down hercheeks and ruin her aunt’s efforts. Would Harry ever forgiveher?
“Now for the shawl, mydear. My wedding present to you.” Aunt Abbie slipped the gossamershawl, light as a feather, over Erina’s shoulders. “Remember toremove it before you walk down the aisle.” She sighed. “Your youngman will fall at your feet when he sees you. I can’t wait to meethim. My brother has nothing but praise for him…”
Erina walked ahead of her aunt. Shepaused, a hand on the bannister. “Thank you for all you’ve done,Aunt Abbie.” She swallowed, her throat tight with emotion. “I don’tknow how I would have managed without you.”
“Tsk. No need for that.”Aunt Abbie patted her arm. “Do smile, Erina. You’re so pretty whenyou do. Just like your mother. What a pity she’s…”
Erina forced a smile on her lips andclutched the bannister. Her father had considered it best in thecircumstances for the wedding to be a simple affair, so she had nomaid of honor. She descended the stairs with her aunt gowned inviolet behind her. Her father in his dark suit waited for her atthe bottom, his expression one of pride and perhaps a littlerelief.
