Briefly, he glanced down at Mary, caught the affection that shone in her eyes, and felt suddenly lighter. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, shifting his gaze to the rest of those present. “I know that many of you are surprised to see me here after so many years—that you thought me forever lost to the world. You may wonder why I chose not to announce my return from Belgium... Suffice it to say that I did not feel comfortable, venturing out into public with the wounds that I had sustained, unsure of how I would be greeted.
“The truth is that my injuries have served as something of a handicap. They have made me view myself in a different light. For a long time I thought myself unworthy—of friendship, of respect...” He paused briefly before adding, “And of love.”
Reaching for Mary’s hand, he enfolded it in his own as he looked down at her with all the fondness in his heart. “That is no longer the case.” Pausing for emphasis, he said, “It is with the greatest joy that I am able to announce my engagement to Lady Mary. She is everything that I have ever dreamed of, and I cannot wait for the day when she and I are finally wed. So if you would all please rise for a toast in her honor, I would be exceedingly grateful.”
It didn’t take long for all of the guests to get to their feet and pick up their glasses. From across the table, Spencer gave Richard a distinct nod of approval that was mirrored by their father who’d been placed further away. “To Lady Mary,” the guests spoke in unison. “And congratulations to you both,” Lady Duncaster added after everyone had taken a sip of their wine.
“Hear, hear!” Cheers rose up under the ceiling where they hovered above everyone like puffy clouds on a bright summer’s day.
“Richard,” Lady Oakland exclaimed as soon as she had a chance to approach her son later. “I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am for you! Fiona did suggest a possible attachment between the two of you earlier, but having it confirmed is simply wonderful—the very best news I could have hoped for.” Turning toward Mary, she reached for her hands and clasped them between her own as she leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, my dear.”
Mary looked adorably befuddled as she nodded, smiled, and offered her thanks. Belatedly, as if it were an afterthought, she dipped into a curtsy, but Lady Oakland quickly stopped her from completing the gesture, insisting that adhering to such protocol would be completely unnecessary. It seemed as though Richard’s world had somehow managed to find its center of gravity once more. And yet, in spite of the rightness of it all, a niggling feeling seemed to poke him in the shoulder, insisting that the joy he’d been granted was but a mirage that would soon evaporate before him like the fleeting memory of a dream.
Chapter15
As it turned out, Mary was allowed two full days of blissful happiness before her world was turned upside down. It happened in the late afternoon while she was out enjoying a picnic with Richard and his siblings. Having decided that the clover-filled meadow beyond Thorncliff’s orchard would serve as a splendid location, Fiona had spearheaded the venture by determining who would carry what and where it should all go since everyone had agreed that it would be a refreshing change not to have to impose on any footmen.
Lady Spencer was also in full accord and had gazed lovingly at her husband while the Duke and Duchess of Stonegate followed suite. As Richard’s eldest sister, the duchess had adamantly insisted on helping Mary with her wedding preparations, though Mary soon discovered that the unmarried state of the remaining Heartly sisters would not deter them from voicing their own ideas and opinions. Indeed, they had all become rather fond of sharing their views on flowers, colors, food and music. It had gotten to a point where Mary could only hope that Lady Laura’s idea of a wedding gown would not come to fruition since it sounded like more of a pastry than something that one might actually wish to wear.
“I am really not partial to large quantities of ribbons or lace,” Mary explained for what had to be the tenth time. Seated beneath the shade of a handsome oak, she’d just selected a tuna sandwich when Lady Laura once again began suggesting the sort of dress thatshethought fitting for a Society wedding.
“What about beads then?” Lady Laura inquired. “Crystal beads are especially pretty and since I do believe it will be a sunny day, they will catch and reflect the light, making you look like a princess right out of a magical fairy-tale story.” The comment was, as had become the norm whenever Lady Laura spoke of anything remotely romantic, followed by a sigh and a distant gaze.
Mary automatically scrunched her nose before making a deliberate effort to smile. “Unfortunately I do not care overly much for beads either.” She shrugged one shoulder when Lady Laura gaped at her as if she were mad. “I find that simplicity tends to serve me best.”
“I could not agree more, especially since it was one of the first things about you that caught my attention,” Richard said. Reaching for Mary’s hand, he placed a reverent kiss upon her knuckles. “One cannot deny that a lady as pretty as you does not require further embellishment. Least of all when one considers that they will only serve to distract from your natural beauty.”
If Mary could have blushed both inside and out, she was certain that she would have done so in response to such a publically spoken proclamation. Unable to help the smile that tugged at her lips, she offered Richard the most adoring look she could manage before shyly lowering her gaze to her lap. After two weeks of secret rendezvous, she’d grown accustomed to private signs of affection. To have their romance become the center of public scrutiny was making her feel as though she were an insect under a magnifying glass.
Still, she felt her stomach swirl when, moments later, as the rest of the party was otherwise distracted by Lady Emily reading out loud from theMayfair Chronicle,Richard leaned in and whispered in Mary’s ear, “What I would not give for another moment alone with you in the antechamber.”
Not daring to respond, Mary did her best to focus on what Lady Emily was reading—something about an attempted jewelry heist from a wealthy merchant’s house in London. But Richard’s presence proved too great a distraction. Especially when he went on to tell herhowhe would like to make use of such a moment.
By the time the picnic was over and everyone decided to return indoors, Mary was quite certain that she had, in the space of only two hours, somehow managed to grow warmer than the surface of the sun. It didn’t help that the younger Heartly sisters giggled and whispered to each other as they followed behind Mary and Richard. This, however, came to an end as they climbed the steps to the terrace and approached the French doors leading back inside the house. The eager chatter coming from small clusters of guests made everyone immediately aware that an event of some importance must have occurred during their absence.
“Mama,” Spencer said, striding forward with purpose. Looking around, Mary caught sight of the countess, her smile filled with eager excitement as she came toward them. “What is all the fuss about?”
“Oh, I knew that coming here would be the very best decision in the world and Lady Duncaster has just confirmed this. She truly knows how to cater to her guests in every way.” Inhaling a deep breath, Lady Oakland continued with, “Just wait until you hear of the treat that she has planned. You will scarcely be able to believe it!”
“Well? What is it?” Lady Fiona asked. She looked just as eager to discover the surprise as Lady Oakland looked at the prospect of announcing it.
With her arm still linked with Richard’s, Mary leaned a little closer so as not to miss a single word. Admittedly, the buzz of voices swarming through the atrium where they were presently standing, had stirred her curiosity.
A very dramatic pause followed before Lady Oakland casually said, “Do any of you know who Mr.Taylor is?”
A slight shiver crept across Mary’s shoulders. She felt Richard’s arm tighten against her own as she shook her head.
“The manager of the King’s Theatre?” Richard’s sister, Lady Rachel, asked.
“Precisely,” Lady Oakland said as she looked to Lady Rachel. “He has written to Lady Duncaster in response to some interest that he has received regarding none other than Lucia Cavalani.”
Mary felt the ground sink beneath her feet.
“The opera singer?” Sarah put in. “Will she be coming here?”
“Well, that is just it,” Lady Oakland said. “Apparently, Mr.Taylor wishes to know if Thorncliff’s guests would like to enjoy a private concert, in which case, he has promised to ensure MissCavalani’s imminent arrival.”
“Breathe.” The whispered reminder was made by Richard as he carefully disentangled himself and Mary from the group and proceeded to lead her back out onto the terrace. Without pausing for even a second, he hastened her down the steps and toward the far right of the garden where the Greek folly stood. At a reasonable distance from all others, nobody was close enough to hear what they said or see their expressions, which Mary felt was just as well since she was certain she looked quite ill.
