Chapter Seven
ALETTER FROM ROBERTarrived the following day, inquiring after Athena’s health. She wrote back, informing him she was well, that her wedding gown had arrived, and that she was more than ready for them to begin their life together.
When Athena woke the next morning, ice crystals had formed on her window. She pressed her fingertips against the frozen glass. They’d not picked the best time of year for a wedding, but at least today was clear without a hint of rain. A maid started a fire in the grate while another brought Athena a hot cup of tea and a breakfast tray.
“Are you ready to get dressed?” her mother asked a short while later when she came to check on her.
Athena popped the last of her toast in her mouth and savored the sweet cherry preserves she’d scooped onto it. “I believe so.”
Her mother smiled and stepped aside to grant the small parade of maids waiting outside entry. Just as it had been on that long ago day when she’d been presented at court, her body was washed from head to toe before being perfumed. Hair was pulled, braided, styled, and adorned with diamond-tipped pins, and her face was massaged with a milky honey-scented lotion before being powdered. Stockings were tied in place with ribbons, a silk chemise slipped over her head. Then came the stays and at last the gown itself. Lace cap sleeves with scalloped edging embroidered with silver thread accentuated the pleated simplicity of the bodice. A wide satin ribbon circled her waist, below which the skirt fell in light diaphanous folds.
“You look stunning,” her mother said. “Let’s hope you don’t render your future husband too speechless. After all, he still has to speak his vows.”
With a grin, Athena accompanied her downstairs where her father stood waiting. A sheen of moisture brightened his eyes the moment he saw her. “Good lord. I’m starting to wonder if there’s any man on this earth who deserves you.”
“Robert does,” Athena told him.
“You’re quite certain?” her father asked, as if to be sure.
“More than I’ve ever been about anything else before.”
Leaning forward, her father placed a kiss upon her cheek. “Then by all means, let us be off so you can have him.”
Wrapped in a cloak she intended to take off when they reached the church, Athena savored the warmth of the hot brick placed at her feet in the carriage. St. James’s Church wasn’t far. It took them no more than five minutes to reach it. Carriages and horses belonging to guests packed the streets around the building. Filled with excitement, Athena alit from her own conveyance and started forward, following her parents inside.
But when she entered the vestibule, she was met by Charles, William, and James, who all looked unnervingly grim. Athena’s heart made a small flutter.
“He’s not here yet,” Charles declared without any preamble.
Athena stared at her brother, who looked about ready to pummel someone. “How late is he?”
“He was supposed to be here ten minutes ago at the latest. Everyone else was.” Charles crossed his arms and glared at her as if Robert’s absence was somehow her fault.
Athena scowled right back. “Something has clearly delayed him. Go back inside, show Mama and Papa to their seats, and tell the vicar to wait.”
“Might I say, you look incredibly lovely,” William told her.
“Yes,” Charles clipped. “A pity Darlington isn’t here to see it.”
“He will be,” Athena informed him.
James cleared his throat. “What if—”
“No.” Athena gave her brothers and her parents a firm look. “We are going to wait. That is all.”
Charles puffed out a breath, then gave a swift nod of agreement. “Very well. But if he’s not here within five minutes, I’ll skewer him myself.”
Turning her back on her irate brother, Athena crossed her arms and faced the door in anticipation of Robert’s arrival. Why wasn’t he here yet? If something had caused a delay, surely he would have sent word. Unease crept under her skin. Something must have happened. He wouldn’t just leave her like this. Would he?
Athena stared out into the wintry street beyond. It would be the perfect retaliation. Closing her eyes, she tried to ignore the whispers coming from within the church. Some were not as discreet as she would have liked. A pang of despair caught her heart. Robert had not deserted her. She refused to believe it. No one could be so convincing in their display of love and affection as he without its being real.
“It’s been five minutes.” Charles’s voice caused her to flinch. “Needless to say, people are starting to wonder about his absence.”
“They believe I’ve been jilted,” Athena said as she turned toward him.
