“I do not believe I have ever seen my father appear so serious about anything in all my life,” the sultan’s son continued after the girls had settled down. He furrowed a brow when he noticed Lucy removing a hanky from her pocket. She lifted it to the corner of her eye. “Are you all right, my lady?” he asked in alarm.
“Oh, I cannot help but either be happy or sad. Please, get on with it,” she said as she waved a hand in a circle.
Finding the line where he had left off, Ertugrul placed a hand on his chest and read, “Lady Rose and I have been ordered to marry and to do so with great haste. After our kiss in the gardens last night—”
“Oh!” several of the girls exclaimed in delight, clapping their hands together in their mutual excitement.
“—I am writing to ask if I might have the honor of announcing our betrothal at the ball my parents are hosting in three days’ time?” Ertugrul looked up first at Hope and then at Adeline before he added, “I look forward to your soonest reply. With all my love, Waverley.”
Tears were streaming down Hope’s face as those around her clasped their hands together and sighed.
“I would never have thought Waverley to be so romantic,” Patience whispered loudly.
“Shh!” Faith held up a finger to her lips. “Is there more?” she prompted. “There’s always more.”
“Post scriptum,” Ertugrul said as he held up a finger. “I know orange roses are your favorite, so please excuse the color of these. There were no orange roses in Chiswick.”
“Roses?” Hope repeated. She turned around to discover Elkins standing at the door with a huge bouquet of red roses.
“My lady, these arrived for you,” the butler stated in his baritone. “And a footman awaits your reply.”
Adeline noticed her mother standing next to the door, and she gave her a watery grin. Elizabeth’s attention was on Ertugrul, though, who was regarding the women around him with a combination of humor and curiosity.
“So heishead over heels for you!” exclaimed Lucy, tears streaming down her face.
Patience took one of Lucy’s hands in hers. “Whatever is wrong? You’re crying as if...” She furrowed a dark brow. “Didyouhave feelings for Waverley?”
Lucy’s eyes rounded as she sniffled. “No!” she replied. “I have news as well, but,” she sighed heavily. “Chamberlain’s proposal wasn’t nearly as romantic as Waverley’s,” she complained. “He didn’t even kiss me until after I agreed to marry him.”
“You’re marrying Marcus Fitzsimmons?” Adeline asked in awe.
Nodding, Lucy’s watery grin widened into a smile. “This summer. He promised to take me on a wedding trip to the Peak District.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Faith said as she settled back in her chair. “The Season has barely begun and already two of you have proposals.”
“What should I tell the footman?” Hope asked suddenly.
“Yes!” they all cried out in unison.
A collective giggle followed their reply as Hope made her way out of the salon.
Adeline caught sight of Ertugrul’s pointed glance and she furrowed a brow in question.
“Lady Rose has been ordered to marry and to do so with great haste,” he repeated in a quiet voice. “I expect we shall be hearing of another proposal during the Ariley ball.”
Although his comment wasn’t immediately heard by the girls left in the salon, their attentions all turned to him upon hearing the last line.
“He’s only just returned to London,” Adeline replied, thinking her brother wouldn’t propose so quickly.
“Who?” Patience asked, helping herself to another biscuit.
“My brother, David,” Adeline said in a faraway voice. She was sure he was with Rose this very moment. Somewhere in the park. Perhaps he was proposing marriage.
In a matter of minutes, she had learned half her close friends were betrothed.
Patience and Faith exchanged quick glances and gave Adeline a sympathetic shrug. “So, there will just be three of us standing with Fred,” Faith said with a sigh.
“Three of us, yes,” Adeline replied. She held out the plate of biscuits. “Would you like another?”
