When a Marquis Chooses a Bride (32 page)

Dotty told him about meeting Tom and what they discovered afterward. When the tea arrived, she poured a cup and added a little extra sugar.

The major took it from her. “Thank you.” He took a sip, then set it down. “We go off and fight for our country”—his voice cracked—“expecting our families to be safe. I never even suspected . . .”

He appeared as if he needed time alone. “Major, Lord Merton and I have a few things to attend to. If you'd like, you may remain here for a while. When we are finished, we shall take you to see Tom.”

“Thank you. You're very kind.”

Dotty rose, signaling him to remain seated. Once they were out of the study and had closed the door, tears sprang to her eyes. “I need some fresh air. Walk with me?”

Dom held her in his arms. “Whatever you want, my love.” He took her to a parlor in the back of the house that led to the terrace. “I can't imagine what he's going through. Losing his wife like that.”

“Senseless greed on the part of Mrs. White and the others.” She forced her thoughts from the major to the gardens. Anything to keep her mind busy. “I think I would like new plantings for next year.”

Dom was quiet for a moment. “It could probably use some refurbishing. Perhaps some statuary as well.”

She nodded briskly, glad he was not making her discuss Tom's situation. “Yes, maybe an arbor or two.” She wiped a lone tear that had leaked out. “Oh, this isn't working very well at all.”

“No, I didn't suppose it would. Shall I just hold you?”

“Yes, I think that would be best.”

They stood in full view of the house while Dotty hugged him as hard as she could. All the time they'd dealt with the ladies and Tom, she had concentrated on making it all better. Now with the major's grief so new and raw, she had trouble holding back her own tears. Thank the Lord she had Dom and he understood. Long moments later, she said, “I'm all right now. We should send a note to Matt and Grace. Tom will be excited to see his father again.”

At least she could give the major his son.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

During the walk to Stanwood House, Thea and Dom focused their conversation on what Tom had been doing since coming to live at Merton House. She seemed to need to emphasize the happier news, and he hoped the major would agree.

“It was his drawing that enabled me to find Miss Stern when she'd been abducted.” Dom placed his hand over hers. “That information must, of course, be kept among ourselves.”

“Naturally,” Major Cavanaugh responded. “I can't tell you how thankful I am that you agreed to take him in, my lord.”

“Your gratitude should be directed to Miss Stern. She saw immediately what needed to be done.” Dom suppressed the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. If he'd had his way, the result didn't bear thinking of.

The major glanced at Thea. “Thank you. My lord, I'll be happy to repay you for the expenses you've incurred.”

“Don't think of it. I've liked having the boy around.” Dom waited for his uncle's voice to invade his thoughts, but it didn't happen. Relief filled him. Perhaps he would finally be able to live his own life.

The door to Stanwood House opened as they climbed the stairs.

“My lord, miss,” Grace's butler, Royston, bowed regally. “Lord and Lady Worthington are in her ladyship's study. If you will follow me.”

Dom bent to whisper in Thea's ear, “It's deuced aggravating when an earl's butler is more stately than a marquis's.”

The corner of her lips canted up. “You were high enough in the instep without Paken being so as well.”

“Well, you might have a point there.”

The door to the study opened and Royston announced them. Matt and Grace came forward to greet them. “Please have a seat.” She motioned to the sofas next to the fireplace. We wanted to speak to you before calling Tom down.”

The ladies gracefully sank onto the larger sofa. Dom sat in the leather chair closest to Thea, and Matt took the place on the other side of Grace. The major sat opposite them. Tea arrived almost immediately.

Before long, Grace said, “I have been informed that you have recently arrived back in the country. What are your plans, Major?”

Major Cavanaugh took a sip of tea. “My kit and batman are at the Horse Guards. It is not possible for me to have Tom there, and I must post to Lincolnshire as soon as possible.”

Grace nodded. “We heard of your brother's death. You have my sympathies.”

Thea leaned forward slightly. “Would you consider staying at Merton House until you depart and allowing Tom to remain with us until your business is finished?”

Cavanaugh blinked as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. “I suppose that would be better then dragging Tom around until I'm settled,” he said slowly. “However, I don't like to impose.”

“No imposition at all.” Dom grinned. The day after tomorrow, he and Thea would begin their wedding trip. “My in-laws are remaining in Town for another week or more so that my brothers- and sisters-in-law can see the sights. The two youngest are close to Tom's age.”

“Our brothers and sisters,” Grace said, “will take a short holiday from classes to go around with them.”

Dom was sure he'd paled at the thought of all those children loose in London together.

Matt's lips twisted into a wry smile as he glanced at Dom. “My thoughts exactly. I'll have every footman in my service out with them.”

After glancing from one to the other, Major Cavanaugh asked, “If there is a problem, perhaps I should take Tom with me.”

“Oh, there is no problem,” Grace assured him. “Worthington is simply not yet used to the logistics involved. Between us we have eleven children. Although two are making their come out and one is at Eton.”

The color seeped from the major's tanned face.

“Don't worry,” Thea said. “They'll be fine. Lady Worthington is used to it all. It will be much more fun for Tom than being dragged around the countryside without even a nursemaid.”

Grace rose, walked to the bell pull, and tugged. A footman stuck his head around the door. “My lady?”

“Please have the children as well as Miss Tallerton and Mr. Winters attend me. We have a visitor to see Master Tom.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Not long afterward, the sound of stampeding horses could be heard throughout the house.

“What the dev . . . I mean,” Cavanaugh said, “what is that noise?”

Worthington chuckled as the door burst open, and eight children all under the age of fifteen piled into the study.

“Papa!”
Tom launched himself at his father.

“Tom, Tom, my boy.” Cavanaugh caught the child to him. “By God, I've missed you.”

“I've missed you, too.”

Mary, the youngest, tugged on the major's jacket. “Are you going to take Tom away from us?”

Cavanaugh looked at the children, then down at Mary and smiled for the first time that day. “Not quite yet I think.”

“That's good.” Mary nodded seriously. “We have become quite fond of him and should like to keep him for a while longer.”

“Papa, Papa.” Tom leaned back in his father's arms. “I've got so much to tell you.”

Grace rose. “When you are ready, Major Cavanaugh, we will meet you in the morning room. Tom knows the way.”

She hustled everyone out the door and into the main hall. “That went well, don't you think?”

“I do.” Thea slid her arm around Dom. “Why did you have all the children and their teachers come in?”

“I wanted them to see Tom's reaction to his father. As Mary said, they have become quite fond of him, and it was necessary for them to see he would be happy with his father.”

“That makes sense.” Thea nodded thoughtfully. “Now we just have the wedding to get through.”

Dom put his arm around Thea, tugging her closer. The wedding, the wedding night, the honeymoon, and the rest of their lives.

* * *

Before dawn the next morning, Dotty woke in Dom's arms. This would be the last time she had to sneak from his chamber back to her own. In only a few hours, this would be where she legally belonged. She moved carefully to slide out of his arms and not wake him, when one of them clamped down on her.

“Where are you going?” He fluttered kisses on her neck.

“I must go to my room.” She tilted it to give him better access, then sighed. “Unless I miss my guess, it is already after six o'clock and our wedding is at nine.”

“Who was the idiot,” he growled, “that set the time so early?”

“You were, my love. In one of your lord of the manor moments.”

He flopped back against the pillows. “Go then. Before I start something that will make you late.”

She turned to him. “Not long now.” Dom drew her down for a kiss. “No, no, no. I must leave.”

Flinging his hands up, he scowled. “Soon.”

“Yes, soon.”

Dotty made it back to her chamber just as her maid entered. “Good thing you're back, miss. Her ladyship's already up and asking for you. The tub will be here in a few moments.”

She sat at the dressing table for Polly to comb out her hair. “Why is she awake so early?”

“Don't know. Excited about the ceremony, I guess.”

A knock came on the door and two footmen carried in a copper tub. “The water's coming now,” one of them said.

Once her bath was ready, Dotty sank into the hot water, wanting nothing more than to stay there for a while. Once she had washed, breakfast was delivered on a tray and set up in the small adjoining parlor. “This is too much for me.”

“Your mother is joining you.”

As if she'd heard her name, Mama entered the chamber. “Good morning, my dear. I feel as if we have not had any time together at all. Though I am very glad you and Dominic are getting along so well, and I have greatly enjoyed the time I've spent with Eunice.”

Dotty poured tea, handed one cup to her mother, before fixing her own. She took a sip, savoring the smooth taste. One of the first things she'd done was to order her own blend. “She is everything I could want in a mother in-law.”

Mama took a bite of toast and chewed, while Dotty sliced a piece of beef. She was so hungry.

“Dorothea, since we haven't had a chance to talk before now”—Mama turned bright red—“I . . . well, I suppose I should”—she swallowed—“speak to you about what goes on between a man and a woman.”

Oh dear. Poor Mama was going to have apoplexy before she got it all out.

Suddenly she brightened and asked almost hopefully, “You haven't anticipated your vows, have you?”

Dotty sputtered, grabbing the serviette to cover her mouth. “Mama!”

Her face fell. “No, I didn't suppose you'd have had an opportunity. Not with all of us between your chamber and his.” She sighed. “I better get on with this—”

“There is no need,” Dotty interrupted. Better to stop this conversation now before her mother expired of embarrassment. “If you remember last year when Papa told Mr. Brown he had to marry?” Mama nodded. “I'd wondered how anyone could get in such a fix, so I asked his wife and she told me everything.”

“Oh good.” Mama breathed a sigh of relief. “It is not that it isn't nice, I just do not like to discuss such personal things. Perhaps when your sisters are ready to come out, you could . . .”

“Yes, I'll be happy to. Now, let us enjoy our breakfast.”

They'd just finished, when Dotty glanced at the mantel clock. “Stay here if you wish, I must dress.”

Mama rose. “I brought you something that has been passed down through the family. I'll fetch it now.”

“Thank you, Mama.” Dotty bussed her mother's cheek, then went back into her room.

“I was just going to get you.” Polly's arms were full as she stepped out of the dressing room.

By the time her maid was done, Dotty's hair was styled in an elaborate arrangement of curls and braids.

Mama brought a package of sapphire and pearl hairpins. “These will work perfectly. It might be a bit early in the day, but it is your wedding.”

Polly held the gown of deep turquoise with silver netting over Dotty's head. “Oh dear, maybe I should have put this on you first. Let's not muss your hair.”

Once the gown was in place and fastened, Lady Merton knocked on the door. “I had the rest of the Vivers jewels sent to your dressing room, but I thought this”—she held up a simple necklace made of sapphires—“would be perfect with your gown.”

Tears pricked Dotty's eyes. “It's perfect, thank you.”

“Hmm,” Mama mused. “We have old, blue, and borrowed, but we're missing new.”

“My lady,” Polly called from the door. “I think we've got it! This is from his lordship.”

Dotty took the rectangular box, opened it, and almost laughed. “More sapphires. A bracelet.” She took the jewelry out and held it up. “It's beautiful, but how did he know?”

“Your coloring is perfect for them,” Lady Merton responded.

“Yes, but he could have given them to me anytime.”

“Well”—Polly smiled sheepishly—“it could be because when Mr. Wigman asked the color of your gown, I told him.”

Dotty grinned. “I hope you made him work for the information.”

“Oh I did, miss.” Her maid blushed. “You can be sure of that.”

Another knock came on the door. Polly opened it and Papa strolled in. “I've been told it's time to get you to the church, missy. Worthington took your bridegroom off about a quarter hour ago. I just got a message telling me to hurry.”

Polly placed a small bonnet made mostly of ribbons and netting on Dotty's head. “There you are, miss. While you're gone, I'll get the rest of your things and take them to the other chamber.”

Tears misted Dotty's eyes. By the time she returned she'd be Dom's wife. She'd never been happier.

* * *

“Where is she?” Dom paced on the pavement in front of the side door to St. George's. The church was already full. He had picked nine o'clock so that they would not have everyone and their brother here gawking at them. Wasn't it enough that they would all be at the wedding breakfast?

Matt raised a brow. “Thinking she's jilted you?”

Less than three weeks ago, Dom wouldn't have understood his cousin's joke. Then he remembered Fotherby. “No. Thea is safe. She'll be here. It is not like her to be late.”

Matt shoved his pocket watch under Dom's nose. “It's not nine o'clock yet.”

“Have you looked in there?” He pointed to the church. “Why the devil are there so many people?”

Matt cracked a laugh. “They are not so many. It's mostly the children.”

Heaving a sigh, Dom stopped pacing. It had seemed like more than that. “Did you go through this?”

“No, we had a small wedding.” His cousin smiled. “Just the children, a cousin or two, and sundry other relatives.”

In other words, half of London. “Men should be warned.” Good Lord. Was he actually growling, “This must be the most nerve-wracking thing I've ever gone through.”

“At least you have a honeymoon to look forward to.”

Dom glanced away from the street to his cousin. He'd forgotten Matt had not had any time alone at all with Grace, and he was stuck chaperoning for the Season. “I'll tell you what. After Thea and I return to Merton, send the children to us.”

Matt was silent for a few moments. “You're serious?”

“Yes, of course I am. We've plenty to keep them busy. I'm sure Thea will enjoy being with Charlotte and Louisa, if they're not married by then.” Dom smiled. “It's the least I can do. After all, if you hadn't been so dead set against me marrying Thea, I might have let her cry off.”