A Wedding In Springtime(116)

“Robby! Good to see you!” exclaimed Lord Bremerton, and he introduced his friend to the family. “This is Sir Antony Roberts.”

“What a surprise you had for me. I had no idea your daughter had married my nephew!”

“Your… nephew?” asked Bremerton.

“But of course!” Sir Antony gave Dr. Roberts a hug. “This is my great-nephew and heir. If I’d known about you getting married, I would have opened the London house for you to stay in. But of course, you must have already made your arrangements. Like to help if I can.”

“Yes, thank you, Uncle,” said Dr. Roberts. “But I did not know you were acquainted with Lord Bremerton.”

“Acquainted? He is the only reason I survived the war! A truer friend I never had,” declared Robby.

“But… well, I… this is quite…” Lord Bremerton took out a handkerchief and mopped his brow. “Well, welcome to the family dear boy.” He gave Dr. Roberts, his new son-in-law, a large hug.

“And who is this ravishing creature?” asked Sir Antony, surprising the company by addressing the dowager. “I beg you would introduce me.”

“This is the Dowager Duchess of Marchford. Your Grace, may I present Sir Antony,” said Lord Bremerton.

“Charmed,” said Sir Antony, bowing over her hand. “What an amazing hostess who has arranged for what must be the most highly talked about ball of the season!”

The dowager giggled regally, as only a duchess can do.

Lord Bremerton and Sir Antony walked off to find the card table, and the newly accepted Dr. and Mrs. Roberts took to the dance floor.

“Shall I assume you are pleased with the weddings?” the dowager asked Lady Bremerton, smug as a kitten with warm milk.

“How did you ever? Well, I never… how did Madame X arrange all this?” Lady Bremerton pulled out a silk handkerchief and blotted herself.

“Madame X has her ways,” declared the dowager. “The best part of Genie’s wedding is that it has completely eclipsed any loose talk about your daughter’s marriage to Dr. Roberts.”

“Yes, oh yes. For that I am eternally grateful.”

“Madam X wanted you to know that if you are pleased, you may provide payment to my solicitor. He will know what to do with the funds.”

“Yes, yes of course. This has been…” Lady Bremerton took a large swig of something Pen suspected was stronger than Madeira. “I must lie down now. My daughter married to Sir Antony’s heir, my niece wed to Mr. Grant. My, my, my.”

“Can we truly exact payment from her when you know we had little to do with all that transpired?” whispered Penelope.

“Fate is a fickle business, Penelope,” the dowager replied in a conspiratorial tone. “One must accept the loss of her favor from time to time, just as one should always accept her gifts.”

“I suppose I shall be forced to concede you are right.”

The dowager linked arms with Pen. “Naturally, I am correct. How odd if you ever gave credence otherwise. Now please escort me to my room. I am tired and need to lie down. I also want to go over a letter I received asking for the assistance of Madame X for an American.”

“An American? But how could anyone in America know of Madame X?”

“Lady Bremerton is known far and wide for her gossip. If you thought she could keep something like a matchmaker for the ton a secret, you are very much confused.”

“So you wish to stay in business?”

“Business? Of course not. What a thing to say. No lady manages a business. But naturally, we will continue to support the calling of Madame X.” The dowager gave her a smile. “You did well tonight, orchestrating things.”

Penelope smiled in return. “Thought we pulled it off nicely. Genie is a sweet girl and deserves happiness. With your permission, I’ll invite the newlyweds to stay here for their honeymoon night. Grant’s family has been lovely but will not give them peace and I can’t think of sending her back to her aunt.”

“A good thought,” agreed the dowager. “Come along now, gel, and put an old woman to bed.”

***

“She married him in a big hurry,” whispered a lady to her companion.

“Makes you wonder what they had to hide,” said the Comtesse de Marseille with a knowing rise to her perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

“Indeed, why would anyone feel the need to marry with such haste?” asked another.