The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(102)
A clock struck the quarter hour and Worthington pushed back his chair and rose. “I shall see you in fifteen minutes.”
Con leaned closer to Charlotte. “I did not know he was such a stickler for timeliness.”
“He is very busy at the moment.” Her tone was airy, yet her answer struck him as somewhat evasive, and he didn’t know why. “There is a great deal to do before this house is closed and the construction schedule on the other house is finalized, and the journey to the country is made.”
That sounded right, but the niggling feeling that he was missing something returned. Con just wished he knew what it was.
The meeting across the square at Worthington House was brief. The settlement agreement was presented to him fait accompli. Considering Charlotte’s portion was much larger than Con had thought, the contract might have bothered him if it had not been so fair. The primary part dealt with her well-being in the event anything happened to him before an heir had been born.
“This came about,” Worthington explained, “because I did not trust my putative heir to take care of my wife in the manner I wished her to be cared for. I have heard of too many widows who have been left impoverished.”
Con had heard the same stories. Some of the women had taken protectors, and that was not what he wanted for Charlotte. Not that her family would allow it in any event. And he barely knew the cousin who would inherit his title if he should die without issue. He took the pen in Worthington’s hand and signed the documents.
*
As soon as Constantine left, Grace called the town coach. “Madam Lisette is ready to attend us as soon as we arrive. I cannot tell you how glad I am that you already ordered your bride clothes.”
What had been an exercise in shopping to convince Polite Society Charlotte was betrothed, had turned out to have been a wonderful decision. “Do you think Louisa will be able to travel here in time?”
“I hope she will.” Grace shrugged. “We shall have to see.”
Charlotte and Grace spent the next three hours at Madam Lisette’s shop making final fittings. They left with a list of other items Charlotte would need.
When she and her sister entered the morning room for tea, they found not only Matt and the children, but Constantine, his mother, and another lady who shared the same green eyes, conversing with the twins and Madeline.
“Charlotte.” In three long steps he was with her. “My sister Annis arrived, and my mother wanted you to meet her.” He looked as if he had lost control of his life, and she was hard pressed not to laugh. “I did not know how to stop them from coming.”
Charlotte was certain he’d had no hope of achieving that goal. “Your sister seems to be making friends.” She took his hand. “Please introduce us.”
Shortly after meeting Annis, Lady Kendrick, Charlotte was happy the lady would be her new sister.
“If you have things to which you must attend,” Charlotte said to Constantine, “your mother and sister may return home in our coach.”
“Yes, my dear,” Lady Kenilworth agreed. “Please go about your business.”
As soon as the door closed behind him and his steps could be heard going down the corridor, Annis said, “Mama told me you have planned a surprise wedding. What a charming idea. Other than keep it a secret, you must tell me what I can do to help.”
“I have enlisted my cousin Merton’s help in keeping Constantine busy, but if you could also keep him occupied enough that he does not guess what is going on, that would be wonderful.” Charlotte wrinkled her nose. “I sometimes have the feeling that he is suspicious.”
“Hmm, let me give that some thought.” The lady’s lips quirked up. “I am much better at keeping my mother engaged. All I need do is mention shopping. However, I am positive I can think of something.”
Charlotte hoped so. Although she loved spending time with her betrothed, she had a wedding to plan and very little time in which to do it.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The next morning, Constantine once more joined Charlotte and her family for breakfast. They had discussed the need for her to meet with his housekeeper, but, unbeknownst to her betrothed, the meeting would have to wait until after their wedding.
“I wish I could accompany you.” He glanced at the clock and frowned. “But Merton sent me a note asking me to give him advice on a horse he had heard was coming up for sale at Tattersalls. Unless you wish to put this off, I will not have time to do both.”
She sent up a prayer of thanks for helpful cousins. “Not at all. You will have much more fun looking at horses. You might even see if you can find a matched pair for me. Matt bought Louisa and me a pair, but I assume he will wish to keep them.”
Constantine’s countenance cleared. “That is an excellent idea.”
Shortly after they finished eating, Charlotte and Grace were off to the Bond Street Bazaar to finish shopping for stockings and other necessities.
Charlotte returned home in time for tea and found Louisa had arrived with Rothwell in tow.
She pulled Charlotte aside, suppressed excitement infusing her tone. “The letter I received was that the wedding was a surprise, and that I could not tell Gideon.”
“The fact of the wedding is not a surprise, just the date,” Charlotte explained. “Other than Matt and Charlie, I was concerned that the gentlemen would let the secret out. The children do not know either. Merton is being a dear, keeping Constantine occupied.”