The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(109)

My darling Charlotte, This is for you with all my love.

I shall see you soon.

C.





“Webster, have this delivered to Lady Charlotte.”

His butler bowed and Con thought he saw the man’s lips twitch. His eyes must be playing tricks on him. Just the idea was shocking.

*

Charlotte was dressed in a silk gown of Pomona green. Her maid was putting pearl-tipped pins in her hair when the door opened and Mary and Theo ran in.

“Grace just told us you are getting married this morning and that is what the party is for.” The words rushed out of Mary’s mouth before Theo could get a word in edgewise. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

Taking their hands, Charlotte drew the little girls to her. “Because it is a surprise for Constantine. He does not know he is being wed this morning.”

“Does Merton know?” Theo asked a bit belligerently.

“He does, but only because he had to keep Constantine busy.” Charlotte hoped Theo would understand. “But Rothwell, Cousin Jane, Cousin Hector, and almost everyone else do not know. Dotty and Louisa had to be told because I needed their help. And Lady Kendrick and her mother know for the same reason.”

“Then I don’t feel bad.” Mary hugged Charlotte carefully.

“I don’t either.” Theo kissed Charlotte on the cheek. “You look beautiful, but we don’t have anything for you.”

“Let’s not be so hasty.” Grace strolled into the bedchamber holding a posy of pink roses with blue nigella blooms. “What do you think of this?”

Eyes shining, the girls nodded. “That’s the best posy we’ve ever given anyone.”

“We have accomplished something blue.” Grace shot Charlotte a grin. “I am afraid Madeline and the twins are slightly put out as well.”

As if they had been summoned, the three girls entered the room. They each held a handkerchief embroidered in white work. “You would have had more,” Alice said, “if we had been told.”

“These are beautiful. Please forgive me, but I truly want to surprise Constantine.”

“Almost no one knew,” Theo said. “Only Dotty, Louisa, Grace, Merton, and Matt.”

“And Constantine’s mama and sister, because Charlotte needed them to keep the secret,” Mary added.

“We forgive you,” the older girls said as one.

“My lady.” Walker turned from the door. “This came for you.”

Charlotte put the bag on her dressing table and took out the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. Setting it down on her dressing table, she read the note. “It’s from Constantine. Do you think he knows?”

“Not at all,” Grace said. “Annis remembered a necklace went with the ring, and she gave it to him this morning.”

“Are we late?” Dotty strolled into the room. “I see you have new handkerchiefs, blue flowers, and an old necklace. You may borrow my butterfly pin.”

“I have earbobs for you.” Louisa spilled out a pair of earrings of emeralds and opals into her hand.

“Thank you both.” Fighting the tears that threatened to fill her eyes, Charlotte hugged her friends. “These are perfect.”

“Don’t forget me.” Augusta rushed into the bedchamber and handed Charlotte an opal bracelet. “Grace said I could buy one with emeralds, but I thought you might want something you could wear more often.”

“That is very thoughtful.” Charlotte kissed her sister on the cheek. “I shall wear it often.”

“Char.” Charlie tapped on the open door. “It’s time to go. Matt has Kenilworth in his study so we can leave from the front.”

“Are we going to walk this time?” Mary asked.

“No, sweetheart,” Grace said. “We don’t want Constantine to see you. He will arrive at the church last.”

“So now everyone knows but him?” Theo asked.

Charlotte nodded. “Yes.”

*

When they arrived at the church, Mr. Peterson, the young clergyman who had performed all the Worthington marriage services, had a grin on his face.

He greeted Charlotte. “My lady, I have never heard of the bride planning a surprise wedding, but I understand from your brother the gentleman is happy to be marrying you.”

“He has been trying for the past several days to convince my brother to agree to a date.”

“Well then.” Mr. Peterson chuckled. “As Lord Worthington is bringing the groom, who will give away the bride?”

“I shall.” Charlie stepped up next to her.

“My brother, the Earl of Stanwood.”

Mr. Peterson glanced around the church. “Will your other brothers attend?”

“Yes,” Louisa, standing next to Dotty, said. “They are coming with our husbands.”

Annis slipped into a pew with her mother and gave a little wave.

The girls had just settled down when Walter, Phillip, Jemmy, Rothwell, and Merton arrived.

The boys had wide smiles on their faces. “We had to tell the coachmen to bring us,” Walter said.

“I have never heard of a surprise wedding.” Rothwell strolled up to Louisa. “And you knew all about it.”