The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(41)

A ringing of high pitched, childish giggles answered. Charlotte stood off to the side next to her elder sister and another lady with black hair. A smile was on her lovely face as she gazed forward.

What looked to be all of the servants were gathered as well. A long table was set up with an assortment of food and lemonade.

What the devil was going on?

“Very well. I now pronounce you . . .” Worthington glanced down. “Husband and wife.”

“Matt,” a young girl in an outrageous hat said, “do they not have to say their vows?”

This was greeted by more giggles and some laughter.

Worthington blinked once, slowly. “Madeline, they are dogs. They do not know how to say the vows.”

Con edged around the crowd to see exactly who or what was in front of Worthington and, to Con’s amazement, the two Great Danes, dressed in what could only be described as wedding finery, stood before his friend. Although, the smaller Dane appeared to be trying to eat her bonnet.

Lady Worthington whispered something to Charlotte and her eyes began to twinkle as she nodded at whatever was said.

He, on the other hand, felt like a fool, even if he was the only one who’d thought a real wedding was taking place.

“Can we eat now?” the smaller of two boys asked.

“May we and, yes, we may,” Lady Worthington said. “Mind you don’t give the dogs too many treats. It will make them sick.”

The children were the first to move en masse to the table. The servants melted back into the house, and a tall man escorting Mrs. Addison approached him.

“Good day, my lord. I am Mr. Addison. I’ve heard a great deal about you from my wife.”

Con bowed. “A pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Addison, and to meet you, Mr. Addison.”

She curtseyed. “I take it you have come to see Lady Charlotte. I shall fetch her for you.”

“Thank you.” Turning to the lady’s husband, Con said, “I hope what you have heard does me—” Something pulled on Con’s jacket, and he looked down at two pairs of blue eyes, one summer-sky blue, the same color as Charlotte’s, and the other pair, more of a cobalt, were identical to Worthington’s. “I do not believe I’ve had the pleasure of an introduction.”

The girls glanced at Mr. Addison, who said, “Ah, Lady Theodora”—the dark haired girl curtseyed—“and Lady Mary”—the younger girl curtseyed as well—“allow me to introduce the Marquis of Kenilworth.”

The one identified as Lady Theodora peered up at him as if trying to decide if he was welcome. “What are you doing here?”

“He has come to see me.” Charlotte arrived just in time to stop what promised to be a budding interrogation.

“Er, yes. Excuse me for interrupting a family event, but I thought we might have a small discussion.”

She glanced down at the younger girls, then to where the rest of the family and guests were gathered. “I cannot at the moment. However, you may join us if you wish, and we shall speak later.”

He summoned a smile. “I would be delighted.” A few of the other children began to notice him, and he thought about changing his mind. Still, if he wanted her to wed him . . . How bad could it be? They were only children, after all.

He held his arm out, waiting for Charlotte to place her hand on it. Instead a much smaller, younger hand gripped his sleeve. “Thank you.” Lady Mary gave him a brilliant smile. “Are you here to court Charlotte?”

Before he could fashion an answer, his other arm was appropriated by Lady Theodora. “She is the last one left to get married this Season. So we thought you might be.”

He heard a choking sound, and Charlotte’s face took on a rosy hue.

“I, er, I, well as a matter of fact, I am indeed.” That wasn’t as bad as he’d thought it would be. “I understand that your dogs just wed.” Lady Mary nodded her head several times. “May I ask why?”

“So they can have puppies,” Lady Theodora answered.

He glanced at the “bride” and was able for the first time to see her slightly rounded stomach. “Yes, of course. Very understandable.”

Con slid a look at Charlotte. She’d worn a pale yellow gown that reminded him of the early daffodils at his estate. Her golden hair was done in a knot fastened just above her neck. Spiraling curls framed her face, and at the mention of puppies the rosy color in her face deepened. He could easily, almost too easily, imagine her with a swollen stomach, carrying his child.

He had agreed to marry her. Indeed, he would demand she wed him. Out of duty at first, but his feelings for her seemed to be growing. At least his regard for her was increasing. That was an unlooked-for pleasure.

He had arrived at the refreshment table, the two girls still with him. They released his arms and took plates from a stack at one end of the table.

“Grace said this would be like a picnic, so we have to pick our own food,” Theodora informed him.

Taking a plate for himself, he bent slightly and addressed both girls. “Perhaps you can advise me.”

“The lemon cakes and cheese,” Mary responded firmly.

“I like the cream tarts and the cheese,” Theodora said.

“Hmm, is there something special about the cheese?”

“Yes.” Mary grinned. “We make it at our home in the country. It’s the best cheese in the world.”