Page 23 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Contrite Duke
Deborah looked at her sister as though she was crazy, as she had all that week.
“My sister will only get married once,” she said, still grinning. “And I get to be a bridesmaid. Please, tell me what isn’t exciting about all of this?”
Lydia laughed again, as did her mother. Lydia hadn’t forgotten the way her mother had treated her the night she met Lord Strawbridge. But she had also noticed that since that night, her mother had been much more like herself. However, now that they had plenty of money from the duke to invest in her wedding, she had seen to it that they had spent the four days since meeting the duke and the dowager exhaustively shopping in all the fashionable boutiques of London.
“I think you are just excited about getting your bridesmaid’s dress,” Lydia said, smiling warmly at her sister. She was glad to have such a wonderful younger sister as Deborah. It was worth all the exhaustion and stress just seeing her so happy.
Deborah shrugged.
“Well, aren’t you excited about shopping for your engagement party dress?” she asked.
Lydia’s cheeks grew pink. She had had little time to think about the duke since the night she met him. She had been too busy shopping with her mother. But each time she did think of him, she thought about how handsome he was. She knew it was silly to be looking forward to her wedding just because the man she was to marry was attractive. But it was more than that, and she knew it.
“Which shall we do first today, Mother?” she asked, changing the subject.
Her mother pulled out a pocket watch from her dress pocket, looking at it thoughtfully.
“Let us go and see about your wedding dress,” she said. “If we can get another fitting today, I would like to do that.”
Lydia nodded, holding back a sigh.
“Very well,” she said. “It seems like there is no end to the things we must do and buy. Especially this trousseau we have ordered.”
Her mother gave her an indulgent smile.
“Of course, there is, dear,” she said. “I assure you that it’s all necessary to make the right impact as a bride. And, more importantly, as a duchess. Which is why we must also ensure that your engagement dress is just as breathtaking as your wedding dress itself.”
Lydia’s heart skipped at her mother’s last words. Not once in all the planning had she considered her soon to be new title. Hearing it aloud brought about all the nervousness she felt before meeting Lord Strawbridge. Lydia’s wedding dress and intricate wedding trousseau were both being made by the two best seamstresses in London. As with everything else her mother was having them buy, they were far from inexpensive.
Lydia had never been one for clothes shopping, unlike her younger sister and mother. She had always believed that the money would be better spent on her education projects, and she had chosen to remain modest in her dress as a result. Her gold dress the night that she met the duke had been her mother’s doing, and it had come at a bargain even then.
The woman who had originally commissioned it changed her mind about purchasing it when it was finished, and the seamstress had offered her a good price since it was exactly her size. Yet now, she felt her enthusiasm rising, even as her fatigue grew.
It was more than enthusiasm, however. She found that she was actually excited to be marrying such a handsome, clever man. She was, indeed, still nervous. They were still almost strangers, after all. But after the tour she had given him of her family’s home, and the wonderful discussions and conversations they had had, she was sure they had enough in common to make a happy marriage. And without much effort, at that.If only we had kissed,she thought wistfully.
While her wedding dress was not yet ready for a fitting, Deborah’s bridesmaid’s dress was. It was a lovely pink satin with a darker pink petticoat and matching reticule, gloves, and shoes. The darker pink ribbons were pearl embroidered and draped around her neckline and waist. It was beautiful, and a perfect complement to Lydia’s silk silver dress with a long, flowing Empire skirt, elbow-length sleeves, and a fitted bodice that was heavily embroidered with pale pink stones.
The neckline was lower than Lydia was accustomed to, but it was partly covered with lace. It had a long train made of silver lace, and lace gloves that went only to Lydia’s wrist. Her shoes, which were heeled boots, were also silver, and matched the bodice of the dress. And in lieu of a bonnet, she had chosen a tiara of silver and the same pink stones, with a lace veil that would, when covering her face, stop at her bosom. Soon, she would have a necklace and all the other accessories she needed, as well. Even though she would have normally wished to save the money spent on such an extravagant dress for education purposes, she had to admit that her wedding dress made her feel like a princess.
After Deborah’s fitting, the women picked up their dresses and accessories for Lydia’s engagement party. Lydia was once again blown away at the amount of money that her parents were spending on the affair. But she smiled as she thought about the duke. She would soon be his wife, and money would be no object for her. She would never need to have such shopping sprees ever again. And then, she could use such money to help fund her efforts for education.
***
Lydia’s cream-colored engagement party dress looked not unlike a simpler wedding dress. As she took it out, she got a vision of how it would be on the day she got married. She had been terribly disappointed in the fact that Lord Strawbridge hadn’t kissed her. But now that the night of the engagement party had arrived, she could hardly contain her excitement.
She had convinced herself that whatever happened to stop the duke from kissing her that night might have to do with his apprehension. But she was sure that, with her budding feelings for him, and enough kindness, he would warm up to her once again. She could barely focus on cleaning herself in the lavender and rose water bath that Hester had drawn for her. She couldn’t wait for the party to start so she could see her betrothed again.
When her bath was finished, Lydia positioned herself in front of the mirror in her changing room. Hester looked at her, giving her a sly smile.
“I cannot recall a time when you looked happier, milady,” she said.
Lydia blushed and nodded.
“I must admit that I am happier with this arrangement than I ever expected I could be,” she said.
Hester gave her a knowing smile.
“I told you to have a little faith,” she said. “And I am glad that I was right.”
