Page 118 of The Heiress's Daughter
Matteo had set up a special reception area for Lady Scattergood and some of her cronies in the summerhouse, and the old lady sat in state there, receiving guests. By now she’d removed her veil, but her mysterious attendant had not.
“Who’s the veiled girl with the old lady?” Race asked Clarissa when they had a private moment.
Clarissa laughed and rolled her eyes. “Can’t you guess?It’s Zoë, of course. She and Lord and Lady Thornton delayed their departure so they could attend the wedding. I wanted her to be a bridal attendant along with Izzy, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Such a stubborn little sister I have. She said she hadn’t kept out of sight of the ton all this time only to bring disgrace on me and Izzy at my wedding.”
Race eyed her thoughtfully. “She’s very protective of you both, isn’t she? You know, I think we should do something for her.”
“What sort of something?”
“She’s going to France, isn’t she, for a couple of years with Lord and Lady Thornton? I think we should make her an allowance.”
“I did that,” Clarissa said. “I gave her part of mine, every quarter, just as I did with Izzy before she was married.”
“Very generous of you, love, but I’m talking about a permanent arrangement, something where she won’t feel she’s dependent on you, or Lord Thornton, for that matter. She’s an independent little creature, and she has her pride. I’ll tell her it’s a normal part of the marriage settlements: an arrangement for a bride’s unmarried sisters.”
Clarissa hugged him. “That’s a brilliant idea. I did wonder what would happen to my inheritance once I was married. I suppose it all goes to you now.”
“It does, but I thought we’d put it in trust for our children,” he said casually. “What do you think?”
“I like the idea…But could we think about it for a while? While I do want any children we have to be well provided for, I wouldn’t want any of them to be hunted for their inheritance.” As she had been.
“Good point.” He glanced over her shoulder and stiffened. “Oh lord, I’ve just remembered, I have an urgent appointment.”
She frowned. “An urgent appointment? On your wedding day?” She turned to follow the direction of his gaze and letout a gurgle of laughter. Two very frilly and determined-looking females were approaching. Mrs. Harrington and Milly. “We’re going to have to thank them for that hideous epergne they gave us.”
“Ah. You know what a terrible liar I am,” Race said earnestly.
“Hence your urgent appointment,” she said dryly. “Don’t worry, I’ll deal with them.”
“I knew you’d be the perfect wife,” he said, and disappeared into the shrubbery.
The wedding feast had been devoured, the toasts were drunk, the speeches made and the wedding cake had been cut: it was time for the bride and groom to depart.
“Couldn’t we just slip away?” Clarissa asked Race. “I’m dreading having to say goodbye to everyone. I’ll be sure to cry, and I look dreadful when I cry, all red and blotchy.”
“You look nothing of the sort,” Race told her. “You’ve been in tears half a dozen times already today and trust me, you looked beautiful every time.”
She gave him a misty smile. “You are such a lovely liar.”
“Beautiful,” he reiterated firmly, and sealed it with a swift kiss.
They said their goodbyes—she managed not to cry—and a mixed crowd made up of invited guests, local curiosity seekers and street urchins gathered on the footpath outside Leo’s house to wave them off and wish them well.
Race tossed a few handfuls of coins into the crowd. The urchins and some of the curious onlookers scrambled to collect them as their carriage drove off.
“That’s done then,” Clarissa said, leaning back against the seat. She was tired, but so happy. “Where are we going now?”
“Not far.”
The carriage turned at the first corner, then turned again at the next, and pulled up outside the house Race had recently renovated. “I thought you’d prefer to spend our first night as a married couple in our new home,” he said. “And tomorrow, if you feel like it, we’ll travel down to my country home. What do you think?”
She sighed with happiness. “It’s perfect. I thought we might be going to one of those big hotels, but this is so much nicer. I always feel a little intimidated in those places.”
He helped her down from the carriage. “In that case, Lady Randall—”
“Lord Randall! Clarissa! What on earth do you think you’re doing?”
They turned to see Milly hurrying toward them, her face alive with concern. “Clarissa Studley, you’re not—you can’t possibly be going to visit that dreadful vulgar pickled pig trotter fellow, can you?” She gasped on a sudden thought. “Oh! You didn’t invite him to the wedding, did you? Mama would justdieif he was there, too.” She looked at Race. “Mama is second cousin to a duke, you know.”
