Page 37 of Long Live the Baron
Richard nodded. “Yes. I shall cancel our plans for this evening.”
“I appreciate it. An intimate dinner with family, rather than the fops that the baron spent his time with. We can tell anecdotes perhaps and give her a chance to air her thoughts.”
“Sophia will be gratified to assist the duchess.”
Brendan closed his eyes. The light was worsening his headache, and he had much to think about.
A few days ago, he had been a carefree heir, running about Town and carousing with his friends. Now he was to be responsible for a wife.Not just a wife. Tenants! Servants! The people of my district!
He was ill-prepared for this. The baron and he had been estranged. It was no small matter to step in as the new baron and attempt to take hold of the reins. Brendan had never been apprenticed into these matters. He barely knew their steward and only knew their solicitors from meeting them once or twice. “Let us not forget we have a murder unsolved, as yet.”
Halmesbury sighed heavily. “Thunder an’ turf! This is a grim week.”
Richard leaned back, fidgeting with his cravat and chuckling humorlessly. “Which part? The grotesque crime, the unexpected death in the family, the averted arrest, or the betrothal born from scandal?”
Brendan laughed his disbelief at how the week had unfolded. “All of it. Every last bit of it.”
The duke broke the ensuing silence. “I would advise you to stay vigilant and continue to take precautions until the matter is resolved.”
“I am, but it is daunting to think of introducing a bride into this muddle.”
“There is no choice. The so-called tryst between the diabolical seducer and a highborn debutante is all that is being talked about. I have been announcing this wedding far and wide to help dispel the outrage.”
Brendan made a choking sound, butting his head back on his chair in disgust. “I am trying to put out house fires with only a teaspoon to transport the water.”
Richard chuckled. “It will eventually blow over. Just forge ahead with the wedding. Once that happens, some new travesty of good judgment will be undertaken to distract theton.”
CHAPTER10
“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.”
Sun Tzu, L’Art de la Guerre (The Art of War)
* * *
JULY 29, 1821
“Hugh! It is not suitable attire! You must tell Lily to change.”
“I think Lily looks lovely.”
“But … but … it is red!”
“More of a burgundy, I think.”
“And gold!”
“What is your issue with gold? She wore gold ribbons with her ball gown last week?”
“It is not the same!”
Lily peered down at her dress. Despite Mama’s distress, she could not contain the huge grin of joy that had her cheeks spread so widely, the muscles in her face were aching.
Signora Ricci had not disappointed. The talented modiste had created a gown that was utter perfection for Lily, and she could not be happier.
“It is clearly not meant for wearing during the day!”
“It is her wedding, Christiana. It is customary for a young woman to wear one of her best gowns for such an occasion.”
