Page 37 of Moonlight Encounter
Next, Lord Filminster was introduced. He had the same dark chestnut locks and brandy eyes as the duchess, the family resemblance obvious. Lord Filminster bowed and smiled politely, but he was not as effusive as the other guests, observing her with an air of reserve.
Aidan continued his introductions, increasingly less formal as he moved through the guests. “And this is my sister, Lady Filminster.”
A petite young woman with the chocolate brown hair and eyes of Gwen’s betrothed stepped forward, grabbing Gwen by the hands. “Please call me Lily! We are to be sisters, are we not? I do love weddings so! They make one think of the future and possibilities and babes. Here we are with another scandalous match, just a month after my own ruin! What a strange turn of events.”
Gwen blinked several times, rather taken aback by the torrent of words.
“Aidan tells me that you love to read. I have been enjoying books on French military strategy. What is your favorite reading?”
Realizing she was staring, Gwen hesitantly opened her mouth while she tried to follow the many paths the young baroness had begun. “I favor the Ancient Greeks. Aristotle. Homer.”
Her betrothed emitted a purr of pleasure, glancing at her in appreciation.
Lily nodded. “That is quite beyond my language skills. Aidan and Sophia are far more studious than me. I have to use a dictionary to study in French, but it must be fascinating.”
The baroness glanced over at her father in a strange manner, her countenance serious when she turned back to face Gwen. “Welcome to the family. Whatever the future brings, I am thrilled to have you as a sister.”
Then the young woman gave her a clumsy embrace before stepping away. Gwen felt practically winded by the exchange. Aidan’s sister might be no larger than a schoolgirl, but she certainly had infinite zest. Her personality was much larger than her physical stature.
Finally, Aidan walked Gwen over to greet his parents, where Gwen was surprised to find that they had been joined by an elderly servant. The old woman was dressed as a maid,with wispy white hair in a halo around her head and a mobcap practically falling off. Lady Moreland greeted Gwen, then turned to fix the servant’s cap.
Aidan brought Gwen to a halt in front of the servant without comment. Lady Moreland leaned over and shrieked into the old woman’s ear, causing Gwen to flinch in surprise. “THIS IS MASTER AIDAN’S BRIDE!”
The servant blinked filmy eyes, slowly focusing on Gwen and smiling with a clumsy curtsy.
“This is my father’s nursemaid. Nancy helped raise us and has acted as Lily’s companion until recently. My parents thought she would enjoy attending this morning.”
Gwen experienced a surge of affinity for the Abbott family in that moment. Apparently, the Smythes and the Abbotts had something in common. They both appreciated their close family retainers.
Lady Moreland must have read her thoughts. “Where is that odd lady’s maid of yours? Does she not wish to attend your vows?”
Gwen realized that she and Octavia must have misread Lady Moreland’s reaction when they had first met. She beamed. “I shall ring for her.”
“Yes, my dear. We should not make the vicar wait too long. I am sure he has work to attend to.”
Octavia was summoned, and Gwen looked about in surprised awe. So many important new relations, and they were all so welcoming and pleasant. Lord Filminster seemed reserved, but that could simply be his personality. Perhaps this was all going to turn out to be better than she had hoped for. Aidan had been throwing her glances of admiration, his eyes lingering on her lips as if he, too, were thinking of their first night together.
Despite her misgivings that something was bound to gowrong, Gwen found herself daring to believe in her father’s vision of the future. Perhaps this would become the love match she had once dreamed of.
While they took their vows,Aidan felt both bliss and remorse. It had been quite a surprise when he had learned that the duke and duchess had returned, along with his cousin, Sophia, and her husband, the Earl of Saunton.
The linked families had all met yesterday, except for his own parents. Lord Moreland did not want to involve Lady Moreland in the discussion. Aidan agreed that there was no reason to distress his mother when they did not yet know the truth about the baron’s murder.
It had soon become clear that their arrival was not merely to celebrate the wedding. It was a show of support for his bride in the event that Smythe was accused of murdering Brendan’s father. Apparently, his brother-in-law had apprised them of the murder investigation.
The duchess had commiserated over the complexity of the situation, pointing out that she understood the troubles that a father could bring on his daughter. Aidan had not known that she had had a troubled relationship with the late baron, but he was aware that Brendan Ridley and the late baron had been estranged because the news sheets had reported on it.
There had been a lengthy discussion with all parties present at Ridley House, where the murder had taken place a month before. A rather grisly and sobering reminder of why Aidan was in this strange position.
Nevertheless, as he gazed down at Gwen in her soft blue dress, he could not bring himself to regret this wedding. Hecould only be thankful that Trafford was not in attendance to remind him of his shortcomings and future troubles if Smythe turned out to be the culprit.
Today was a complicated union of interests, but at this moment, Aidan was mostly anxious about what would happen this evening when he joined his bride in her bed. In the home of a potential murderer.
Frederick Smythe was clearly exuberant about the connections who visited his home this morning, grinning and rubbing his hands together in greedy, childlike joy. Aidan supposed any man would be overjoyed to scale the ladder of high society so abruptly, but there was an element of naked ambition to his behavior that was repellant.
Unfortunately, despite Aidan watching Smythe closely during the introductions, Smythe had displayed no telling reaction to meeting Lily and Filminster, which Aidan had hoped he might, given the circumstances.
“Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?” intoned the vicar.
