Their two hostesses nodded at whatever Lady Featherton and the duchess were saying. A table covered with bottles of champagne was next to them. Then the two older ladies inclined their heads and stepped back. Just a few feet away, Montagu stood next to his sister and Lytton smiling like a cat who’d got into the cream. Gavin had been just as happy for his sister when she’d wed, but only because she had wanted Harrington so much, and the marriage kept his father from making a horrible choice of husband for her.
“I wonder why Montagu is so pleased,” Gavin said more to himself than Georgie.
“From what I have seen, Lady Aurelia has nothing better to do than try to guide her brother’s life.” Georgie’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “She is the elder by thirty minutes and never lets him forget it.”
That brought out a chuckle. “I would have thought that being twins they’d be close.”
She raised one shoulder, shrugging lightly. “Oh, I think they are, but there is always some family rivalry, especially as he was born the male and the heir.”
“I used to like to tease my sister.” Although, she had not found it as much fun as he had. He’d always wished they’d had a larger family. “I would like to have more than two children.”
“I shall do my best, but I draw the limit at five.” Georgie’s voice was so low that only he could hear her. He’d have to remember to ask her the reason.
“Ladies.” He bowed. “Thank you for allowing us to announce our betrothal at your ball.”
“My lord.” Lady Turner was smiling so widely he was surprised she could speak. “You could not have chosen a better place. We are absolutely delighted!”
“It is our pleasure.” Mrs. Fitzwalter’s smile matched her friend’s.
The dance had stopped and Lord Turner clapped his hands. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have two announcements to make.”
“This really is going to be an exhibition,” Lytton mumbled.
Lady Aurelia grinned. “How could you think it would be anything else?”
Gavin laughed. “It won’t last long.”
Lady Turner nodded to the footman on her side and Mrs. Fitzgerald did the same to the footman next to her. The servants, bottles of champagne in hand, began to fill everyone’s glasses.
Once that had been completed, the ladies motioned for Lytton and his betrothed to come forward.
Lady Turner handed the couple glasses of champagne, then turned to face the ballroom. “We are pleased to announce the betrothal of Lady Aurelia Tapton and the Earl of Lytton.”
Before people came forward to congratulate them, Turner held up his hand and Mrs. Fitzwalter handed Georgie and Gavin glasses of champagne, and copied what her friend had done. “And the betrothal of Miss Featherton to Viscount Turley.”
By the time they had received everyone’s good wishes, his face hurt from smiling. Over Georgie’s head, he and Lytton exchanged glances. It was the first time Gavin had felt an ounce of compassion for the man.
Littleton and Adeline came up to Gavin and Georgie. “I think we can depart now. My mother, your grandmother, and the duchess are accompanying us. They wish to discuss the preparations for the wedding breakfast.”
Fortunately, “with us” did not mean in the same carriage. Even though Littleton’s coach was spacious, the older ladies decided to take the carriage in which they had arrived.
Chapter Thirty
Some twenty minutes later, as Gavin, Georgie, Littleton, and Adeline passed the town of Littleton, Adeline yawned. “No one is going to make me go to bed. I intend to remain awake until we have worked out all the details.”
“Well, perhaps not all the details,” Georgie said. “My mother will wish to be involved.”
“That is true.” Adeline yawned again and Gavin didn’t know how she’d manage to meet her goal. Apparently carrying a child was tiring stuff. “But we have already discussed going back to Town immediately, and I do not want our plans changed.”
“Sweetheart,” Littleton said, “you do not particularly like being in Town.”
“That is also true, but Georgie is my closest friend, and I am determined to be there when she goes shopping.”
“Perhaps you would like to do a bit of shopping as well?”
“That too.” Adeline slumped against him, and a soft snore came from her part of the coach.
Gavin had been holding Georgie’s hand and squeezed it. “Do you think the ladies will wait until tomorrow?”
“I have no idea.” She leaned against his arm, making him recall the first night they’d come back from the Turners’ when he had so wanted her to feel comfortable enough to do so.
“She might just need a nap,” Frits offered.
“You might be right,” Georgie agreed. “She frequently takes a short one during the day, and it restores her.”
Gavin hoped that was the case. Otherwise, they would be forced to wait until tomorrow for the ladies to work out all that they must. “When do you plan to return to Town?”
“Adeline and I agreed we would do so immediately.” He didn’t need to see Georgie’s face to know that she had scrunched it up. “If not tomorrow, then the next day.”
“That’s what she told me,” Littleton said. “Fortunately, it’s not that far. I already sent word to open the house.”
“If Grandmamma and the duchess plan to return as well,” Georgie mused, “they will want me to stay with them.”
Gavin was about to tell her not to borrow trouble, but that is exactly what would happen. “We can only wait and see what they have to say.”
They fell silent and the only noise was Adeline’s soft snores and the horses’ hooves on the road and the coach behind them. Sooner than he expected they reached the front door of Littlewood.
He helped Georgie out of the carriage, and, fortunately, Adeline woke with a start and more energy than he’d seen from her all week. She led them to a small parlor where a fire was being hurriedly lit, then sent for tea, wine, and brandy. They had all had enough champagne for the night.
The moment everyone had what they wanted to drink, she took charge in a way that he’d never seen before. “I wish to start by saying that Georgie and I have already agreed that she will stay with me until her mother returns to Town.” Adeline waited until the other ladies assented. “We shall begin shopping.” Again the ladies nodded. “Georgie, do you have any particular desires regarding the ceremony or the wedding breakfast?”
“None at all except to ask that you choose colors that look well on me.”
Her grandmother grinned, and Gavin wished he knew what that was all about. As far as he was concerned she looked beautiful in everything.
“Well then,” Adeline continued, “what else do you wish to discuss?”
Georgie covered a smile with her cup, and the ladies glanced at each other.
“Nothing at all, my dear.” Lady Littleton rose. “When do you plan to depart?”
Adeline rose as well. “Tomorrow by midmorning or early afternoon.”
“Very good.” Lady Featherton moved to Georgie and bussed her cheek. “Have a pleasant journey. Send me a note if you need me for anything. I have no doubt your father will be pleased to stand the nonsense.”