“Then I am delighted with it too.” Anna stopped beside her and fussed with the skirt as well, ensuring the train of lace fell perfectly flat on the floor. “Perhaps the Dowager Duchess of Bridstone was right.”
Helena nearly cut herself on one of the rose thorns in surprise then she lifted her gaze, looking at Julia to see she bore an equal expression of wonder.
“There’s much to be said for choosing a gown you like rather than what others will like.” A giggle escaped Anna’s lips. “It even now sounds absurd to my own ears.” She clasped hands with her daughter and kissed her on the cheek. “Come, Kitty, the guests will be arriving soon. We’ll welcome them downstairs with a drink before walking them over to the chapel.”
“Yes, we must. Good luck, my dear.” Kitty copied Anna and kissed Julia on the cheek too. “May you be truly happy in your marriage.”
Helena waited for her mother and aunt to leave the room before she crossed toward her sister, holding the completed bouquet in her hands.
“You do look beautiful,” Helena whispered as she passed the flowers to her sister. “I do not doubt Lord Robert will be quite stunned when he sees you.”
“You are too kind to me. You always have been.” Julia held out her arms, pushing the bouquet wide, clearly wanting an embrace. Helena hugged her sister tightly and held on for a few seconds longer after her sister let go. “You do not wish to let me go?”
“No, I do not,” Helena said in realization and stepped back. “I guess so much of our lives I have looked out for you because I have wanted to, but that is not my place anymore. Oh, do not doubt me, sister, I will always do it from afar. Yet, after today, there will be another to look out for you, will there not?”
Julia took her hand, and they stood there smiling at one another, gleefully.
“And from what I have seen, Lord Robert will take care of you very well indeed.” Helena smiled. “Even if I do not approve of his courting habits…” she rolled her eyes, prompting Julia to giggle at the reminder of the scandal, “I have seen since just how devoted he is in his care for you. He will look after you well.”
“I’m so glad you approve of him. It matters a lot to me that you like him too.”
“I do.” Helena adjusted the flowers in the bouquet one last time. “Now, I must go to assist our family as the guests arrive, and I will keep the peace should any trouble erupt.”
“Pray, do. You should have seen our brother this morning,” Julia muttered in a rush. “He threatened to trip Robert up on the aisle in the chapel.”
“I wouldn’t put it past our brother, but I shall stop him. He will be thrust into our mother’s hands. She is so keen for propriety, she will wish for this wedding to go off without a hitch, and a brawling son is hardly what she has in mind for such an occasion, is it?” She laughed, encouraging Julia to laugh too. “Worry not, everything is in hand.”
They clutched hands one last time then Helena stepped back. She promised Julia that her maid would call to check on her in a few minutes before she left, hurrying to the stairs.
At the top of the landing, she paused, letting joy wash over her, delighted at her sister’s excitement. Yet that joy only lasted for a few moments.
In the hallway, far beneath the landing, she heard her family gathering. Benjamin was standing by the door, politely welcoming guests with Anna at his side. As the latest group passed on into the house, others joined him. Kitty and Gibbs moved forward as did Matthew, who moved with such suddenness that Benjamin took his shoulder and held him back.
“They’re here,” Gibbs said in a low tone. “I confess, I do not understand how we have come this far. Something must be done about it.”
“Enough, Gibbs, enough,” Benjamin said tiredly. “I might not like it either, but for Julia’s sake and no further scandal, we now must put on a smile.”
“Yes, indeed,” Anna agreed. “We do not want all our guests thinking there are problems with the wedding, do we?”
They’re here. The Duke of Bridstone is here then.
Helena hurried for the stairs, rushing down as quickly as she could. When she reached the bottom, she moved to stand on her father’s other side, peering out of the open door.
There was a long line of carriages that had arrived and were slowly being moved around to the stables by the coachmen and groomsmen. The largest and grandest carriage on the drive had come to a stop and the door opened.
The first to step out was Lord Robert, who bounded toward the house with excitement in every step. Lord Isaac Moore followed, shakily, his arm clutched by Lady Laura. The Dowager Duchess came next, her eyes turned up to the house with some suspicion before she walked forward.
Lastly, the Duke of Bridstone stepped out of the carriage, probably waiting until last so he could be certain that everyone did indeed get out of the carriage. He hurried his family to the door, striding around them, his long legs eating up the ground quickly as he caught up to his brother.
Helena couldn’t help but stare at him. After her realization the other night that she had fallen in love with the Duke amidst all of their meetings, she found it difficult to look anywhere else. He wore a dark blue suit with a splendid blue waistcoat, complimenting his brother’s green choice. He cut a dapper figure, and as he walked up the stairs toward the family, his eyes found her own. He seemed to stare at her with the same intensity that she looked at him.
For a minute, she feared he could see into her heart and knew what was written there.
That’s absurd, impossible!
“I see you decided all to come then,” Gibbs said with no welcome in his tone at all.
* * *
