“Oh, that is wonderful!” Tabitha smiled warmly at her grandson. “That means we need to prepare for a wedding ceremony.”
“I am happy for you,” Deborah said, awed.
“Of course, I owe some of my success to you.” Peter winked in his sister’s direction.
“Oh, how so?” their grandmother asked, clearly unaware that Deborah had helped him meet Emma in secret.
“Oh, let us not fret over the details.” Deborah changed the topic hastily. “When do you plan on having the ceremony?”
“If all goes well, we would be happy to have it before the end of the year.” Peter smiled. “Of course, it is not set in stone yet. In fact, we will likely discuss it later in the week during our visit to their estate.”
“Our visit?” Deborah raised her eyebrows.
“Oh, I forgot to mention that the Duke has invited all of us to stay at Hopestyn Estate later this week,” he announced.
“That is kind of them,” their grandmother noted. “We should arrange for a carriage beforehand.”
“Indeed. The estate is nearly a three-hour distance away. It would be a good idea for our families to get acquainted with each other.”
Deborah was quiet, seeming lost in her own thoughts. Peter took notice of her silence and nudged her softly.
“What has gotten you down suddenly?” he asked, concern lacing his tone.
As the older brother, he felt very protective of Deborah. Not that she gave him much reason to worry. At nineteen years of age, she was wise beyond her years and stayed out of trouble mostly.
“How long do we have to stay at their estate?” she finally asked.
“A few days.” Peter shrugged. “I am sure they will make us feel quite welcome there.”
A sigh escaped Deborah’s lips. “You know how I feel about social occasions. I would much rather stay at home and curl up in bed with a good book than engage in small talk.”
“I know.” He nodded, fully aware of her reserved nature. “However, he has invited us all. It would not look good if you are missing. Besides, we cannot leave you alone.”
“I am perfectly capable of being alone,” Deborah asserted, sitting up straighter to make herself seem strong.
“It will only be a few days, my dear,” Tabitha said softly. “And it is the first such occasion in the family. All of us should be there for Peter.”
Deborah sighed. “All right. If it is only for a few days.”
“It could be a good opportunity for you to meet a prospective match for yourself,” Tabitha said. “After all, you are now of age, and it is time that you found a husband.”
Deborah groaned loudly. “Can we not discuss my marriage prospects? Peter is the one getting married, we should only be talking about him.”
“Deborah, when I was your age, I was declared the Diamond of the Season,” Tabitha recounted, her tone laced with pride. “I had a line of men interested in courting me when I finally picked your grandfather.”
“Yes, we know, Grandmother.” Deborah sighed. She had heard this story many times before, as her grandmother took great pride in retelling it. “But I am not ready to settle down yet.”
“You say that now, but once you realize the beauty of marriage, you will come to change your mind,” Tabitha said, her expression full of hope.
“I will have to see it to believe it,” Deborah replied.
It was going to take a lot more than that for her to change her mind.
* * *
The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the rolling countryside as the well-appointed carriage made its way along the winding country road. The carriage, drawn by a pair of sturdy horses, moved steadily, its wheels clattering against the cobbled path.
Inside the carriage were the members of the Cluett family. Peter nervously glanced out of the window, tapping his foot continuously against the carriage floor. He seemed to be rehearsing a script to himself, anxious to formally meet Emma’s entire family and hoping to make a great impression.
