The mothers nodded and Susan opened the parcel and found the most beautiful handmadequilt.
“Oh, this is beautiful. And what lovely, delicate stitching. You are a most accomplished group of women. I know she’s going to love this and I’ll put it on her bed this veryevening.”
The music stopped playing and John went to the stage to address theguests.
“Dear friends, I want to welcome all of you to Haverford House. I believe this Christmas day, we are establishing a new tradition. This is a party worth repeating each year.” A cheer rose up from the guests. “And soon my family will be enlarged by the addition of my beautiful, soon to be wife, Susan—the new Duchess of Lennox. So I have a great deal to celebrate and I hope you will all celebrate this happy event withme.
“I’ll say no more other than to have a jolly time, enjoy yourselves and a Merry Christmas to youall.”
* * *
So far ithad been a blustery early March. Susan has shortened her morning walks as she really didn’t enjoy the cold, biting wind. And, as the wedding was only a week away, she fervently hoped the weather would improve bythen.
Susan was excited because her cousin Jessica and her husband were arriving today. It was a week early, but Susan wanted to spend some alone time with Jessica before it became too hectic, closer to thewedding.
At the moment, Susan was trying on the wedding gown for the first time as the dressmaker made minor adjustments. They were in Clarissa’sroom.
“Put the necklace on and let me see how it looks with the gown,” Clarissaasked.
The dressmaker took the necklace out of the box and placed it around Susan’s neck. Clarissagasped.
“Does it look nice?” Susan asked as she turned toward the standing mirror to see the effect forherself.
“My dear, itisstunning.”
Susan studied the look from variousangles.
Elizabeth had been sitting on the bed and she got down and ran over to hugSusan.
“It’s so beautiful. You are like aprincess.”
Susan reached down and placed her hand on the top of Elizabeth’s head. “Thank you, dear. And you are going to be so beautiful too as my flowergirl.”
“Oh, yes. And I love my pretty dress,” Elizabethenthused.
There was a knock at the door and Fiona came in. But she stopped and gasped, putting her hand to her mouth. “Oh, Susan. It’s solovely.”
“Thank you. Aunt has helped fashion the perfect dress, don’t youthink?”
Fiona stepped forward and studied the gown further. “I’m going to look like a beggar compared toyou.”
“But sheisthe bride after all,” Clarissa said. She had not yet warmed to Fiona the way Susanhad.
“Of course. Ofcourse.”
“Did you want something?” Auntasked.
“Ah… yes. Susan, Simon asked me this morning at breakfast to ask you if you were planning to visit the school today? He said there was an issue or two he wanted to go over with you, but needed to show you inperson.”
“I doubt it. My cousin is coming shortly and I need to be here to greether.”
“Very well. I’ll send word to him then,” Fionasaid.
“Thankyou.”
* * *
Jessica and her husband,Ronald, stepped out of the carriage where Susan was waiting to greetthem.
