“I understand,” Spencer said, looking harried, as he glanced over at Emily who nodded to him insympathy.
“Very good. And I suppose your father has spoken toyou…”
“Whatabout?”
“About how to treat your new bride. You know about the wedding night, do younot?”
Spencer blushed scarlet. “Yes… yes sir, I most certainlydo.”
“Well good. I want my daughter to be well cared for, youunderstand?”
Emily took pity on poor Spencer and she went over to her father from behind, put her arms around him and kissed the top of hishead.
“Papa, Spencer is a grown man. I expect he has all the pertinent information he needs. Now, let the poor manbe.”
Her father grumped but nodded that Spencer might leave. The young man bounded up, and with a ‘thank you’ nod to Emily, left theroom.
“Papa, how are you doing with all this ‘lady business’ going on aroundyou?”
He chuckled. “Fair to middling. There are times when I wish your mother and I had had a son. But… I have three lovely daughters, so who has a right tocomplain?”
There was a knock on the sitting room door and Spencer reappeared. “Sir, as I was leaving there was a gentleman at the door. Says he wishes to speak toyou.”
Papa looked up. “Huh?” He turned to Emily. “Are you expectinganyone?”
“No,Papa.”
The three of them went to the front door where there was a man dressed in the Duke of Edgerton’slivery.”
“Mr. Dunn?” the manasked.
“That isme.”
“Sir, the Duke asked me to deliver this note to you personally. And enjoy the carriage.” Then he turned toleave.
“Wait, what are you talking about,” Papaasked.
“Everything is explained in the note, Sir. Do you want me to leave the carriage here, or should I drive it to another location foryou?”
“Wait,” he commanded the young man. Papa was totally stumped and he opened thenote.
Dear Mr.Dunn,
Miss Emily has informed me that your daughter Ruth is to be married today. And I understand that they are to be transported to their new home in your carriage. It occurred to me that it would be most inconvenient for you to be without your transportation during their travels, so I have sent you a new carriage and set of horses for youruse.
Then it occurred to me that you should probably just keep them, as my gift, so that you and your lovely wife might visit us at Linfield as often and as long as youwish.
Perhaps your daughter and son-in-law might enjoy the use of your old carriage in their newly married life. Then there would be no need to return it. But that is just athought.
Ever Your DevotedServant,
MarkLinfield
Duke ofEdgerton
Papa looked up at the bearer of the message. “I do not understand. This is forme?”
“Yes, sir. I am to return to Linfield by that horse there,” he said, pointing to a steed tied to the back of thecarriage.
