Guy turned toward the lady, with an apologetic smile. “I’m breaking any number of taboos, Lady Rutherford, I do apologize. But I wanted Petra to wear the Granville rubies and I didn’t want to bring them until this morning. I’ll make myself scarce now.” With another bow and a charming smile, he kissed his future mother-in-law’s hand and left the room.

“Good heavens,” Cecilia said, with a flutter of her hands. “How remarkable. The groom really should not see the bride before the ceremony. How could you have allowed him to come in, Petra?”

“I didn’t exactly,” Petra said with a rueful smile. “When you get to know Guy better, Ma, you’ll understand that one does not allow or disallow him to do anything. He’s something of a force of nature. But don’t worry. I’m sure nothing bad will come of it.” She kissed her mother’s cheek. “How do I look?”

Her mother stood back and examined her daughter. “Quite beautiful,” she said. “Those stones are glorious. I wouldn’t have thought rubies would suit you with your hair, but they do, most certainly they do.” She nodded. “It’s nearly time to go to the church. Your father’s waiting for you downstairs. Oh, dear, everything’s happening so quickly. Diana and Fenella, you’ll come in the carriage with me and Jonathan. I imagine your husbands are already at the church.”

“I expect so, Lady Rutherford,” Diana said with a soothing smile, hearing the rising note of agitation in the lady’s voice. “Shall we go down now? We’ll be waiting at the church, Petra darling.”

“Don’t forget your flowers.” Fenella picked up the small bouquet of white roses and twisted the silver paper more securely around the stems before handing them to Petra. “You’re not anxious?”

“No.” Petra shook her head, the ruby earrings dancing. “What is there to be anxious about?”

“Nothing at all.” Fenella kissed her and left the bedroom with Diana and Lady Rutherford.

For a moment, Petra stood alone in the middle of her childhood bedroom. Should she be nervous? But she was aware only of excitement, of anticipation. It wasn’t as if there were any secrets of matrimony that she had to discover. Her mother had murmured some vague words about the wedding night and how it might be a little painful, but her husband had his rights and a wife must always yield to his demands, however disinclined she might be.

It had occurred to Petra that such a maternal warning would be more likely to terrify a virgin bride than prepare her for what was to come. Her mother had then said she should ask Diana and Fenella for details of what she should expect, and had gone her way clearly considering she had done her duty by her daughter.