There was nothing to do but take pity on the girl, and Adelaide covered her hand, squeezing a little. “I would once have turned up my nose at it, make no mistake. But now I see more clearly, and I can truthfully say that I would love nothing more than to attend your wedding and the festivities following.”

“It would be an honor to have ee there, ma’am,” Miss Verran said softly, smiling the same shy smile from before. “And your ‘usband as well. I think… I believe Jeremy sees his lordship as much of a friend as he does his employer.”

“I believe Lord Basset feels the same.” Adelaide smiled at the thought. “Now tell me, Miss Verran. Have you and Mr. Bodville been courting for very long?

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

“Adelaide? It is nearly time!”

It was not often that Harrison bellowed in his own house, and even this could only just be considered such, but as he did not do so with anger or irritation, he trusted the aberration of his character and habits would not be held against him.

After all, it was his wife who had told him to remind her of the time if she took too long to prepare herself.

It would seem that it would take as much effort for her to prepare for someone else’s wedding as she had for her own.

That had been worth the effort then; he could only pray this would be the same.

He looked up at the ceiling at the base of the stairs, sighing quietly to himself as he took in the beams and plaster designs his father had been so proud of in Harrison’s youth. It was utterly pristine and without flaw, though it was nothing to the plaster scenes one could find in the ceiling in the gallery. Still, worthy craftsmanship must be appreciated, no matter how it galled him to find favor in something his father brought about.

“Something of interest up there? Personally, I’d prefer something a little less geometric and more elegant, but there will be time for that later.”

Harrison let his attention fall to the descending image of his wife, and his breath caught in his throat. She had opted for elegant simplicity, as he had once suggested Emblyn would prefer in dress, only he had never seen anything so lovely as this.