Fortunately, the butler recognized Christiana from her one visit and made introductions to the rest of the staff. There was a good number of them, however, and it took longer than she would have liked to meet everyone, but she didn’t feel she could be rude and refuse so smiled and shook hands and nodded to everyone from the housekeeper to the lowliest maid. They had just finished with the last introduction and Christiana was about to ask to have a word with Cook when one of the hall doors opened and Richard peered out.

“Christiana, can you come here please?” he asked and then peered back into the room to listen to something the reverend was saying. He then turned back to say, “Actually, if everyone would come in here, that would be good.”

He then left the door open and moved out of sight. Richard was standing talking to the pastor next to a large, dark wood desk by the French doors when Christiana entered. She moved immediately to his side, catching the pastor’s last words as he said, “absolutely legal.”

“What is?” she asked, pausing beside Richard.

He glanced down at her and smiled. “The wedding Reverend Bertrand has agreed to perform for us.”

Christiana’s eyes widened and she glanced to the holy man in question.

“My lady,” the pastor said, taking her hand and smiling at her kindly. “I am sorry to hear of all the troubles you and his lordship have suffered this last year. George always did seem to have the devil in him. Still, I am a little surprised and saddened to hear just how much devil.” He patted her hand. “We’ll set this right today, though, and make it all legal. And I don’t see any reason anyone else need know about it. George did enough damage without us adding to it, and it seems God meted out his own punishment.”

“Thank you,” Christiana murmured.

“If we’re ready then?” Reverend Bertrand asked glancing to Richard.

He nodded and turned toward Daniel, but then paused with surprise. Seeing his expression, Christiana glanced about the room, her own eyes widening. It wasn’t just Daniel, Robert, Suzette and Lisa who had followed them into the room. Apparently the servants had thought Richard had meant them too when he’d said everyone and every last one of them, including Grace and Christiana’s sisters’ maids, were now crammed into the room as well.

Clearing his throat, Richard said apologetically, “I didn’t mean—”

“It’s all right,” Reverend Bertrand interrupted and then stepped to Richard’s side and smiled at everyone. “The Earl and Countess would like to renew their vows and be married again to each other and you are all going to be witnesses.”

A buzz went around the servants and Suzette immediately moved to Christiana’s side to whisper worriedly, “Willet be legal now?”

“I think so,” Christiana whispered back.

Both women gave a start as the pastor turned and whispered, “Yes, my dear lady, it will. The banns were read, and the license issued for the original wedding between Richard Fairgrave and Christiana Madison . . . and handily the license was right here in the office. Apparently, it was left here for safekeeping when you stopped on the way to London. We will carry out the ceremony in the church here at Radnor in front of several witnesses. Once the ceremony is over and we, as well as witnesses, sign the marriage register in the church, it will most definitely be legal.”