Page 4 of Good Duke Gone Rogue

He just laughed. “Whatever Char. I’m just glad we got through these weddings so I don’t have to attend another one this season.”

“Humor me. What would you want in a wife?” When he simply stared at her in reply, she nudged him. “If you were looking. What would you want?”

“Money.”

“Be serious, Reggie.”

“I am being serious. What else do you want me to say?” He leaned over to rile up his sister again. “You really want me to list the physical attributes I’m looking for?”

“Oh my heavens, Reggie. I can see this is pointless. Let’s just hope some of the Ashbourne luck rubs off on you. Lord knows you need it.”

Stifling a laugh, Reggie patronizingly patted Charlotte’s hand. “Now you have it.”

“I don’t need luck. I’m getting married already.”

“I didn’t mean the luck. I meant, now you have it, as in, now you understand.”

Charlotte settled back into her seat. The crowds were not moving. “I still can’t believe Kat, the youngest of all three of us, was married first.”

“You were engaged first.”

“It doesn’t count.” Charlotte looked up, eyes wide, in shock at herself and her impulsive words. “Not that I’m keeping score.” She tugged on her sleeve. “Because I’m not. We’re both marrying for love. That’s all that matters. But Quinn? I didn’t see that one coming.”

“Neither did I.”

“Well, I suppose it’s a good thing that you sent him after her to Scotland instead of chasing after her yourself. You’re the one to thank for their elopement, really.”

“I couldn’t have left. Father was sick and Mother was beside herself with worry. As it is, she only left the house today because he seems to be doing better. And this,” he waved his arm at the guests still milling about, trying to make their exit, “is the wedding of the century. She wouldn’t have missed it.”

“I suppose not.”

Wanting to avoid the maudlin conversation about sickness, Reggie snatched at a question floating around the crowds. “Everyone seems surprised about at least one of the Ashbourne couples. Were you especially shocked that any of them in particular got married today?”

Charlotte tapped her chin in thought. “Like everyone, I didn’t think that they would all happen at once. But…” she tapped again. “Perhaps I’m most surprised to see Lord Colin up there. He’s so quiet, like me. But I think it’s that much harder for a quiet man to find a wife than for a quiet woman, since the man is the one approaching the woman.”

“It doesn’t always have to be that way.” Though Reggie knew it did, he enjoyed egging on his sister too much. He was rewarded for his efforts when she gave him The Look. As if to say, please Reggie, you can’t upturn social conventions merely on your whim.

And then she did say, “Please Reggie. You can’t toss etiquette to the side and expect it to end well for you.” His prediction was so close to her actual words.

“It only takes it to work one time.”

Another reward. The eye roll.

The Countess of Winchester rose. “Let’s go, you two. There’s an opening for us to leave.”

And it was like their childhood. They were back at church on a Sunday morning, and their mother was herding them out before they were waylaid by the overly zealous confabulator underwhelming them with lengthy descriptions of her latest ailments.

They made their exit, slowly, after congratulating each of the happy couples waiting just outside the main doors. Reggie had lost count of who was who and merely echoed his mother’s well wishes.

Finally, it was over. Reggie breathed the fresh air.

Ah, it felt good to be free.

Unfortunately, freedom was quickly squeezed into the carriage. And if that wasn’t confining enough, his mother said, “Lady Simcott should be there when we arrive. If not, shortly thereafter.”

“Bernadette is coming today? I had forgotten, with the wedding and all,” mused Charlotte.

“How come she didn’t have to come to the wedding?” It was not the question of a grown man, but it popped out nonetheless.

---