Page 16 of The Pureblood Princess
“Of course I did!” Eliza says, holding out her arms for a hug. “I’d never miss the opportunity to help you plan the most magical day of your life.” Her smile is familiar and playful, the smile Nadia knows from many years spent together in girlhood.
Nadia gives Eliza a warm hug, then pulls away. “I’m so delighted you’re both here,” she says, trying not to let tears flood into her eyes. “Let’s get inside before the wind gives you a chill.”
Eliza laughs and looks to Lady Gray. “She sounds like a mother already! I think you’ll have grandchildren in short order, Lady Gray.”
Eliza’s words send heat rushing to Nadia’s cheeks, but she turns her face away to hide it. Indeed, it is her hope to have children soon after marrying, but she’s barely engaged; to long for anything more feels dangerous, like fate may find her greedy and choose not to bless her with children at all.
Nadia leads the women toward the manor as a chill autumn wind whips through the courtyard, sending their skirts twisting about their stocking-clad ankles. They ascend the steps to the entrance, and Lady Rosetti is waiting for them there.
“Lady Gray, how wonderful it is to see you again. And Lady Williamson, it’s lovely of you to have made the journey as well. Come in, come in.” She waves them farther into the foyer, and two footmen appear promptly to take the ladies’ overcoats. “Shall we start with a tour? And afterward we can have tea and snacks in the drawing room.”
Eliza’s stomach lets out a gentle rumble, and her freckled cheeks flare bright pink as everyone turns toward her.
“Pardon me,” she says bashfully. “It was quite a long journey, after all.”
Light laughter fills the foyer, and Lady Rosetti reaches to take Eliza’s arm. “We’ll make the tour quick, then. It wouldn’t do to keep a hungry guest waiting.”
Lady Rosetti and Eliza lead the way, and Nadia falls into step alongside her mother. Reaching down, she takes Lady Gray’s hand in hers and gives it a gentle squeeze.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Mama,” she says quietly. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“And I you, dearest. The house has never been so quiet. It almost drove me mad listening to the wind against the panes. But with your marriage, perhaps that will someday change, hmm?” She glances down at Nadia’s belly, then squeezes her hand back.
Cheeks warming, Nadia gives her mother a shy nod. “Perhaps.”
After the tour, the women retire to the drawing room, where hot tea and an assortment of tea sandwiches, cookies, and cakes awaits them. Eliza’s blue eyes sparkle as she studies the many options, and behind her, the drawing room door opens to reveal Contessa, her dark hair hanging in loose waves past her shoulders, her green eyes bright against her olive complexion.
“Lady Gray, Lady Williamson, allow me to introduce my daughter, Lady Contessa Levingston.”
Contessa curtsies smoothly, the very picture of grace, and then flashes the visitors a white smile, no fangs in sight. “I’m so delighted to meet you. Miss Magdalena has told me much of you both, and I’ve been so looking forward to making your acquaintance.”
The women exchange polite greetings, and then Contessa joins Eliza at the snack table, pointing out her favorite cakes and which to try first. They fall into easy conversation and laughter, and Nadia’s heart is buoyed by the simplicity of it all. Her mother and soon-to-be mother-in-law chatting over tea, her best friend and future sister-in-law bonding over cakes. It seems too good to be true.
Once they’re all seated in the comfortable chairs adorning the room, Lady Rosetti steers the conversation toward the wedding.
“We’ve much to discuss regarding the wedding: flowers, food, thegown.”
All the women look to Nadia, and she can’t help but grin. The gown—theweddinggown. It’s so surreal, it almost hasn’t settled in. After many nights wondering where Theodore’s head was, wondering if he planned to propose at all, everything has suddenly shifted, and it’s moving so fast that she’s struggling to keep up.
“We’ll get a special license, of course,” Lady Rosetti says, surprisingly modest in her announcement. “We’ll have the wedding here, in the drawing room. As long as that’s not disagreeable, Miss Magdalena?”
Lady Gray looks over at Nadia, her brown eyes wide. To purchase a special license is quite expensive, yet the countess doesn’t even bat an eye.
“It’s not disagreeable at all, Lady Rosetti. It would be a privilege to marry here, in your beautiful home.”
Her affirmation makes Lady Rosetti smile. “Wonderful. It’s so charming here at this time of year. The light will be perfect.” She gestures to the large windows through which a warm afternoon light streams. “With that settled, we just have to discuss... everything else.”
The ladies laugh, and then they get to work, discussing flowers, the type of cake, and, of course, the gown. By the time the detailed particulars have been smoothed out, the sun has slipped low in the sky, and the shadows are long and deep, hinting at the winter that is soon to come.
Two maids enter the room and begin lighting the candles, and Benjamin, the butler, follows them in, hands behind his back as he bows to Lady Rosetti.
“My lady, dinner is ready in the dining room.”
“Oh, finally,” Contessa says, standing promptly. Even after having sat around for the majority of the afternoon, she stilllooks striking, her long gown hugging her hips and her dark hair framing her face just so. “A woman cannot survive on tea cakes alone, Benjamin. I thought I already taught you that?” One of her brows quirks, and it appears Benjamin is struggling to hold back a smile.
“I apologize, Lady Livingston. One must at times be reminded of old lessons.” He gestures to the open door with a white-gloved hand.
Contessa reaches for Eliza and pulls her from the settee, and they make their way toward the dining room promptly. Seeing them together fills Nadia with peace, and that warmth is only further stoked, like a fire in the dead of winter, when Lady Gray and Lady Rosetti stand and set off for the dining room together.
