Page 76 of Miss Prim and the Duke of Wylde
With Pru and Louisa listening intently and interjecting comments and suggestions, the two older ladies grew absorbed with discussing the rival merits of this soirée over that ball, and which evenings of the week should be assigned to the family gatherings that were expected in the lead-up to a wedding of such stature.
Meg considered their mothers’ heads, both blond, one sleek, the other a cloud of curls, tipped close as their owners patently bent their minds to crafting the most socially effective route along which to steer their children to the altar.
After a long moment, she glanced around the room, noting the groups that had formed among the gentlemen, all discussing the situation, too. Each group was a mix of Cynsters and Helmsfords or Drago’s friends. Looking at Drago, she met his gaze and smiled. Leaning closer, she whispered, “I’m starting to see a sliver of a silver lining.”
Drago looked about them, then brought his gaze back to her face and returned her smile. “There’s nothing like a threat to make everyone band together.”
She nodded. “Everyone’s starting to behave as one big family with a common goal.” She paused, then added, “Given our marriage will effectively link our families, both old and large and long established, such a development is nothing to sneeze at.”
Drago reached out and twined his fingers with hers. “No, indeed.” He glanced around again. “And yes, while not quite a merger, there will be a living, breathing, potentially ever-evolving link that will be brought into being with our wedding and extend into the future.” He brought his gaze back to hers. “There’ll doubtless be challenges in managing that.”
Meg found herself returning his easy smile with something akin to eagerness backed by rising confidence.
Drago studied her expression, then his smile deepened, and he raised her fingers to his lips and kissed them. “You seem to be looking forward to the fray.”
She grinned. “As Stirs—Miss Stirling—confirmed, I require challenges to thrive.”
He laughed softly. “Between your family and mine, I predict you’ll have more than enough challenges to keep you thoroughly absorbed.”
A soft tap on the door heralded Prentiss. He made his way to Drago’s side and quietly said, “Your Grace, Mr. Hayden has called to see you.”
Drago blinked, exchanged a surprised look with Meg, and straightened. He nodded to Prentiss. “Please ask him to join us.”
As Prentiss left to do so, Drago glanced at Meg. “I wasn’t expecting Thomas, but perhaps there’s some question about the settlements.”
They both looked toward the door, and others turned to do the same as it opened and Thomas Hayden walked in.
Abruptly, he halted, and his gaze flitted over the grouped chairs, taking in the small crowd.
“Thomas.” Drago waved him nearer. “Come in.”
Transparently uncertain, Thomas approached, nodding to the others, all of whom he’d previously met. He held several rolled sheets in his hand; on reaching Drago, Thomas held them out. “The draft marriage settlements. Given the urgency, Crawthorne and I thought you’d want to go over them as soon as possible.”
“Yes, indeed.” Drago eagerly took the document. “The sooner we get the details decided, the better.”
Thomas looked around and, his expression hardening, asked, “What’s going on?”
Already unrolling the sheets, Drago explained in broad terms, then looked up and gratefully acknowledged the assistance of those assembled in providing protection for Meg henceforth. “So until the wedding, she’ll be under constant guard.”
Thomas looked shocked and rather stunned. “Good Lord!”
George nodded soberly. “Quite a turn-up, what?”
Drago had swiftly scanned the draft. “I’ll need to go over this later.” Re-rolling the document, he looked at Demon. “Perhaps, sir, if I bring this”—he held up the roll—“with me tomorrow morning, while the ladies are visiting the modiste, you and I could go over the details together.”
Demon nodded decisively. “The sooner we agree on the specifics and get our respective solicitors to finalize the thing, the better.” He glanced sidelong at his wife and Drago’s mother. “We don’t want any unexpected impediments arising between now and Saturday.”
Drago agreed. He looked at Thomas, who had settled beside Harry and George and was listening to them and Aidan and Evan relate the highlights of the earlier discussion. “Thomas?” When Thomas looked his way, Drago saw he was as grimly unhappy with the situation as the rest of them. Drago raised the rolled papers. “I anticipate sending back the draft with any corrections to your office around noon.”
Thomas nodded. “I’ll get working on it as soon as it arrives.” He glanced at the others, then reluctantly got to his feet. “I should get back to chambers.” He looked at Drago and Meg and nodded gravely. “I’ll see you…most likely tomorrow evening.” Thomas glanced around, meeting the others’ gazes. “I’ll happily assist whoever’s been assigned to keep Meg safe.”
Toby raised an acknowledging hand. “I’ll send you”—he looked around the faces—“and everyone else a list of which events Meg and Drago are slated to attend each evening, sometime around noon each day.”
Everyone murmured in determined agreement, and as Thomas made his way to the door, others rose to follow.
* * *
The rushto the wedding started within the hour, with Meg and Drago, assisted by Constance, Denton, and Warley, going over the arrangements for Drago and Meg’s honeymoon at Wylde Court.
