Page 129 of A Duchess to Fight For
Percy put his hand up. “Don’t tell me. I want to be surprised. Just like the honeymoon I planned. I want Louisa to be surprised. Tell me only what I need to know. Where. When.”
Percy hoped the ladies believed him. He didnotwant to hear about the wedding. He loved Louisa deep down in his bones, but he didn’t want to hear about the wedding.
“I forgot. You will be surprised, and you will love it.”
“Louisa, if we married in a dirty horse stall in our worst clothes, I would be happy. I just want you to be my wife.”
Louisa smiled brightly. “I’ll surprise you. Mother and I have had so much fun. I hope you enjoy our wedding.”
“I know I will. I hope you enjoy our honeymoon.”
“I know I will. After I got your letter, I told our modiste I needed clothes for very warm weather. She had to order fabric from India. Can’t get any warmer than that.”
“Will your gowns be ready?” Percy asked
“Yes.”
“I’m excited. Are you?”
Amelia jumped in, “Are you joking? She has been crazy. Wait until you talk to Frederick. He has threatened to move out. In a way, I think he liked the idea of leaving us to this craziness.”
Louisa laughed. “I don’t care. Percy, this has been so much fun.”
Amelia laughed. “We have had fun. And I understand she will redecorate your townhouse? What a lucky girl. Plan a wedding, go on a honeymoon with her wonderful husband, and then come home and redecorate their townhouse.”
Percy laughed. “And I am the beneficiary of her hard work. By the way, if Louisa needs any help on the townhouse, I encourage you to assist her. I don’t want to give my wife too much to do. I don’t want her nervous. I want to come home to her running to me, wrapping her arms around my neck and hugging me, just like today.”
“Thank you, Percy. Mother and I have talked about doing it together. I’ve never decorated before.”
*****
“You look beautiful, Louisa. You are going to upstage the bride.”
“I’m sure Emma will be beaming. She’s looking forward to today. Cecil is so excited too. I can tell just by looking at him.”
“When Kent and I met him last night at the dinner, he was jumping out of his skin. He is looking forward to their honeymoon.”
The church had more guests than Louisa thought they planned to have at their wedding. She didn’t recognize them, but Louisa thought it must be Emma’s family from out of town. She and Percy sat with Kent and Gertie.
Louisa and Gertie whispered until the clap came from the back of the church. Emma came down the aisle with her hand wrapped around her father’s arm. She was radiant.
Her gown was lilac with beading that reflected off the candlelight. She wore a flower arrangement of lilacs in her hair.
Louisa turned to find Cecil near the altar. He smiled broadly and didn’t take his eyes off her. Louisa reached over and squeezed Percy’s hand. He looked her in the eyes and squeezed back.
“He’ll make it back in time,” he said.
The wedding breakfast was delicious and fun. Percy and Louisa sat next to Kent and Gertie. When any of them referred to something that happened over the past two months, Louisa had to lean over and whisper in Percy’s ear and explain what Kent or Gertie said.
He turned to her and tipped his head near her ear. “I love when you whisper in my ear. I look forward to Kent or Gertie saying something I missed. It will bring more whispering.”
Louisa looked up at him and laughed. It rang through the small area they occupied, but the sound was so sweet, Percy felt sorry for those who couldn’t hear it. My God, he was getting corny. He needed to get Frederick back and for them to be married so his life could get back to a state of normalcy.
*****
The day before the wedding was a tense time for Amelia and Louisa. Amelia knew in her heart that Frederick wasn’t going to make it in time when late afternoon was upon them.
Louisa kept holding out hope. Amelia tried to bring her down gently, but it didn’t work. She was in a state of denial, and she didn’t hear a word Amelia said.
