Page 92 of When the Viscount Seduces
“On my life, it is not,” Lazarus vowed. “I love Gwen with everything that I am. I could never have imagined I would find someone as wonderful as her, but I will spend my days working to deserve her love.”
Gwen’s mother smiled, then she sniffed. Her father’s frown lessened.
“Mama, will you please make the arrangements for the wedding ceremony on Thursday morning? We won’t be able to have a breakfast as Lazarus has an important speech in the Lords that day. We can have a dinner or other celebration another time.” Gwen knew that would be important to her.
Rising, her mother nodded. “I’ll take care of everything, including a new gown.”
“Mama, I don’t need a new gown,” Gwen said, trying not to roll her eyes.
“Of course you do. It’s your wedding.” Her mother came around the other side of the bed and leaned over it to kiss Gwen’s forehead. She looked over at Lazarus with gratitude. “Thank you for taking care of our daughter.”
“It is now my primary purpose in life.”
“We couldn’t ask for anything more,” her mother said. She glanced toward Gwen’s father, and he gave an imperceptible nod.
They left a moment later, and Gwen briefly closed her eyes. “Thank goodness,” she whispered. Looking up at Lazarus, she added, “I worried there would be a scene.”
“I’m glad there was not—for your sake.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Before I go, I should tell you that I do need to write a letter of recommendation for Nott. He is relocating to Bath and will be seeking a position there. It was part of how I persuaded him to accompany me to see Mrs. Worsley. However, after his assistance today, I am quite happy to provide it.”
“But you are concerned about the writing of it,” Gwen said, taking his hand. “I will help you, though I can’t write it either, because of my arm. At least not today. You must write it yourself.”
“There you go, ordering me about again.” He grinned. “Please don’t ever stop.”
CHAPTER 21
They made very convincing gentlemen, if Gwen said so herself. That she’d gone from bride to gentleman in disguise in a few hours amused her greatly. But she would have gone to any lengths to see Lazarus’s speech. And dressing as a man was required, as women were not allowed in the gallery in the House of Lords.
It came as no surprise to her that her friends—Tamsin, Min, Ellis, and Jo—had insisted on joining her in this folly. And now they would wait until whenever it was that Lazarus would deliver his speech. Since Parliament could work well into the night, Gwen hoped it wouldn’t be too late.
“We should at least have put a flower in your lapel,” Min said as they situated themselves behind the bar with a group of members from the House of Commons. “I can’t believe this is how you are spending your wedding day.”
“I can think of no better way,” Gwen said earnestly. Truly, this was perfect, in her mind.
“I wish you’d all seen how pretty Gwen looked,” Tamsin said. As Lazarus’s cousin, she was the only one of Gwen’s friends who had been invited. Gwen’s mother had been insistent that only family be allowed to attend. Gwen was just glad that Lazarus’smother had arrived in time. His oldest sister, who lived near London, had also been in attendance.
“I understand why we weren’t invited, but I’m still a little sad about it.” Min sniffed.
“My mother is planning a dinner party for next week, and you will all be invited.”
“Including me?” Jo asked with a wry smile. “I will not be offended in the least if I do not receive an invitation.”
“You are most definitely on the list of invitees,” Gwen assured her. “I do hope you will be able to come. I know you are at the Siren’s Call most nights.”
“Yes, but my mother will likely insist I go—if I tell her about it. She thinks I spend too much time at the Siren’s Call.” Jo shrugged.
Ellis leaned around Min to look at Jo. “If you did not, you may not have been so exceptionally equipped to aid Gwen and Somerton with that horrible Worsley situation.”
In the coach on the way to Westminster, Gwen had explained the entire Worsley affair, much to her friends’ outrage and horror. There was no way she would keep the truth from her friends.
“I still can’t believe she shot you,” Tamsin said with a faint grimace. “Or that you got married three days later.”
“Or that they let Mrs. Worsley get away with it,” Jo put in.
“It was the right thing to do for Miss Worsley. She’s been through enough and still has a baby to deliver,” Gwen said.
“How is your arm?” Min asked.
“It’s not bad, actually.” It had hurt quite a bit yesterday, which had made Gwen glad she’d chosen today for the wedding. Today she was feeling a far sight better, however. The wound was bound with a fresh bandage beneath her shirt.
