“This is all too exciting,” Alexandra said. “Mother, we must find you the perfect dress. We should summon Lily’s modiste right away. Aunt Lucy, Aunt Maggie, may I help you plan?”
“Of course,” Lucy said.
“We should have a string quartet. That would be lovely,” Ally said. “And Rose, maybe you could get Mr. Price to write a song for Mama.”
“His little sister is still in the hospital, Ally. I think he probably has other responsibilities at the moment.”
“I suppose you’re right. You’ll just have to make do with Mozart, Mama. Perhaps you could be married on the solstice itself! No, then we’d miss the celebration. When are Lily and the duke returning?”
“Daniel didn’t give me an exact date, but he said they’d be home for the solstice,” Maggie replied.
“Good. Then we’ll all go to the celebration, and the wedding can be the day after that. How does that sound?”
“Goodness, Ally. Let Mama catch her breath a minute,” Sophie said.
Iris smiled, her heart warm. “It’s all right, Sophie. I’m glad she’s excited.”
“Oh, I am. Sophie, Rose, you both must help me plan. Oh, and of course, you too, Mother, and Aunt Maggie and Aunt Lucy.”
“We’ll all help,” Rose said. “Isn’t this grand? Another wedding so soon!”
“I’m afraid this one won’t be quite the affair that Lily’s was,” Iris pointed out.
“If it’s a grand affair you want, my dear, it’s a grand affair you shall have,” David said.
“No, no. All I want is a real wedding, with my family and friends. Not some huge affair.”
“But, Iris—”
“I’m serious, David. I want Flora and Crispin, of course, and Thomas. Lily and the duke, your children, and all of us. And of course, any other family and friends that you want to include. That’s it.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m positive. It’s a second marriage for both of us. A grand affair wouldn’t be appropriate. And I’ve no desire to hobnob with a bunch of people I hardly know.”
“I think an intimate gathering sounds wonderful, Iris,” Lucy said. “Maggie and I and the girls will have loads of fun planning it, won’t we?”
“I’m chock-full of ideas, Auntie Lucy,” Ally gushed. “Do let’s go start planning!”
“All right, dear,” Lucy laughed.
* * * *
Cameron and Tricia stopped in a small shop in Bath to pick up the quills and parchment that he needed, and then they rode to the hospital. A young nurse showed them to Kat’s room. Kat was sitting up in bed, and her mother was feeding her broth.
“Cam!” Kat shouted.
“My sweet Kitty-Kat,” he said, “you’re better aren’t you!”
“Much.”
“Mother?” Tricia asked hesitantly.
“I sent word this morning,” Mrs. Price said, her face beaming. “Of course I knew it wouldn’t reach you until tomorrow or the next day. I had no idea you were coming.”
“Tricia wanted to come, and I finished work on my new commission, so we had some time. What happened?”
“Kat had a terrible day yesterday. Her fever escalated to nearly one hundred and six degrees, and it wouldn’t come down. The doctors and nurses were beside themselves.”