“Twenty,” Rose said, at the same time as Will stated, “Eighty”.
“Mr. Browning is obviously used to more expansive parties,” Ernest chuckled.
“I find it is best to keep numbers small,” Rose advised. “Only to those you can trust.”
“It depends if you have a big family,” Will pushed.
“Which applies to neither the Duke nor me. To be honest, we should marry here at the castle, as the only people who will be present will be the servants.”
“Not very festive,” Will jousted. She wanted to tell him what he could do with his festive.
Jennings was marshaling the footman to take their soup bowls away. Rose caught his eye, but instead of receiving a sympathetic glance, Jennings still seemed to have a tinge of amusement around his lips.
Before continuing the conversation, the three diners waited for their main courses of lamb, roast potatoes, and roast vegetables to be served.
“Will you wear white, my dear?” Ernest asked.
“That’s not really appropriate, Your Grace. This is my second marriage.”
“First real one,” he countered with a wide smile.
There will never be a real one.
She had no desire to eat now but cut off a tiny piece of meat and put it in her mouth.
“I suppose the only question remaining then is when?” Said Ernest, picking up his knife and fork.
“I understand one needs to post the Banns for a month,” Rose said, very grateful for the religious firebreak. At least it would give her time to settle her feelings for Will, although right now, she would cheerfully strangle him.
“With a special license, there is no need to wait,” Ernest said.
“Is that possible?”
“Already secured,” Ernest patted the breast pocket of his dress coat.
So that was why he had gone to London. And she had believed his trip would delay the process, but it had only served to speed it up.
“When were you thinking?” Rose asked tremulously.
“How about Saturday?”
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
Rose gasped. Both men turned to look at her. There was no spark of desperation in Will’s expression, which she would have expected, whereas there must have been in hers. She covered it quickly.
“But it is already Thursday. There is no way I can prepare everything in one day!” She protested. “And you are really not in good enough health to put yourself under that much strain, Your Grace.”
Ernest looked back at her without saying anything.Could he see that she was doing anything she could to delay marrying him? Would he become angry again and return to his previous demeanor if she refused to make everything ready in time?
“I’ll do it,” Will said suddenly.
“You’ll do what, Mr. Browning?” she asked.
“I will arrange everything for the wedding. I have the time, and I know all the local suppliers. I can do everything required, and you will have to do nothing.”
Now it was Rose’s turn to stare at Will. Had he truly taken leave of his senses?
“That will not be necessary Mr. Browning,” she said in a voice as cold as ice. “I am sure you are very busy.”