Despite my anticipation of our wedding, there is a part of me that mourns the loss of our letter writing. Every day since I sent you that first letter, your words have become the highlight of my day. Our correspondence these past months have made the time fly back. Even with all the ups and downs we experienced in the beginning, I would not trade our story for the world. I am grateful for the unconventional start as we will always have written reminders of how we first fell in love.
I cannot convey to you how ready I am to begin our lives together. I look forward to the days when we say ‘goodnight’ instead of ‘goodbye,’ when I can hear about your day rather than read about it from a letter, and when I get to watch you mother our children and take care of our house.
Remind me again why we agreed to such a long engagement?
Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself. I simply never want to forget how much I love you at this moment. And I do, love you, that is. I love you, Felicity. And I cannot wait to tell the world that the woman I love is mine forever.
I will dream of you until then.
Yours,
Benjamin
* * *
"I am so happy for you and the Duke,” Lady Abbott declared. “To think that we will be such good friends with a Duchess is thrilling.”
“It was such a shocking night,” her mother said, “but I am forever grateful for how gracefully His Grace and my dear Felicity handled things.”
In the three months since her engagement to the Earl of Edgware ended, Felicity had still not grown used to her mother’s drastic change in temperament. In fact, today was only the second time since everything had happened that her mother entertained the Abbotts, claiming that they were no longer the kind of ladies she wanted around her family, influencing her and her daughters. It had been the talk to ton for weeks how Hannah had snuck back into the ball after Felicity had left, her clothes disheveled, hair wet and unpinned, and distraught over Lord Robert’s display of emotion over Felicity. Hannah would have been effectively ruined if she had not been saved only by a rushed wedding to the Earl.
“Yes, well, you know Lord Roberts has been kept so very busy with his business in the country,” Lady Abbott informed them. “Otherwise, he would be sure to be in attendance. A good show of faith and such.”
“Good riddance,” Delilah quipped from behind her teacup.
“I don’t want to talk of my husband anymore,” the new Countess of Edgware whined. “I want to hear about the Duke! He is so dashing, and that scar makes him seem so mysterious.”
Felicity’s eyes went wide, unable to believe Hannah would make such a brazen request in front of her, not to mention Benjamin’s mother who was now choking on her tea.
Lady Abbott elbowed her daughter in the side before flashing the room an uncomfortable smile. Marriage had done little to curb Hannah’s tongue.
What I meant to say,” Lady Hannah Roberts remedied, rubbing her side, “was have you enjoyed your engagement and the wedding planning?”
“Yes,” Lady Abbott agreed, “tell us all about it.”
Before Felicity could say anything, Hope chimed in.
“We must not give away our secrets. Especially not so close to the day. You have waited these long three months already; a few days longer will do you no harm.”
Felicity was forever in awe of Benjamin’s mother. Somehow, the Dowager always managed to say just the right thing in just the right way to keep people in their place without ruffling any feathers. It was a skill Felicity was sure came from time and experience, but it was one she hoped to learn quickly.
“Oh! Look at the time,” her mother exclaimed. “I am afraid we have an appointment to get to. You will have to excuse us.”
The Abbotts stuttered as her mother herded the pair out of the drawing room, down the hall, and out the door. When she came back in, the four of them all broke out into laughter.
“I swear,” her mother said once they had all caught their breath, “that girl is going to land herself in a sticky situation that her mother will not be able to manipulate their way out of if she doesn’t learn to watch what she says.”
“I rather think that the Lord and Lady Roberts suit each other very well,” Delilah said all too sweetly.
It sent them all into a fit of giggles once more, and then Hope stood.
“I must be off, but I look forward to the next time I see all of you,” she said, hugging Felicity.
“I’ll be the one in white,” Felicity told her with a smile.
* * *
“My lady,” a voice called from over her. “My Lady,” the voice said again, a bit more forcefully this time.