Addie and Pamela exchanged amused glances, which only deepened her blush.
Lottie reached for the platter of eggs in the middle of the table and placed one on her plate, along with a slice of toast and stewed tomatoes.
Carter and Berkshire became involved in a conversation about one of their business ventures, which helped Lottie to calm down and eat her breakfast.
“We must go shopping for a new dress for your wedding.” Addie took her last sip of tea and placed the cup on the saucer.
“Yes. You d-definitely need a new dress.” Pamela’s eyes shone with excitement. It didn’t appear that she felt left out, with one of her friends married and expecting a baby and her other friend getting ready for her wedding. After all, they had all promised each other that they were not considering marriage any longer and wanted the freedom of independent lives.
With Pamela’s beauty and talent, Lottie never understood why she remained single so long. Of course, her stutter and crippling shyness didn’t help, but she was a smart, witty woman. Who sang like an angel.
“I believe as soon as you are through with breakfast, we should all go to Madame LeBlanc’s shop and have her make something wonderful for you,” Addie said.
Cart
er covered Lottie’s hand with his. “There is no time for making dresses, my love. Once Berkshire gets the special license, I intend for us to be married right away.”
“What’s the hurry?” Addie asked.
Carter squeezed Lottie’s hand. “With Lord Sterling being rejected, I have every reason to believe he will resort to nastiness and spread the word about Mrs. Danforth.”
Lottie sucked in a breath, hearing her mother’s name so easily slip from Carter’s lips. She quickly looked around the table. No one gasped or even reacted to his statement. Of course not, they were her friends. She had to keep reminding herself of that. In fact, she should have told Addie and Pamela about her mother a long time ago.
“We can still visit with Madame LeBlanc. She has several already made-up dresses, and some of them are really quite nice. I was in her shop only a week ago and was quite surprised with the amount and variety of offerings she has.”
Now that Lottie didn’t have to spend her money on moving to a new place, she had enough funds to buy something special for her wedding. She would take it from her own savings and put the money from Mama back in the bank. “Yes. That is a splendid idea.”
Carter waved a piece of toast around. “Visit whatever shops you want and buy whatever you like and have the bills sent to me.”
“No. I cannot do that.” Lottie shook her head. “I have money to pay for a dress.” She was starting to panic. This was real. She was going to be Carter’s wife, and for the rest of her life she would be under his control. Funny, how she’d never thought about that very much. She’d been so focused on not marrying at all that she never gave too much attention to the fact that her entire life was about to change.
“My dear, you are my betrothed, and soon to be my wife. I am legally and morally responsible for your lodging, food, clothing, and whatever else you want. Redecorate our home, throw out the furniture and buy new if that is what you want. ‘Tis not just a requirement, but something I would love doing.”
“Of course, Lottie. Mr. Westbrooke is right.” Addie smiled gently at her; maybe afraid Lottie would again refuse. Or perhaps sensing the anxiety the conversation was having on her friend.
“I think at this point we can all drop the ‘Lord’ this and ‘Lady’ that and begin to use our given names.” Lord Berkshire looked around the table. “‘Tis quite awkward to call my wife’s best friends Mrs. Westbrooke and Lady Pamela.”
Everyone nodded their agreement.
“We must be off.” After eyeing Lottie’s plate, Addie stood and pushed her chair back. “There are numerous places we need to visit to get everything you will need for your wedding.” She winked at Lottie. “And your wedding night.”
Again, Lottie blushed to the roots of her hair. She noticed a slight smile on Carter’s face, which she returned. She’d gone from suggesting they not consummate their marriage to eager anticipation of more of those feelings she’d experienced when Carter kissed her.
Addie bent to kiss Berkshire—or as he wanted to be known, Grayson—on the top of his head. Feeling giddy and foolish, Lottie did the same to Carter. It felt good, actually.
The three of them left the house and entered the Berkshire’s carriage, which waited for them outside. Shopping for clothes while she didn’t have to count pennies would be nice for a change.
Pamela looked over at Lottie as the carriage rolled forward. “Lottie, I don’t want to upset you, but Addie preferred not to tell me about your mother and what the problem is. She said it would be your place to share that if you wanted to.”
Lottie thought for a minute. “Since soon everyone in Bath will know, there is no reason for me to not tell you the entire story.”
“I would like more information myself if you feel comfortable.” Addie eyed her with concern. “We certainly don’t want to spoil the fun of the day, but I think once everything is out in the open you will feel better.”
“You are probably right. I felt a great deal of relief once Carter and I had a conversation about what to expect from those who will likely cause trouble.”
It took the rest of the trip from Berkshire townhouse to the center of Bath, where the stores were they intended to visit, for Lottie to tell her best friends the story of why she had ended up in Bath and why she hid the information from them.
Addie was right. She felt much better once the carriage rolled up to Madame LeBlanc’s shop and the three of them hurried to the door, arms linked, excited and chatting about a day of shopping.