Simon Metcalf smiled too. “You’ll work us out eventually. At least Lydia’s the only carrot top. That makes her easy to spot.”
“You’ll pay for that, darling,” his wife said, then looked at Eleanor. “Actually there’s even more. You must meet our daughter Rose who is safely in the nursery with Sidonie and Jonas’s daughter Consuela.”
James’s eyes searched the room. “Where are the Sedgemoors?”
Nell, overwhelmed with unfamiliar faces, hadn’t realized that the duke and duchess were absent. Now it struck her as ominous that Sir Richard played host in another man’s house.
“Is everything all right?” she asked quickly.
“Pen was delivered of a boy this evening. Cam’s upstairs with her.” Lady Hillbrook kissed Nell on the cheek with a warmth she appreciated. Now that the introductions were over, she relaxed a little. “By the way, I love your hair. Once the London ladies catch sight of it, the cropped style will be all the rage.”
“Thank you.” Self-consciously, she touched her cap of curls. “I hope everything went well for Her Grace and the baby.”
The duchess had been so kind when Nell had arrived at Fentonwyck in her misguided attempt to destroy James. Although it was only weeks, those days seemed so long ago.
“Like a dream, I gather, although I suspect Pen mightn’t completely agree,” Genevieve said, behind Lady Hillbrook. “There was some concern because the baby is a little earlier than anticipated.”
Her hug reminded Nell that not everyone here was a stranger. And James was by her side. She refused to turn tail and run at this, her first social engagement in her new role.
“Sedgemoor’s spent most of the day skulking in his library, jumpy as a flea.” Lord Hillbrook’s saturnine face broke into a welcoming smile. “Miss Trim, you’re here on a portentous night.”
James smiled down at Nell. He looked completely besotted, she was glad to see. His grip on her hand firmed as he faced the crowded room. “Actually we’ve had quite a portentous time ourselves.”
“Miss Trim, do tell,” Sir Richard said. “Your life seems to be continual adventure.”
“I think…” Nell swallowed to calm her nerves. “I think I’ve embarked upon my greatest adventure yet.”
The guests’ curiosity surged as she glanced toward James. She wanted him to make the announcement to these people she sincerely hoped would become her friends.
The pride in his eyes was unmistakable. “Miss Trim is Miss Trim no longer.” He paused, and she thought what a compelling parliamentary speaker he must be, with his flair for the dramatic. “Yesterday Eleanor made me the happiest of men when she became my wife.”
Leath smiled to observe Eleanor engulfed in heartfelt congratulations. Since accepting his proposal, she’d been reticent about her fears. But he knew her well enough to guess that insecurities still plagued her.
To ease her into life as his marchioness, he’d arranged a quiet wedding at the chapel at Alloway Chase. He hadn’t even invited Sophie, who was regarding him with shock from a few feet away. He shrugged a silent apology in her direction. Given how she’d thrown her hat over a windmill when she fell in love, she was in no position to point the finger.
To his relief, her pretty face relaxed into a smile. He hadn’t been sure of her reaction. His mother must have confided her bitter disappointment over his recent decisions. The dowager marchioness had relented enough to attend his wedding. James had high hopes that by the time their first child arrived, she’d forget Eleanor’s humble beginnings and recall only how she’d always liked her.
“Have you started the party without me?” Sedgemoor asked from behind Leath.
The buzz of happy chatter faded to silence. Harmsworth approached his friend with his hand extended. “I’m so happy for you, old man.”
“Thank you,” Sedgemoor said, ignoring the outstretched hand and embracing his friend.
“But the spotlight isn’t just on the new addition to your family, you know. Leath and Miss Trim were married yesterday.”
“Good God, that man steals my thunder at every opportunity,” Sedgemoor said.
Once that might have been a sneer. Now it made Leath clap him on the back. “Congratulations, Your Grace. I thought I’d save some money and have the wedding breakfast here.”
“Spoken like a true politician,” Sedgemoor said with a laugh.
The room erupted into cacophony. Leath’s hand was wrung until it felt likely to drop off. People who hugged Sedgemoor moved on as a matter of course to congratulate him and kiss Eleanor. The ladies admired the delicate gold wedding ring and pestered Sedgemoor for details of the baby. The gentlemen called Leath a lucky dog and he had no reason to doubt their sincerity. After all, he was a lucky dog.
The butler appeared at the door and cast a cool eye over the crowd. He signaled behind him and footmen began to serve champagne.
When everyone had a glass, Hillbrook’s deep voice cut through the noise. “I’d like to propose a toast, firstly to the new generation of Rothermeres. May the son be worthy of his parents, two of the finest people it is my privilege to know.” He paused. “I’d also like to congratulate Lord Leath and his beautiful bride. May their days overflow with happiness and love.”
“Hear, hear,” Harmsworth said.