Magical Weddings by Leigh Michaels, Aileen Harkwood, Eve Devon, Raine English, Tamara Ferguson, Lynda Haviland, Jody A. Kessler, Jane Lark, Bess McBride, L. L. Muir, Jennifer Gilby Roberts, Jan Romes, Heather Thurmeier, Elsa Winckler, Sarah Wynde Page B
Authors: Leigh Michaels, Aileen Harkwood, Eve Devon, Raine English, Tamara Ferguson, Lynda Haviland, Jody A. Kessler, Jane Lark, Bess McBride, L. L. Muir, Jennifer Gilby Roberts, Jan Romes, Heather Thurmeier, Elsa Winckler, Sarah Wynde
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heavily, for he was feeling off-balance–as if the Axminster carpet in the drawing room had suddenly turned to quicksand under his toes.
What have you done, Silly Overton? And why?
Because if there was one thing he was certain of, it was that the curious change in the atmosphere was somehow Celia’s doing.
Chapter 4 Saturday
Celia had managed to remain on the far side of the room from Simon all evening, though only by devoting herself to young Lord Bilious–
Oh, dear, now I’m doing it too
–and the endless recital of his digestive problems, to the point that simply holding down her own dinner seemed a notable accomplishment.
Perhaps it was only her imagination–or her guilty conscience–which suggested that every now and then Simon cast a smoldering glare across the room at her, because whenever she dared to steal a peek in his direction, he seemed to be enjoying the company. Prudence and Dimity had nudged Jane aside after dinner, though they seemed careful to divide their attention equally between Simon, Lord Stone, and Baron Draycott. Lady Hester, sharing a settee with Lord Lockwood, couldn’t seem to keep her gaze from straying to the group by the fireplace, where she’d clearly rather be. The bride and groom had eyes only for each other.
Really, it was as good as a play to watch them all. Celia hesitated when the evening came to an end and it was time to go up to bed, because she found herself thinking how much fun it would be to stay and tweak Simon a bit. Sanity prevailed, however, and she meekly followed Lady Hester and the Carew sisters up the stairs.
But on Saturday morning when she came down to join the others who were riding out to view the countryside around Rockhill, Simon was standing in her path at the foot of the stairs. She faltered for a moment, then gave him a bright smile and walked around him to join the others milling aimlessly in the entrance hall.
Hester came down a few minutes later wearing a dark green habit, and their hostess followed.
Lady Stone paused on the stairs and looked out over the group. “I suppose some society matrons would find me ridiculously lax in allowing my party of young people to go off on a jaunt without me to chaperone. But I no longer ride, and it would be poor sport for you to be limited to the roads my chaise could take.” Lord Billings opened his mouth as if to argue, but Lady Stone went straight on. “In any event it seems to me that the ladies will all be quite adequately chaperoned. Lady Hester has her brother to look after her; Dimity and Prudence have each other; and I’m relying on you, Mr. Montrose, to keep your cousin safe.”
Celia coughed, swallowed at the same moment, and choked. “What about Jane?” she managed finally. “I’m certain she and I could act as each other’s duennas.”
“Jane will be overseeing everyone,” Lady Stone said crisply. “Along with Imogene, of course, if she can take her gaze off her betrothed.”
“Eh?” the bride said vaguely. “Did you speak, Aunt Lucinda?”
Lady Stone sighed. “No, dear. Enjoy yourselves, children–but not so much that I have to explain subsequent events to your parents.”
Chattering, the Carew sisters headed straight out the massive main door. On the gravel sweep in front of the house, a half-dozen grooms waited with horses already saddled.
Celia ran her gaze across the mounts, seeing a wide range of animals, from a neat little bay mare who seemed to dance in place under her sidesaddle to a big and placid gelding who was more interested in eating a potted plant than in prospective riders.
Dimity pointed at the bay mare. “That’s the one I want.”
The groom holding the mare shook his head. “Sorry, miss, but this one’s intended for Miss Overton–right, Mr. Montrose?”
Simon nodded. “Celia?”
She noticed a shilling pass smoothly from his hand to the groom’s, and then Simon helped her up into the saddle and took the reins of a rangy roan gelding
What have you done, Silly Overton? And why?
Because if there was one thing he was certain of, it was that the curious change in the atmosphere was somehow Celia’s doing.
Chapter 4 Saturday
Celia had managed to remain on the far side of the room from Simon all evening, though only by devoting herself to young Lord Bilious–
Oh, dear, now I’m doing it too
–and the endless recital of his digestive problems, to the point that simply holding down her own dinner seemed a notable accomplishment.
Perhaps it was only her imagination–or her guilty conscience–which suggested that every now and then Simon cast a smoldering glare across the room at her, because whenever she dared to steal a peek in his direction, he seemed to be enjoying the company. Prudence and Dimity had nudged Jane aside after dinner, though they seemed careful to divide their attention equally between Simon, Lord Stone, and Baron Draycott. Lady Hester, sharing a settee with Lord Lockwood, couldn’t seem to keep her gaze from straying to the group by the fireplace, where she’d clearly rather be. The bride and groom had eyes only for each other.
Really, it was as good as a play to watch them all. Celia hesitated when the evening came to an end and it was time to go up to bed, because she found herself thinking how much fun it would be to stay and tweak Simon a bit. Sanity prevailed, however, and she meekly followed Lady Hester and the Carew sisters up the stairs.
But on Saturday morning when she came down to join the others who were riding out to view the countryside around Rockhill, Simon was standing in her path at the foot of the stairs. She faltered for a moment, then gave him a bright smile and walked around him to join the others milling aimlessly in the entrance hall.
Hester came down a few minutes later wearing a dark green habit, and their hostess followed.
Lady Stone paused on the stairs and looked out over the group. “I suppose some society matrons would find me ridiculously lax in allowing my party of young people to go off on a jaunt without me to chaperone. But I no longer ride, and it would be poor sport for you to be limited to the roads my chaise could take.” Lord Billings opened his mouth as if to argue, but Lady Stone went straight on. “In any event it seems to me that the ladies will all be quite adequately chaperoned. Lady Hester has her brother to look after her; Dimity and Prudence have each other; and I’m relying on you, Mr. Montrose, to keep your cousin safe.”
Celia coughed, swallowed at the same moment, and choked. “What about Jane?” she managed finally. “I’m certain she and I could act as each other’s duennas.”
“Jane will be overseeing everyone,” Lady Stone said crisply. “Along with Imogene, of course, if she can take her gaze off her betrothed.”
“Eh?” the bride said vaguely. “Did you speak, Aunt Lucinda?”
Lady Stone sighed. “No, dear. Enjoy yourselves, children–but not so much that I have to explain subsequent events to your parents.”
Chattering, the Carew sisters headed straight out the massive main door. On the gravel sweep in front of the house, a half-dozen grooms waited with horses already saddled.
Celia ran her gaze across the mounts, seeing a wide range of animals, from a neat little bay mare who seemed to dance in place under her sidesaddle to a big and placid gelding who was more interested in eating a potted plant than in prospective riders.
Dimity pointed at the bay mare. “That’s the one I want.”
The groom holding the mare shook his head. “Sorry, miss, but this one’s intended for Miss Overton–right, Mr. Montrose?”
Simon nodded. “Celia?”
She noticed a shilling pass smoothly from his hand to the groom’s, and then Simon helped her up into the saddle and took the reins of a rangy roan gelding
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