The Diabolical Baron by Mary Jo Putney Page B

trying to entangle him with a web of possibil ities and obligations. He had no desire for the compli cation of the title and estate, but further study wouldn’t hurt. And it would be heaven to get out of the noise and dust of London.
    “I’m willing to visit Wargrave with you, though I won’t promise to stay there. When is your next visit?”
    “Splendid, splendid! It will be in about three weeks, though I can rearrange my schedule—”
    “No need for that,” the captain interrupted. “I have business to take care of at the Horse Guards. My commission needs to be sold, and there are some friends I want to trace. The end of the month will be fine.”
    Chelmsford beamed, the very image of a satisfied spider. “You won’t regret this, my boy.”
    “Let us hope not.”
    * * * *
    “Caroline, Caroline, it’s happened! He’s spoken to Papa and been accepted! It’s all set! It’s wonderful! Hello, Jessica! I am the happiest woman in the world!” Gina hurtled into her sister’s bedroom with a velocity that gravely threatened the mirror, two china shepherdesses, and a coal-scuttle bonnet on the bed. Caroline rose from the floor where she was pin ning an embroidered band around her aunt’s hemline and threw her arms around Gina when that young lady slowed down.
    “That’s marvelous! Not unexpected, but still mar velous. I assume Gideon had spoken to you privately? You’ve been looking like the cat in the cream pot for the last several days. Have you made any wedding plans yet?”
    “Yes, you and Mama and I are to visit the Fallswor thys in Lincolnshire at the end of this month. Gideon wants his parents to meet me, and we can work out the details then. We thought perhaps an August wedding at the church back home in Great Chisbury. Lots of summer flowers, and you of course my maid of honor. It is so fortunate you are here, Jessica. Will you help me decide on my wedding gown? Something to make me look slim and elegant for once in my life.”
    Gina looked enviously at the sarcenet morning dress Caroline and her aunt were working on. It was an un usual shade of russet that complemented Jessica’s rich auburn hair, and its simple lines and exquisite cut showed her magnificent figure to perfection. The mameluke sleeves were tied with dark brown ribbons, and the embroidered wrist frills matched the band Car oline was pinning to the hem.
    Perfect for Jessica, but no lesser woman could have done it such justice. Jess had a flair for fashion and always designed and made her own clothes. Fortunately she was happy to share her talent. She smiled her congratulations at Gina. “I’d be delighted to help. May I be one of the first to wish you happy? Mr. Fallsworthy is an estimable young man, and I am sure you will deal extremely well with each other.”
    Gina bounced over to her honorary aunt and gave her a hug. “Thank you so much. You will come to the wedding, won’t you? Since you spend part of each summer with the Sterlings, it shouldn’t be inconve nient. I will need your fine hand to help keep Mama in check.” She smiled roguishly. “Of course, you may be needed to help with Caroline’s wedding plans, too.”
    Caroline finished her pinning, then stood and went to the wardrobe for her lute. “Don’t be silly. Why would I be getting married?” She took the instrument out of its case, tuned it a bit, and started strumming snatches of music.
    “What would you like for a wedding march, Ginny? Something dramatic like this?” Heavy chords rumbled through the room. “Or something light and waltz-like?” Lyrical streams of music. “Or perhaps this.” She moved into a song commemorating the end of a suc cessful hunt.
    Gina laughed and said, “Spare my blushes in the hour of my victory. No well-brought-up young lady would admit to being the hunter rather than the quarry, and I usually try to look proper.
    “And don’t think you can change the subject so easily. Why shouldn’t you be thinking wedding thoughts?