The Incredible Honeymoon (Bantam Series No. 46) by Barbara Cartland

than he, she recovered her poise.
    “I think you have made a mistake, my dear Duke. You surely mean Felicity, our elder daughter. She is lovely, so very attractive that I have always been certain she will make a brilliant marriage and make some lucky man extremely happy.”
    “There is no mistake, Emily,” the Earl interposed before the Duke could speak. “His Grace means Antonia!”
    “I do not believe it!” the Countess exclaimed. “How can you possibly wish to marry Antonia when you can have Felicity?”
    The Duke began to grow somewhat bored with the argument.
    “Of course,” he said addressing the Earl, “if you do not wish to give your consent to such a union I shall quite understand. In which case, My Lord, I can only withdraw and ask your forgiveness for taking up so much of your time.”
    His words could not have caused more consternation than if he had cracked a whip under the Earl and Countess’s noses.
    “My dear fellow, I am not saying you cannot marry Antonia if you wish to do so,” the Earl said quickly.
    “No, indeed!” his wife interrupted. “Of course we should be thrilled and delighted to welcome you as a son-in-law, whichever of our daughters you prefer, but it is just slightly surprising. Antonia is ...”
    The Countess paused for a word.
    “ ... the younger!” she finished lamely.
    “I should like to make Lady Antonia’s acquaintance,” the Duke said.
    “I will fetch her,” the Countess answered and casting a despairing glance at her husband went from the room.
    “I am afraid I have been remiss in not offering you any refreshment,” the Earl said. “I see there is some wine on the table. Would you have a glass of sherry, Your Grace, or would you prefer port?”
    “Neither, thank you,” the Duke replied. “I make it a rule never to drink in the afternoon. I find at most dinner-parties, especially those at Marlborough House, one has to drink so much that only the most strenuous exercise will shake it off the next day.”
    “You are right! Of course you are right!” the Earl agreed. “Indeed it is difficult to refuse a drink when one is in convivial company.”
    The Duke was thinking of a suitable reply to this rather banal chit-chat when the door opened and the Countess returned followed by Antonia.
    She was wearing the same gown she had been wearing early in the morning.
    But without the ugly bonnet she did in fact look more attractive, and as her eyes met those of the Duke he knew she was trying to tell him without words how grateful she was.
    As she curtsied he took her hand and felt her small fingers tighten on his.
    “May I introduce my daughter Antonia!” the Earl asked ceremoniously. “Antonia, His Grace the Duke of Doncaster has asked for your hand in marriage! I need not say how fortunate your mother and I consider you to be, and I hope you will be fully appreciative of the honour His Grace has accorded you.”
    “I am indeed very honoured, Your Grace,” Antonia said in a quiet voice.
    “I hope I shall make you happy,” the Duke said a little stiffly.
    “And I hope that I may ... please you, Your Grace.”
    “That will be all, Antonia,” the Earl said. “His Grace and I have various matters to discuss.”
    He looked at his wife and added:
    “I think, Emily, it would be best if we do so alone.”
    “Of course, Edward,” the Countess agreed meekly. “Good-bye, Your Grace. My husband will, I am sure, invite you to dine with us either this week or next and I feel sure there will be a great many details of the marriage that we must discuss in the near future.”
    “Of course, Your Ladyship,” the Duke replied.
    The Countess curtsied and the Duke bowed.
    Antonia curtsied.
    Only as she turned towards the door and her father could not see her face was the Duke almost certain that she winked at him!

 
    CHAPTER T HREE
    “To your health, Athol!”
    It was the third or fourth time the gentlemen seated around the Dining-Table had drunk the Duke’s health and