“There you are!” he said. “Helaine, I must ask—”
“Robert! Look at your hair!” cried Gwen. “It looks like you’ve been tugging it out by the roots!”
Robert looked over at his sister and frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“You, brother dear!” Gwen said with a laugh. Then she sent a maid rushing back upstairs for her brush.
“But we haven’t time!” he huffed.
“There is time for you to be in your best looks at my wedding!”
The maid came downstairs with a brush, which Gwen plied, to Robert’s mortification and Dribbs’s amusement. Then, before Gwen was finished, Robert grabbed the brush and waved it at Helaine. “Please, could I—”
“Oh, Gwenie! You look like a vision!” That was Gwen and Robert’s mother, descending the stairs in a gown of pale blue. It matched her watery eyes and gave her a joyous look that—thankfully—seemed to match her spirits today.
“Mama! You are beautiful!”
As the two women embraced, Robert stepped to Helaine, touching her arm as he tried to get her attention. “Please, Helaine. I beg of you—”
“My lord, my lady. The carriage awaits,” Dribbs intoned as he threw open the door. And indeed, there was the earl’s carriage waiting at the base of the walk, cleaned to a gleaming shine. The servants lined the walkway, all there to give Gwen their well-wishes as she all but danced down the path. A moment later a hackney appeared and Gwen’s father, the Earl of Willington, descended. The youngest son Jack was with him, and both had dressed in their finest.
There would have been more hugs and talking but at that very moment, Edward’s mother came running out of their home. “Go! Go! Edward is almost to the door. He cannot see you!”
It was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, and so everyone bustled Gwen into the carriage. Her parents and Jack followed next, with Robert lingering, one foot on the step while his eyes sought Helaine’s. He started to open his mouth but she shook her head.
“Go! Edward is almost here!” she urged him, pointing to where both mother and aunt were physically blocking the doorway until Gwen could leave.
“At the church, then,” he said as he ducked into the carriage.
“Of course!” she returned, holding up the veil. She was to follow in another carriage, along with Dribbs and two other special family retainers who were allowed to attend. She followed Dribbs’s direction and was soon ensconced in another carriage, which followed the family in the slow, ponderous pace that befitted a lady’s wedding. The carriage had barely stopped at the cathedral when its door was opened by none other than Robert himself.
“Robert!” Helaine cried. “Whatever are you doing?”
“It is imperative—”
“That you go inside and make sure everything is set to rights. Go! I need to help with her veil.” To everyone’s horror, Edward’s carriage was arriving as well and they were still standing about like gawking urchins.
“Helaine—”
“Go!” She shoved Robert away and then dashed up the stairs after Gwen. Really, she would have to take that man to task for being such an idiot at his sister’s wedding. But that would have to wait until later. Right now, Gwen needed her veil.
All was accomplished with much giggles and excited talk. Gwen’s two attendants were there before them, chattering in the excited voices of best girlfriends. Connie joined them as soon as the groom’s carriage stopped and she ran with all the joy of a girl thrilled to be gaining a new sister. Helaine faded into the background. In truth, she should not be here at all, but she could not resist watching Gwen’s happiness. It was a joy she would never have, and so she wanted to soak up as much as she could. But in the end, she had to leave. She pressed a kiss to Gwen’s cheek and shared another tight hug. Then she rushed away to find a seat at the back of the cathedral.
It took her a bit, but she found her own family also hiding in the back. Wendy would not miss a wedding when the bride was wearing a gown stitched by her hand. Penny, too, was there with Tommy. And Helaine’s mother rounded out the foursome, a ribbon in one hand for Tommy to play with and a kerchief in her other hand. Her mama liked to cry at weddings.
Helaine took her seat beside her mother, and then they watched with held breath as ushers seated the family members. Weddings were usually private family affairs, but this was the wedding of Lady Gwen, the daughter of the Earl of Willington. For many it marked the official opening of the Season, and people had been vying for months to get invitations. Those select few came now, dressed in finery better suited to a ballroom, but gorgeous nonetheless.
And then the event began.
Gwen was radiant, and Edward was grinning. It looked as if he couldn’t believe his luck to be joined with his lady love. Robert stood as his best man, tall and proud. He could not have looked more handsome, and Helaine fell more deeply in love with him.
The priest was no less a person than the Archbishop of Canterbury. The service proceeded as was expected with Edward and Gwen speaking their vows in voices that carried to the back of the cathedral. It was clear to all that there was no doubt in their minds. The two were desperately in love. Helaine had to reach for her own handkerchief at that moment. Before long, they were pronounced man and wife. The organ music swelled, Edward kissed Gwen soundly, and the two were wed.
Then everything took a very bizarre turn.
It was time for the bride and groom to leave the cathedral together. Edward had his wife’s hand and a look of utter joy on his face. But he did not actually take his bride down the aisle. Instead, he leaned in close and whispered something to her. She gasped in shock, putting her hand to her mouth as her gaze hopped to her brother, who gave her a rather sheepish shrug. She squealed in delight and stepped to the side, pulling Edward with her.
It was Robert who then stepped to the center to address the congregation.
“Friends and family, I am afraid this is rather awkward. Or at least it is for me. But a man will do quite a few very awkward things for love. And I am definitely such a man. A man in love.”
His gaze then flowed across everyone there to land right on Helaine. Whatever could he be doing? Announcing this in front of everyone? Meanwhile, he was coming down the aisle, talking as he moved.
“If everyone could please bear with me a moment. There is something I have been trying to ask for a very long time now. But the stubborn woman has been difficult indeed.”
He made it to her side and held out his hand. Helaine just stared at him, her mind numb with shock. It took her mother poking her in the ribs before she moved.
“Stand up!” the woman hissed. “Stand up!”
Helaine did, her eyes wide, her body stiff. And then she released a squeak of shock as Robert dropped down to one knee before her. Then he took her hand and gazed up into her eyes.
“I love you, my dear. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and say you will marry me?”
Helaine gaped at him. He could not be serious. No one married their mistress! Then, before she could frame any words, he pulled out a folded piece of paper and pressed it into her hands.
“It is a special license. We can be married right now by the archbishop himself. Look at it.”
She did as he bade, slowly unfolding the parchment. There in bold black letters was a special license allowing Robert with all his names and titles to marry one Lady Helaine, daughter of the Earl of Chelmorton. It was her name. Her real name.
“Oh, God,” she whispered.
“I want to marry you,” Robert said firmly. “The bishop will only name you Helen Mortimer,” he said in an undertone, “but I will allow no legalities to negate our vows.”
Helaine stared at him, her hands trembling where they gripped the paper. “But…but, Robert.” She swallowed and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “There is no baby. There is no need—”