Mastered By Love

it reflected on Susannah was a master stroke. I would never have thought of it, but it served wonderfully well.”

“No doubt,” Clarice said, settling on the end of the sofa, “your facility comes from having to deal with Variseys for decades.”

“Indeed.” Minerva turned to Royce, met his eyes. “Now, for our wedding.”

Very early that morning, he’d suggested as soon as possible, and been informed that wasn’t in his cards. When he’d grumbled, he’d been further informed, at length, why. “Three weeks, I believe you said?”

Her eyes lit. “Indeed. Three weeks-and we’ll need every minute from now until then.” She looked at Handley, seated before her desk. “What date are we looking at?”

Resigned-and inwardly happier than he’d ever felt in his life-Royce sat back and let them organize; his only task was to approve when applied to, which he duly did. They were the experts. Letitia knew everything about staging events in the ton. Although in semiretirement, Clarice was renowned as a manipulator of ton sentiments. Penny, like Minerva, understood the dynamics of major estates, of country and county, while Minerva knew everything there was to know about Wolverstone and the Variseys.

Together, they made a formidable team. In short order, they had the framework settled.

“So”-Minerva caught Handley’s eye-“the banns will be read over the next three Sundays, and we’ll be married the following Thursday.”

Handley nodded and made a note. “I’ll ask Mr. Cribthorn to call tomorrow.” He glanced at Royce.

“I’ll be here all day. We’ve rather a lot to get into place.” The marriage settlements, among other things. “You’d better summon Montague.”

Handley furiously wrote. “And your solicitors?”

“Yes-them, too.” Royce glanced at Minerva. “I’ve been racking my brains, but can’t find the answer-who will give you away? And as you keep reminding me, this is a ducal union, so who do you want to act for you?”

She blinked. “I’ll have to think about it.” She glanced at Handley. “I’ll give you the names and directions of my agent and solicitor so you can tell Royce’s who to contact.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Various other details were discussed and decided. The announcement for the news sheets completed, Handley left to ferry it to Retford for dispatch.

“The guest list,” Clarice warned, “is going to be the biggest challenge.”

“Just thinking of it makes the mind boggle.” Letitia shook her head. “I thought my second wedding was big, but this…”

“We’ll simply have to be highly selective,” Minerva stated. “Which, to my mind, is no bad thing.” She looked at Penny. “I’m inclined to set the number by the size of the church.”

Penny considered, then shook her head. “You won’t get away with that-not if by that you mean after you’ve accommodated the locals?”

“I did mean that.” Minerva sighed. “So how many do you think?”

She’d wrestled the number down to five hundred when Royce decided he’d heard enough. Five hundred? Rising, he inclined his head. “Ladies, I believe I can leave the details in your capable hands.” He glanced at Minerva. “If you need me, I’ll be in the study, and then later in my apartments.”

Waiting for her.

She smiled. “Yes, of course.”

Smiling himself, he left them.

Minerva watched him go, sensing his inner peace, then, inwardly glowing herself, refocused on her list. “All right-how many do we need to allow for Carlton House?”

An hour later, with the major groups of guests identified and estimated, they called a halt. Retford had already delivered a tea tray; as they sat sipping, Letitia listed the areas they’d covered. “I really don’t think there’s much else we can assist you with, at least not at this time.” She met Minerva’s eyes. “We were thinking of leaving tomorrow at first light.”

“Earlier than all the others, so we won’t get caught up in their chaos,” Penny said.

Clarice studied Minerva. “But if you truly need us, you only have to say.”

She smiled, shook her head. “You’ve been…” She included the other two in her glance. “Immensely helpful, incredibly supportive. I honestly don’t know how I would have got through all this without your help.”

Letitia grinned. “You’d have managed. Given you can-demonstrably-manage your soon-to-be husband, I find it difficult to believe there’s any situation you won’t be able to overcome.”

“I have to ask,” Clarice said. “How did you get him to accept the three weeks so readily? We came prepared with a list of arguments, but you already had him agreeing.”

“He’s very predictable in some ways. I simply pointed out that our marriage should, by rights, be a major local event, and how disappointed everyone on the estate would be to be shortchanged.”

Letitia grinned. “Oh, yes-I can see that would work.” She gave a delighted quiver. “Ooh! You’ve no idea how much good it does to see the master manipulator manipulated.”

“But he knows I’m doing it,” Minerva pointed out.

“Yes, indeed, and that makes it all the more delightful.” Letitia set down her cup. “My dear, is there anything else, anything at all, that we can help you with before we leave?”

Minerva thought, then said, “If you will, answer me this: What moved your husbands to recognize they loved you?”

“You mean what wrung that word from their lips?” Letitia grimaced. “I was dangling from battlements, literally held from Death’s jaws by his grip alone, before he thought to utter the word. I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Clarice frowned. “In my case, too, it was after a brush with death-with the iniquitous last traitor’s henchman. Again, not an activity I’d recommend.”

“As I recall,” Penny said, “it was after we assisted Royce in apprehending a murderous French spy. There was a certain amount of life-threatening danger, none of which came to pass, but it opened my eyes, so I declared I would marry him-and then he was quite put out that I hadn’t forced a grand declaration from him. He considered the point obvious, but had convinced himself that I’d claim my due.” She smiled, sipped. “He gave it to me, anyway.” Lowering her cup, she added, “Then again, he’s half French.”

Minerva frowned. “There seems to be a consistent trend with our sort of men.”

Clarice nodded. “They seem to require a life-and-death situation to prod them into listening to their hearts.”

Penny frowned. “But you already know Royce is head-over-ears in love with you, don’t you? It really is rather blatantly obvious.”

“Yes, I know.” Minerva sighed. “I know, you know, even his sisters are starting to see it. But the one person who doesn’t yet know is the tenth Duke of Wolverstone himself. And I honestly don’t know how to open his eyes.”

Three full weeks had come and gone. Sitting in the keep’s breakfast parlor, Royce was quietly amazed; he’d thought the time would drag, but instead, it had flown.

On his left, a sunbeam glinting in her hair, Minerva was engrossed in yet more lists; he smiled, savoring as he did countless times a day the warmth and enfolding comfort of what he mentally termed his new existence.

His life as the tenth Duke of Wolverstone; it would be radically different from that of his father’s, and the cornerstone of that difference was his impending marriage.

Minerva humphed. “Thank heavens Prinny balked at the distance. Accommodating him and his toadies would have been a nightmare.” She glanced up, smiled as Hamilton placed a fresh teapot before her. “We’ll finalize the assignment of rooms this morning-Retford will need a list by noon.”

“Indeed, ma’am. Retford and I have devised a plan of the castle, which will help.”

“Excellent! If you come to the morning room once you’re finished here, that should give me time to finish with Cranny, and check the mail to make sure we have no unexpected additions.” She glanced at Royce. “Unless you need Hamilton?”

He shook his head. “I’ll be finalizing matters with Killsythe this morning.” His solicitors, Killsythe and Killsythe, had finally wrested control of the last legal matters pertaining to the dukedom from Collier, Collier, and