The Duchess

iron dogs flanking the main door. The east window of the church contained sixteenth-century stained glass rescued from a church destroyed during the Civil War in England, almost one hundred and fifty years earlier. The altar painting had been fashioned by Sir James Thornhill, and was entitled The Last Supper.

To the soft strains of a Bach melody Allegra walked up the church's main aisle, a nosegay of white roses and purple stock in her gloved hands. Behind her she could hear Sirena and her brother coming along. At the altar Viscount Pickford stood with the Duke of Sedgwick, who was to be his witness. The rector of the church smiled perfunctorily as the young couple came before him. He had already performed fourteen weddings this month and had another twenty-five to celebrate before June was out. It was his busiest time in a successful season.

'Dearly beloved,' he began.

Allegra looked about her discreetly. It was a beautiful church, but she regretted that she could not be wed in her own church come October. She listened intently to the service. With my body I thee worship. A delicate blush suffused her features as she remembered Quinton's kisses the night of her ball. They had not kissed since. How did a man worship you with his body, she wondered? Then she was drawn back from her thoughts as Sirena pushed her own bouquet of white roses, green ivy, and silver ribbons at Allegra to hold while she knelt at the altar rail.

Allegra put her own thoughts aside, and concentrated on the wedding ceremony. When the church's rector pronounced her cousin and Viscount Pickford man and wife she blushed again as the bride and groom kissed most enthusiastically before their guests. Her eyes met those of Quinton Hunter. His demeanor was serious, and to her relief not teasing. Would he kiss her as warmly once they were wed?

Sirena and Ocky hurried from the church. They were both laughing happily, and had eyes only for each other. The duke tucked Allegra's hand into his arm, and escorted her down the steps. The bride and groom were already driving off. The twenty guests followed behind them back to Lord Morgan's house in their own coaches and carriages where the wedding breakfast was awaiting them.

Lord Morgan's French chef had prepared a delicious meal which the servants passed around the dining table. There were eggs, poached in heavy cream, and fine Madeira sherry. There were pink country ham, rashers of bacon, a platter of lamb chops, and one of poached salmon in a dill sauce with carved lemons decorating its silver server. There were freshly baked breads, and little rolls with sesamed tops. There were several cheeses: a wheel of Brie from France, another wheel of sharp English Cheddar, and a nutty flavored cheese imported from Switzerland, which Allegra particularly favored, that had holes in it. There was a bowl filled with fresh fruit: sectioned oranges from Spain, slices of pineapple and yellow banana. There was a crystal bowl of fresh strawberries, and next to it a dish of heavy, clotted cream. A delicate wine was served throughout the meal until the bride's cake with its spun sugar icing and decorations was brought forth. Then the champagne was brought out, and several toasts were drunk to Sirena and Ocky.

The bride shortly afterward slipped from the dining room, followed by her cousin. Upstairs her maid, Damaris, was waiting to help her from her wedding clothes, and into her traveling outfit, although Sirena was traveling no farther than her father-in-law's town house today.

'Mama and Uncle have not yet announced their surprise,' Sirena said to her cousin. 'You don't think they have changed their minds?'

Allegra shook her head. 'Papa said they would make the announcement before you leave.'

'I can't wait to see the look on Charlotte's face,' Sirena replied with a giggle. 'She will be torn between relief and horror that Mama should remarry at her time of life, which is how she will put it, I am quite certain.'

'How old is Aunt Mama?' Allegra asked her cousin.

'She is surely past forty,' Sirena said. 'She married Papa at fifteen, and had my brother when she was sixteen. Gussie is twenty-five, I know, so Mama must be past forty.'

'She is forty-one,' Allegra said with a smile. Sirena had never been particularly good with her sums.

'There, my ladies, you're ready,' Damaris said to her mistress. Then she began to weep. 'I can't believe yer a married woman,' she sniffled, wiping her eyes with her apron. 'It just seems like yesterday you come out of the nursery a young lass put in my care.'

'Now, Damaris.' Sirena hugged her maid. 'You'll still be with me, and I've seen the looks you and Ocky's valet have been giving each other. You'll soon be a married lady yourself, and what shall I ever do if you leave me?'

'No man could take me away from you, my lady!' Damaris declared stoutly. 'Now, you and Miss Allegra run back downstairs to yer guests. I'll be waiting for you at Pickford House.' She curtsied.

Sirena, looking enchanting in a white muslin gown decorated with pink silk ribbons and a charming straw bonnet, also with pink ribbons, set over her blond curls, gave her maid a smile. Then hand in hand with Allegra she descended the stairs of the house into its circular central foyer where her husband and her guests were assembled waiting for her. She went immediately to her mother and her uncle.

Hugging them Sirena whispered, 'Tell them now, please.'

Putting his arm about both Allegra and Sirena, Lord Morgan said in a loud voice, 'This has been a most wonderful day for us all. I have seen my dearest niece successfully married off. My beloved daughter will marry her duke on October fifth. Tomorrow, however, shall be an equally happy day, for tomorrow I will marry the woman who has done me the honor of agreeing to become my wife, Lady Olympia Abbott. As you have all wished Sirena and Ocky happy, I hope you will wish us the same as well,' Lord Morgan concluded.

'Well, I'll be damned,' the Marquess of Rowley said, totally and utterly surprised by his uncle's declaration. Then he reached out, and shook Lord Morgan's hand. 'You have my blessing, sir, although you certainly don't need it.' Grinning, he kissed his mother heartily. 'And you, madame, have my best wishes. Just when I thought you could no longer surprise me, Mama, you have gone and done it.'

'Then you do not mind, Gussie?' she said, a trifle nervously.

'No, Mama, I do not mind in the least,' he responded, smiling even more broadly.

The other guests crowded about the couple offering their congratulations and good wishes. It was at that very moment in the crush that Sirena and Viscount Pickford chose to make their escape. Hand in hand, they left through the open door of the house, down the marble steps, and into their carriage. When their absence was finally realized, there was much good-natured laughter, and the guests were invited into the main salon of the house to partake of another champagne toast, this one to the next soon-to- be-married pair.

'And another family wedding tomorrow!' Lady Bellingham exclaimed. 'My dear Olympia, what a naughty puss you have been keeping such a wonderful secret.' She tapped Lady Abbott with her fan, giving her an arch look. 'Of course it is the perfect match for you. I imagine your son and daughter-in- law are delighted for you.' She turned her gaze to Allegra. 'And you, miss, what think you of this turn of events?'

'Sirena and I have been trying to get Papa and Aunt Mama together ever since she came out of mourning,' Allegra announced candidly.

'Ha! Ha! Ha! Have you indeed, my gel? Well, good for you!' Lady Bellingham said. 'Not a selfish bone in her body, Quinton. You have chosen a fine gel to wife. I shall certainly look forward to returning to London in the autumn for your wedding. Even Bellingham has agreed to give up a few days of his hunting for such an event, haven't you, husband?'

'Indeed, yes, m'dcar,' Lord Bellingham agreed with a broad wink at the assembled company. 'If it pleases you, it pleases me.' He took a long sip of his champagne.

'Well I for one am completely astounded that dear Mama would marry again at her time of life,' Charlotte said. 'Gussie and I have suddenly become quite bereft of family, I fear.' She