'Why on earth not?' Sirena squealed, excited.
'Because each fears the other will reject such overtures. Neither has any reason to believe in love, given their family history, but love, as you know, my darling, makes no allowances for such things. Quinton is horrified to find that he actually cares for Allegra. He feels it would be off-putting to tell her of his emotions toward her. He believes she will never reciprocate such feelings, and if there is one thing Quinton Hunter is, it is overproud. To be spurned or dismissed by the girl he loves would be an insult he could never forgive. So he will remain silent, and so, my darling girl, must you.'
Sirena nodded. 'Yes, I will,' she told her husband. 'I believe that Allegra likes the duke very much, but I do not think she is in love with him despite what you think.
'Do you actually believe she will admit to loving him one day?' her husband asked hopefully. 'God, how happy Quint would be if that occurred! He cannot believe what has happened to him, or the delicious turmoil this duchess-to-be of his has caused with his heart.'
'She seems to get on with him, and as I have said, she likes him. They have become friends, and friendship is the best basis for a lasting love, Ocky,' Sirena said wisely. 'Ohh, how I would like it if my cousin really fell in love, and was as happy with her duke as I am with you!' The knowledge that the duke loved her cousin reassured Sirena. Now she was not as fearful of the marriage as she previously had been.
Hunter's Lair welcomed back its mistress. To Allegra's delight everything she had ordered done in her absence had been completed. Her father was well pleased with the renovations to the house, and her stepmother admired the decor, pronouncing it 'exquisite.' Sirena was delighted with its homey quality.
'I was so afraid it would be one of those huge grand houses that can never quite be a home,' she said, 'but this is wonderful!'
Lord Morgan took the duke aside. 'Mr. Trent has seen to it that a deposit has been made to your account, sir. He will make those deposits quarterly, both for you, and for Allegra.'
'Thank you, sir,' the duke replied.
'And the architect and workmen have been settled with so you need have no worry on that account,' Lord Morgan continued.
'You have been more than generous, my lord,' the duke said.
Lord Morgan smiled dryly. 'Treat her well, Quinton. I am not a man to marry off his daughter and then be done with her. She is my flesh, and I love her.'
'Allegra is a delight, sir,' the duke answered. Then he smiled a wry smile. 'As well as being willful and stubborn, but I believe that we suit despite it all.'
'Yes,' Lord Morgan said, 'I think this bargain that we have made will turn out quite well for all of us. Give me grandchildren as soon as you can, Quinton. Nothing settles a woman quite like a family of her own to care for and worry over.'
The guests began arriving the next day. Lady Bellingham, her good husband in tow, came first. Her jaw fell as she entered the house. 'God bless me, I have never seen Hunter's Lair look so fine!' she pronounced. 'Have my bags taken up. I must have a tour this moment!' Lord and Lady Walworth came shortly afterward, followed by the Earl and Countess of Aston. The Marquess of Rowley came, but without his wife. Lady Charlotte would not travel in her delicate condition, but Gussie refused to miss his favorite cousin's wedding. Allegra had also asked her father's secretary, Charles Trent, to be their guest.
That evening Allegra received her first inkling of what it was going to be like being the Duchess of Sedgwick as she presided over her twelve guests at the dinner table. It was the first time the new dining room had been used. Its great black marble fireplace blazed with enormous logs that had been set across the silver andirons. The table was set with pristine Irish linen. The silver candelabra glittered with the reflected light of the candles. To Allegra's delight the chandeliers from Waterford had arrived earlier than expected. Two of them now hung over the table, the crystal sparkling with their many candles. Blue and white bowls of flowers from the greenhouse decorated the table. The servants were resplendent in their hunter's green with silver braid livery. Footmen stood behind each guest's chair as the lavish meal was served. Still in all it was a happy gathering of friends, and not quite as formal as it would have been in London.
Afterward when the dessert had been cleared away, the ladies retired to the drawing room next to the ballroom to gossip while the gentlemen were left to their port. The gentlemen would join them shortly, and they would play cards among themselves.
'I am so glad you decided to have your wedding here rather than return to London,' Lady Walworth said.
'They should have been wed with pomp and circumstance,' her aunt, Lady Bellingham, replied.
'Now, dearest Lady B.,' Allegra responded, 'Quinton and I love Hunter's Lair. We can think of no more perfect place in which to be married than the Great Hall of this house. Besides, if we had returned to London, Sirena couldn't have been my matron of honor. The trip would have been too much for her. Here she is but an easy drive from her home. All our guests are.'
'The king and queen would have come,' Lady Bellingham said regretfully.
'They have sent us a beautiful gift,' Allegra told her. 'Four silver and gilt saltcellars. Would you like to see them? Our gifts have been laid out in the ballroom with their cards. Perkins!' Allegra signaled a footman. 'Take Lady Bellingham to the ballroom so she may view the display set up there. You are all welcome to go.'
'The rest of you may look another time,' Lady Bellingham said. 'Stay with Allegra. The gentlemen will be coming soon enough, but if he's in the mood for cards, Bellingham won't notice if I am here or not,' she concluded with a chuckle. Then she let the young footman escort her from the little salon.
'She won't be back for an hour at least,' Lady Caroline said. 'She'll examine each gift, and its card, and have an opinion on it all when she finally returns to us.'
'Your aunt terrifies me,' Sirena said.
'Oh, you must not be afraid of her. She is really quite softhearted, although she would roast me for saying so,' Lady Caroline answered.
'It was she who introduced me to Marcus,' Lady Eunice said. 'I shall never be able to repay her for that particular kindness.'
At that moment the door to the drawing room opened, and the gentlemen came in, greeting their ladies as they did. Three tables of four were already set up for Whist, and two were quickly filled by the guests. The duke did not gamble, as everyone knew, but he did not mind his guests indulging themselves as long as the play did not get too deep. Lady Caroline and Lady Eunice were still more interested in seeing the wedding gifts. Allegra sent them along in the company of a footman.
'If you are comfortable,' she said to her guests, 'I beg to be excused for a moment. I must make certain that the preparations in the Great Hall are going along well.' She curtsied, and hurried from the room. In the Great Hall the servants were busily hanging the green garlands entwined with white silk roses that would decorate the room for the festivities on the morrow. The high-board was set up as it had been in olden times. She looked about, and saw that the chairs had been placed in the Minstrel's Gallery for the musicians.
'The staff is working very hard, Miss Allegra,' Mr. Crofts said to her as he came to stand by her side. 'It will all look quite fine when 'tis done.'
'It does look lovely, doesn't it, Crofts,' Allegra said. 'Please thank the
