“I already adore you,” he answered smoothly, flashing her his most winning smile.
A smile that looked more convincing than it felt. Alyssa lifted her chin a notch higher and pasted a smile on her face. What did she expect? She’d put him on the spot and asked him to declare his feelings. He’d traded a prized breeding stallion and the rights to his father’s stables and kennels to her father in order to gain consent to marry her. She’d been sold for a horse and a litter of puppies. What could she expect? That he really did adore her?
If only that were true.
Alyssa did her best to follow Griff’s advice, but she couldn’t quite conceal her nervousness as Griffin escorted her through the crowd and across the room to where the Earl and Countess of Weymouth sat talking to each other.
“Father, Mother, may I introduce you to Lady Alyssa Carrollton?” Griff made the introductions. “Alyssa, may I present my parents, the Earl and Countess of Weymouth?”
Alyssa sank down into a perfect curtsy. “A pleasure to meet you, ma’am, sir.”
“The pleasure is ours, my dear.” Lord Weymouth stood up and helped his wife to her feet, then assisted Alyssa as she rose from her curtsy.
Lady Weymouth leaned forward and kissed Alyssa on both cheeks in the Continental fashion. “We’re delighted to meet you, my dear.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Lady Weymouth glanced at her husband and son. “Would you two mind fetching us some champagne?”
Recognizing a dismissal when he heard it, Griffin looked to Alyssa for confirmation that she was comfortable spending a few moments alone with his mother.
Alyssa nodded. “That would be nice. Thank you, Lady Weymouth, for suggesting it.”
Lady Weymouth glanced pointedly at her husband and son once again. “Run along, my dears. Lady Alyssa and I are going to have a little chat.” Lady Weymouth waited until the men left, then turned and patted the arm of the chair Lord Weymouth had vacated, gesturing for Alyssa to sit. “First things first,” Lady Weymouth said. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m simply dying to see it.” She sat down beside Alyssa and leaned close. “When you get to know me better, you’ll learn that I have a sense of curiosity equal to that of a schoolroom full of excitable little boys.” She sighed. “It can be a nuisance, but…” She shrugged her shoulders in a gesture Alyssa was beginning to associate with her son. “I know your engagement isn’t public yet and that you’ shouldn’t be showing it about, but may I see your ring?”
Alyssa beamed. “Yes, of course.” Extending her left arm, she unbuttoned her opera-length glove. Alyssa tugged the glove down her arm and off her hand. She held up her hand and wiggled her fingers, admiring the unique design of her betrothal ring and the way the light sparkled off the amethysts, peridots, and diamonds. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
Lady Weymouth was as enchanted with the ring as its owner. “It’s perfectly lovely.” She lifted Alyssa’s hand and studied the ring. “It looks to be one of Mr. Dalrymple’s designs. You’re fortunate. This ring is ever so much prettier than the bird egg.”
“The bird egg?”
Lady Weymouth laughed. “The Abernathy betrothal ring. I call it the bird egg because it’s a big canary yellow diamond set in a chunk of heavy gold. It’s all anyone talks about when they talk about betrothal rings. It’s wo
rth a fortune, but good heavens! It’s so big and gaudy.” She looked at Alyssa. “You wouldn’t think anyone could make a priceless diamond so unattractive, but there you have it…” She shuddered in distaste. “It’s part of a set you’ll receive as a portion of your wedding settlement. And when you get it, thank your lucky stars that, unlike his Great-grandfather Abernathy, my son has exquisite taste in jewelry and in his choice of a bride.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Alyssa murmured.
“You’re welcome, my dear.” Lady Tressingham smiled at her future daughter-in-law. “I know you haven’t much time to prepare for a wedding, so tell me, what can I do to help?”
“Well,” Alyssa began, “I only had two hours in which to work after I learned I was to marry your son. He says we should invite two hundred for the wedding so, I’ve begun making lists and organizing…”
Chapter Fourteen
“My second test of endurance is about to begin—the meeting with my fellow Free Fellows at White’s.”
—Griffin, Lord Abernathy, journal entry, 26 April 1810
“How did it go?” Jarrod, fifth Marquess of Shepherdston, asked when Griffin joined him and Colin, Viscount Grantham, at their usual corner at White’s an hour or so after the conclusion of Lady Harralson’s soiree.
Griffin grunted in reply.
“We expected you earlier,” Colin informed him.
“I’ve been vetted by Lord Tressingham,” Griff answered. “And blooded by his wife. That takes a while.” He sank down onto his favorite chair, propped his elbows on the arms and his feet on the leather ottoman before the fire, and let out a sigh.
“As does escorting one’s intended and her mother to Lady Harralson’s soiree.” Jarrod smirked.
“How would you know?” Griff shot back. “Have you got an intended or a future mother-in-law?”