Mastered by Love (Bastion Club 8)

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.”