Never Doubt a Duke by Maggi Andersen

Author:Maggi Andersen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2020-06-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

NELLIE YAWNED. SHE was propped up in bed with a cup of chocolate, a pencil in hand, and a notebook beside her. The last few weeks, London had been in a fever of celebrations since peace was announced after the Battle of Waterloo. The metropolis was abuzz with those who’d come to witness the formal proclamation of peace and the Queen’s official welcome reception for the Duke of Wellington. Then there was the visit from the restored French king, fetes, the opera, and grand balls.

She had accompanied her parents every evening to parties, routs, and endlessly dazzling balls where red-coated officers, aristocrats, and the elite of society mixed with royalty, visiting allied leaders and politicians, the feted Duke of Wellington taking center stage.

Charles accompanied them whenever he could, but apart from a few afternoons riding in the park, she seldom had him to herself. She missed him. His duties in the Lords, as well as being at the beck and call of the Prince of Wales at Carlton House, took up much of his time. And would continue, she expected, for some months to come, but at least she would be at his side as his duchess.

Tomorrow was her wedding day. Her stomach tightened whenever she thought of it. And that seemed to be every few minutes. She picked up the notebook and forced her mind back to the list of last-minute things to check. But really, there was little left to do. Mama had risen splendidly to the call. All the invitations sent out had been accepted. The reception, which was held here at their townhouse, organized down to the last detail. Nellie’s trousseau was ready to be packed in the trunks. Her wedding gown and accessories laid out in readiness.

The end of the war with Napoleon had altered their plans. The demands made on Charles to be part of the reception for the important visitors to the city: the restored French king, the corpulent Louis XVIII, and the Tsar of Russia and his sister required him to remain in London for some time. When Charles was free of commitments, they hoped to spend a few weeks at Shewsbury Park before embarking on their honeymoon.

Nellie put down her cup. She and Marian were shopping this afternoon. As Nellie’s matron of honor, her sister had decided she needed a new hat.

The door opened, and Alice flounced in. “I am ready,” she announced.

“Are you, poppet? What for?” Nellie bit her pencil. Should she pack the red velvet bonnet with the long curling feather? Or was it not summery enough? It did go well with her pelisse. But her mother didn’t like the color. Nellie paused. She made a tick on her list. She would take it.

“To be your bridesmaid, of course,” Alice said with emphasis as if Nellie had suddenly turned deaf.

“No bride could ask for a prettier bridesmaid.”

“Charles gave Marian a diamond brooch and me a bracelet of seed pearls set in gold.” She held out her wrist to display the dainty bracelet.

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