The Unexpected Duchess(105)
Lucy’s mother held out both gloved hands to her. Lucy made her way over and allowed her to pull her into a hug but not without a sharp pulling together of her brows.
“Mother?” Was this truly the same woman who’d essentially washed her hands of Lucy? Now she was here, in London, dressed as if she were about to take dinner with the queen, and acting as if they’d always had the best of relationships.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your new husband?” her mother asked.
Lucy nodded. “Where’s Father?”
“He’s out dealing with the man who’s taking care of the coach. I’m not entirely certain what he’s up to.”
Derek strolled over to them.
“Mother, I’d like you to meet Derek Hunt, the Duke of Claringdon.”
Her mother executed a perfect curtsy. “Your Grace.”
Derek bowed over his mother-in-law’s hand. “Lady Upbridge, a pleasure to meet you.”
“Believe me, the pleasure is entirely mine, Your Grace,” her mother replied.
Lucy’s father came bustling in just then, the same uncharacteristically happy look on his face. “My darling,” he said, hurrying up to Lucy and hugging her as if they’d ever been the hugging sorts.
“Good morning, Father,” Lucy said, still baffled by her parents’ new demeanors.
Garrett strolled up. “Uncle Theodore. Aunt Frederica.” The two gave him blank stares as if he didn’t exist. But, Lucy noted, when they realized that the duke was narrowing his eyes on them for their behavior, they both reluctantly greeted their detested nephew. “Garrett. Uh, g … good to see you,” her father managed to choke out.
Her mother merely said, “Garrett,” in her most perfectly condescending tone.
Garrett was obviously attempting to hide his smile. “Always a pleasure,” he said in a voice that implied it was, in fact, never a pleasure.
Garrett shook Derek’s hand then turned to Lucy while Derek spoke with Lucy’s parents. “The ceremony was lovely,” Garrett said.
Lucy had tears in her eyes. She hugged her cousin. “Thank you, Garrett.”
“For what?”
“For being willing to take care of me even when you thought I would be an old spinster.”
Garrett threw back his head and laughed. “How do you know I didn’t just pay Claringdon here to take you off my hands?” He bowed to Lucy. “Well, Your Grace, you truly are a duchess now. The first Duchess of Claringdon. Berkeley’s heartbroken of course, but I’m certain he’ll survive. He’s already back in Northumbria.”
“I wish Lord Berkeley the very best.” Then Lucy leaned up and whispered, “And you, my cousin, may very well have your chance with Cass now.”
Garrett’s forehead wrinkled into a frown and he opened his mouth to speak, but just then Jane and Cass came up to them. Derek and Lucy’s parents went over to speak with Derek’s mother and the Lowndeses.
Jane hugged Lucy. “I cannot say I envy you being leg-shackled, but for a wedding it wasn’t half bad.”
Cass had tears in her eyes. “Oh, Lucy, it was so pretty. I’m so happy for you. You’re a duchess. A real and true duchess.”
Lucy laughed. “Yes, an unexpected duchess to be sure, but a duchess nonetheless.”
“A duchess with a formidable tongue and penchant for bluntness,” Garrett added.
“Guilty,” Lucy agreed.
“When you wear a turban in your old age and stare at younger folk through your quizzing glass you’ll be positively frightening, Lucy,” Jane said. “I should know because I intend to be there with you, doing the exact same thing. With great aplomb, I might add.”
Lucy laughed again. “Ooh, I’m quite looking forward to that, actually.”
Lucy heard Derek speaking to her parents. “You know Lucy is an excellent rider.” He addressed that comment to her father. “And being demure is highly overrated,” he told her mother. She could just picture her mother’s reaction to that statement. When he was done talking to her parents, Derek strolled over to their little group and put his hand around his wife’s waist. He dropped his head and kissed her shoulder. Jane and Cass sighed.
“The only thing that would make this day more perfect would be if Swift were back to see it,” Derek said to Lucy. He’d also mentioned something about how two of their other friends were apparently still missing on the Continent, but he hadn’t wanted to spoil the day by explaining the details.
Lucy smiled and patted Derek’s hand. “He’ll be here soon, my love.” She glanced over at Cass. Her friend wasn’t speaking; she had turned away from the group and was tellingly tugging on the end of her glove. “Cass, are you all right?”