Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
While Arthur was glad of their approval, he was too caught up in his anxiety to really appreciate it. He summoned his valet to give him a shave before indulging in a soak and getting dressed in his most colorful evening dress. He had on a white pair of trousers with a matching ruffled shirt, a gold waistcoat and cravat, and a long coat completed the picture. He headed downstairs and made sure there was a decanter of drinks in the parlor just as the bell rang. His guests had arrived.
* * *
As he greeted his guests, he was hard-pressed to look away from his betrothed. Janice was breathtaking. He did not know why he was fortunate enough to be her chosen companion. She beamed at him, and his heart stopped, and his hands trembled.
* * *
He made her an elegant leg, “May I say that you are looking quite exquisite, my lady?” he said.
* * *
Her smile widened. “Why thank you, kind sir. You are looking quite dapper as well.”
* * *
He offered her his arm and led the way to the dining hall where a veritable feast awaited them.
“To the bride and groom, may your lives be filled with joy and happiness,” Lord Benjamin toasted, his glass of wine raised in the air.
* * *
“Cheers!” the room echoed and they all drank.
* * *
Janice was feeling more than a little woozy due to the endless number of toasts her family had come up with, causing her to drink quite a bit more than she was used to. Arthur held her hand under the table, his thumb running back and forth against her knuckles.
* * *
She leaned a bit into his side, letting him support her weight. Her brother got to his feet for his second toast. “Your Grace, as you declare your intention to marry my sister, a diamond of the first wa-”
* * *
The doors of the dining hall burst open and Arthur’s mother walked in of her own accord. She stared around wildly at them all before her eyes landed on Arthur.
* * *
“Papa?” she said, her voice high-pitched yet thready.
* * *
Arthur leaped to his feet and ran to her. “Mama? It’s me, Arthur. Your son. Are you alright?”
* * *
The dowager’s brow furrowed. “Son?” she said, utterly perplexed.
* * *
“Yes, mama. Do you not remember me?”
* * *
Her bottom lip trembled. Janice felt suddenly very sober. She got to her feet as well and went up to them, moving between Arthur and his mother as her family sat frozen in their seats. “You’re scaring her,” she said softly to Arthur. She turned to Lady Weasley. “Ma’am? Would you like to sit down? Do you know where you are?” Janice led her slowly to the table where Emily quickly vacated her seat which was nearest. Janice urged the dowager to have a seat and she followed Janice’s instructions obediently.
* * *
“Is papa angry with me?” she whispered loudly.
* * *
Janice glanced back at Arthur, widening her eyes at him. He hurried forward, “No no, of course I’m not angry my dear,” he said, his voice shaking, “I’m very happy to see you.”
* * *
Janice pulled Emily close, “Go and look for her nurse,” she whispered before turning back to rub Lady Weasley’s shoulders soothingly.
* * *
“You see, Papa is not angry. He was just happy to see you,” she said softly. Lady Weasley nodded, seeming to be soothed by Janice.
* * *
Lord Benjamin came around the table, and took Arthur by the arm, propelling him to his seat. “Shall we fetch the dowager a plate?” he asked the room in general. A servant hurried off at once to get one. “Are you hungry my dear?” he asked Lady Weasley.
* * *
She bit her lip and then nodded. Lord Benjamin smiled kindly. “Good. We were just having a nice feast so you’ll be able to eat your fill. Do you like baked pigeon?”
* * *
Slowly she nodded as if she was unsure. The servant set a plate before her and then stepped back, heading to the sideboard that was groaning under the weight of dishes, and brought a tray of baked pigeon. Lady Weasley simply stared at it and so Janice picked one up and put it on her plate. “Would you like some bread with that?”
* * *
The dowager nodded slowly and Janice nodded to the servant to bring some of the freshly baked buns. Arthur sat at the head of the table, and now his mother sat to his right. Janice took the chair next to her, turfing Anne out of it. She went around the table to sit in Janice’s vacated seat while a servant brought another chair for Emily.
* * *
They all watched quietly as Lady Weasley took a bite of her food. She seemed quite competent at eating and Janice looked to Arthur to exchange a smile and found that tears were rolling unchecked down his face as he stared at his mother.