Chapter Nineteen

The preparations for Zo? and Julian’s wedding went on apace. Over the next three weeks banns were called at St. George’s. Julian had been adamant that he could not possibly wait any more than three weeks to make Zo? his wife.

Zo? felt the same and had been prepared to wear one of her elegant French dresses for the wedding, but as it turned out, her sisters had already commissioned a wedding dress for her from the House of Chance. Miss Chance already had her measurements, and all there was left to do was the hem.

It was gorgeous, Zo? thought when she saw it, creamy white, in heavy silk that fell beautifully, quite plain with a hint of lace at the sleeves and hem.

There was also a beautiful, delicate, quite improper, almost-sheer silk-and-lace nightgown with a matching dressing gown. Zo? couldn’t wait to wear it for Julian. Though she had no doubt it would go the way of every other nightgown she had worn for him.

They went together to break the news to his grandmother, Lady Bagshott.

He told her, in all solemnity, “I’ve given up all hope of finding my little French maidservant, Grandmama. And knowing how much you want me to marry, I decided it was time, so I have asked Miss Beno?t to be my countess, and she has accepted.” Before his grandmother could say a word, he added, “And knowing how much you liked and admired Miss Beno?t when she was painting your portrait, I knew you’d be delighted with my choice.”

There was a short silence. Julian waited with an expression of such innocent expectance it sorely tried Zo?’s self-control.

“Very good,” his grandmother finally grated sourly. “Congratulations.”

“There’s only one small problem,” he added. Zo? looked at him in surprise. “Miss Beno?t has, as you know, been living with Lady Scattergood, but she, sadly, does not support our wedding.”

The old lady stiffened. “What? Olive Barrington does not approve? How dare she? She always was a hoity-toity madam!”

He sighed. “I know.”

Lady Bagshott glanced at Zo? and said reluctantly, “You are welcome to make your home here, in Foxton House.”

“Foxton House?” Julian exclaimed. “You mean you’ll move out and let us live here at Foxton House, Grandmama? How very generous of you. Naturally I will purchase another house in Mayfair for you to live in.”

His grandmother’s jaw dropped open. “But I didn’t mean—”

Julian said smoothly, “Olive Barrington will be mortified, positively mortified when she learns how generous and selfless you have been to a new young bride—her protégée. What a comedown for her, to see you give up your home to make way for the new generation, just as you’ve always wanted. So magnanimous of you. Thank you, Grandmama.”

Stupefied, Lady Bagshott goggled at him. But Zo? couldn’t let it happen. She leaned forward and put her hand on Julian’s arm. “No,” she said. “No, we can’t do that, deprive your grandmother of this house she loves so much.”

Julian and his grandmother looked at her in surprise.

“Lady Bagshott must continue to live here. We will buy another house.”

Bemused, Julian agreed. He kissed his grandmother’s hand, took his leave and they left.

“Why did you do that? I had it all worked out,” he said as they strolled arm in arm along the street. “The house isn’t hers, you know. It belongs to me. She just took possession of it five or six years ago without so much as a by-your-leave.”

“I know—and you really are atrocious, ambushing her like that.” She chuckled. “Her face was a picture. But we really can’t turn her out of her home.” She shot him a sideways glance. “And since you were going to be buying a house anyway, I thought why not buy it for us.”

He looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. Any thoughts about where?”

“What about Bellaire Gardens or somewhere nearby? The gardens there are so beautiful.” She added, “I was never even in a garden until Clarissa found me and took me there. I never dreamed such a place could exist. It’s so beautiful, Julian. It’s magic, even now in winter.”

His face cleared. “Of course, I should have thought of that sooner. And you’ll want to be near your sisters as well. I’ll speak to my man of business this afternoon and put him onto it.”

Five days before the wedding, when Julian called to take Zo? for their daily walk or drive in the park, he told her, “I have good news about a house. My man of business has learned of a house in Bellaire Gardens that the owner is willing to sell. For the last few years it has been rented by a widow and her daughter. However, both the daughter and the widow are about to be married, the widow to a marquess—apparently she’s second cousin to a duke.”

Zo? laughed and laughed. “I can’t wait to tell my sisters this,” she gasped when her laughter subsided.

He gazed at her, perplexed but smiling at her apparent delight. “What’s so funny?”

“I know that house, though I’ve never been inside it. It’s where Milly and her mother lived—the girl who went off with her betrothed the day you kidnapped me. And her mother is to marry the old spider. It couldn’t be more perfect.”

He shook his head. “If you say so. Well, if you approve, I’ll tell my man to buy it, and we’ll get someone in to refurbish the whole place. Best to have a fresh start with it.”

She hugged his arm, almost dancing along beside him. “It’s the most perfect solution. I shall have the gardens and my sisters and Lady Scattergood and Lucy for a while, and the Tarrants—oh, thank you, Julian. It couldn’t be better.”

“If you keep dancing and smiling like that, I’m going to have to kiss you in the middle of a public footpath,” he warned her.

“How shocking that would be.” She laughed and hugged his arm again. “Race had their house entirely refurbished before he and Clarissa married, and I believe Matteo, Leo’s majordomo and general factotum, organized the complete redecoration of his and Izzy’s house. They will know who to recommend. Oh, Julian, it’s all turning out so well. When I left you that morning in France, I thought my heart was breaking and all my happiness was at an end. And now look at us.”

“I don’t need to look at us,” he said. “Everyone else is doing it.” And regardless of the people walking past, he bent and gave her a swift kiss.

Zo? and Julian’s wedding day dawned cool but clear. Zo? was a little nervous—she had no idea why. This was what she wanted so much.

She’d bathed first thing in the morning, using a deliciously scented bath mix that Clarissa had made. The maids, Betty and Marie, helped her get dressed, arranging her hair beautifully and dusting a faint hint of rouge on her cheeks. Her sisters arrived then, Clarissa with flowers and a lovely red leather case containing all her best creations. Izzy brought a beautiful string of pearls, which were a gift from her and Leo.

And then it was time to go to the church.

Both Leo and Race had offered to give the bride away, but the choice was too difficult, so after some thought, she decided to ask Gerald, because he had housed and fed her for the last three years in Paris. He’d been touched and was delighted to accept.

“Ready?” Gerald murmured. She took a deep breath, nodded and stepped inside, pausing a moment to let her eyes adjust. The church smelled of beeswax and fresh greenery.

The pews were almost full. She glanced around in amazement. After Maman had died when she was a child, she’d thought no one would ever love her again. But look at her now.

All these people had come to be with her on her wedding day: Clarissa, who’d found and instantly embraced her as a sister; Izzy, who was practically her twin in appearance; and Lady Scattergood, who had ventured out of her house, despite her fears, just to see Zo? married.

The maidservants sat in the back row dressed in their best and all beaming at her. Betty, who had first discovered her in the orphanage, Joan, who had been chosen as a maid in Zo?’s place, and Marie, the young Frenchwoman who had braved the vile Etienne and had the courage to accompany Zo? to London even though she knew no English and no one but Zo?. Such trust and loyalty. Zo? blew her a kiss, and all three of them blew one back.

Her throat filled with emotion. She continued down the aisle.

Small bunches of daphne had been fastened to the end of each pew, and as she passed, she caught the glorious scent. It was one of her favorites. Another wonderful Clarissa touch, she was sure.

There was Lucy, smiling and giving her a little wave. For the last three years she and Gerald had given Zo? a home and so much more—companionship, friendship and, finally, love. They might not be blood relations, but they were part of her family now. Lucy was sitting with Lord and Lady Tarrant, who had also shown her friendship and acceptance from the first day they’d met. She was so blessed in her friends.

On the groom’s side, there were quite a few gentlemen—Julian’s friends, she assumed. She spotted Lady Bagshott, resplendent in puce and gold, wearing an enormous turban. From time to time she shot a hostile glance across the aisle to where Lady Scattergood was seated. Lady Scattergood appeared to be utterly oblivious, but a small smile told Zo? she knew exactly what was happening and was enjoying every minute of it.

In the next pew sat an elegantly dressed lady with two much younger ladies. Julian’s so-called “second wife,” she assumed: his sister-in-law, the dowager countess, and her daughters.

Oh, and there were Dot and Fred! They’d made the journey from Ardingly. Dot, beaming, gave her a little wave. Zo? gave her a misty smile: she was finding it hard not to cry, it was all so lovely and moving and unexpected. The church felt filled with love.

And there, waiting in front of the altar, stood Julian, magnificent in formal black, white and silver-gray, his blue, blue eyes gleaming. Julian, her soulmate, her lover and now her husband.

The last remnants of the cold ache of loneliness that had been part of her life for so long disappeared.

He held out his hand, she took it, and together they turned to face the minister. “Dearly Beloved …”