reveal the nature of your relationship with him and tarnish my sister’s memory. But now that you and I have made peace with each other, I expect you’ll become a dear family friend.”
Simon’s stomach relaxed. His heart found a steadier rhythm. He finally took a sip of his coffee. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
Coventry actually chuckled. “I think you should call me Thomas. And if you’ll permit, I’ll call you Simon from now on. Agreed?”
Simon found himself smiling for the first time since his arrival. He breathed a sigh of relief and savored the burst of joy rushing through his veins. “Yes. I would like that a great deal.”
“You should join me and Jeremy for our next outing in the park. This coming Sunday at ten?”
“I’d like that.” Simon finished his coffee and stood, ready to take his leave. “Thank you for meeting with me. I really appreciate it.”
Thomas pushed himself out of his chair and held out his hand. “Think nothing of it.”
Simon shook Thomas’s hand and stepped back. “I do hope you and your wife will be at my wedding.”
“Indeed,” Thomas said with a smile. “If I’m not mistaken, Amelia is responding to your invitation as we speak. We’re both thrilled on your behalf, Simon, and look forward to sharing the day with you.”
Happy with how well the meeting had gone and feeling as though he could finally put the guilt he’d harbored for so many years behind him, Simon made his way back to the madhouse his home had become in the past week since he and Ida had announced their intention to marry. A grin widened his mouth. Most men would likely have taken refuge in their club by now. Simon could scarcely wait to get home so he could help Ida select the right filling for their wedding cake.
Seated in a carriage adorned by white ribbons and rose garlands, Ida smiled with fondness and gratitude, but also at the lengths to which Simon had chosen to go on her behalf.
He hadn’t been joking when he’d said he would make sure they had the biggest, grandest, Society wedding ever. The flowers alone must have cost a fortune.
It wasn’t necessary, she’d told him.
He’d forcefully disagreed.
“His love for you is a bit overwhelming,” Guthrie said from his position beside her. He seemed to stifle a cough. “Quite fragrant.”
Ida’s smile broadened. “I’ve never been happier.”
Guthrie’s hand found hers and gave it a squeeze. “I’m pleased to hear it, and although I never had the honor of knowing him, I do believe your father would be very pleased as well.”
The words squeezed at Ida’s throat and for a hard moment she struggled to force back the tears that suddenly threatened. Her father had known Simon, had fought with him in Spain, and had even saved his life. Although her father had never spoken of Simon to her, there was comfort in knowing he’d met the man with whom she would spend the rest of her life.
“Thank you,” she managed once she’d found her composure. “I think so too.”
The carriage arrived at St. James’s where footmen stood ready to open the door and help her alight. Ida’s heart beat with frantic excitement and expectation. Taking a deep inhalation, she accepted the arm Guthrie offered and allowed him to lead her toward the door. This was it. Her life was changing with each passing second, bringing her closer, not to disaster this time, but toward a bright new beginning.
They entered the church. Ida’s grip tightened on the bouquet she held. And then they were walking down the aisle, past hundreds of people all looking straight at them.
They probably wondered why an earl would choose to attach himself to someone like her. Ida knew the answer of course. It was the same reason why the Huntleys had married and why Guthrie’s wife had chosen him – a reason few people raised in a world built on calculated alliances and the preservation of pedigree could possibly understand.
A choir sang, the soft gentle hymn accompanying her every movement until he was suddenly there, standing before her. Simon, tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in navy blue coattails and fawn colored trousers, looked more handsome than ever. His eyes gleamed with pleasure and the smile he gave her was full of promise and love.
He took her hand as Guthrie stepped aside and raised it to his lips for a lingering kiss. Whether appropriate or not, he didn’t seem to care and neither did she. It was suddenly just the