Chapter Thirty-Nine

The countess descended upon Dulcie in her bedroom with Trent hovering at her side. “Well, Dulcina, I see you are wide awake for a change. You do know this is your wedding day, don’t you?”

Dulcie hadn’t seen or spoken to the countess for several days. Her stepmother’s coming into her room was unheralded, especially when she brought an unexpected announcement.

“W-what? What do you mean?”

“Griffith Spencer is here in Surrey, my dear, as he promised. You must know he has been caring for you the past few days. How lucky you are to have such a wonderful husband. He’s come to fulfill his betrothal vow. You are to be man and wife in a few hours.”

“But I thought…”

“Don’t worry. He needs only to stand beside you at bedside. Don’t give it a worry. Everything is arranged. He even brought a groomsman to stand up with him. And I will act as your witness.”

With those surprising words dropped into Dulcie’s lap, the two women swished out of the room, shutting the door behind them.

Dulcie couldn’t believe what she heard. She and Griff Spencer…married? Today?

But, he and I agreed to call it off to stop the countess from gaining half of my inheritance. What day is today? She raked her mind, searching for the date. Time has past without my knowing what day or a week it is.

Another thought, an evil one, sprung into her head. Did Griff decide to betray her after all? He’d confessed his reasons for seducing her, candidly admitting that he needed a rich wife. He also agreed to the earlier arrangement with the countess by falsifying his relationship while living in Eberley House. Could he have joined forces with her stepmother to bilk her of half her father’s wealth? Well, why not? Both he and Agina needed money. It would make both of their lives richer and fuller. She knew Agina never cared a penny for her, and now, she was afraid that Griff felt the same way.

Dulcie leaned back against the bed pillows. Her eyes watered, although she tried to squeeze her lids tight. A few salty tears rolled down her cheeks. Was that her heart she felt breaking?

She was so weary of feeling sick, but she pulled herself together, swallowed hard, and inhaled a few deep breaths. She forced herself to sit up straight, brush the tears from her cheeks, and push her lank hair back from her brow. She reached for the bell pull to summon a housemaid. The least she could do was make herself presentable. She wasn’t sure she was strong enough to deny both Griff and the countess’s wishes, but she was determined to try.

* * * *

Sommers had placed Griff’s belongings in the chamber next to Dulcie’s. Griff asked Rand to stay on, and the men went up the room together. Griff ordered a hot bath be drawn. Afterward, he dressed in fresh clothes. The men next went below for lunch in the formal dining room.

They were almost finished eating when Sommers interrupted them.

“Mr. Spencer, we have two additional guests waiting in the front drawing room. I’ve been asked that you and Lord Titus join them and the countess. Please come this way.”

Griff threw a cautious look across the table at Rand, but the two men rose and followed the butler.

The countess made the formal introductions.

“Reverend Carter and Lawrence Bundy, may I present my stepdaughter’s fiancé, Griffith Spencer and his groomsman, Viscount Titus.” Agina smiled as the men shook hands all around.

“Now, then gentlemen, shall we join Lady Dulcina? As I told you, she is not quite up to snuff, but she wishes to be married as soon as possible, before her twenty-first birthday tomorrow.”

The group marched up the central staircase silently, the countess leading the way. Trent stood outside Dulcie’s room. She nodded briefly to the countess as a footman opened the door for the visitors.

Dulcie had bathed and had her hair washed although it took a lot of strength out of her. One of the maids had brushed her hair dry, and it flowed around her shoulders in a halo of silken splendor. She had lost weight during her ordeal, but she donned one of the gowns she purchased in London. The color looked good on her even if it didn’t fit well. She sat in the wing chair where Griff sat when he stayed with her in her room. One of the maids helped Dulcie raise her slippered feet onto a low stool and draped a lacy shawl over her shoulders. Unfortunately, her skin, usually blooming with good health, looked rather sallow, and her lips were pale. She looked composed, however. A tiny flush of warmth tinted her newly sculptured cheeks, forming a more regal and aristocratic countenance since she lost weight. Dulcie sat unsmiling and quiet.

“Ah, I see you are ready, my dear,” the countess greeted her, effusively, not giving Dulcie time to reply. “We shall do this quickly so that you may go back to your bed, dearest.”

Griff approached Dulcie. Reaching down for her hand, he halted beside her. It felt limp in his, but he squeezed hers gently, anyway. Rand ranged himself on Griff’s other side. The countess stood next to Dulcie, with Lawrence Bundy, the Trayhern’s solicitor, beside Agina. He wore the same satisfied expression as the countess wore. The minister faced Dulcie and Griff and opened his prayer book and cleared his throat.

* * * *

“Dear friends, we are gathered here today to join together Griffth Ronald Spencer and Dulcina Trayhern in lawful marriage…”

Dulcie’s head started to spin, but she shook away the wooziness. Her throat was as dry as parchment. She hoped she would be able to utter the words she needed. She hid her other hand amidst the folds of her gown, clenching and closing the fingers to give her courage.

The minister droned on until he finally reached the marriage vows.

“Do thee Griffth Ronald Spencer take this woman, Dulcina Trayhern, for better or worse…?”

“Er…”

“I’m sure my nephew is nervous, but that is fine, Reverend,” the countess quickly interposed. “Please continue.”

“And do thee, Dulcina Trayhern, take this man, Griffith Ronald Spencer, to love and obey…”

Dulcie cleared her throat.

Rapidly, with more than a small amount of conviction, she exclaimed, “No, I certainly will not! I will not marry him! Now or ever!”

Every person in the room except her was stunned into silence.