Under the Mistletoe with the Viscount (Unlikely Lords #6)

Chapter 25

T he next fortnight was a whirlwind of activity for Bett and Noah. Bett stayed at the Robertson townhouse, and it was hard saying goodbye to her beloved that first day. “I shall miss you, my darling,” Bett had said.

“I shall see you tomorrow after your shopping trip,” Noah said. He gave her a quick kiss before he went to his uncle’s townhouse on Curzon Street. There was much to do, and the first order of business was to have the staff at his leased townhouse close it up and relocate to his new home. The lease would be up in a few weeks, and there was no need to renew it.

“Bentley, a word, please,” Noah said when he went to his former home.

“Lord Harrison, the staff and I wish to offer our sincere condolences on the loss of your family. We were beyond shocked.”

“Thank you. I came today because the lease on this home will expire soon. Please make sure everything is covered before the staff all relocate to Curzon Street.”

“Right away, my lord. I shall see to it.”

Noah walked down the hallway to the study. Once inside, he began to read the correspondence that had piled up while he was in Oxfordshire.

. There were a few invoices that needed to be paid, and he needed to open accounts for Bett. He wanted to make sure she could buy whatever she wished. Noah had always been sensible with coin, and he was delighted to spoil his soon-to-be wife. Once he finished with all the arrangements, he left and made his way to Curzon Street.

The following day, Bett and Olivia headed to Bond Street to visit the modiste.

“Good morning, Lady Robertson,” the modiste said when she and Bett walked in. “How may I be of service today?”

“My friend, the soon-to-be Viscountess Harrison, will need a wedding dress made rather quickly. We will be leaving London in a fortnight,” Olivia said.

“I see. That should not be a problem. I’ll put my best girls on it.” The modiste turned her attention to Bett. “My lady, would you care to look at fabrics?”

“Yes, thank you,” Bett said, walking to the table where the bolts were laid out. She immediately picked up the blue silk. “Oh, this is a stunning color.”

The modiste held the fabric up to her face. “It matches your eyes perfectly. You’ll look quite beautiful in this. Now, shall we look at the fashion plates?”

With Olivia’s help, Bett picked out the design for the dress, and then it was off to the dressing room to be measured.

Two hours later, Bett and Olivia left the shop. “That was exciting,” Bett said.

“That’s merely the first stop. There’s lots more shopping to do, but I’m parched. Shall we head to Gunter’s for some ices?”

“Yes. That sounds like a splendid idea.”

During the time they were in Town, the two couples enjoyed their time, going to the theatre, the British Museum, and even taking a trip to Vauxhall Gardens to listen to the orchestra, watch the tightrope walkers, and enjoy the fireworks.

Bett had never enjoyed herself more, especially with the man she loved by her side.

While the women finished up some last-minute shopping, Robertson accompanied Noah to the Palace of Westminster to attend Parliament when it reconvened so that Noah could officially take his seat in the House of Lords. Noah shook hands with the Lord Chancellor and then took a seat next to Robertson in the gallery.

“That was nerve-wracking and a little boring,” Noah said when the session ended hours later.

“You’ll get used to it. Too many sessions are filled with lords talking merely to hear themselves talk. You needn’t attend every session. Find a bill you want to champion and attend those sessions, and of course, it would be beneficial to attend the sessions when a vote is taken up.”

“Of course. That makes sense. You’ll have to enlighten me on what bills will be discussed.”

“I’d be delighted,” Robertson said. “One can never have too many supporters when trying to pass a new bill or law.”

In their final days in London, the modiste delivered Bett’s wedding dress. As promised, she’d been able to finish it in record time. When Bett opened the box, her eyes widened as she lifted out the dress.

“Oh my, it’s stunning.”

“You’re going to be a most beautiful bride,” Olivia said.

“I do hope Noah likes it.”

Olivia chuckled. “My dear, men hardly notice such things. As you know, your husband will be more eager to take the dress off you than admire you in it.”

That brought a blush to Bett’s cheeks. Noah’s kisses set her body on fire, and she could hardly wait for them to truly be husband and wife. “I’m looking forward to never being parted from Noah again. These past weeks have been torture, knowing he was so close, yet being unable to stay with him.”

“I understand, but soon, you’ll be wed.”

“I can hardly wait.”

With everything taken care of, it was time to head back to Harrison Manor, but first, they had to stop at Fleming Manor for Miles and Emma’s wedding.

“Welcome,” Miles shouted as he went out to meet the carriage.

The footman jumped down and opened the door. Robertson stepped out, followed by Noah, who turned and helped the ladies step down.

“I’m so very pleased you were able to come.”

“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Robertson said.

“We wish you happy,” Noah said, slapping his friend on the back.

“I hear there’s much to celebrate,” Miles said, looking between Noah and Bett.

“Yes, we’re very happy,” Bett said.

Lord Fleming came to the door. “Come in, come in. No need to stand out in the drive.”

Everyone followed Fleming into the parlor, where Emma and Lady Fleming were discussing last-minute details for the wedding breakfast, which was to be held in two days.

Emma jumped up and ran to Bett, hugging her. “I’m so pleased you’re here.”

“I am as well. I’m thrilled for you. Mr. Walker is a fine gentleman.”

“I know,” Emma said.

Emma turned to Olivia and bussed her cheeks. “Now, it will be a wonderful celebration with all the people we love here.”

The maid brought in a tea tray, and Emma poured tea. She then sat on the sofa next to Miles before addressing Bett. “I would like to ask a favor, if I may?”

“Of course,” Bett said. “What do you need?”

Emma clasped Miles’s hand. “We would be honored if you and Harrison would agree to be our witnesses.”

“Oh, that’s a lovely idea,” Bett said, looking at Noah. “What do you say, my darling?”

“We would be delighted,” Noah said, nodding.

“I’m so pleased,” Emma said. “Would you and Lady Robertson care to see my dress after tea?”

Both Bett and Olivia nodded as the conversation turned to the wedding arrangements.

“Speaking of wedding arrangements, Harrison and I would be thrilled if everyone would attend our wedding next week,” Bett said.

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Emma said.

Noah turned to Emma’s parents. “Lord and Lady Fleming, we would be delighted if you would attend as well.”

“Of course. We wouldn’t miss it,” Fleming said.

“It only seems fitting,” Noah added. “Without your house party, I never would have met this beautiful lady.”

“I have to say, I’ve never had a more successful house party. Three engagements is a record,” Fleming said, chuckling.

After tea, Emma led Bett and Olivia up the stairs to her bedchamber. “The modiste did a remarkable job,” she said, walking into her room. She went to the armoire and pulled out a forest-green dress trimmed with cream piping around the bodice and cuffs.

“Oh, Emma. You’ll look stunning in this. It matches your eyes perfectly,” Bett said.

“It’s very beautiful,” Olivia chimed in.

“I can hardly wait to marry Mr. Walker. I never thought I’d marry, but sometimes life can surprise you.”

“So very true,” Olivia said. “I fell in love with Robertson at your parents’ house party, but I thought my feelings weren’t shared. It seems men sometimes need more time to realize their feelings.”

The day of the wedding dawned bright, although there was a definite chill in the air. Puffy white clouds dotted the blue sky. However, by the time Emma got to the chapel, she was too excited to feel the cold.

Standing down at the end of the aisle was her beloved Miles, and she couldn’t wait to marry him. Her father walked her down the aisle.

Bett and Noah stood as witnesses, and the congregation was filled with well-wishers. Many of the Fleming tenants crowded into the small chapel to catch a glimpse of the bride.

When the vicar finally pronounced them man and wife, Emma leaned toward Miles for their first official kiss as husband and wife. “I love you,” she whispered.

“And I you.”

The vicar then had them, along with Bett and Noah, sign the registry before heading back to Fleming Manor for a small wedding breakfast. Neither she nor Miles wanted a big affair, and her parents had finally relented to only having family and a few friends attend. They were more than pleased that the chapel had been filled to capacity by well-wishers watching their daughter marry.

During the wedding breakfast, Miles and Emma couldn’t stop smiling as they chatted with their friends.

“Next week, this will be you, Bett,” Emma said.

“I know. I can hardly wait.”

“Will you stay the night?” Emma asked.

Noah, who was standing next to Bett, shook his head. “I’m afraid we must get on the road soon. There’s much to do before we marry next week.”

“We understand,” Miles chimed in. “We shall join you in a few days, if that suits.”

“Yes, that would be lovely,” Bett said. She turned to Olivia. “As much as I’ve enjoyed this day, we must be going. Do you want to ride with us to Harrison Manor or come with Mr. and Mrs. Walker in a few days?”

“There are some things Harrison and I still need to discuss,” Robertson said. “We’ll be happy to accompany you.”

A week later, Bett stood at the chapel entrance, her nerves on edge. Today, she was marrying the man of her dreams, so why was she so nervous? Until the vicar pronounced them husband and wife, she was afraid it was all a dream that could disappear in a puff of smoke.

“There’s no reason to be nervous, my dear,” Miles whispered in her ear. “Noah loves you.”

“I know, and I love him.”

“Then why are you trembling?”

“If this is all a dream, I don’t want to wake up.”

“My dear lady, look at me,” Miles said. “You and Noah are going to have a wonderful life together. Shall we?” he asked, holding out his arm.

Bett’s family couldn’t attend, as her father had come down with a terrible cold, and her mother thought it best they not travel. Bett was disappointed her family couldn’t attend, but then Miles offered to walk her down the aisle, and she was grateful for his offer and support.

She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. Her heart continued racing as they walked down the aisle… until she saw Noah’s loving smile. Then everything seemed right with the world, and she finally relaxed.

“Dearly beloved,” the vicar began.

She kept stealing glances at Noah to make sure he wasn’t a dream. By the time the vicar pronounced them husband and wife, she was more than ready for Noah to kiss her.

“My darling wife, I love you,” Noah said, leaning down to take her lips in a searing kiss that seemed to go on and on.

The vicar cleared his throat, and the congregation chuckled. “My lord, if you and your bride would please follow me to sign the registry.”

The happy couple, along with Robertson and Olivia, followed the vicar so their marriage could be recorded in the parish registry.

When they exited the chapel, they found that many of the tenants had gone outside to wish them happy. Both she and Noah had decided that they didn’t want a large wedding breakfast and opted for just their friends to be invited back to the manor—Miles and Emma, Lord and Lady Fleming, and Robertson and Olivia.

On the carriage ride back to the manor, Bett could hardly believe her good fortune. She no longer had to worry about living under Peter’s strict rules and could manage her own household as she saw fit.

“Are you happy, my love?” Noah asked.

Bett squeezed his hand. “So very happy. I’ve never known such joy.”

“I’m so glad. I want to make sure each and every day from now on will be a joyous one.”

“All I need is you, my darling.”