Loving the Marquess by Suzanna Medeiros Page B

but he’d
sent word that he was delayed in town. A part of her had half expected to learn
he’d changed his mind and that there would be no wedding. She’d been relieved,
therefore, when he’d sent her a second note apologizing for his delay but
promising to arrive last night.
    She stood now in front of her mirror as the housemaid Lady
Overlea had sent over flitted about her, adjusting the folds of her wedding
gown and adding a pearl necklace and ear bobs. Louisa could only stare in
wonder at her reflection, barely able to recognize the elegant woman in the
mirror. Since the wedding was to be a small family affair, they’d chosen a
simple white dress. Louisa had worried that with her fair skin and hair she’d
look pale and colorless, but the silk fabric had a subtle rose undertone that
brought out a hint of color in her cheeks and complemented her gray eyes. A few
tendrils of her normally straight hair had been cut and now curled becomingly
around her face, and flowers she didn’t recognized had been woven into her
hair. Louisa knew Lady Overlea and Catherine had enjoyed picking them out from
the flowers that grew in the conservatory at Overlea Manor.
    An abbreviated knock at the door was her only warning before
Catherine burst into the room with an excited flourish. Louisa could only stare
in wonder as her sister twirled in front of her, showing off her pale rose gown
and the elaborate upsweep of her hair. She dismissed the maid and greeted her
sister with a hug.
    Catherine drew back with a laugh and looked her over.
    “You are beautiful, Louisa,” she said with a sigh.
    Louisa smiled. She hadn’t had had any doubts, but seeing
Catherine so happy and excited about the future reaffirmed that she was doing
the right thing. She wouldn’t be able to feign the excitement her sister was
feeling, but at least she’d banished her nerves. If only she’d been able to
speak to Nicholas one more time before the wedding. It seemed like such a long
time since she had last seen him.
    “I spoke to John,” Catherine said, “and I warned him not to
scowl today.”
    “I’m sure that once everyone learns Overlea has married
someone he barely knows and who is so far beneath him, tongues will start
wagging in earnest. What is a frown or two from a disapproving relative after
that?”
    Louisa aimed for levity, but in truth she tried not to think
about the ball that would be held later that night. Lady Overlea had explained
that everyone thought Nicholas was going to be announcing his betrothal
tonight. The news that he had already married would come as a surprise.
    “Yes, well, I told John that I would never speak to him again
if he ruined your wedding.”
    Her sister’s vehemence surprised her.
    “Don’t worry,” Catherine said. “I probably wouldn’t last
more than a couple of days without speaking to him. I don’t want him to know
that, though.”
    Louisa couldn’t help but laugh. At some point in the last
three weeks her sister had taken on the role of champion of her upcoming
wedding. She knew Catherine was looking forward to her upcoming Season next
spring and hoping to have a similar wedding in the not-too-distant future.
    “I am trying not to think about John,” Louisa admitted.
“He’s been so quiet these past few weeks and rarely speaks to me anymore.”
    “He loves you, but he thinks he has failed us. Just when he
had determined he would sacrifice his education for the well-being of the family,
you snatched that away from him with your own sacrifice. His pride is a little
put out.”
    Louisa could only stare at her sister in amazement. “When
did you grow up and become so wise?”
    Catherine smiled fondly at her. “I have had a very good
teacher.”
    Louisa dabbed at the tears that sprang to her eyes at her
sister’s words, which caused Catherine to frown at her.
    “There’s to be no crying,” she said, waving a finger in
front of Louisa in mock admonition. “Today is a day for happiness