Page 123 of Aurelia

“Thank you, Ruby,” Aurelia said.

The maid inclined her head and shut the door behind her.

Aurelia did not want to go to the mainland without Roland, so she composed a brief note to Sir Gideon asking if he could come over to Crewe today. Hopefully she could see him before he heard the news through the mysterious servant network.

Once she had sealed her message, she went to the breakfast room and pulled the servant cord before she poured herself some coffee.

When Beekman opened the door, she handed him the message. “Could you have this delivered as soon as possible?”

“Of course, my lady.” If the butler was surprised at her sudden elevation in status, he certainly gave no sign of it.

For once, the breakfast room was empty and she was able to eat in contemplative silence. No doubt Celsa and Arthur had broken their fast at the usual time rather than lolling about in bed until eleven like Aurelia.

As she ate, she mentally composed the letters she would write to her sisters. She knew Roland felt guilty that her family was not coming, but Aurelia was relieved. She did not want a great deal of fanfare and fuss and she most certainly did not want to delay the date. Indeed, waiting the week or ten days they had agreed upon last night already seemed a terribly long time.

Aurelia smirked. Who would ever believe that serious, reserved Aurelia would be eager to marry so that she could have her husband in her arms every night?

The door to the breakfast room opened and Charles entered. “This just came for you, Miss—er, that is, Lady Aurelia.”

“Thank you, Charles.”

“Of course, my lady.” He hesitated and then gave her a boyish smile. “I would like to offer my congratulations, if I might be so bold?”

“That is kind of you. Thank you, very much, Charles.”

Still grinning, Charles bowed and left her to read her message.

Dear Aurelia,

I managed to get away today and wanted to show you something rather fascinating I learned about when I was talking to an ancient tenant farmer of mine. Can you meet me at Rock Cove? It is a very low tide just past noon—almost as low as yesterday—and I will be able to show you what I’ve found.

I do hope you can get away. If so, be there by noon.

Sincerely,

Gideon

She lifted her eyebrows at the mysterious message but was glad that he was on the island and she could tell him about her betrothal.

Once she had donned her heavy cloak and warmest bonnet, she recalled the note she’d given to Beekman to deliver to Sir Gideon. Rather than ring for the butler, she decided to check the salver in the entry hall on her way out of the house. A quick glance showed that it was empty, so obviously her message had already gone over.

She didn’t take a horse to Rock Cove as it was one of the closer beaches. Also, a horse was more of a hindrance on the narrow trail, and she would much rather trust her own feet on the steep path.

Aurelia’s thoughts naturally turned to the wedding as she walked. It would take place in the castle chapel and Roland said the Reverend Sheldon, the rather ancient vicar at the tiny church on the island, would conduct the service.

She was considering asking Roland if somebody might bring pine boughs from the mainland so she could decorate the church with a bit of greenery, which seemed more appropriate than flowers, given the time of year.

Aurelia pulled her thoughts from wedding plans and concentrated all her attention on the narrow, rather treacherous path when she reached the cliff above Rock Cove. It wasn’t her favorite beach on the island and she much preferred the ones to the east which were more accessible, if far less private.

When she reached the bottom, she saw a skiff pulled up onto the shingle and looked around the small cove but saw no sign of Sir Gideon.

“Aurelia!”

She spun around at the sound of the voice and blinked in surprise. “Arthur!”

He waved her over. “Gideon has just shown me the most wonderful thing,” he said when she picked her way across the rocks, which were covered in seaweed as this portion of the beach was usually beneath water.

“What is it?” she asked, a bit nonplussed that Gideon had invited Arthur as well. Perhaps she would not tell him her news today, after all.