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The duke offered a courtly bow, his baritone voice resonant. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Smythe. Felicitations upon your wedding.”

Gwen dipped into a curtsy, murmuring a polite response as her gaze flicked, ever so discreetly, around the room to discern who else she might be obliged to greet this morning. Her father stood near the fireplace, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet, his ever-present grin fixed in place. Clearly, he was near to bursting with pride over the distinguished connections Aidan had brought into their modest family.

Aidan turned next to the lady beside the duke. “Your Grace, may I present Miss Smythe.”

Gwen swiftly curtsied again, belatedly realizing that this was the Duchess of Halmesbury. The duchess was a tall woman, though still several inches shy of Gwen’s height, and visibly with child. A soft roundness marked her growing figure, and her brandy-colored eyes gleamed warmly as she smiled.

“Miss Smythe,” she said graciously, “welcome to the family.”

“F-family?” Gwen echoed, startled, her wide eyes darting to Aidan. But it was the duchess who answered.

“My brother, Lord Filminster, is married to Lord Abbott’s sister. His Grace and I returned to Town upon hearing of the nuptials.”

“Oh.” It was a woefully inadequate reply, but Gwen’s mind had stalled, still reeling from the revelation. Why had Octavia failed to mention this? The connection to Halmesbury, one of the few dukes in the kingdom, was certainly the sort of intelligence a lady’s maid ought to impart.

Before she could dwell on it further, Aidan continued the introductions. Gwen turned next to meet Lord and Lady Saunton. Despite Octavia’s scandalous tidings about Lord Saunton’s early reputation, Gwen found him courteous and unexpectedly entertaining. His emerald-green eyes twinkled with amusement, and he seemed wholly captivated by his wife.

Lady Saunton was a poised young woman with soft reddish-blonde curls and a gentle confidence that Gwen admired immediately. Her manner bespoke intelligence and a quiet strength, and her hand remained securely linked with her husband’s throughout their conversation.

Their dialogue was briefly interrupted when Lady Saunton’s skirts stirred, and from behind them emerged a small boy with sable-dark hair and eyes to match his father’s. He blinked solemnly up at Gwen.

“Hallo,” he greeted her without ceremony.

Taken aback, Gwen inclined her head. “How do you do?”

“Are you Cousin Aidan’s new wife?”

Lady Saunton laughed lightly. “Not quite yet, Ethan.”

The boy’s brow furrowed. “Does she play chess, Mama?”

“I am not certain,” Lady Saunton replied. “Perhaps you ought to inquire.”

Ethan regarded Gwen with a contemplative expression, his earlier boldness giving way to a hint of shyness. “Do you play chess?” he asked at last.

“I do.”

“After you marry, will you play with me?”

Gwen smiled, charmed by the lad’s earnestness. “We must enjoy the wedding breakfast first.”

“And then we can play?”

She nodded. “Then we can play.”

“Good.”

Ethan vanished behind the Countess of Saunton’s skirts once more, the tails of his little green coat the last glimpse Gwen caught of him. She remained momentarily bemused. That Lady Saunton should show such easy affection toward the boy, whom Gwen presumed must be the very child Octavia had whispered about, spoke volumes. There was no hint of discord between the trio. Rather, they appeared much like any loving family.

Next, Gwen was presented to the local vicar, a round-faced man with a bald crown and long white side-whiskers that gave him the look of a kindly cherub.

“I appreciate your presence this morning, Vicar,” Gwen said, dipping into a respectful curtsy.

“Not at all, Miss Smythe,” he replied jovially. “Lord Moreland’s generous donation to our parish ensured my attendance. We are quite grateful.”

Aidan moved on with the introductions, presenting Lord Filminster, who bore the same dark chestnut hair and brandy-colored eyes as the Duchess of Halmesbury, clearly her brother. He bowed politely and offered a reserved smile, but unlike the others, there was a certain guardedness in his manner. Gwen returned the gesture with demure courtesy, sensing he was not one inclined to idle chatter.

The formality began to ease as Aidan introduced those closest to him.