Chapter19
“Ithink that’s everything to bedone at the church, my love. Shall we head to Dandridge?” Peter asked.
Grace stepped up to him and pressed her lips to his. “In a moment, if you please,” she said after the kiss. “Hmmm… I don’t think that’s nearly enough.”
Peter swept her into his embrace and kissed her long and deep. “Two more weeks, my darling, and I’ll be able to kiss you all you want.”
“I like the sound of that. I suppose we should go. We shouldn’t keep the family waiting.”
Peter held out his arm, and they walked out of the church. He locked the door and led Grace to the barn behind the vicarage. “Hello, Belle. Are you ready to stretch your legs today?”
Grace held out her hand for Belle to sniff. “Hello, pretty girl.”
It didn’t take long to hitch the mare to the cart, and Peter and Grace were off to Dandridge Manor, where they were surprised to see a shiny black carriage by the front door.
“That must be the Devons’ carriage. I thought they weren’t supposed to arrive until tomorrow,” Grace said.
Peter guided Belle up the drive and pulled up behind the carriage. He jumped off the bench and handed Grace down at the same time a footman was helping Lady Devon step down.
“Lady Devon, what a delightful surprise,” Grace said, walking up to her.
“Miss Parker, so nice to see you again,” Lady Devon said, after looking to see who had addressed her.
“Lady Devon, a pleasure to see you again,” Peter said with a bow.
“Mr. Wallings is St. Mary’s vicar now and my fiancé,” Grace said.
“Fiancé? Well, I wish you both happy.”
“Lord Devon, a pleasure to see you again,” Peter said.
“Wallings. You’ve been busy since we last met. A new parish and engaged to be married?”
Peter chuckled. “Indeed, my lord. This lovely lady has consented to become my wife.”
“Well done, Wallings. I wish you happy.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Jones stood in the open front door along with the housekeeper.
“Lord and Lady Devon, welcome to Dandridge Manor,” Jones said.
The woman stepped forward. “I’m Mrs. Hutchins, the housekeeper. Would you care to freshen up before luncheon?”
“Yes. That would bemost welcome,” Lady Devon said. “Mr. Wallings, Miss Parker, we’ll see you later.”
“Of course,” Grace said. She and Peter made their way into the drawing room.
Mrs. Hutchins led Lord and Lady Devon up the stairs and down the hallway to a large bedchamber. The footman soon followed with their luggage. “Luncheon will be served in half an hour.”
“Thank you,” Lady Devon said, nodding, and Mrs. Hutchins exited the room.
“Well, my dear, what do you make of Wallings being engaged to Miss Parker?”
“Wallings is a good man. I didn’t know he’d been assigned to the Reading parish.”
“Fate works in mysterious ways, my dear. They seemed quite happy together.”