Chapter 35

"We shall send to Sir James and Lady Carter immediately, of course." Mrs. Drummond spoke to Augusta as if to a child, as though Augusta could not possibly expect to have any say in her own wedding. "My dear brother Ellsworth can ride into town, perform the ceremony and be back at the Carters' by suppertime."

"I want the children to come," Augusta insisted. "They're my only family. They should be at my wedding." It was the only issue on which she was adamant.

Lady Drummond's lips pursed but she finally nodded. "Perhaps Sir James and Lady Carter can bring them in their carriage. As the most prominent family in the area, they can serve as witnesses."

"That would be lovely, Mrs. Drummond," Augusta replied. "Thank you for thinking of it." Of course Hortense Drummond was happy about this wedding. It meant Augusta wouldn't be marrying the widow's brother, Vicar Ellsworth. Being glad about that detail was the single thing on which the two women were in complete accord.