The last of the guests finally left sometime after four in the afternoon. Anne and Cedric collapsed in exhaustion in the parlor. Anne’s head itched terribly from the veil and wreath, and at last she allowed herself to take it off. As she plucked pins out of her coiffure, she watched Cedric settle back against the couch next to her.
“I say, we did a bang-up job, my heart. What do you think?”
“Excluding the unpleasantness of Lady Dalrumple, I would certainly agree.” She eased the wreath from her hair and set it down on the floor. Next came the veil, and Anne let the lace float to the floor before she sighed with relief. Its weight no longer burdened her head, and the beginnings of a nasty headache faded before they could take root.
“Everything all right?” Cedric asked.
“Yes. I finally go
