“You are right, my dearest lady, our wedding cannot come soon enough. And the honeymoon!”
“Faith, yes! I dream of both the wedding and the journey almost every night. I cannot wait to see Scotland. Your Mother makes it sound so glorious in her letters.”
Isolde had begun exchanging frequent letters with Jonathan’s mother. She found the Dowager Duchess to be an open, straight-talking lady who had the most glorious stories to tell about Isolde’s mother. Isolde would share these stories with her brother whenever a new letter came, both of them captivated by stories about the woman they both missed so much.
They were to travel to Scotland with the Dowager Duchess after the wedding, and spend time at her castle in Aberdeen. From there, they would travel by boat to Europe and tour Italy, France, and Germany. Now that the wars were a thing of the past, those lovely places were once again open and safe for travel. They’d debated going to India, but in the end, they had both felt it would be nicer to go on an adventure together in a part of the world they both had never visited before.
“It is glorious. And I know you will love travelling. You are so inquisitive and eager to learn and see new things. We shall have a splendid time. I do worry you will grow homesick for your Brother and Olivia.”
“I shall miss them. I will have to write to them often.”
“That is true. And I promise whenever you feel homesick, I shall do my very best to distract you with all the wonders of the world! The museums, the parks, the food–you shall see. And soon enough, your father will join us with our friends.”
Indeed, Lord Lincester had planned to travel to Europe with Eric in order to explore business opportunities on the continent. He’d recently arranged with Lord Conner to have both Olivia and Thomas join him. Eric had been more than elated about the prospect of spending time with Olivia away from the watchful eye of her mother.
“Faith! I have not told you the latest! Lady Conner attempted to invite herself to come to Europe. She claimed she had to be certain there was a suitable chaperone there to watch over Olivia and Eric.”
Jonathan’s eyes grew wide. “By Jove! No! I hope your Father did not agree to it.”
Isolde shook her head, her brown hair swinging around her face.
“He did not. He informed her that since I will be a married woman by then, I would be more than suitable to act as chaperone.”
Jonathan laughed out loud. “Did he now? Lady Conner must have been furious.”
“Indeed,” Isolde replied.
Just then, the Lady in question called out to them.
“Your Grace! Isolde! Look!”
Isolde turned around and saw that Lady Conner was pointing at the road where a carriage drove past. The Coat of Arms was that of her uncle, Baron Balwick. In the distance, she could see someone sitting at the window. The fiery red of the woman’s hair let her know exactly who was inside the carriage. Henrietta. Isolde sneered.
“My dearest Isolde, have I ever told you that you have the cutest sneer in the realm?” Jonathan joked when he saw her expression.
“It is not funny, Jonathan.” She kept her eyes on the carriage. She had not spoken to Henrietta since the night her betrayal had been revealed. And she had no desire to, for she had soon discovered that Henrietta not only spread the vicious rumor about the wager, she’d also been the one who was responsible for Isolde’s fall from Marigold.
Isolde’s father and brother had returned her to her home post-haste and there they, along with Baron Balwick, had questioned her about her motives. During said interrogation she had confessed not only to spreading the lie, she’d also admitted to paying a stable boy to cut the straps of Isolde’s saddle. Evidently, she’d hoped Isolde would simply look like a fool while riding on a loose saddle, and thus cause the Duke to lose interest in her. Isolde did not quite believe that. But it did not matter. She’d closed her heart to her cousin.
She had not cared for her tears and her apologies. She had not cared for her pleas for forgiveness. No. Henrietta had sown the seeds of her own misery. For, not only had she lost both Isolde and Olivia’s friendship, she’d also lost the dowry Isolde’s father had promised. With the loss of the dowry, she’d lost the Earl, who did not wish to so much as meet her without a substantial financial incentive.
Not only that, with no other prospective matches, she was once more looking at a dire future. In addition, her social standing had taken a harsh turn as even the catty ladies of the ton could not condone the cutting of saddle straps or the betrayal of lifelong friendships. Henrietta was essentially now where Isolde had been a few months ago. An outcast without prospects of marriage, looked down upon and sidelined. Except, unlike Isolde, Henrietta did not even have friends, for no one would speak to her.
Were it not for the pity bestowed upon her by the Countess of Buxby, Henrietta’s future would be utterly hopeless. Fortunately for her, Lady Buxby had offered to take Henrietta to Derbyshire with her so she could attempt to install her in society there. Perhaps the truth of her actions would not follow her. And perhaps she’d find a husband yet. The chances were slim. But Baron Balwick had decided Henrietta was not to be given a choice.
“She must be on her way to Debryshire now, I reckon,” Lady Conner commented.
“Well, I hope she finds her happiness there. She certainly would never find it here after what she’s done.” Isolde found herself suddenly overcome by sadness and tears sprang into her eyes. Henrietta had been by her side all her life, through all her ups and downs. She thought of all the laughter and all the tears they’d shared, and of how much her betrayal had hurt her.
Suddenly, she felt two strong arms around her as Jonathan hugged her.
“It is all right to be upset. I have waited for some time for you to find your tears for Henrietta. I am here for you, cry all you need.”
“Your Grace, this display….” Lady Conner spoke up, no doubt alarmed by their embrace.
“Not now, Lady Conner.”
Jonathan’s voice was so sure, so certain, Lady Conner had no choice but to obey. Isolde heard her walk away, leaving her alone in Jonathan’s arms. She pushed herself back and looked up at him.
“I wish I could understand her. Maybe then I could forgive her.”
Jonathan gently wiped her tears away with his handkerchief. “You may learn to forgive her over time, even if you cannot understand her. Time is a wonderful healer, as you know.”
“I know. I only wish I was already there. At the point of forgiveness.”
Jonathan caressed her cheek. “I know. You will, one day. In the meantime, you have me. Vent, cry, rage–whatever you need to do to lend voice to your anger. I am here. I always will be.”
“I know you will. I have stopped doubting you long ago, my love.”
“I am glad, my little dove. I love you, so very much.”
She looked up at him, her heart filled with love.
“And I love you, my dear Jonathan.”
He leaned down and placed his lips on hers and they were lost to the world, in a bubble of sublime joy.
The End?
Extended Epilogue
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Preview: Perfectly Mismatched with the Duke
Chapter 1
Alexandra walked along the road, her shopping basket heavy in the crook of her left arm. She watched enviously as carriages passed by. She wished she’d taken a hackney from the market. Most days she did not mind walking, but it was a bleak day. Smog hung
low in the London sky and a chill was in the air.
She knew spring was around the corner, given that it was already the middle of March. It could not come soon enough. Though what she truly longed for was the fall. Oh, how she wished for the beautiful days of fall. True, the Season, from January until the middle of August, was always the busiest for her matchmaking agency, but she still looked forward to autumn. She loved when the colorful leaves covered the streets. As a child, her mother would take her for long walks where Alexandra would take much pleasure from jumping into and kicking up piles of leaves, much to the chagrin of the street sweepers who would glare at her and shoo her away. Alexandra smiled at the memory.
Perhaps autumn was simply her favorite because her mother had loved it so.
“Yoohoo!” A voice called out from some distance away, breaking her out of her thoughts. Alexandra looked up and saw a lady coming her way from the direction of the linen draper. She wore a pale blue morning dress and a matching bonnet embellished with flowers. The woman removed one hand from the silver muff she was carrying and waved at her, prompting Alexandra to wave back. She shielded her honey-brown eyes against the sun and squinted. When the woman came closer, Alexandra finally recognized her.
“Lady Chatterley,” she called out to the woman.
“Good afternoon, Miss Evans,” the lady replied with a pleasant smile. “I thought it was you. You look well, my dear.”
“As do you,” Alexandra replied, unable to look away from the lady’s bulging belly. The woman placed her hand over her midsection.
“Ah yes, thanks to you, all is well.”
Alexandra smiled, touched by the kind acknowledgement. Lady Chatterley was another of Alexandra’s growing number of success stories. The previous summer, Alexandra had matched Lady Chatterley. Then she matched Lady Isabella Brown, daughter of the Earl of Worthington, with the Marquess of Chatterley. A glorious match, merging two of the most influential aristocratic families in the country. The match had been a boon to Alexandra’s matchmaking business, which had grown ever larger since she had taken it over from her mother.
“I am pleased to hear all is well, My Lady. How is your sister, Lady Elizabeth?” Alexandra already knew that Lady Chatterley’s sister had not fared well in the matchmaking department. In fact, she had been left just days before her wedding, causing quite the scandal. Rumors about the reasons for the sudden end of the engagement flew around the ton, though nobody knew what had occurred. This, in turn, caused more rumors.
In Alexandra’s opinion, Lady Elizabeth’s chosen suitor had been a poor match from the start. Had she been the one to make the selection, she would never have put her with the volatile Earl of Dorrington in the first place. Alas, the match had been made long ago by a now-retired clergy matchmaker.
Ever the shrewd businesswoman, Alexandra always had her eyes and ears on the ton, and she had seen this unfortunate event coming. Now that she was in good standing with Lady Chatterley, perhaps she could land herself another high-profile client.
“I am sure you have heard all about the unfortunate affair by now. Poor Elizabeth, to be left in such a manner.” Lady Chatterley shook her head in dismay.
“It is rather a shame. Perhaps I can be of assistance once she has recovered from the shock.” Alexandra put on her sweetest smile and placed a hand on the lady’s forearm. Lady Chatterley patted Alexandra’s hand.
“You are very sweet. However, it may be some time. Elizabeth’s health has taken a turn for the worst. She is at sixes and sevens, prone to crying fits and fainting spells. We may have to send her to Scotland for some time, to recover in the fresh air. Perhaps that will restore her and lift her spirits.”
“Oh, the poor dear. Such a tragedy.” Alexandra felt badly for the young woman. Her antics were a little theatrical, but she could understand how difficult it had to be for the young woman to see a promising match fall apart. While an unsuccessful match was unfortunate, most of all for the matchmaker, it was Alexandra’s policy to simply move on and find a better match. It was a pity Lady Elizabeth was not in a condition to do so.
“Perhaps once she has regained her strength, we will call on you. I am certain you will have much more success in finding her a suitable husband. Oh, Miss Evans. You and your mother have been a true blessing.”
She flashed a big smile at Alexandra who gave her a courteous nod. The mention of her mother was like a thorn in her heart. It had been two years since she had passed away and left Alexandra, her only child, the matchmaking agency Evans United Hearts. Already a great success at the time she took over, Alexandra had poured all her passion and energy into it and grown the business even more. Her ultimate goal was to be known as the matchmaker whose matches always worked out.
She was close to her goal and would have achieved it already if not for an unfortunate event last winter. A groom, hesitant to get married to begin with, turned down every one of her matches and then took off with his brother’s governess. She still hoped to find another client of Lady Chatterley’s standing to make the public forget that unfortunate incident. Today was not the day, it seemed.
“Well, I shall take my leave, my dear. I hope to see you soon.” Alexandra gave a nod and began to walk away when Lady Chatterley stopped her.
“It nearly slipped my mind, Miss Evans. Lady Frances Stewart will be calling on you this afternoon. She is the daughter of the Earl of Cladborough. The Earl has been most impressed with the stories he’s heard about you and will be sending Lady Frances to engage your services. She is rather keen to wed. Lady Frances is a lovely young woman and I assured her she could trust your fine judgement.”
Alexandra’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, really? That is lovely. Thank you for the recommendation, Lady Chatterley.”
“It is my pleasure, Miss Evans. You have brought me much luck and fortune, and I am grateful to be able to repay you.”
With that, the ladies parted ways, and Alexandra headed toward her home.
* * *
Alexandra turned at Foxberry Lane, which led directly to her little house. She and her mother had lived in the house for as long as she could remember and ran their joint business from the office located within. Just south of Piccadilly, it was close enough to be convenient for the nobility to seek out their services, but far enough away to not cost too much.
Money had been tight all her life, but they’d managed. Somehow, when they were truly in dire straits, what they needed would always turn up. Her mother had always been lucky that way.
Although, that was as far as her mother’s luck stretched. Alexandra force herself to stop thinking about her mother. The memories brought nothing but sorrow. Oh, how she wished she could remember her mother with joy and happiness, rather than with such sadness. When she thought of her mother, it was rarely of the successful woman who strived to provide security and happiness to lonely people. It was hardly ever of the woman who was respected by her clients and held in high esteem by her peers.
No. It was of the woman who spent her evenings alone, sitting in her armchair, overlooking the hustle and bustle on Foxberry Lane, often a glass of ale in her hand, which she’d sip from over the course of the evening. After a long day of providing a prosperous future, of chaperoning young couples, and of ensuring the best possible unions for her clients, Lily Evans spent her evenings alone, in solitude.
Alexandra knew where her mother’s thoughts had been during those lonesome evenings. With her father. Her father had passed away of consumption before her birth, and his loss had scarred her mother. She was never whole again after his death.
Watching her mother and the pain she endured over her lost love had been the driving force behind Alexandra’s vow to never fall in love. No, like her mother, she’d devoted her life to bringing happiness to others as best she could.
With a heavy heart, she passed Holmes’s Fine Art, the jewelry shop next to her house. Just like her mother and herself, the owner, Mr. Holmes, lived above his shop.
She peeked inside an
d saw the old man standing at his counter with a customer. She recognized the man as Lord Alderth, a frequent visitor to the jewelry shop. She didn’t know much about the Earl other than that he was a recent widower, he was not looking to remarry, and he had no children. Thus, he was not a prospective client of hers, and so these were the only things she cared to know about the man.
Presently, the Earl and Mr. Holmes were looking at a case containing rings. Mr. Holmes glanced up for a brief moment. When he saw her, a kind smile spread across his face and he waved at her. Alexandra couldn’t remember a time when Mr. Holmes had not been part of her life. He’d lived next-door to them for as long as she could remember, acting like a surrogate father to her and a trusted friend to her mother.
Often times, when her mother was called upon to chaperone a potential couple, Alexandra would stay with Mr. Holmes. She’d help him polish the silver and sweep the store. She was never allowed to touch any of the jewelry, but she would stand in front of the cases, watching the light reflect off the precious stones.
A Mistletoe Match For The White Duchess (Historical Regency Romance) Page 27
