Caroline's ComeUppance
Page 33
“Yes, the legalities of establishing claim concluded, in just a few days’ time, Sir John will officially be established as Viscount Pennistone (and Baron Ravensby, of course.) Rather than ‘Sir John’ he will rightfully be known as Lord Pennistone.” Caroline’s smug countenance did not disguise her ensuing unspoken remark that she herself, on marrying John, would become Lady Pennistone. Everything she had ever wanted she would attain, though much by happy accident.
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Congratulations were again made all around, though Sir John made little enough of it all, and continued to appear somewhat discomfited at the glee with which Caroline met her family’s reactions. He wondered not for the first time if he had not taken on an insurmountable challenge in Caroline; yet knew in his heart that, volatile though their marriage would be, it would most certainly not become dull.
And he had to admit that it gave him some pleasure to know that the traditional propensity of the masters of Gilthorpe Hall to marry weak and defenceless women would be broken forever. Caroline could not be more different from Gilthorpe’s former mistresses. Together they would forge a new life and a new character for that forlorn estate, for so long rich in physical assets but lacking with respect of healthy affection or womanly influence. Caroline would require as much taming, he thought, as that wild land. But for now, let her have her moment of overweening pride.
Thinking thus, he took her fingers in his as she accepted the recognition of her family and friends, and raising them to his lips with an anticipatory smile, he gently kissed her hand, and their future.
THE END