Sin With A Scoundrel (The Husband Hunters Club)

Epilogue

T ina was nearly ready. Her dress, a simple, cream-colored satin with ruching about the hem and the sparkle of pearls sewn into the bodice, was quite simply beautiful. She went to the window and looked out at the garden at Eversham Manor, where she had decided to be married. It was a glorious day, and the white rosebushes had been trimmed into neat balls by enthusiastic gardeners, while the fountain, with its dolphin statue, was splashing water, droplets glittering like stars in the sunlight.

Down below her, Tina could see the guests moving about, awaiting her arrival. The wedding was larger than Richard had expected, but Tina had just laughed at his astonishment. “They love you, Richard,” she’d told him, when he understood how many guests would be coming from the surrounding countryside. “They want you here at Eversham Manor, creating your dynasty.”

Archie and Maria had come from London, where they now owned the tearoom in Camden that specialized in Spanish sweets. A big change for Archie, although he seemed happy with his new life. Maria said it was as good as being in Spain. Better, because she didn’t have to leave Archie.

They did seem very happy, Tina thought with a smile.

Her parents were thrilled at her happy union once they’d heard the full story, and Lady Carol and Richard seemed to have overcome their rocky beginnings. Sir Thomas was even more thrilled when Charles announced his engagement to the wealthy Anne Burgess, and it seemed as if they wouldn’t have to leave Mallory Street after all.

Thinking of her parents reminded Tina of John Little, and his last words to her. She hadn’t understood until later what he meant, about sending them back. His last good deed to her parents. It had been a sad life, but Tina agreed with Richard, Mr. Little’s early misfortune shouldn’t be an excuse for what he had done later on.

Below, in the garden, she thought she caught sight of someone with red-gold hair in a violet dress, and grimaced. But Evelyn wasn’t here. She was moving to London and talking about taking up her acting career again.

Tina had a feeling Richard was behind the offer of roles Evelyn received—he still had a great many contacts with the Guardians, and Sir Henry would always look after his favorite spy. She knew Richard still mourned his brother, but the pain had faded, and she knew he now felt that he had kept his promise. And he wanted Evelyn gone from his life.

“You are ready, miss?”

Tina nodded to her maid. One more glance below . . . ah, there they were, her friends from Miss Debenham’s. They were gathered together, chattering away, with so much to catch up on. Suddenly, she wanted to be with them, to learn how their own husband-hunting exploits had gone, and to tell them about her own.

Just then there was a tap on her door. Behind her, the maid opened it, there was a murmur, and then it closed once more.

“I was beginning to wonder if you’d changed your mind,” said a familiar, deep voice.

Tina turned and found her beloved standing in the room behind her, contemplating her in her finery.

“You look beautiful,” he added, “just as I knew you would.”

“I was watching the guests from the window,” she admitted. “You were right, there are a great many of them.”

He came and took her hands, his gray eyes warm and smiling beneath his slashing dark brows, his hair a little tussled, but that was fine by Tina, that was how she liked him.

“We could have been married privately,” he reminded her. “I did suggest it.”

“I know, but it wouldn’t have been the same, would it? I want everyone to be there, to share in our happiness.”

He moved closer and bent his head to kiss her lips, a gentle kiss but with the promise of passion. Later. When it was all over.

“Come on, Tina,” he said, drawing her toward the door. “If we wait any longer there’ll be talk that the expert on making matches can’t make his own.”

She laughed and squeezed his hand. “I will have to talk to you about that one day. Your education when it comes to women is rather lacking.”

“Minx,” he said lovingly.

And Tina and Richard went down to the garden, where their friends and families were waiting, to make new promises. This time to each other.