Epilogue
Mrs. Cassandra Vaughn once again sat in the office of Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Two friends had found their happily ever after. She only needed to find the perfect husband for Patience before she could finally concentrate on herself. The fact that Moriah and Josephine were now both marchionesses had been more than she could have ever wished for her dearest friends. Now if only she and Patience could be so lucky.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon entered her office heavily veiled and wearing black as usual. If anything could be counted on it was the fact that this woman’s identity was never revealed. The lady came to sit across from her, and Cassandra opened her reticule sliding a bank draft across the wooden desk.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon didn’t even look at it but put it away in drawer. “I hope your friend is satisfied with the husband I picked out for her?”
Cassandra nodded. “More than happy. I couldn’t ask for a better partner for Josephine.”
“Another satisfied customer, then,” the woman said nodding. “And is it now time for me to choose a gentleman for you, Mrs. Vaughn?” she inquired folding her hands on her desk .
Cassandra opened her reticule again and slid a second bank draft across the wood. “I still have another friend…”
“You’ve been very generous to them. I thought perhaps you might be ready—”
“Not until I see Mrs. Patience Moore settled,” Cassandra declared interrupting her. She waited while Mrs. Dove-Lyon sat silently behind her desk. It was hard to determine what thoughts might be going through the woman’s mind when you couldn’t see the lady’s features.
“Very well,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon at last declared. “As you might have already noticed, I matched your two friends with gentlemen that are also friends. I suppose your Mrs. Moore might do very well with the Earl of Blackthorn.”
A gasp escaped Cassandra thinking of Lucius being with Patience instead of herself. “I… well… ummm…”
“I see,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said with a light laugh. “You fancy the earl yourself, do you? No need to answer. I can see for myself that I should save that particular gentleman for when you are ready, Mrs. Vaughn… that is if the rake doesn’t go and get himself married before I can make my arrangements.”
“I’m sure whomever you have in mind for Patience will be perfect for her,” Cassandra said in relief.
“Leave the matter in my hands. I’m sure the Earl of Rowley and your Mrs. Moore will be perfectly happy together once we bring them together,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said.
Cassandra rose from her chair and left the Lyon’s Den. It wasn’t until she was sitting in her carriage that she let out a huge sigh of relief. That had been too close. She always knew there was a possibility that Lucius might wed before it was her time to have Mrs. Dove-Lyon work her magic. She just needed to be patient and let her friend Patience find love first. Cassandra could only pray that time would be on her side. Her turn would be soon…
THE END