Epilogue
Jude entered Cart’s home for what felt like the first time—and they were late.
“Squires,” Cart’s voice boomed as he strode confidently into the foyer to greet her and her family. “May I present Miss Judith Pengarden. Jude, this is my trusted butler, Mr. Squires.”
They looked at one another, smirks on both their faces. Jude had visited several times and interacted with many of Cart’s staff—the last time only being the afternoon before on their way to Lord Gunther’s townhouse. But this time was clearly different.
“Miss Judith,” the elderly man said as he bowed before her. “It is an honor to meet our future countess. We all welcome you and your family.”
“And may I present Lady Marce Davenport, Lord Garrett, Miss Samantha Pengarden, and finally, Miss Payton Samuels.” It was a mouthful and Jude felt a measure of surprise and great satisfaction that Cart had spent the time to learn her family’s many names—and not question their inconsistencies.
They still had much to learn about one another, each with their own secrets, longings, and hopes to share.
Thankfully, they had many years to accomplish everything.
The man acknowledged each in turn before motioning toward the hall Cart had come from. “Lady Cartwright and Lady Theodora await you all in the dining room.”
“My apologies for our late arrival,” Jude rushed to say. “I do hope we have not ruined dinner for everyone.”
“Certainly not, Miss Judith,” Squires confided. “It has been refreshing to have an evening not within Lady Cartwright’s complete control.”
“Now, my man,” Cart chuckled, stepping to Jude’s side and offering his arm to escort her to their waiting meal. “We have had our fun at my mother’s discomfort, but let us not keep her waiting a moment longer.”
Garrett stepped to Marce’s side to escort her, while Sam and Payton linked arms.
“Right this way,” Squires called, starting toward the dining hall.
Cart hesitated, allowing Jude’s siblings to precede them across the foyer.
“My lord?” Jude questioned his reluctance to follow, dreading he’d changed his mind about their coming betrothal announcement. “Is something amiss?”
He looked at her like she longed for him to gaze at her every day forever. “Actually, everything is perfectly as it should be—and you look radiant this evening. I cannot remember a time when my life has been more perfect.”
She felt her cheeks redden at the pride—and love—in his words.
“Are you certain our meeting with Lord Gunther went as planned?” She’d known she’d have to take responsibility for her actions at some point, and thankfully, Lord Gunther had agreed to meet with them the day before.
“While he listened intently—and understood it had all been a misunderstanding, do you think the damage has been repaired?”
Cart smiled, his happiness taking over his entire person.
“Did you not see the Post today?” At Jude’s questioning look, he continued, “Lord Gunther spoke with the Post again—as I think he takes great pleasure in doing—and remanded his former statement, further announcing Lord Cartwright, that is me—“ Cart raised his brows in surprise.
“—as his new associate for acquiring three new pieces for his collection.”
It was all too good to be true. “And he certainly wants something in return.”
“Partly, to see his name in the Post once again,” Cart paused, a rakish grim overtaking his face, putting Jude on alert. “Oh, and to be invited to our wedding—in hopes of furthering his acquaintance with the fair and lovely—his words, mind you—Miss Samantha Pengarden.”
They both laughed, the sweet, unrestrained melody echoing through the halls of the Cartwright townhouse.
As they both sobered, Cart took in her exquisite dress, his eyes traveling from her head to her toes and back again, clearly admiring the gown Marce had insisted she commission for her younger sibling in celebration of her betrothal dinner.
Jude had chosen a dress of a bolder color than was her normal custom.
The satin was a vibrant, deep green that made her auburn hair appear on fire and her eyes glow.
It had never been her choice to stand out within a crowd, but with the ruby and diamond ring bestowed upon her by her future husband, Jude knew no other color would do it justice.
“Are you ready to meet the formidable woman that is my mother?” he asked.
Jude straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin a notch, hoping to convince not only him but herself that she was up to the challenge of meeting her future mother-in-law and Theodora, another sister to add to her growing list of admired and cherished female relations.
“But remember,” Cart leaned close and whispered. “I love you, I adore everything about you, and you are the one I chose for my future.”
His proclamation seemed to hold some meaning Jude couldn’t entirely grasp, but when he placed a chaste kiss to her cheek—the meaning made no difference.
He loved her. And more than anything, she loved him.
Nothing else mattered. Not how this evening played out, nor how society reacted to their sudden betrothal and upcoming marriage.
“A house of ill repute?” a voice shrieked from the direction Squires had led her siblings. “You are a what? Simon! This is unacceptable and not proper…you live in a den of iniquity?”
Cart raised a brow in question.
“Craven House is not what it appears, but certainly something we have yet to discuss, my lord.”
“Then I look forward to many days—and nights—exploring all the topics of conversation we have yet to converse about.” His smile returned, quick and sure, something she was rapidly getting used to seeing.
Gone was his pensive, distant nature—replaced with a man who was constantly present, no longer lost in his own thoughts, but living each moment for her, with her. “Shall we, my love?”
She inclined her head and they moved toward the dining hall as Cart’s mother’s call for assistance continued. Payton’s and Sam’s laughter drifted to greet Jude and she knew, with Cart by her side and the support of her siblings, she and Cart would live a life full of love and happiness.
Far more than a common thief such as she deserved.
But her final—and most important—task was complete.
Miss Judith Pengarden had successfully stolen her earl—Simon Montgomery, Lord Cartwright.
But many would suggest that it was Lord Cartwright who’d stolen Miss Judith’s heart long before she’d taken his.
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