Epilogue
Normanton House, the evening of the ball that ends the house party
Dee waltzed for the third time with her husband. A short conversation with the Duke of Leigh, who had arrived the day before, assured them that Lord Sandrow had accepted, with very little protest, an alternative arrangement for Lady Beatrix’s future.
Indeed, the life peer had spent much of the evening whispering to the Danvers sisters. Whatever Sandrow and Lovis had agreed to would be widely known by morning.
Dee did not care. She had what she wished most.
The music ceased. Fontus escorted her to the refreshment table, taking beverages for each of them.
“Will you mind greatly the life of a diplomatic wife?”
“No, I always envied my father the traveling he did on diplomatic missions for Louis. He and Mother decided that taking a child along on such journeys was not wise. So, she remained at court—the court in exile—with me.”
“Do you want children, my love?”
“Eventually. However, I refuse to be left behind in England when you are assigned elsewhere.”
He nodded. “Then our children must come with us.”
She smiled. “I agree. Do you know where your first posting will be?”
“I spoke with Lovis this evening. He talked with the foreign secretary who said he was considering India or the former colonies. Either way, he confirmed that I would be undersecretary to an experienced diplomat for long enough to cut my teeth. What is your preference? I shall request it.”
“Hmm. I think I would enjoy either posting. As long as we are together.”
“Ah. Being together brings me to another topic. We need a home in England to return to from time to time. Do you prefer London or the country?”
“Both. However, I think it wisest to first find a small residence in London while we await your new assignment. You will want to be close to the Foreign Office, and I have not seen London in an age. Some school friends still live there.”
“We could visit Lady Beatrix. I am not certain what Lovis suggested to Lord Sandrow, but both he and Lady Beatrix seem content enough.”
“I am certain the Danvers sisters will ferret out all the details. We will learn of them tomorrow.”
“Lovis informed me he must depart in the morning. Evidently there is some crisis for which Prinny wishes advice from him and the Earl of Hythe. I will ask Lovis to have his man of business search out a home for us in London.”
“It won’t take me long to pack up my belongings at the cottage. Most of what is there, belongs to Sir Somerville.”
“If you like some of the things, I could offer to buy them from Somerville.”
“There are a few items, but I only want them if you approve.”
“I suggest we give our goodnights and go to the cottage now.”
“To examine the furnishings?”
“Hmm, among other things.” He set their drinks on a nearby tray.
“Oh,” She accepted his hand as he guided them through the crowd to their hosts. “Such as?”
“Well…in a manner of speaking, one activity I want to share with you is testing the beds.”
Her cheeks heated. “I like the way you think, Lord Fontus.”
Watching his brother and his sister-in-law depart, Lovis smiled.
He’d not expected Fontus to ever settle.
Lady Dee was perfect for him. Now if only he could solve the difficulties of his other brothers.
Fontus may believe that all was well with his older siblings, but Lovis, as head of the family, knew better.
They were all troubled in one manner or another.
The problem was they refused to share their difficulties with him.
Why they insisted on keeping secrets from the one man with the power to arrange their lives was beyond him.
THE END