Epilogue
The Duchess of Bonham looked out over the crowd in the ballroom of her husband’s London home.
She reminded herself that it was never appropriate to eavesdrop on the guests, but sometimes the temptation was irresistible.
Especially when the guest in question had a high-pitched laugh and an equally distinctive voice.
‘I saw them when they were courting,’ the Countess of Rinwood announced to the crowd gathered around her by the crystal punch bowl. ‘It was all done in secret. The duke created an elaborate double life to woo her. He was so cleverly disguised that he looked nothing at all like himself.’
‘Really?’ Another woman replied. ‘Was there a false moustache?’
‘Not a moustache. But a wig of a different colour. And spectacles,’ the countess announced. ‘And a northern accent.’
‘I cannot imagine the duke doing such a thing,’ another woman said wonderingly. ‘When I talked to him last Season, he was always so…’ As if remembering where she was, she did not finish the sentence.
‘Stuffy,’ supplied another, who was not so discreet.
‘Aloof,’ confirmed the countess. ‘But after years of friendship, he’d apparently grown quite smitten with Mr Skeffington’s sister. She did not feel free to marry because of the scandal over her inheritance.’
‘I should sincerely like to meet Mr Skeffington,’ one of the women said with a smile. ‘He is quite rich now, is he not?’
‘He will be a baron once his grandfather passes.’ The countess shuddered. ‘I hear they’ve sent the old miser off to Scotland. He is living in a delightful rose-covered cottage, though I doubt he appreciates it. The man is unbearable.’
‘Tell us more about Mr Skeffington,’ said another. ‘Is he handsome as well as rich?’
‘Very much so,’ the countess said slyly. ‘Come with me and I will introduce you.’
As the group moved away, Louisa stepped out from behind the palm where she’d been standing and took note of their identities.
Percy was smart enough not to let his head be turned by the first pretty face that smiled at him.
But she would see to it that none of these gossipy fortune hunters got close enough for a second dance.
A warm hand slipped around her waist. As usual, she enjoyed the scent of her husband’s cologne as he leaned close to whisper in her ear. ‘Are you spying on our guests again?’
‘Just listening to the countess’s story,’ she replied with a smile. ‘In this version, you have glasses, a wig and a northern accent. I swear, it becomes more ludicrous each time I hear it.’
‘The truth was strange enough,’ he said. ‘Does it still end happily?’
‘Oh, very. You secretly adored me and swept me away from my wicked guardian. We returned to London for our wedding and you got down to the business of begetting an heir as soon as it was proper.’
‘Not quite accurate,’ he teased. ‘I seem to recall an evening in the moonlight first. And a few unchaperoned moments in the sitting room. And while waiting for the ink on the license to dry…’
‘Not possible,’ she assured him. ‘Everyone agrees that the Duke of Bonham is very high in the instep. He would stand for no nonsense when choosing a duchess.’
She felt him shrug. ‘If the ton believes it, it must be true. And I have just been to the nursery to check on Stewart. He was fussing a little but settled as soon as he saw me.’
‘Our son has you wrapped around his finger already,’ she said with a smile. ‘I am much firmer with him.’
‘Oh, really?’
‘I remind him that a marquess has no reason to cry. If that does not work, I tell him that I almost named him Percival.’
‘But I did not let you,’ he said, giving her a squeeze. ‘That is why he prefers his father at such a young age. And your brother would never have forgiven us.’ He glanced around the room. ‘How is Mr Skeffington doing this evening?’
‘He has not been off the dance floor since the music began. The ladies are circling like sharks in the water. I suspect by the end of the evening, his feet will hurt and he will be complaining almost as much as Stewart.’
‘And have any of these sharks bitten him yet?’
She nodded. ‘He has not told me so, but I think the matter is all but settled. He has secured the waltz with the Earl of Eaton’s oldest daughter for the last three balls they’ve attended. He has already danced with her twice tonight and they are going riding later in the week.’
‘That is serious,’ Thomas agreed. ‘Do you approve?’
‘We have spoken about gardening,’ Louisa said with a smug smile. ‘She seems knowledgeable enough on the subject. Now that I have the grounds of Bonham Court to worry about, I do not have time to manage Percy’s flowers for him.’
‘So, a perfect match, by your standards,’ he said, resting his chin on her shoulder and scanning the crowd.
‘Not perfection,’ she said. ‘A union without flaws is the stuff of fantasy. A good marriage will never be a daydream.’
‘It will not,’ he agreed. ‘It is far better than that.’ He released her waist and took her hand, spinning her as if they had been waltzing and making her laugh. ‘Enough talking. Come with me, wife. The night is young, you are beautiful and I cannot wait to dance with you.’
Keep reading for an excerpt from DUKE’S ONE-NIGHT HEIR by Sarah Rodi.