28. Two Happy Couples, One Happy Matchmaker
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Two Happy Couples, One Happy Matchmaker
Three weeks later at the Lyon’s Den
Watching as Cornelius Kingston counted out a number of banknotes onto her desk, Mrs. Dove-Lyon grinned behind the netting of her black hat. “You have set a date for you and Mrs. Buxton to wed?” she asked.
“This morning, actually,” he stated. “Eliza is waiting for me out in the coach. We leave for St. Margaret’s as soon as our dealings here are complete.”
“Oh, that’s so good to hear. I understand Lord Wingfield and your daughter have already said their vows?” She aimed a glance at Titan, who stood guarding her office door, his arms crossed and his expression conveying boredom.
Cornelius nodded as he returned his purse to his waistcoat pocket.
“Last week,” he replied. “The day after the last banns had been read. I offered to cover the cost of a special license, but my daughter didn’t want the attention it would have drawn,” he explained.
“She might be an aristocrat now, but she’s not exactly advertising the fact. ”
Mrs. Dove Lyon moued. “I do hope she has moved into Lord Wingfield’s residence?”
Chuckling softly, Cornelius said, “She did, although they left for Berkshire the day after their wedding. They wished to spend Christmas there,” he explained. “Anything else?”
“That will be all, Mr. Kingston,” she replied. “I do look forward to reading the story of all this should it ever be written into a book.”
Cornelius scoffed as he accepted his hat from Titan. “Although I publish books that are not fiction, I rather doubt anyone would believe this particular tale,” he countered. “Good day.”
Titan watched as Cornelius hurried from the office. After he had closed the door, he noticed Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s attention on him, and despite the netting covering most of her face, he knew she was directing a prim grin at him.
“I appreciate everything you did to ensure this latest match,” she said, gathering the banknotes into a purse. “Keeping an eye on our unlikely couple as they courted.” She stuffed the purse into her black knit reticule and drew the strings tightly.
“All’s well that ends well, I suppose,” he replied, although he sounded more resigned than relieved.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon straightened and regarded him with a look of surprise. “You don’t seem happy about this one,” she accused.
He shrugged. “I’m fine with Mr. Kingston and Mrs. Buxton marrying. If they hadn’t, there would be gossip she had become his mistress,” he claimed. “They’ve been sharing a bed for weeks.”
“I wasn’t referring to them.”
Titan dipped his head and sighed. “You were right. Wingfield and Miss Kingston were actually a perfect match,” he replied. “He loves her. Probably loved her from the moment he first saw her,” he said. “She seems happy with the match. I wished him well,” he added.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon angled her head to one side. “When you are ready to take a wife, we’ll have to find someone just like Catherine Kingston, won’t we? Someone educated. Well-read. Clever. Red hair?”
Giving a start, Titan stared at the matchmaker for several seconds before he nodded. “Perhaps,” he replied, although he directed his attention to her reticule. “I’ve ordered the coach be made ready. Would you like an escort to wherever you’re taking that blunt?”
Clutching the strings of the reticule, the matchmaker shook her head. “No need. I won’t be gone long.”
“Very good,” he said, holding the door for her as she made her way out of her office. He followed her down the stairs and remained outside the front door after he helped her into the coach.
The chilly air would help dispel his sadness.