Chapter 57
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Standing at the table in the Duke of Bridgewater’s grand dining room, Perry’s heart was full. He smiled down at his wife and his daughter, who had also been included in the family meal. Being together like this felt…right.
“We have gathered you here today to thank you, our family and friends, for all that you have done for us. We are grateful for your support in helping my family have a successful introduction back into society. Thank you again, Beauregard, for hosting us,” Perry said, grinning and lifting his glass in cheers to the mixed group of Spencers and Townsends at the table.
“’Tis a pleasure to have all our family—and you, Michael—together. This moment has been a decade in the making,” Beau replied, echoing Perry’s movement.
A chorus of cheers erupted from around the table, with even Charlotte’s father giving a solemn nod to the statement. They were all destined to be a family, even if they had taken years to get there.
Louisa cleared her throat, aglitter in a light blue damask dress threaded with silver.
Her blond hair was swept into an intricate design, with a few stray curls left down to add a softness to the style.
Perry would say his sister seemed to be glowing, perhaps because of the absence of her own husband.
His sister announced her intention to return to the country, having been summoned by the cantankerous and aging Marquess.
Coming to stand on her feet, Louisa’s gaze landed on Charlotte. “And thank you to Charlotte. You have brought back my brother, the one I thought I had lost so many years ago. You and Aurelia are the source of his joy,” she said, giving her niece a playful wink.
A flush bloomed in Charlotte’s face as everyone turned their gaze to her and Aurelia.
Perry had an urge to kiss his wife’s cheek to feel the warmth pressed upon his lips. His mouth went dry.
With a cough, he lowered himself into his chair and took a long drink of his rich red burgundy. His sister wasn’t wrong. Lottie and Aurelia had truly given him back the will to live. Now he had such an incredible future to look forward to. He was a rich man indeed.
“Shall we eat then?” Michael said with a smirk.
The other guests tittered at his teasing, though Louisa rolled her eyes in a peevish manner.
It chagrined Perry that two of the people he was closest to didn’t get along.
Then again, Louisa always became a touch moody when she was anticipating seeing her miserable husband again.
When she returned to the country, she reminded him of a bird trapped in a gilded cage.
Her every move was watched, her every pleasure examined and judged.
The Marquess was very determined to fulfill his duties and ensure the lineage, which Perry assumed was a horrible ordeal for his sister.
It was frustrating that they hadn’t had any success in the endeavor during the first years of their marriage.
The burden weighed heavily on Louisa’s shoulders.
Though Perry spent little time with the Marquess of Lingham, the way his sister shrank in his presence told him everything he needed to know. Perhaps the duke would be merciful and allow her to return for the holidays.
Charlotte would miss her newfound sister dearly.
Perry had observed a closeness developing between them during the time they spent together while Louisa eased her introduction into society.
Though it warmed his heart that Lottie would never again spend the festive seasons alone, buried in the country, he realized there was another who might have to.
He would do his best to maintain correspondence with his sister and ensure Louisa remembered how much she was loved.
The sumptuous dining room stretched to accommodate the large mahogany inlaid table. A large crystal chandelier sparkled above them, and gold candelabras glittered, casting them in a warm glow as they marveled over the delicious meal created by Mrs. Webber, the duke’s amazing cook.
They lingered over the first course of white soup served alongside delicately poached salmon and roasted vegetables. Though their dinner conversation was a little stilted, Perry anticipated more such meals en famille, which would allow them all to become more at ease with each other.
He winked at his wife as their wine glasses were refilled. The second course of roasted beef and partridge, a selection of savory meat pies, rich buttery peas and lettuce à la fran?aise was served.
Aurelia’s eyes grew large as the dessert course was served.
As the night grew later, the men moved to the parlor for a nightcap, while the ladies retired to the drawing room for tea and conversation.
His daughter protested when Ann came to take her away, though her yawn told him she would be asleep before her head hit the pillow.
With a warm smile, Perry swirled his port, listening as Michael shared the latest titillating report of ridiculous bets at White’s, including one regarding when the Countess of Winchester would give her husband a child.
Snorting at the implication, he sipped his drink, unable to offer any idea as to when that would be happening.
After all, his wife had only recently recovered and, yes, they had been spending some long nights making up for lost time, but that was no one’s business.
“Those betting books are dreadful,” Perry scowled. “They’ll bet about anything.”
Beau cleared his throat. “I heard a man dropped into a faint in front of the club, and instead of offering him any kind of aid, members were betting as to whether the man was dead or simply unconscious.”
Michael laughed into his fist, choking on his mirth.
Perry shook his head as she chuckled. “They are terrible people. I should place a bet on when the Duke of Bridgewater will be celebrating his own nuptials. Won’t be long now, I imagine.”
“You would lose that bet,” Beau commented, his face growing serious.
The two other men stilled.
Perry coughed. “Pardon me?”
Michael eyed Beau with a raised brow and an unspoken message passing between them. Narrowing his gaze, Perry glanced between them, irritated to be excluded from this silent conversation.
With a huff, Beau placed his glass on a side table and interlocked his fingers in front of him to hang between his knees.
“I have news,” he began. His shoulders slumped and he frowned.
“Tell me,” Perry insisted. Surely he hadn’t been too busy lately for his brother to confide in him? The thought chagrined him.
Rubbing a hand over his brow, Beau released a breath. “Sarah has called off our engagement.”
“How have I not heard this?”
Beau glanced at Michael. “Our friend here heard a rumor and, well, I confronted my fiancée. She denied it at first, and I was relieved.”
Tilting his head, Perry’s mouth tilted to the side. “But…”
His brother lifted his glass, swallowing a mouthful of his drink.
“There were reports that Sarah eloped to Gretna Green shortly after Beau confronted her,” Michael explained. “Apparently, she had been quite taken with another gentleman, and he sped her away to be married without the consent of her family.”
His brows drawing in concern, Perry mulled over the words. “The wedding is off, then?”
“The wedding is off,” Beau confirmed with a solemn nod, the words stilted. “I didn’t want to tell you while Charlotte was recovering. You had enough to worry about. I’m sorry to disappoint the ton. Apparently, we Spencer brothers love a good scandal.”
Staring into the ruby liquid swirling in his glass, Perry glowered.
Michael cleared his throat. “Erm, I have news as well. You remember the man I sent in pursuit of Mr. Jeffries?”
Perry turned to the viscount, holding his breath. “Yes? Has he been caught?”
“In a way, yes. Mr. Jeffries was caught trying to sell his stolen goods, and apparently, he was robbed by some local criminals in a port town not far from Bodmin. His body was found in a back alley. All your stolen funds and silver were nowhere to be found. My agent confirmed the story with three different locals. The dead man fit Mr. Jeffries’s descriptions perfectly. ”
Even though it provided a conclusion to the mystery at Bodmin, Perry was unsatisfied with that outcome. He would have loved to see the criminal brought to justice. Mr. Jeffries deserved to pay for his crimes. The only consolation was that he would no longer be able to harm anyone else.
“I’m beginning to think we are cursed, the way scandal seems to follow us around,” Perry complained. “Please, let us refill our glasses and discuss how our family will recover. I’m sorry for the loss of your bride, Beau.”
The duke shrugged, bringing his glass close to the bottle, where Michael was pouring. Of course, Perry was just out of trouble and now tongues were wagging about the situation involving his brother.
Perry considered, digging his top teeth into his bottom lip.
Sometimes, a scandal was necessary to set you on the path of your destiny.
He released a slow breath. “It’s for the best. Though it seems a tragedy at the moment, sometimes life leads you on a better path than you ever thought possible. I took a bullet and look where it got me? Into the arms of my beloved countess.”
His brother’s broody eyes rediscovered their humorous glint and a smile teased at his mouth.
“I can’t imagine a more hazardous road than the one you took to your destiny, brother,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ll be looking for a more sedate experience when seeking a wife. No scandal and certainly no dramatics.” He waved a hand dismissively.
Perry raised his glass and nodded at the two men.
He hoped his brother got everything he desired.