Epilogue
It soon became clear to Edward why Howard had been so keen to promote his marriage to Lucy, and what a lucky escape he had.
After the Earl of Duxbury had been obliged to file for bankruptcy, which he didn't obviously wish to do since this could also mean facing a stay in the local debtor's prison.
Along with the likelihood of his honour, and reputation, being tarnished irrevocably.
It occurred to Edward that once again he had a lot to thank his mother for.
The outcome of all this, and three weeks ago on the morning he had proposed to Sophia, was down to the Duchess' insistence all along that he should marry for love.
All the little hints she had dropped about Lucy not being the one for him, but Sophia would be once they had met her.
Whilst Howard had presumably been hoping that Edward would settle his debts after he was betrothed to Lucy, to avoid being associated with a scandal which his future father-in-law had unbeknownst to him been about to bring to his door.
Lady Amelia and Lucy were obviously distraught by their change in circumstances, since it meant that they would find it difficult to take part in polite society again, due to the reaction of the ton to the Earl's disgrace.
Needless to say they were also desperately worried about their future prospects.
Neither of them had any money of their own or had worked in the past. Nor could they as yet countenance taking on a paid position as a governess or ladies' companion, as Sophia had done.
In Lucy's mind there also remained a sense of disbelief that Edward had preferred a servant to her.
Ned kept his promise to Sophia that she would never have anything to be afraid of again, especially not from her older brother.
Although Owen never once complained or divulged exactly what had happened after she left London, he did discuss it with the Duke on the understanding that it wasn't to reach his sister's ears.
Admitting only that he had suffered considerably at Lucas' hands, especially after Lucas' return from Yorkshire.
Fortunately Sophia had shared her fear with Edward that this might well be the case, and he informed his future brother-in-law as quickly as he could that he was able to offer him an excellent position in his own business.
Edward and he soon became the best of friends.
This also ensured that Owen had the prospect of becoming a wealthy man in his own right, so could marry for love.
Instead of having to pursue the more humble career Lucas had in mind for him at a country parsonage, where his prospects remained uncertain.
Hannah and Owen became regular visitors to the old dower house which was on the Carlfield estate.
Sophia had moved into it temporarily until Ned and her were married, and she had been accompanied by Effie.
Then Amy, after Edward arranged for her fare to be paid, and she had travelled to them from London.
She would be employed initially as a house maid with two of the others from the big house, as it was known by the servants, then train alongside Effie to be a lady's maid.
If she wished to return to London after that to be close to her family again the Duke said that he would pay her return fare, and do his best to secure employment for her which would be much better than her earlier position in Lucas' house.
This was after Sophia told him how Amy had helped her to escape, and before that whenever she could, so Ned felt indebted to her.
However, as soon as he saw how much Sophia valued her friendship with the maid and learned that Amy had given her own mother's address as a place where she might hide when both of them had been afraid of repercussions from Lucas and his vile temper, Edward extended his initial offer to her brothers.
They would also have employment in his business, if they wished to.
Enabling the whole family to relocate to Carlfield.
One of the tenants' cottages had recently become vacant.
It would be theirs if they wanted it, and they did.
Unable to believe the unexpected kindness which the Duke of Carlfield had extended to their sister, and themselves.
Neither Edward nor Owen knew exactly what transpired with Lord Dilley after Sophia announced that she was twenty-one so free of Lucas' guardianship, and Edward had told him quite categorically that he intended to marry her.
Except that Lord Dilley had left for the continent not long after Lucas returned to London.
Two men had apparently set upon Lucas a few nights later on the banks of the Thames.
It was foggy, and he was trying to stop them from stealing his money.
It seemed that he had fallen backwards, and hit his head on a rock in the tussle which ensued. He died from the injuries he sustained.
As Lucas' surviving male heir Owen inherited his brother's considerable estate, and with Ned's assistance, he used part of his fortune to help the poor of the parish in London where they had lived.
He wished to give some of the money to his sister, but Ned didn't want Sophia to take it due to him having more than enough money to look after his mother and them.
Although they were grateful to Owen for the offer, and his belief that she should have part of the inheritance.
Since Lucas had stolen the money which Papa had left in trust for her and making her life much poorer than it should have been.
A few weeks later Edward and Sophia were married in an intimate ceremony, surrounded by close friends and family.
The small church in the south wing of Carlfield house was the perfect venue.
Being relatively private, and the place where most of his ancestors had been married.
Under Cynthia's direction the gardeners had gathered a multitude of flowers from around the estate, and the church was decorated beautifully with them.
Especially the roses Sophia loved, and which still reminded her of her mama.
Sophia told Cynthia and Edward that she thought it was like being married in a wonderful garden.
Whilst being under the watchful eye of his ancestors, as she walked through the house on Owen’s arm with Lady Cynthia.
After leaving her bedchamber and a tearful Florence and Effie, who were overwhelmed at being able to help her get ready in the finest wedding dress they had ever seen.
The seamstress and her assistant had worked many extra hours so that it would be finished on time.
Disappointing several of the ladies of the ton who had insisted that they wished to have new ball gowns made for them immediately.
Sophia was delighted to have Hannah and her parents at the ceremony.
The two young women were excited about being together again, especially in Sophia's bedchamber when she was putting on her wedding dress.
Hannah told her that she thought Edward was exceedingly handsome, a perfect gentleman, and was thrilled when she learned how he had dealt with Lucas.
Hannah admitted shyly then, that Owen and she had fallen in love.
Sophia said that it made the day even more perfect than she had thought it could be, as she hugged her best friend.
All of them attended a wedding breakfast hosted by Lady Cynthia, again at Carlfield house.
Sophia's belongings had been moved back to the big house earlier that morning by the footmen, where she would now be living as Edward's wife.
Lady Cynthia had initially said that she would live in the dower house after their marriage, but neither Sophia nor Edward had wanted that to happen.
She had become more forgetful, and frail.
Despite Ruth having returned as her companion, once her mother was fully recovered, they had no desire to see her leave them.
Ned and his mother had also by this time had a conversation about her meddling, and both agreed that in this instance the end had justified the means.
However the Duchess had taken the opportunity to remind him that it was her duty as his mama to ensure his future happiness, which he accepted graciously with a smile.
She had also stopped doing it once they were betrothed.
As she said herself she wished to be left to her own devices then, with Ruth's admirable assistance, raising funds to help the poor and needy.
However Lady Cynthia helped considerably in persuading the rather more reluctant ladies of the ton to accept her daughter-in-law.
Reminding them whenever the opportunity arose that she now had a title of her own, and had been presented to Queen Charlotte when she was a debutante.
Her Majesty hadn't taken issue with Sophia being a merchant's daughter, so why did they think they had the right to do so?
Mostly though, even the most belligerent of mamas couldn't fail to deny the love which shone in both Ned and Sophia's eyes when they looked at each other.
No one could deny the goodness in that, or suggest any impropriety.
Love had won the day! Also it had to be said, Lady Cynthia.
Whenever it was necessary for her to remind anyone of it she staunchly maintained that it was solely a family matter whom her son had married, and if she had given her approval to it following Queen Charlotte's example then no one had the right to object.
The ladies of the ton became grateful to receive an invitation to any of the balls, soirees, and other events she arranged jointly with Sophia.
Having soon discovered that being excluded from them was far worse than accepting Edward's new wife, who really was quite charming once you got to know her, and did of course have her own title now.
The gentlemen in their lives had also played an important part in persuading them that this truly was for the best since they wished to continue doing business with the Duke and Owen as well, who was about to marry Lady Hannah.