Epilogue
The Morning Gazette
DUKE OF PAISLEY ARRAIGNED—TRIAL OF A PEER FOR VILE OFFENSES
It is with no small sense of public relief that we report the conclusion of proceedings against Richard, Duke of Paisley, whose name has long been whispered in connection with certain lamentable scandals which have, for some years past, shocked the sensibilities of polite society.
The present charge—of the forcible abduction of a gentlewoman of high rank—was brought after a series of accusations had been quietly suppressed by powerful friends.
Many will recall that, some seasons ago, the duke was rumored to have been implicated in the ruin of a young debutante, the matter being hushed at the time for the sake of her family.
It seems, however, that such leniency emboldened rather than reformed him.
The recent affair began when the lady in question (whose name we forbear to print) was discovered to be missing from her family’s seat under mysterious circumstances.
Within a week, she was recovered—shaken, but mercifully unharmed—through the prompt and resolute action of her betrothed, aided by several gentlemen of unimpeachable honor.
The duke, apprehended in the act of conveying her to a remote location, was conveyed under guard to London.
At the trial, evidence was produced not only of this most recent outrage, but of a pattern of behavior so infamous that the assembled peers could scarcely bring themselves to hear it recounted.
After deliberation, the duke was found guilty and sentenced to perpetual exile from the realm, his remaining estates placed in trust, and his titles suspended.
It is said that His Grace departed under escort, showing no contrition for his actions, and vowing to “return in triumph.” Society may rest assured that His Majesty’s ministers have made such a return impossible.
In happier news, we are pleased to add that Lord S——, whose courage in the matter has been widely commended, is now enjoying domestic felicity with his wife, the former Miss M——, who is shortly to present him with an heir.
Those who saw the couple at a recent gathering observed that his lordship kept her so close at his side that one might suppose he feared she might vanish should he so much as release her hand.
Maddie set the Morning Gazette aside, the pages crackling faintly in her hands. The bold headline about the Duke of Paisley’s exile stared up at her like a final line drawn through his name. She let the satisfaction bloom fully this time, no reason to hide it.
“Well,” she said, smoothing her skirts with deliberate calm, “that serves him right.”
Sebastian, lounging at her side with a watchfulness that hadn’t diminished since the day they’d kissed, arched a brow.
“Not worth another thought now,” he murmured, though the way his thumb brushed over her knuckles made her suspect he’d been keeping one eye on her reaction since the moment she opened the paper.
Across the room, sunlight streamed over Ashley, who had her son balanced on her lap.
The baby gurgled—a happy, bubbling sound—and clapped his little hands, the picture of innocent delight.
Maddie watched as Thomas leaned in, his expression softened to something utterly unguarded and made a face that had the child shrieking with laughter.
It was hard to say which of them he adored more—Ashley or their boy—but if Maddie were forced to guess, she might call it an even match.
They were already debating which new foal in the stables should be gentled for their son—Ashley naming the sweet-tempered bay filly, Thomas insisting the spirited gray colt would build character.
In the far corner, Sera sat close beside Prince Alex, their heads bent together over a book spread wide between them.
Maddie caught the low murmur of Sera’s voice, her lips shaping careful syllables in Romanian.
Alex corrected her pronunciation with a quiet patience that spoke volumes of his devotion to her, his hand resting over hers on the page.
“By the next time we’re in Transylvania,” Sera said with a little lift to her chin, “I’ll be able to greet everyone in their own tongue.
” Maddie smiled, certain that the next visit to Bran Castle would be for the baptism of their first child—Sera had that luminous look about her.
By the hearth, Charlene and Rotheworth were in the midst of an animated discussion over a map of Spain spread across the table.
“Do we have to bring your mother?” Charlene asked, one brow raised in mock challenge. Maddie laughed at the faint horror on Rotheworth’s face before he tried for diplomacy.
“You and she are on better terms now,” he said, with the air of a man hoping to keep the peace. “A few grandchildren and she’ll be singing your praises to the skies.” Charlene snorted softly, but there was a glint of affection in her eyes when she looked at him.
Sebastian leaned toward Maddie, close enough that his breath stirred a wisp of hair at her temple. “Is the baby kicking again?” he asked, his voice gentled to something meant for her alone.
She caught his hand and drew it to her belly, covering it with her own. A moment later, the tiny thump came—a firm, certain little movement—and his breath hitched. His eyes softened, the corners crinkling in a way that melted her right down to her bones.
“That,” he said quietly, “is the sound of our forever beginning.”
Her heart clenched, full and unguarded. She thought of Paisley’s smugness, now half a world away, powerless and forgotten. Instead, she focused on the man beside her—one who would stand between her and every storm, without hesitation, without condition.
As long as there were men like Sebastian in the world, she would never—could never—understand someone like Paisley. If fate hadn’t brought her to him, she’d have chosen spinsterhood a hundred times over.
She leaned into his side, letting herself savor the warm hum of voices, the soft gurgle of Ashley’s baby, the rustle of Sera’s turning pages, the low chuckle from Rotheworth. Love, laughter, and a future stretching bright before them all.
And when Sebastian’s fingers tightened just slightly over hers, as if he meant to hold on for a lifetime, Maddie knew she would let him.
*
Thank you for reading the Wedding Fever series.