Epilogue
Epilogue
Lady Weatherby’s Annual Garden Party and Poetry Recital
“I know you consider this a duty, Persephone, but why you think we must subject ourselves to this torture year after year is beyond me. You know it will not get any better and the crowd is getting larger. If people don’t soon come to their senses, Lady Weatherby will be forced to hold her poetry recital in a larger venue.” Lady Catherine Shelbourne, Duchess of Leicester said with a cheeky grin as she addressed her sister-in-law. “Can you imagine Lady Weatherby at the Royal Opera House?”
Persephone merely rolled her eyes at Catherine’s comment. It was something she heard every year, so she was familiar with her sister-in-law’s feelings about attending the dreaded garden party.
“It is one of the first events of the season. We are expected to attend…. all of us.” She pointedly looked at the other women in their group. “Besides, this is Sophie’s first time attending as the new Duchess of Kenworth. We must be here to support her.” She gave Sophie a smile they were all familiar with. Persephone always did have a way of making everyone feel at ease.
Abigail, Duchess of Stafford narrowed her eyes just a bit when Lady Weatherby came to stand at the front of the garden about to ask her guests to take their seats so they could begin. “I think Sophie should be granted a pass. She only gave birth a little over a month ago and should not be expected to endure Lady Weatherby’s cackling voice as she belts out another terrible sonnet.”
Sophie blushed and smiled sweetly at the mention of the son she had just given birth to. “You are beginning to sound like Benedict. I had to practically force him to come to London for the season. After the birth, he thought I should remain abed for weeks, and if I had to stay confined inside Kenworth Park while all of you were enjoying the London season, I would go mad.”
Bella laughed softly. “I told you he would be protective of you when you were with child, as if he wasn’t already overprotective.”
“They all are, it can be rather trying at times. But I must admit, I like the fact that Ian is so attentive to me,” Emma the Duchess of Sunbridge stated as they all took their seats.
Catherine huffed out a long slow breath in resignation as she sat beside her Persephone. “I wish Michael would swoop in and rescue me now. But none of them are brave enough to suffer through this.”
Even as the words left her mouth, Lady Weatherby began belting out a new sonnet, one that may be the worst ever. The duchesses were not the only members of the audience that groaned in disapproval.
Sophie squinched up her nose as she resisted the urge to cover her ears. “I know all of you warned me, but really this is too much. Has anyone ever thought to coach her on her poetry writing? I mean, where is Lord Byron when you need him? And I agree with Catherine, I would not be opposed to Benedict coming to my rescue at this moment.”
Persephone cleared her throat and pressed a finger to her lips as Lady Weatherby sent a scathing look in their direction before beginning another sonnet. “You are being unfair ladies, if I remember correctly, I think all of them have made appearances at one time or another.”
Bella elbowed Sophie softly in her side. “It looks as if at least one gentleman is brave enough to attend. Look, it appears as if Lord Warrick has also returned to London.”
Sophie’s head jerked toward the direction Bella had indicated to see Lord Warrick walking over to stand on the edge beside the gardens. His eyes met hers briefly, and a soft sad smile played upon his lips before he bowed his head to her in acknowledgment. Sophie smiled sweetly then turned her attention back to Lady Weatherby.
“Lord Warrick is certainly the most handsome unmarried gentleman of the ton. I have heard that he cannot walk down the street for the ladies consistently dropping their handkerchiefs. Poor man will have an injured back if this keeps up,” Emma said as she opened her fan to glance at him.
“He is a very kind and gracious gentleman,” Sophie said in his defense. “I hope he does find the love he seeks.”
The other ladies all turned in her direction, but before they could comment, Emma changed the subject.
“Have you seen his brother? He is just as handsome as Lord Warrick, and I believe he is quite the rake. The scandal sheets are full of stories about him and his prowess with the ladies. He is definitely one we should keep an eye on.”
Catherine coughed loudly to cover up her laughter as Lady Weatherby spouted some nonsense about frogs and lily pads. “His sister is to have her first season this year. I believe she is nineteen years old. A bit old for a first season but she observed a year of mourning after the death of her father and then waited another year for Warrick to return from India. I have seen her in London. She is very beautiful and from what I hear, she is quite the handful as well. A lady after my own heart.”
Persephone grinned. “I hope she gives as good of a chase as you did when it comes time to find a husband. It will be quite entertaining to watch.”
“Speaking of husbands, what do you suppose ours are doing right now? When I mentioned coming here, Charles immediately said he had important plans today and would be unable to join me, not as if I expected him to,” Bella said as sighed heavily before the crowd erupted into applause at the close of Lady Weatherby’s sonnet.
“Ian said the same thing. I’m certain they are up to something.”
Abigail nodded as she agreed with her friend’s comment. “Cam said that he was meeting up with all of them. I imagine they are drinking quite a bit of brandy and telling embellished stories.”
“If I were taking a bet, I would say they were with Kingston at The Lair,” Persephone said with a grin as the crowd stood for a break. “Let’s go get some refreshments before it starts again and say a collective prayer that she doesn’t sing this year.”
Bella laughed. “Persephone, you are the one that usually never complains and the one that insists we attend each year.”
Persephone raised her chin a notch higher, looking very regal, every inch the powerful and influential duchess that she had become. “I might insist that we support Lady Weatherby, and I may see it as our duty as high-ranking members of the ton, but I am not deaf. Her singing would make anyone feel ill.”
Sophie stood and moved to follow the others, but she turned her head one more time to look in the direction of the Earl of Warrick, his eyes followed her. She smiled, as did he. When he began moving in her direction, she paused and allowed the other ladies to move on without her.
“Your grace, you are just as beautiful today as you were when I first saw you in Hyde Park well over a year ago. I hear congratulations are in order.”
Sophie blushed at his compliment and his mention of her child. “Thank you, Lord Warrick. I am glad to see you here in London. Perhaps I can meet your family this season.”
She couldn’t help but notice that his eyes seemed a bit sadder.
“Yes, Elizabeth will make her debut this season, and it is my duty to see that she finds a proper match.”
His voice had turned a bit more serious as he mentioned his duty to his family.
Sophie didn’t know what else to say to him. She felt as if she had broken his heart and that was the last thing she wanted to do. He had been kind and attentive at a most vulnerable time in her life, and she wished that he would find the same kind of happiness she shared with her husband.
“Sophie, are you coming?” Bella called from the area of the gardens where refreshments had been laid out for the guests.
She turned to see Bella waiting for her. “I must go.” She reached out and gently touched his hand, bringing his eyes back to hers. “Thank you, Ambrose, for your friendship. I will cherish it always.”
His posture stiffened at her touch, and he pulled his hand away from hers. “I wish you well, your grace.”
Sophie watched as he walked away and she sensed a change in him, a change that might not be for the best. She would never forget him and how kind he had been to her in the weeks following Benedict abandoning her in Brighton. If not for Lord Warrick and his honorable intentions, things might have turned out much differently. She would always think fondly of him and hoped that he would find a lady worthy of his kindness and affection in the upcoming season.
“Sophie?” Bella called again.
“Yes, I’m coming.” She turned and started walking to join her friends, feeling so happy and blessed that she had been brave enough to walk into Kingston’s Devil’s Lair that night and even more grateful for the arrangement Benedict had offered her.
The Devil’s Lair
The Lair was quiet. The usual sounds of boisterous laughter and noises from upstairs were not present, yet. It was only the six of them inside the luxurious apartments Kingston, now Duke of Kenworth, had at one time called home. Six of the most powerful men in London. Six of the biggest rakes and rogues London had ever seen. At one time they would have sat around this very room talking of their latest conquests or the pretty new opera singer or perhaps the latest mention of their exploits in the scandal rags, but that was over now. Today they sipped some of the finest brandy in London while they discussed topics that would have made their skin crawl a few years ago, topics such as their children, their wives, upcoming house parties they would attend, politics, and the House of Lords, not to mention other events of the season.
“When you mentioned that you would like for all of us to meet here this morning, I assume it was not because you wished to hear the latest gossip. Do you have a reason for wanting us all in the same room?” Charles, Duke of Avanley said as he refilled his glass of brandy.
“Yes, I was wondering the same thing, Kingston,” the Duke of Hawksford replied as he stood from his seat to take his place standing against the wall as if he were presiding over them.
Kingston sat down the decanter of brandy he held in his hand. “As you all know, I never expected to inherit my uncle’s title. I never expected to be Duke of Kenworth, but now that I am, I have come to fully realize how all-consuming the responsibility can be. I have even given thought of selling The Liar.” He watched as all of them sat up a bit at this declaration.
“Selling The Devil’s Lair seems a bit drastic. It’s a London institution,” Ian McDonough said as he leaned forward in his chair.
Camden Davenport took a long sip of his drink. “So much has happened in this very room. Talk of traitors, smugglers, and assassins are just a few of the more savory things we have discussed while watching Kingston line his pockets. I agree with McDonough, selling the Lair would be a treasonous act.”
“You may all rest easy. When I mentioned it to my wife, she was very much opposed to the idea. However, since I have married Sophie, I find myself reluctant to leave her in order to watch the tables night after night.”
Leicester leaned back in his chair and puffed on the cigar he was holding between his fingers. “How you managed to marry such a lovely creature as Sophie I will never know, Kingston.”
“I’m sure you were just as surprised as I when you convinced Catherine to marry you, especially after the things she heard you say about her,” Kingston replied in a teasing but firm tone of voice.
“She forgave me soon enough.”
“What is the reason you asked us here? If you are not selling The Lair, what did you wish to discuss with us?” Camden Davenport asked as he moved to stand against the wall next to Hawk.
Kingston took out some papers. “As I have said, the rigors of the dukedom can be rather taxing, and I find it difficult to manage my time between my ducal responsibilities, The Lair, and my wife. The latter receives most of my attention. So, I would like to offer each of you a partial ownership of The Lair. After all, it was your reputations that solidified the name and gave it the Devil’s Lair its illustrious reputation.”
“You want to give us partial ownership?” Hawk asked as he stepped away from the wall, clearly surprised by the revelation. “How would this work?”
“Well, there are six of us. We can share the responsibilities and split the profits. Sam will continue in his role here and can manage the table most nights, but if the ton knows we are in charge, it will reduce the chance of someone trying to take advantage.”
Charles gulped the remainder of his brandy and poured another glass. “The Lair is quite profitable, and you are willing to give that up?”
“I will share in the profits, but the duchy of Kenworth is profitable as well and my coffers were already overflowing before I became duke. With you sharing in the responsibility of the Lair, it will allow me to fulfill my duty to the dukedom and more importantly give me more time to spend with my wife.” His lips turned up in an evil grin and there was a wicked gleam in his eyes. “I only have one stipulation. My apartments are to remain mine. You may certainly use the sitting rooms while here, but the bedroom is off limits…except for my personal use.”
He saw his friends’ eyes narrow as the possibilities ran through their heads. “It is not so I can keep a mistress. Why would you even imagine I would want another woman when I have the most perfect wife at home? Sophie has developed a penchant for the artwork in the bedroom, particularly the ceiling.”
Charles laughed loudly. “I always did find the fresco the finest piece of art in London.”
Kingston couldn’t keep his grin from widening across his face. “So, you will accept?”
Charles nodded. “I accept. It will be interesting to be an owner of the Lair and not just the inspiration for it. I’m sure Bella will agree.”
Hawk stepped forward and offered his hand. “You have helped me on numerous occasions, including offering protection for my wife and sister. I gladly accept.”
Kingston looked at Leicester.
“I also owe you for helping my wife. I accept.”
“Camden, what about you?”
Davenport took a drink of brandy. “We have been through so much together. You helped me find the assassin who almost killed Abigail. You and I have been on many missions together through the war, and you offered me sanctuary when I was in London when I was still trying to keep my identity secret. I would be honored to own a piece of our history.”
“I don’t ken how much help I will be. Living in Scotland only allows me to come to London once during the season. Being Laird of the McDonough Clan holds a great deal of responsibility.” He stepped forward proudly wearing his kilt. “But Emma would be disappointed if I refused, and I don’t like disappointing the lass.”
“I understand your predicament.”
“It isn’t fair that I get the same percentage when I will only be in London two months out of the year. I will accept only if I receive a smaller portion.”
Kingston nodded. “I will have my solicitor draw up the paperwork. Now, shall we celebrate with another drink before the patrons arrive? Then I must make my presence known before I return to my wife.”
“We will all take a turnabout the gaming rooms and let everyone know we are united. Then we can talk of the future and how we will keep our sons from furthering the reputation of the Devil Dukes,” Hawk said as they moved toward the door.
“It’s not our sons that concern me. It’s our daughters. If they are anything like their mothers, we will definitely have our hands full,” Charles paused as if contemplating his words.
Kingston slapped him on the back. “Come now, how hard can raising daughters be?”
Five sets of eyes turned to him, and he had a sudden vision of a brown-haired little girl who looked just like Sophie, and he shuttered. “Never mind, I will simply pray that I have only sons.”
Later that night at Kenworth House
Benedict found his wife in the nursery cradling their newborn son. She was dressed in another beautiful ballgown. Her brown hair curled and pinned in an elegant coiffure with a dazzling diamond tiara. She was so lovely, and she amazed him more and more every day. She was a loving wife and a doting mother. She had fit into the role of Duchess of Kenworth with grace and style. The staff at all their residences loved and respected her and she was beginning to cement her place as a leading member of the ton.
He watched as she placed a kiss on the cheek of their son before handing him back to his nurse.
“If you would prefer to remain home tonight, I would have no objections.”
She turned at the sound of his voice. “And miss the opportunity to be seen in my new gown?”
She walked toward him, and he leaned close enough so that only she could hear. “I would rather not miss the opportunity to see you out of your new gown.” He loved that she still blushed when he whispered wicked words in her ear.
“How did your meeting go today? Were they receptive to your idea?”
He sighed heavily, realizing she was not going to let them miss the ball tonight and stay home in bed as he would prefer. “Yes, everyone was receptive. I did however insist upon one stipulation.”
She turned and tilted her head to the side. “A stipulation?”
With the long column of her neck exposed, he couldn’t resist pulling her to him and nibbling lightly on the spot just below her ear. “Yes, I insisted that the bedroom at The Lair remain exclusively for my use or rather our use.”
He watched as her cheeks pinkened, and her lips turned up in the most beautiful smile. “For our use?”
He wrapped his arm tighter around her waist. “Yes, our personal use.”
She put her hands against his chest and leaned close. Her lips were just a breath away from his. “Then we should arrive at the ball early so when we depart much sooner than expected people will not gossip as to the reason we are hurrying away.”
“Hurrying away? My dear duchess, what sort of wicked ideas do you have in mind?”
She pressed her lips lightly to his. “You will just have to wait until we arrive at The Lair to find out.” She then ran her tongue lightly over the seam of his lips.
Benedict growled deep in his chest. “We could forget the ball, forget the season, and all the damn gossips.”
She grinned before giving him a wink. “Now why would we do that? Most of the fun is in the anticipation.”
Benedict watched as his wife sashayed away and moved down the steps. His smile widened as he thought of all the wicked things he had planned for her that evening. Once he got her alone in their carriage, he would see how much she wanted to anticipate the evening. He hurried down the stairs after her eager to have her all to himself.