Epilogue
The banns were read for the first time loudly and proudly by the reverend Mr. Frederick Morton on the Sunday following Gilbert’s proposal.
The entire congregation expressed their approval of the match, with hearty congratulations flowing forth to the couple, who seemed unable to stop smiling or holding each other’s hand.
Lavinia was only a bit disappointed when the news of the engagement was first shared at Clayton House, but soon accepted the match as a sensible one.
As she told Miles later, it was only her foolish dream that Gilbert and their cousin, Selina, might form an attachment.
And, even if Miss Slade were not quite of their class, Lavinia had to agree she had a pleasing personality, good manners, and would in no way ever bring disgrace to the Kendall name.
Her wealth was also very helpful, she felt.
Dorothea was less than pleased with the match, but resigned herself to it, happy in the knowledge that her brother would have plenty of money and had, at long last, found his true path in life.
She would often tease Gilbert in the years to come about how lucky he was to have found a useful sort of life, as he truly would have made a wretched man of the cloth.
Gilbert and Nancy were wed in December as a light snow fell on Clayton Parish church.
The day after the wedding, they traveled to town to attend the wedding of Mr. Carter Milbourn and Miss Mary Landry.
Following that happy event, both couples spent a month together in Italy, courtesy of the Landrys and Mr. Slade, where they toured the grand cities and cathedrals and became fast friends.
Indeed, Nancy and Mary became as close as sisters and overcame the distance of their respective homes with long and frequent letters.
As for Charles Kirkpatrick, he learned the truth of the old adage: Marry in haste and repent in leisure.
His beautiful wife, so elegant, thin, and soft spoken during the Season, seemed to relax her high standards once she had secured the future duke and soon became overly plump and excessively shrill.
Bored in the Staffordshire countryside, she filled her days with food and gossip.
Kirkpatrick’s one consolation was the son she eventually bore him, after which she left his bed, saying she would not risk the agonies of giving birth again for all the money in the world.
Little Dickie recovered fully from his illness, leaving Lavinia and Miles grateful and hopeful that God would bless them with another child. In the meantime, Charlotte brought little William to Clayton Manor often, so that the cousins might know and love each other almost as brothers.
And Evan Kendall was simply thankful that his family was healthy, happy, and life might continue on in its usual and satisfactory manner. He was also grateful that, with all his children now married, there would be no future Seasons for the Kendall family.
The End