Chapter Twelve
The Season wound to its inevitable close.
Most of the important families had already or would soon abandon Town for house parties throughout the countryside before returning to their homes.
Odette’s family was no exception. Her belongings were packed and ready for placing in the traveling carriage.
Mother was frantically directing the servants’ efforts.
Odette stood outside Father’s library, waiting.
Mrs. Northrop was leaving London that day as well, but not with them.
She had another assignment, this time in the country.
While Odette suspected she would see Mrs. Northrop in Town in the Seasons to come, she would miss having her nearby.
She had come to value the lady’s straightforward, serene, calm approach to difficulties.
She had also discovered a kindness beneath her originally implacable demeanor.
After a time, the door opened. Mrs. Northrop stepped out. She seemed only slightly surprised to find Odette there waiting. “Good morning, Odette.”
“You are leaving.” She hadn’t intended to make such an abrupt declaration, but her mind had simply pushed the words out without softening them.
“It is time.” Mrs. Northrop never was one for sentimentality. “I did read the announcement in the Times last week. There is nothing left here for me to do.”
Odette kept pace with her as she walked along the corridor. “You needn’t remain as a matchmaker. You could simply be here as a friend.”
“As much as I would enjoy that—and I genuinely would—there is a young lady in Dorset who is in need of my help.”
Odette understood, but she was still disappointed. Perhaps she could yet convince her. “Dorset is not so very far from Somerset. You might at least make part of the journey with us, then visit for a time.”
Mrs. Northrop shook her head. “When it is time for me to leave, I must do so. I have found it best.”
“Is that your third rule?” Odette asked with a smile.
“It is.”
She had not been expecting that.
“My third and final rule: arrive when I am needed and leave when it is time.”
They had reached the landing of the grand staircase, affording a view of the entryway beneath.
Mrs. Northrop motioned to the space below. “Your sweetheart is here, no doubt to bid you farewell until he, too, returns home.”
Odette hesitated. “You mean to leave immediately, don’t you?”
“I do.”
She gave in to the impulse and gave the often-prickly matchmaker a hug of sincere gratitude. “Thank you for everything, Mrs. Northrop. Please come see us in Somerset.”
The embrace was returned gently and kindly. “You are most welcome, Odette. Now, off with you. If you wish to offer your dear one a kiss, now is your best opportunity. No one will be watching.”
Odette slipped down the stairs to where Jack waited. Encouraged by Mrs. Northrop’s light teasing, she threw her arms about him and buried herself in his arms. He held her tenderly but firmly.
He kept his arms around her as Mrs. Northrop passed. “Thank you, again,” he said to the matchmaker. “We would have had no hope of this happy ending without you.”
Mrs. Northrop tipped her chin upward the tiniest fraction. “This, Mr. Hewitt, is not an ‘ending’ at all. This is a beginning. What comes next depends entirely on the two of you.”
Odette rested her head against Jack’s chest. “I intend to be very happy.”
“As do I,” Jack said.
Mrs. Northrop nodded decisively. “Very good. See to it that you each decide to be happy and to do all you can to contribute to the other’s happiness. I do not want to hear any different.”
Jack pressed a kiss to the top of Odette’s head. “‘Take all my loves, my love, yea, take them all.’”
“Poetry, Mr. Hewitt?” Mrs. Northrop shook her head. “You very nearly managed this entire thing without a single stanza.” She sighed. “I am sorely disappointed.”
Jack laughed lightly. “I cannot help myself.”
“It seems the young gentlemen never can.” Mrs. Northrop turned and stepped through the open front door. Odette would miss her deeply. And she would forever think of the dear woman with deep, abiding gratitude.
“I love you, Jack.” She knew how very fortunate she was to finally be allowed to acknowledge her love openly.
“And I love you, my dearest Odette.”
***
Adelaide made herself as comfortable as possible in the traveling coach provided by the Brockton family for her journey to Dorset.
She set on her lap the portable writing desk that had made these journeys with her the past five years.
Inside its hinged compartment were the details of her next assignment.
She did not open it immediately but took a moment to watch the sights and listen to the sounds of London disappearing behind her.
She had managed to help secure the futures of four people these past weeks, a fact she hoped Mr. Goddard noticed when he read the announcements in the copy of the Times she had sent him in Bath.
She had renewed friendly associations. She had even met a few people who might very well benefit from her assistance in the years to come.
By all standards, this assignment had proven an unmitigated success. She looked forward to hearing how Odette and Jack, and Mr. Lexington and Miss Summerfield were getting on in life. Her correspondence was extensive and frequent. She loved it. She absolutely loved it.
It was time once again for her to take up the mantle of matchmaker and do what she could to guide a young lady toward a happier future than she currently anticipated. As always, she was tremendously excited.
She opened her portable desk and pulled out the sheets of paper topmost on the pile inside. Snapping the lid shut once more, she set the parchment atop it. She straightened the papers and tipped the desk a bit toward the light spilling in through the carriage window.
“Miss Brockton,” she said, eying the list of information, “let us see what kind of challenge you have for me.”