EPILOGUE
‘So, here’s to the last night of The Rakes Club.’ Aaron raised his whiskey glass from the armchair closest to the fire.
‘To the last night.’ Lizzy raised her glass from where she sat on Aaron’s lap.
‘To the last night,’ echoed Richard, Drew, Kitty and Grace.
‘I’m well impressed that you managed to find someone prepared to take a lease rather than having to go to sale. Money coming in and we hold the assert.’ Drew sipped his whiskey as he stroked one of Kitty’s bare feet which rested in his lap.
‘Indeed,’ added Richard. ‘How did this mysterious lessee even know the premises was available?’
‘I have my ways,’ Aaron teased.
‘You most certainly do,’ Lizzy whispered in his ear and wriggled provocatively in his lap.
‘Here’s to the ladies who cured three inveterate rakes of their fiendish ways.’ Kitty made her own toast.
‘To the ladies,’ the men echoed.
‘I had my doubts you would find someone to take on the house, considering its reputation,’ Richard continued. ‘Job well done, Aaron.’
‘Thank you, gentlemen. Ladies. I will take full credit.’ Aaron doffed an imaginary hat. ‘We have all enjoyed memorable times here. Rest assured that will continue to be the case.’
Kitty recognized the glint in her husband’s eyes.
‘You haven’t found another rake in need of a discreet abode?’
‘Not exactly.’ He gave nothing away, enjoying teasing his friends. Not even Lizzy was privy to the details he had put in place.
‘I am tired of this guessing game and yours.’ Lizzy slid off Aaron’s lap, going to sit next to Grace to discuss the first garden party she would be holding at Branston Hall. She had found an unexpected interest in plants and horticulture and was looking forward to making the hall renowned for its gardens. She had taken to rural life with gusto, they both had, and visits to the city like this were a rare occurrence.
The hum of quiet conversation was broken by the sound of the back door slamming shut.
‘I thought Mrs Moreton had gone,’ Richard moved to investigate. ‘Doesn’t she usually lock the door behind her?’
‘Sit, sit,’ Aaron waved his hand. Richard sat, his eyes wary.
‘Come along, Felix. I don’t have all day,’ a familiar female voice came closer, and the group of friends all looked towards the open door.
A moment later Caro came into view, all but dragging a young man by the hand. A very handsome young man. She paid the group no heed, but he gave the group a bewildered look as they passed the open door and headed for the staircase.
‘Caro is our tenant?’ Lizzy stated the obvious.
‘Indeed,’ Aaron confirmed. ‘It was her idea. Once she knew I was no longer coming here…she still has…her needs. It suits her very well to just continue coming here.’
‘She didn’t waste any time replacing you.’ Drew got up, moving to close the door.
Lizzy was well aware of the woman’s involvement with Aaron, and she held no bad feelings. It was Aaron’s very reputation with women like Caro that brought her to him in the first place. This was the Rakes Club after all.
Or was until tomorrow morning.
Lizzy sidled onto Aaron’s lap again, winding her arms around his neck and whispered into his ear.
‘Minx,’ he whispered back, standing up with her in his arms and heading for the door.
THE END
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