Page 100 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
Epilogue
On a rainy morning a few days later, Jane sat next to Shaldon in the front pew of the Bavarian Chapel on Warwick Street, her hand resting in his.
Her arm still ached from her wound, as did Shaldon’s shoulder from his injury.But after a day and a half of rest, Shaldon had stopped urging her to stay abed and had proclaimed that he himself was recovered enough to go out.
When he’d disappeared from their bedchamber to set his own plans in motion, she’d summoned Fox, Bakeley, and Lloyd, and finalized her own.
Today, Shaldon watched the proceedings impassively.
Or so everyone would think, everyone who didn’t know him as she did.His hooded eyes sparkled at the events transpiring, and one could almost discern excitement in the way he glanced once or twice at his timepiece.
When she squeezed his hand, his lips twitched.
A long prayer in Latin brought his attention back to the altar.Accompanied by close family and friends in this small private ceremony, Charley and Graciela received the blessings of the Roman Church upon their marriage, as well as those of Graciela’s father, Captain Kingsley.It had been the Captain’s only requirement for final approval of the union, one he insisted was necessary to honor his late wife.
No wedding breakfast followed,but later that evening, the family and close friends, plus a few carefully selected notable gossips of thetongathered for dinner at Shaldon House.The distant cousin who had performed Charley and Gracie’s Anglican wedding was present.Jane’s cousin, Lord Cheswick also joined them, appearing by himself, his wife claiming illness.Cheswick allowed the introduction to Quentin, and Jane was happy to see him speak cordially with her son.
In a rare lack of protocol, La Fanelle and Barton also sat down to dinner with them.Shaldon had invited them, in deference to Jane, and probably in part as a poke at his old friend, Kincaid.La Fanelle had wisely been seated down the table from the Scotsman.
When they reached the dessert course, Captain Kingsley toasted the bride and groom, and Charley spoke, and then each of his brothers.
And then Kincaid rose.
Jane gazed down the table where Shaldon sat and caught his eye.He sent her a rare public smile.
“To Charley and Graciela,” Kincaid said.“May the best you’ve ever seen, be the worst you’ll ever see.”Glasses clinked all around, but instead of sitting, Kincaid beckoned for more drinks to be poured.
“Now.”He cleared his throat.“We come to another matter.Lord Shaldon, ’tis said that a righteous heart makes a beautiful character and a harmonious home.And a harmonious home will give order to the nation, and that in turn, my friends, will make for a peaceful world.”
“Get on with it,” Shaldon said.
Kincaid grinned.“Aye, so I will.My friends, raise a cup to a righteous heart and a beautiful character who will bring peace to the Earl of Shaldon’s world.To Lady Jane Montfort, as of this afternoon, the new Countess of Shaldon.”
The warm gaze of her husband stretched the length of the table drawing all of her attention—though she was swimming in surprised congratulations and good wishes.A handkerchief was pressed into her hand.
Blast it, she was weeping.
And she must not.She had things to say.
She dabbed at her eyes and nodded to Lloyd.
Two footmen carried in an easel with a draped canvas and placed it near her.She stood and signaled everyone to remain seated.
Shaldon, of course, didn’t obey.While the footmen worked, he sauntered down the table to stand beside her, his eyes gleaming.
“I have another announcement,” she said.“And your duty, each of you here tonight, is to share this news far and wide.”
Lloyd brought a salver with a letter, presenting it to Shaldon.
He picked it up and raised an eyebrow.“It has been opened.”
“Of course,” she said.“You have a wife now, my lord.”
The guests burst into laughter.
“The King’s seal—broken” he said, clearing his throat and unfolding the paper with a flourish.He held it at arm’s length and studied the short message.
“What does the King say, Father?”Charley called out.“We are waiting with bated breath.”
