Gentle readers, you’ll not believe this tale!
Our own Damp Squib snagged the Northumberland Nemesis.
A new terror runs amok in the ton.
The Scourge of Society—known as the dullard Duke of Ferr-Colby—fails again. His latest offers of marriage have been soundly rebuffed by a flurry of furious London debutantes.
Perhaps he should haunt new hunting grounds. A cemetery does offer a captive audience!
Always and faithful in our reporting,
The Midnight Cryer
Three months later
London
Will and Thea had finally arrived at Langham House. After having the banns read three times in the local village church, they’d married in Northumberland. All of Ladykyrk and Payne Manor’s tenants attended, along with the entire Cavensham family. However, Will’s mother wanted a special wedding breakfast in Langham Hall when they arrived back to town for Thea’s investiture as the new Countess of Eanruig. The Committee for Privileges had ruled quickly in her favor once they saw the charter, then recommended that the attorney general inform the Prince Regent.
They were also in town for Will’s investitures as a baron.
In the past three months, Aunt Stella had been extremely busy. She convinced the Prince Regent to recreate her darling Payne’s title of baron and give it to Will. In return, Stella would forgive the monstrous gambling debt Prinny owed her. Will would now be called Lord Cavensham. Of course, his darling wife, would still be called Lady Eanruig.
Will had also been as busy. He’d fed The Midnight Cryer all the lurid details of the Duke of Ferr-Colby’s deception against Thea. Will almost—but not quite—felt sorry for the duke. The Cryer hounded Ferr-Colby daily. Word had it that a bevy of marriageable heiresses had snubbed him repeatedly. This week, his fifth marriage proposal had been refused, just like the other four.
Will sat in his usual spot at the Langham Hall dining room table. He rested his arm on the back of Thea’s chair. He stole a kiss from his bride in front of all his family—correction, all of his and Thea’s family and friends. “Are you happy?”
The brilliant smile on her face made him fall in love with her all over again. “Can’t you tell?”
“Just making certain.” Underneath the table, he held her hand. Craving to touch her, he trailed his thumb gently over her knuckles. “I love you so,” he whispered.
“And I love you,” she said.
Claire sat to Thea’s right and asked her a question. While his darling wife spoke to his cousin and Pembrooke, Will’s gaze trailed down the table. All their family were in attendance, including several of Will’s friends. Grayson was seated next to his mother, and Devan was sitting across the table from them with Avalon on his right and Aunt Stella and Lady Edith to his left.
Thea had specifically asked his mother if Avalon and her little sister, Lady Sophia Cavensham, could attend since they had no family except for themselves. That was another reason why he loved his wife dearly. She didn’t hold grudges and could see when people were hurting. She was truly magnificent in every way.
When she returned her attention to him, he raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss against her soft skin. “I think we need to see how your slippers are faring in our bedroom. Not only do I take great care of your shoes, but I give you great care.”
“Hush, you rogue,” she murmured.
“If I recall correctly”—he lifted a brow—“I gave you great care three times last night.”
“If you keep talking like that, someone might overhear. Your family—”
“They’re yours too,” he interrupted.
“And I thank you every day for such a special gift.” Her mystical eyes flashed.
“I adore the way you thank me with great care, I might add.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“They’ll think we’re acting like field rabbits.” Her tone may have hinted at chastisement, but the smile on her face belied any real disapproval.
Thus encouraging him to continue. Will lifted an eyebrow. He leaned close, then rubbed his lips against her ear. “They’ll discover we do act like field rabbits when we tell my parents that you’re carrying their next grandchild.”
All of a sudden, Avalon whipped her head to Devan. “What did you call me?”
Though she whispered, Will could hear the ire in her voice.
Devan took another sip of champagne, then in a nonchalant manner, turned her way. “I called you ‘Lady War-Wick.’”
“Spare us, Mr. Farris, your sanctimonious, not to mention smug, attitude.” Avalon rolled her eyes.
“A poetess in our midst,” Devan mocked with a wicked smile.
“I heard it, loud and clear, you pious prig,” Avalon hissed.
Thea’s eyes widened. “Should we do something? They’re getting quite heated.”
Before Will could answer, Avalon continued, but lowered her voice even more, “You called me ‘Lady Warlock.’”
With raised eyebrows, Stella looked across the table at Thea and Will. “Did you hear the good news? Mr. Spare Us, I mean, Mr. Farris, has been assigned to the Warwick Hall parish.”
Avalon’s eyes grew as round as the breakfast plates in front of them. “No,” she whispered to herself.
“All your dreams are coming true, my lady,” Devan soothed. “I’ll be right next door to you. Perhaps you have a friend or two you could introduce me to. I’m still looking for an heiress.”
Avalon’s hand skated to her stomach. “You’re vulgar.”
Devan caught Will’s gaze and winked. “And entertaining, my lady.”
Lady Edith chimed, “Perhaps there will be wedding bells.”
“A match made in heaven.” Stella chortled. “Or hell.”
Before Will could intervene in the squabble between Avalon and Devan, his father stood with a raised glass by Will’s mother. The guests immediately quieted down.
“Everyone, please join me and my duchess in welcoming our daughter-in-law and son as they celebrate their marriage with us today.” Holding Will’s mother’s hand, the duke tilted his head slightly with a smile that spoke of love. “I’ve borrowed a few words from Shakespeare and added a few of my own for our celebration. Thea and Will, we wish you both all the joy and love you can wish.”
After the hear, hears and huzzahs subsided around the table, Thea gracefully stood and lifted her glass to his parents. Her gaze caught his, and Will’s heart fell in somersaults. It was always that way when her face softened with love for him.
He once thought he was the luckiest man in all of England. He was wrong.
He was the luckiest man in the world.
With her glass raised, Thea took Will’s hand—her husband’s hand—the hand of the father of her children. At that thought, her eyes grew misty, but she refused to allow her tears to interrupt their celebrations. Will gently squeezed her hand in encouragement.
“Your Grace.” She nodded at Will’s mother. “And Your Grace.” She nodded at Will’s father. “You fell in love with my husband first. You held him first. You protected his heart first. For all of that, I’m forever grateful. I pledge to you this day that my life and my love are dedicated to your son forever.”
Several of the guests dabbed at their eyes, but Thea was determined to finish her toast. She’d been working on it in private for the last two days.
She cleared her throat while tamping down the tears that threatened to fall. “I’ve always believed in fairy tales, but someone wise once said, ‘Be careful what you wish for.’ I took that lesson to heart. I was very, very careful what I wished for. And my wish was granted.”
Will brought her hand to his lips, and his strength allowed her to continue.
“Thank you for being the most wonderful parents I’ve ever known.” Finally, she turned to Will with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. “Because of you, I found my fairy tale.”
As the guests erupted in another round of cheers and well wishes, William stood and they toasted each other.
“Because of you,” he whispered, “we both found our fairy tale. I promise to love and cherish you. And a Cavensham never breaks a promise. When we find love it’s completely, decidedly, and forever.”