Page 21 of Hearts at Home

EPILOGUE

M atilda and Eugenie were waiting for Charis in the foyer to the Upper Assembly Rooms and flew to greet her as soon as she and Eric arrived.

“Cas, you look lovely.” Matilda stood on tip toes to kiss Eric’s cheek in a breach of protocol that would have sent Miss. Middleton into a deep swoon. “You look lovely, too, my lord.”

Eric presented his other cheek for Eugenie’s kiss, his eyes sparkling. “As do the pair of you.”

Matilda twirled. “The shawls you gave us are very becoming, Lord Wayford.”

“Never mind that,” Eugenie scolded. “Cas, how are you? We haven’t seen you for two whole days! We feared you would not attend the Valentine’s Day Ball until Lord Wayford sent a message to say you would be meeting us here.”

Charis blushed, well aware of the curious looks from others in the foyer. “I am well.” More than well. Since she and Eric had made their vows two mornings ago at the church known as St Michael’s Without, she had discovered what Eric meant by ‘other things’. So much so, that they had not left the house and scarcely left their bedchamber.

Eric, the rogue, winked, well aware of the reason for her blush. “Dear sisters, you cannot think I would miss the chance to waltz with my wife, especially at a ball dedicated to lovers. We are late enough to make a grand entrance.”

“No doubt,” Mr. Taverton—Phillip—said, coming up to their little group. “I suspect the whole assemblage is waiting to see the Earl of Wayford with his new countess.”

Eugenie turned up her nose. “I hope you did not mean to surprise anyone. Mother has told everyone of her acquaintance.”

Charis had expected that. Eric had insisted on keeping the betrothal secret while he dealt with his own mother. Mother had been near to bursting with the news for the whole three days before the wedding. It took two of those days for Eric and Phillip to arrange matters. In that time, Lady Wayford was able to steal the carefully planned contents of the safe, escape the house, and take a ship from Brighton, bound for the Continent.

“I can hardly prosecute my own mother,” Eric pointed out to Charis and Phillip, “and I’m the last person to lock someone away at a country manor. This way is better for everyone.”

Eric, bless him, had also found a solution to her own mother. She would move to the Wayford townhouse when the lease Eric had renewed ran out on the townhouse Lady Wayford had organized for them. Living in Bath would suit her very well, and the twins and Phoebe, too, though the girls would also spend time with Eric and Charis in London or on one of their five (five!) estates.

“Her ladyship is wool-gathering again,” Matilda observed.

Eric lifted one of her gloved hands to his lips. “My lady has a great deal on her mind.” The wicked look in his eyes suggested a whole new train of thought and prompted another blush.

“May I escort you in, Miss Fishingham, Miss Matilda?” Phillip winged an arm at each of the twins, and they led the way to the ballroom. Eric raised Charis’s hand and escorted her in their wake. On either side, the bystanders fell back.

She paced forward at Eric’s side, ignoring both the admiring whispers and those less pleasant. The word ‘beast’ made its way to her ears and had her pressing her husband’s fingers so as not to turn around and scratch the speaker’s eyes out.

As they paused to be announced, Eric returned the pressure, gifting her with a warm smile. People were already taking their places for the waltz, and Eric led her straight onto the floor. In moments, they were dancing, almost flying, Charis felt so light in Eric’s arms. Beast, indeed. How dare they?

“Don’t let it worry you, wife,” Eric said. “I’ve been called worse than ‘beast.’ Beasts are honest creatures and kind according to their natures. Look at Ugo!”

That was true. Charis grinned at her husband, the shadow of the insult lifting as if it had never been. “A truer gentleman I have never met,” she acknowledged, then paused for a beat and added, “bar one.”

Eric swept her in another turn, pulling her closer as he did. “I bless the day I returned to Beastwood Hall, amore Mio .”

“And I bless the day I found my way through the wood,” she replied, “to fall in love all over again with the beast next door.”

THE END