Page 11 of Miss Kimble Bites Back (Revenge of the Wallflowers #28)

EPILOGUE

Gabby sat impatiently in her new bedchamber, her fingers playing with the delicate fabric of her wedding gown. It was the day of her nuptials, and she was about to marry the man of her dreams.

She couldn t believe how lucky she was and how deeply she adored her future husband. Four months of courtship, longing glances, and a few precious, stolen hours where they had been completely alone with each other.

Gabby had lost her innocence to Sebastian the night their wedding date had been announced, and Sebastian had been the most attentive suitor ever since.

Tonight, they would be alone together all night long, and she could not wait. She would have Sebastian naked in his bed or in hers. And tomorrow, his would be the first face she saw.

As she waited for Bennett to come and fetch her to give her away, her mind wandered back to the day when she first met Sebastian. He d affected her from the start, but she had not realized what their relationship might become until many weeks had passed.

And now, they would be husband and wife. It was to be a small, private ceremony in his home, with only their closest friends and family in attendance. Cordelia had organized everything for their special day. Lady Windermere had provided Gabby s wedding gown, a trousseau, and information about how she might satisfy her husband and herself in their marriage bed.

Gabby had blushed through those entire conversations, because there were so many ways to pleasure a man or woman when they loved each other.

I can t wait to be a bride, Daisy said as she stood before the mirror in Gabby s new room, admiring her reflection in the full-length mirror.

To anyone in particular? Gabby asked, throwing her a teasing smile. Or just anyone brave enough to take you on?

I m still hopeful for a love match like yours and Mamble s, Daisy said with a heavy sigh.

Daisy was sweet and gentle on the surface, but she had developed a bit of a temper, especially when her guardian kept getting in her way. She needed just the right man to sweep her off her feet and out from under Lord Throsby s thumb. It was either that or wait for Daisy to reach her majority in a few weeks and find her future husband without his interference.

Bennett appeared at the door at last. It s time.

Yes, Gabby agreed, standing up and heading for the door. My future is waiting.

Bennett bowed. Yes, duchess.

She frowned at him and then kissed his cheek. I m still Gabby to you, dear cousin.

Still my responsibility for a few more minutes, too, he noted. He glanced at Daisy. Would you mind giving us a moment, please?

Of course. I ll wait outside the drawing room doors for you both, Daisy said before rushing off downstairs.

Gabby looked at Bennett. Is something wrong with your room?

No. The room here is perfect, he promised, but then winced. But I fear I cannot stay here much longer.

I see no reason for you to leave, Gabby said, grabbing his arm. After all you ve done for me over the years, bringing me to London and being so understanding about Sebastian. I want you to stay with us. We want you to live here with us.

I ll only be in the way, he said. I ve already discussed the matter with Sebastian, and he understands my misgivings. You are newlyweds and need time alone. You ll barely notice I m gone.

Gabby gripped his arm a little tighter. Is this about Cordelia?

It s about me, he promised. But I think you haven t heard that Lady Cordelia will be returning to the countryside, too, this afternoon. I m so proud of you, Gabby. Your mother and father would be so proud of you as well. They never imagined this could be your future, but it s time for me to live my own life again. I m going home.

Gabby s eyes filled with tears. No.

Home was a world away from Gabby s new life as a duchess.

It s time, he assured her with a soft smile. You don t need me to boss around anymore. You have Mamble for that.

But who will look after you?

I ll have you know I did a passably good job looking after myself before you landed on my doorstep. I ll be fine, Gabby, he promised, tugging her toward the stairs. But if it eases your mind, I put notices in the paper for a housekeeper last week, and I ve already found a good one. She comes highly recommended by Lady Windermere herself.

Well, that is a weight off my mind, but I still don t want you to go, or Cordelia. Promise you ll reconsider or come back for a visit soon, she begged. You must write.

I promise I will, he told her, and then marched her down the stairs of Mamble House. Though I know your letters will be far more exciting than mine could ever be.

I don t know about that. I still want to know about you and what you re doing and who you meet. The first thing of course is to tell me all about your new housekeeper. I expect a full description of the woman.

I will, he promised with a smile, but by then they had reached the drawing room doors.

Daisy handed her a posy of wildflowers and nodded. He s waiting for you.

Gabby bit her lip. Is she here?

Daisy shook her head quickly. I wouldn t think Justine would dare show her face after the rude way she treated you. She s not been seen very much at all since Lord Brookes married her sister. I do believe she s been thoroughly put in her place. Still, such a betrayal turns ones stomach. However, choosing ambition over friendship never turns out well for anyone.

I had hoped she might still come… she started but then shrugged.

She chose this path when she continued to snub you after your engagement was announced, Bennett whispered as he nudged her. Some people just cannot be happy for others. The best revenge you can have over such a person is to live happily ever after. You chose well. You chose love. Mamble just happens to come with a tiny insignificant title. You will make a remarkable duchess.

Thank you.

Gabby squared her shoulders and grinned. It was time for a great many changes. First of which would be her name to make that dream come true of marrying for love. She marched through the drawing room doors on her guardian s arm for the last time as his ward, she smiled thinking of the other plans set in motion for him later.

But for now, her only thought was for the most handsome, beguiling devil that she could love to distraction forever.

* * *

Bennett Kimble stumbled from the saddle and led his horse into its usual stall in the stables, stretching out the kinks from his back as he went. It had been a long journey, and he was worn out and ready for his bed and a good night s sleep.

He headed for his modest little cottage nestled on the border of the grand Scarsdale estate. It was good to be home, but he expected to notice the quiet for a long time. However, he would need to make a call there tomorrow most likely and share the news of Gabby s marriage to a duke last week. Then there would be his patients to call on, ailments to tend. He imagined he d have a very busy month ahead.

Not that he regretted the time he d been gone. Going back had opened his eyes to what he had here and what was still impossible. The stability and contentment of the countryside might not suit everyone, but it suited him. Here there were no temptations and in London there had been plenty to choose from but only one he d wanted but had to deny himself.

He paused as he noticed smoke rose from the kitchen chimney straight up toward the heavens which meant his new housekeeper had already have arrived to take up her new position.

He was anxious to meet the woman he d hired without meeting first and wished he could keep her name in mind. But his cousin, Lady Windermere, had deemed the woman suitable to run his small household and he d gone along with hiring her sight unseen. But time would tell if they could get along together. There was very little she would need to actually do which might just send her packing for a better position somewhere else.

He removed his hat as he stepped through the front door and as he hung it on its customary peg, he heard footsteps and humming coming from the rear of building. A musical housekeeper. It felt disloyal to Gabby to be relieved about that. Gabby hadn t had much musical talent, no matter how hard or long she d practiced.

I m home, he called out.

The humming stopped and footsteps rushed about but did not come closer.

Puzzled that there was no response, he headed toward the sounds.

The new housekeeper was in the morning room at the hearth, copper kettle in hand, mop cap on her head hiding the color of her hair and her features.

He cleared his throat and the woman stood and turned.

Bennett couldn t speak for a full minute as he stared at the lady .

Cordelia? What are you doing here?

Making you a cup of tea. You must be tired after your journey from London. She quickly filled the pot on the table as if waiting on him was a perfectly ordinary thing for her to do. She glanced his way and smiled. Like you, I decided my brother s marriage was the perfect time to run away from society. I just never knew where to go. Gabby happily supplied your address and Lady Windermere offered her carriage for my journey. Do you mind seeing me again?

Bennett s legs buckled and he folded into a chair. He ll mind. The duke, I mean.

Nonsense. She set a teapot on the table and then a plate of freshly made biscuits. She drew closer and her hand landed on his shoulder. After a moment it drifted up and her fingers stroked his cheek. Everyone told him I needed doctoring.

Bennett burst to his feet, catching hold of her fingers. None of that nonsense with me. Fine acting on your part though. You have society convinced you re the mad young lady from that last play we performed in together and made yourself unfit for marriage in the process. You only needed…

He gulped.

Cordelia smiled and looped her arms about his neck, laying her body against his. I need the man that fell in love with me years ago to rescue me from a fate worse than death. A loveless match based solely on my huge dowry. I had to do something to thwart my family. You broke my heart, disappeared from London so suddenly without leaving me a crumb of hope. Gabby told me why you left but at the time I never knew where you d gone until I saw you again standing in the morning room and looking so shocked to see me again.

I didn t know what to say in front of your brother. You were so far out of my reach still.

Well, I am very much in your reach now, sir, she whispered. I thought I d never see you again, Bennett.

Bennett set his hands lightly on her waist and a slow grin broke free of his control. I feared that, too. I only learned later your father had banished you to the countryside. I expected you to be married off to some rich noble.

It never went so far as that. There was no proposal to refuse. I called upon my acting skills to save me from such a match. My father died thinking I was mad and by then I was happy to avoid society entirely. Poor Sebastian. I fear I might have worried him unnecessarily, but I could not take the risk of being matched with anyone else. Not when I still loved you.

What am I going to do with you, Cordie?

Marry me.

Bennett reached up and tugged the cap from her head, releasing a spill of liquid gold strands that tumbled halfway down her back. He backed her toward the nearest wall. He had first met Cordelia at the theatre and instantly fallen in love. But he was a nobody. Never good enough to marry a duke s daughter. Yet Cordelia had taken risks to meet with him in secret and still was by following him home. How could he not love her more. I d love nothing more than to spend my life with you, but I will absolutely put my foot down. There will be no acting out death scenes in this house.

Cordelia laughed softly. Of course not, Bennett. There are plenty of other plays we can perform together where there is only happiness by the end.

Good. He laughed, too. Now we had better write your brother and inform him of our intentions to marry. I m sure he d like the chance to give you away.

Anything you say Bennett, she promised, so long as it s a small country wedding. Just us.

He grinned, liking that idea. That sounds perfect, just as you have always been in my eyes.

The Distinguished Rogues series will continue…