Page 27 of The Spinster’s Stolen Heart (Willenshires #5)

Six Weeks Later

The end of the Season approaches, and so the author of this journal is writing her last article.

For now, at least.

Dedicated readers of the Chatterbox will recall the newest, intriguing member of Society, in the form of Miss Pippa Randall, a fascinatingly refreshing young woman. A cousin to the Duke of Dunleigh himself, Miss Randall proved to have nothing to recommend herself but a pretty face, a most pleasant disposition, and a determination to settle in Society.

For some time, it was said that she would marry Lord Barwick and enter Society as a Marchioness. Some claimed that her subsequent betrothal to none other than the elusive bachelor Lord Whitmore was less of a good match. However, Lord Barwick’s imprisonment and banishment to the debtor’s prison clearly shows that Miss Randall’s sharp mind did not fail her – better to be a Viscountess than a debtor’s wife, to be sure!

We congratulate Miss Randall today, on the day of her marriage, and wish her the greatest happiness.

We also must draw attention to the affairs of Miss Amanda Davenport, who has been connected with the Earl of Tovey. Lord Tovey is not considered a remarkably handsome man, with rather prominent teeth and a notable and rather serious stutter, but what he lacks in looks he makes up for in wealth and is said to be most devoted to Miss Davenport.

What’s more, Miss Davenport is said to be quite enraptured by him . What will the next Season bring, I wonder? We will have to wait and see. Fare well, my readers, fare well!

“Don’t read that nonsense on the day of your wedding , Pippa!” Katherine scolded.

Pippa chuckled, setting aside the scandal sheet. There was something almost reassuring about its light, airy tone. It was the last scandal sheet of the Season, as there was no point writing about gossip when there was nobody worth writing about in London. The anonymous author would continue writing when the next Season began.

I’ll be a married woman, then. Maybe I’ll even have a child on the way.

She bit back a smile.

It was almost time to leave. Pippa was dressed, hair curled and carefully arranged on the top of her head. She wore diamonds at her neck and in her ears, and felt a little overdressed.

I suppose I can’t really be overdressed for my own wedding.

Bridget appeared behind her, tweaking one of the little glass flowers nestled in Pippa’s hair.

Since the fall and Pippa’s illness – it had taken a week or two for her to regain her strength – Bridget had been like a different woman. She was quieter, read more, and was much less opinionated. Katherine quietly confessed that having pushed her own daughter down the stairs – accidental or not – had almost broken Bridget.

“It’s not the sort of thing one forgets about oneself,” she admitted. “I think Aunt Bridget received a sudden look at the woman she had become, and did not like it one bit.”

Pippa had kept her own counsel about it all. She was glad to repair her relationship with her mother, but they still had quite a way to go. It was a pity that it took such a painful and shocking incident to bring them back together.

“You look beautiful, darling,” Bridget murmured. “I have something for you, though. Your Papa longed to see you marry, but you must know that he’ll always be with you. With both of us.”

She withdrew a silver pocket watch, glinting on a silver chain. Pippa sucked in a breath.

“I remember that watch. It has Papa’s name engraved inside, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, it does. You can keep it in your pocket, if you like. So he can walk you down the aisle.”

Pippa swallowed hard, a lump rising to her throat. Bridget kissed the top of her head. For a moment, they stayed like that, staring at their own reflections in the mirror, and thinking.

***

The church was full. Pippa took only a moment to compose herself before she entered. There were nerves fluttering in her stomach, of course, but it was mostly excitement.

I’m getting married.

She smiled at the guests she’d passed by. The O’Hares were all there, as well as the other friends she’d made during her Season. She spotted Nathan’s friend, Colin, and his new wife.

Her cousins were all there, of course. William and his wife Lavinia held hands, smiling at her as she passed by. Henry and Eleanor linked arms, leaning against each other. Alexander and his calm, placid wife Abigail were whispering together like schoolchildren, beaming out at Pippa.

Katherine had gone ahead of Pippa, as her matron of honour, and was just settling into the pew beside her own husband. Timothy was smiling at her adoringly. Rose, Nathan’s mother – who Pippa was already very fond of – was dabbing her eyes already with a lace-trimmed handkerchief.

And there, waiting at the top of the aisle for her, was Nathan.

He looked resplendent in his wedding suit, a velvet burgundy affair with a rich ruby cravat pin nestling at his neck. He was beaming at her.

Bridget kissed her daughter on the cheek, and settled into one of the front pews, leaving Pippa alone to look up at her future husband.

Nathan reached out, a trifle tentatively, and let his fingertips graze her jaw.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered.

“So do you,” she responded, hiding a smile.

The ceremony hurried by in a blink, almost as if it were part of a dream. And when the vows had been said and the ring sat comfortably on Pippa’s finger, the rector took a step back, smiling.

“I present Lord and Lady Whitmore as man and wife.”

There was an explosion of applause, and Pippa took a moment to glance over at the front pew. Her mother was there, her cousins, their spouses who felt like cousins too, and her brand-new mother-in-law.

My family, she thought, smiled dazedly.

The rector cleared his throat. “You may kiss the bride.”

Nathan tilted up her chin, and Pippa threw her arms around his neck. Wrapping his arms around her neck, he did just that.

Amidst the assembly of guests at the wedding, William felt a surge of satisfaction. The final missive from his father had urged him to look after his cousin, and he had fulfilled that duty with great care. He had generously provided a substantial dowry for Pippa, and it brought him genuine joy to do so. Casting his gaze slightly upwards, he silently reflected: "All has been accomplished in accordance with your wishes, father. Now, it is time for us to proceed with our lives, free from your directives.

The End

Thank you for finishing the final book in m y Willenshire s series, title d “ The Spinster’s Stolen Heart” .

If you made it here without reading the earlier books in the series, you're missing out!

Click the link below and dive in there's so much more waiting for you.

Willenshires