Page 28 of The Viscount’s Forgery (Bluestocking Book Club #4)

EPILOGUE

“ A nd so, the mystery is concluded.”

Eugenia smiled at her friends, aware that her heart still felt a little empty, as if to remind her that matters were not yet concluded between herself and Lord Suffolk.

“Yes, it is,” she said, in answer to Miss Trentworth’s remark.

“It is at an end, and I think it was all dealt with very well indeed.”

“I must say, I think Lord Suffolk’s response is quite remarkable,” Lady Isobella said, pouring the tea for them all. “I do not think that I know a gentleman who would so willingly give up his wealth that way.”

With a nod, Eugenia looked down at her hands and considered all that had happened last evening.

Lord Suffolk had astonished her, not only with his generosity towards Lord Marchfield but also his understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Yes, he had told her that she was the reason for such a thing, but she did not think that was entirely true.

There was a goodness about him, a generosity in his spirit which had not come from her influence.

The way he had spoken of his selfishness and arrogance had overwhelmed her, aware that he was reflecting on all that he knew about himself.

The desire he had to change was wonderful, and Eugenia’s heart was happy.

Save for the fact that when she had thrown herself into his arms – as unexpected as that had been, even to herself – he had not responded to her in the way she had hoped.

He had not called her ‘Eugenia’ even though she had called him ‘Suffolk’, instead of his formal title.

Yes, he had held her in his embrace, but thereafter, there had been distance.

He had been the one to step back, to take his hands from her, to put space between them.

Biting her lip, Eugenia tried not to let fear spike through her.

She was afraid that, despite the connection between them, there was no affection towards her, as there was for her.

Yes, he had spoken with her before the meeting with Lord Marchfield, but she had presumed he meant something particular when, mayhap, he had only been talking about their friendship.

Perhaps that was what he wanted to keep in place rather than anything of a more romantic nature.

Eugenia feared she had been foolish to hope for more.

“And things are settled with your sister now also, I hear,” Lady Amelia said, as Eugenia looked up at her. “There has been a date set?”

“Yes, that is so. It was arranged last evening.” Eugenia managed to smile, fully aware of the tug of longing in her own heart. “We are to return to the estate very soon.”

Lady Amelia beamed at her. “You must be very happy. That burden has been lifted, has it not?”

“When do you depart?” Lady Isobella asked, sounding a little worried. “I hope it will not be too soon, for there is still some time left in the Season.”

Eugenia reached across and patted her friend’s hand.

“Much to my father’s displeasure, my mother and Polly are both quite determined that she requires a great many new things for her trousseau.

And, thereafter, she also requires all of her gowns to be replaced, as well as her bonnets, gloves, and even ribbons!

Everything is to be new for her new life with Lord Bothwell, though I cannot say I am not pleased for her. ”

“Especially if it means you will be able to remain in London with us a little longer.” Lady Rosalyn tipped her head just a little. “And Lord Suffolk?”

The question sent Eugenia’s stomach into knots. “What of him?”

“He has not… said anything to you as yet?”

Eugenia looked down at her hands. “No, not as yet. I am not sure he shall either, for though we did share a moment last evening, nothing came of it. He stepped back from it rather than moving forward, and therefore, I cannot help but be convinced there is nothing but friendship between us.”

Silence rang around the room, and the weight of it settled on Eugenia’s shoulders.

She let out a slow breath and closed her eyes, a little surprised at just how much sorrow clung to her heart.

Up until that moment, she had not thought there was such a great affection within her heart for him, but she realized there was.

What was she to do with it? Was she to set it aside, somehow?

Pretend that she did not feel anything but friendship for him in the hope that, somehow, the feelings would fade?

That did not seem possible but mayhap that was all she could do.

“I think you may well be mistaken, Eugenia.”

Eugenia lifted her head and looked straight at Lady Amelia. “I do not think I am, my friend. I know that you seek to encourage me, but – ”

“Eugenia.” Lady Amelia gestured to the door, and a little confused, Eugenia turned her head, only to see the butler standing there, patiently.

“I called for him to enter,” Miss Trentworth said, a slightly apologetic tone to her voice. “You were a little lost in thought.”

Eugenia blinked, then frowned. “I did not hear what you said, Banks,” she told the ever-patient butler. “Might you tell me again?”

He nodded. “Forgive me for the interruption, Miss Sherwood, but you have a visitor. Lord Suffolk begs a few minutes of your time.”

A swirl of excitement rose in Eugenia’s chest, growing so quickly, she could barely breathe. With a nod, she got to her feet, a slight wobble in her knees as she walked to the door.

“If you will excuse me,” she said hoarsely, turning to her friends, who all beamed back at her excitedly.

“I will only be a few moments.” She knew she ought to have a chaperone, knew she should at the very least, have a maid with her, but such was her eagerness to hear what he had to say, Eugenia dismissed the idea.

Whatever it was Lord Suffolk wanted to say to her, she had to hear it.

“I have him in the parlor, Miss Sherwood,” the butler informed her. “Your mother and sister are, at present, calling upon Lord Bothwell, but your father is in the study, if you wish me to send for him?”

Eugenia shook her head. “It will only be a few minutes,” she said, before stepping away from him and into the parlor. The moment she set her eyes upon him, Eugenia’s heart betrayed her by throwing itself into a furious rhythm, her hands clammy as she approached him.

“Forgive me for calling unexpectedly,” he said, coming towards her only to stop short, as if he had not meant to do so. “I was informed you already had callers and – ”

“I am glad to see you.” The words left her mouth before she could pull them back. “How are you today?”

Lord Suffolk smiled. “I am well,” he answered, his voice gentling. “Indeed, I feel a good deal better than I have done in some weeks! It is all at an end, and to bring that to a conclusion – a satisfactory one – was quite liberating.”

“I am glad.”

A silence came up between them, a silence that Eugenia felt spread tension all through the room. Breathing slowly, she looked down at her hands, pressing her lips tightly together.

“Eugenia.”

The way he spoke her name made Eugenia shiver lightly, lifting her gaze to his.

“Now that we have brought an end to it all, there has been a new sense of purpose within my heart,” he continued, taking another slow step towards her but keeping his distance from her all the same.

“I realize, as I said to you last evening and to Lord Marchfield, that I have realized my foolishness. I have put so much effort into maintaining a particular presence within society that I have been blinded to the things that are of the very greatest value.”

Eugenia, boldly now, moved towards him, albeit with very slow steps indeed. “Yes, I recall you saying such things.”

“The paintings,” he told her, quietly, “are of no value to me. I do not care that I have forgeries upon my walls.”

“You did, not so long ago.”

His lips lifted. “Yes, I did but that is before I realized just how much of a fool I was. I have spent years telling myself that I wanted only to enjoy my life, that I wanted to come to London to seek out only pleasure and contentment. When Lord Bothwell told me that he had fallen in love with Polly, I could not help but think him a little foolish.” Closing his eyes, he let out a small, rueful exclamation.

“How much of a fool I was. For now that I have begun to feel such an extraordinary thing, I cannot help but be overwhelmed by it.”

Eugenia’s breath hitched.

“I am making such a most ridiculous mess of my words, am I not?” Lord Suffolk’s lips lifted, his dark brown eyes swirling. “Eugenia, I think you the finest woman in all of England, truly.”

One hand pressed against her heart, her eyes fixed on his.

“I stepped back from you yesterday, I know, but it was because I feared what might occur should anyone discover us,” he continued, now closing the gap between them by stepping forward and taking her hand. “I wanted this to be a moment done correctly, Eugenia.”

Everything that had been dull and dark exploded into light and color as Eugenia pressed his hand, her chest rising and falling quickly as she gazed into his eyes.

“I told you that I do not want to end our connection,” he said, lifting his other hand and brushing it lightly down her cheek.

“That is true, but it is more than that, Eugenia. I want to… to change it, to alter it into something better. Something stronger and mayhap, more permanent.” His lips pinched. “Do you understand what I mean?”

Eugenia smiled up at him, her heart overflowing. “If you are trying to tell me that you have a gentle affection for me, then I think I do understand.”

“It is more than that.” Lowering his head, Lord Suffolk gazed deeply into her eyes. “More than a gentle affection, as you have said. It is love, Eugenia, it must be.”

Her eyes flew wide. “Love?”

His free hand went to her shoulder, then gently down her arm.

“When I am in your company, you are the only person I desire to be with. When I am away from you, I am thinking only of you. My heart is full of you, Eugenia. I love you, I am certain of it. I have never felt anything like this before, and I cannot imagine a day without you by my side.”

Eugenia, recalling how boldly she had thrown her arms around his neck the previous evening, took in a deep breath and, after a moment, did the very same thing.

Taking her hand from his, she stepped closer to him and then, holding his gaze, slowly lifted her arms and put them around his neck.

Lord Suffolk’s breath caught in a gasp, his eyes flaring as she brushed her fingers through his hair.

“I was so afraid that you would not want this,” she whispered, his lips so close to hers.

“My heart was broken, full of doubt and confusion – and now, in this moment, you have brought my dreams to life.” Her lips lifted in a small smile as his arms settled around her waist. “I am quite sure I am in love with you too, Suffolk.”

Letting out a long, slow breath of contentment, Lord Suffolk closed his eyes, lowered his head, and kissed her gently. Eugenia leaned into him, this moment of joy promising her a lifetime of happiness, safe in Lord Suffolk’s arms.

Did you miss the first book in the Bluestocking Book Club? Here it is! The Earl’s Error

Read that one? Try one of my favorites! The Waiting Bride