Page 87 of The Mistress Wager
EPILOGUE
Several weeks later, Ridlington Chase
Rosaline and Edmund walked into the dining room, and found James and Letitia there waiting for them. “Are Simon and Tabby here yet?” Rosaline moved to her chair as Edmund headed to the other end of the table.
The late afternoon sunlight danced off the bright spring green leaves outside the room, and it was looking as though this Easter weekend would be full of blue skies and fair weather.
“I believe I heard their carriage,” said James. “How about Max and Kitty?”
“Very soon, I should think.” Edmund offered. “I’ve asked Chidwell to hold off on serving dinner until they’ve arrived.”
“Wait…” James cocked his head at the sound of voices. “I believe that would be right about now.”
As if awaiting those words, Chidwell entered and held the door open. “The Vicar and Mrs. Ridlington, Mr. Max Seton-Mowbray and Mrs. Seton-Mowbray, sir.”
“Oh good God, Chidwell,” said Kitty. “It’s not as if you haven’t known me since I was in short skirts.”
“One must maintain the proprieties. You are wed now, and properly addressed as Mrs.”
“If you say so,” she sighed.
“I do indeed.”
“Should we perhaps sit?” Rosaline made the wry suggestion. “Or we could just stand and continue this witty badinage…”
“Hecate?” Simon glanced at Rosaline as he seated Tabitha.
Rosaline shook her head. “Not yet. But she went out into the gardens yesterday again. Dal carried her to the terrace for an hour or so.”
“Excellent,” smiled Simon, taking his own chair.
“How marvellous,” smiled Kitty. “Now…” she gestured with her hands. “I have news.”
“Ah,” smiled Simon. “Let us guess. You’re expecting.”
“What?” Kitty’s head whipped around to stare at her brother. “No…no of course not.”
“Not for lack of trying, you understand,” remarked Max to the table at large.
“That’s a given,” snickered Letitia.
“Oh for God’s sake. Can’t you people have an ordinary conversation for once?” Rosaline thumped her hand on the table. “Now everyone pipe down so Kitty may deliver her news.”
All eyes turned to Kitty.
“Richard’s back in London.”
“Ohhh…” Rosaline looked pleased as she smiled at her husband.
“And he’smarried…”
To Be Continued in
Blackmailed by the Bride, Book 5 in the Six Pearls of Baron Ridlington Series
