Epilogue
Gideon did not want to attend this ball and he suspected Emily did not either. The poor thing had been casting up her accounts until early afternoon. Now, however, she was glowing. Possibly a bit too much. Her cheeks were very pink. It was entirely his own fault. Well, he had gone into her room to collect her and the low cut of her gown had taken his breath away. She’d turned, tripped and he’d had to move quickly to stop her crashing into her dressing table.
He’d caught her to him and kissed her. One kiss had turned to two, then three, then he’d pressed kisses to her décolletage and the damned beautiful creature was always trying to get him to tumble her these days. It was worse since she’d missed her courses.
He’d helped her out of her gown so it wouldn’t be rumpled but then he’d just let down the fall of his breeches and removed his coat. It had been fast and furious and oh so satisfying.
Now she definitely looked slightly tumbled, at least to him. She was rosy-cheeked and starry-eyed and like the cat who got the cream. Though he felt like the cat who had got the cream. He was going to be a father.
They were standing in the receiving line waiting to be received into the betrothal ball of the illegitimate son of the Duke of Hartsmere to Miss Kathleen Roberts of Connecticut in America. He had only come to town to see his sister. The last thing he wanted to do was celebrate anything with Cedric Onslow. The man was an ass. He was a dandy who wore inexpressibles which made all the ladies uncomfortable, he tried to affect an air of fashionable ennui but just appeared idiotic. Gideon could only feel sorry for the poor chit who would have to suffer marriage to the dolt.
They had arrived at the Duke of Hartsmere in the receiving line. They were announced and Gideon introduced his wife to the Duke and his sister Lady Stanbury. Polite greetings were exchanged and a few words about the ballroom and how lovely the Duke’s home was before they moved on to Mr Onslow and his bride. Cedric, with whom Gideon had a passing acquaintance, smiled politely and introduced his fiancée after Gideon had introduced Emily. That was odd. The man was not nearly as sneering or irritating as he normally was. Wearing perfectly respectable silk evening knee breeches and smiling warmly at his betrothed, Gideon could almost believe… but no. Gabriel had been ill for years and had been kept in the country.
Suddenly the man in front of him became the sneering, arrogant toad whom Gideon knew as Cedric Onslow.
“I should let you meet the rest of your guests. Miss Roberts, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
“If you ever need anything, Miss Roberts, please do not hesitate to call on us at Beattie House on Audley Street.”
“I shall and thank you.”
Gideon steered his wife away.
“She seems lovely,” said Emily once they were out of earshot.
“And him?” It was not like Gideon to be judgemental.
She raised an eyebrow. “Was it me, or did he seem to change from perfectly nice to…” she waved her hand. “Arrogant in the middle of our conversation.”
“If I did not know better I would believe he was his half-brother Gabriel.”
“The Earl of Cindermaine.”
“Yes. You know of him?”
She gave him a scathing look. “I am a young lady of the ton. I know all the eligible bachelors with titles and money, my lord.”
“Hmm, you can stop looking now.”
She held her hand over her flat stomach. “Never. We shall have daughters. I must make sure they are married to nice gentlemen.”
“Let them at least be conceived and born first, my love.”
“Some of the youngest men shall only be thirty-six when our daughter has her come out.”
He grimaced. “Stop plotting your children’s marriages before we are yet sure if you are increasing.”
“Oh, I am sure. When can we go home, Gideon.”
He laughed. “Soon.”
“Can we go yet?” she asked as the waltz music ended.
“Soon.”
“You said that hours ago.”
“You are very demanding.”
“I shall mention that poet again.”
“I have stopped reacting to him. There is Stalwood, let us go and speak to him for a moment. Ah, Stalwood.”
Myles, Viscount Stalwood who had been friends with both him and Gabriel, the Earl of Cindermaine, at Eton had just led Gabriel’s twin from the floor. He looked a little starry-eyed around the young lady. A bit how he felt around his wife.
“Beattie, nice to see you. How goes it?”
“Tough year, old chap. The crops were thin and if it was not for the Earl of Whitsnow and his generosity, I’m not sure we would have made it.”
“Yes, Whitsnow is a brooding chap but he is kind at heart.”
“Oh, my apologies, Viscount Stalwood, my wife, Lady Beattie. Lady Beattie, Lord Stalwood.”
“Lady Beattie.” He bowed and she curtseyed.
“I believe we have danced a set or two around the ballrooms of Mayfair, my lord.”
“I believe we have too, my lady. A pleasure it has been too.”
Emily laughed. “It is kind of you to say so, but I highly doubt it. I know I was named Lady Clumsy.”
“Not in my hearing, my lady or I would have slapped a glove in the face of the gentleman who said it.”
“You are very charming, I’m sure.”
“Nice to see Gabriel is well and standing in for his half-brother,” said Gideon.
Stalwood whipped his head towards the man who was supposed to be newly betrothed and then back to Gideon.
“I have no idea what you mean. I hear Gabriel is in the country.”
“That man is not Onslow. I have watched him all night. He can affect the air of Onslow for a time then he slips and becomes the friend I knew at Eton.”
Stalwood’s eyes narrowed and he pursed his lips.
“This is complex. I am not entirely sure what has gone on here but I believe apart from family, you and I are the only ones who know, along with Lady Beattie. I cannot divulge any confidences, Beattie, but please say nothing. Can I ask though, would you be able to get Onslow and me into your club?”
“Onslow?”
“Yes. That Onslow.”
“Even though you are a Tory, I shall gain you admittance and then I shall convince you of why change is needed.”
“I understand why change is needed, Beattie. I just think the Whigs are fools for thinking it’s achievable.”
“Ye of little faith.”
“I shall call on you sometime in the next few days if I may.”
“You may,” said Beattie. “Now, my wife is tired. I must get her home.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you.”
Stalwood bowed to them both and took his leave.
“How odd,” said Emily.
“Well, the tale of Lord Cindermaine will be a very interesting story. I am intrigued.”