What happened then?

Ah, a great deal of commotion ensued in the following weeks, and much to Ness’s family’s relief, it was pleasant commotion.

As to Duncan, he was delivered by Richard and Randall to the magistrate, along with their statements regarding Bess’s confession. The letter was not then mentioned in hopes that there was enough evidence now that Duncan had tried to abduct Lady Vanessa as well.

Ness’s parents arrived on the scene within the second week of this incident and the viscount applied for her hand.

At Ness’s insistence, the viscount provided Mrs. Echworth and Sheila with a small but lovely establishment in Edinburgh, Scotland. He also established a trust fund, which when added to the small income they already enjoyed, was sizeable enough to provide them with a comfortable lifestyle. All he stipulated was that they remain in Scotland, as they would never be received at Montlaine again.

Orson knew nothing of what his brother had planned, but he did know after the fact and had done nothing to either bring his twin to justice or to stop him from further ugly wrong-doing. However, once again, Ness thought it best that he be allowed to join his mother and sister in Scotland, which she said, for someone like Orson who loved his life in London, would be punishment enough.

“There is nothing to stop him from returning to London, though,” the viscount argued.

“No, though you could cut off his allowance? I do think it would be cruel to do so and at any rate, Orson is no threat, my sweet…no threat,” Ness said softly.

“You are heart…all heart,” he whispered as he covered her face with kisses.

Duncan, however, was found guilty of the murder of Melony Fry and for his crime was sent to prison for life.

Edward Parks, satisfied that justice had been done, returned to his prospering law practice and looked about himself for a wife. He was lonely and a romantic and Ness thought it her job to aid him in this endeavor.

“Impossible…no one could be as happy as I or have what we have,” he said, and kissed her ruthlessly.

Randall was pleased to return to London, but Richard stayed on for the rest of the summer at Montlaine.

Mary and Richard’s bond worried Ness from time to time. He seemed almost as attached to Mary as she was to him.

“Darling, Mary will go off to school and forget all about Rick in short order. Although she is now seventeen, she is still too young to think about marriage, and besides that, I have noticed that your brother still has an eye for a well-turned ankle.” The viscount grinned.

“What has that to say to anything? All men look at well-turned ankles, whether they are in love or not,” she said, and laughed.

He chucked her under the chin. “You are so right, but believe me—don’t worry about either Mary or Rick.”

Ness sighed. “Hmm. As you say, she is only seventeen, but before you know it, you and I will be an old married couple and she will be nineteen and we will be the ones giving Mary her first London Season.” She clapped her hands. “Oh, now won’t that be fun.”

 

Their wedding was like a fairy tale come true, Ness thought as they started their honeymoon abroad.

Ness looked around at the passing scenes from their gondola. Venice was beautiful. She laid her head back against her husband’s broad chest.

He hugged her tightly, but one hand slipped under her cloak and cupped her breast. “I am of a mind to return to our room.”

“Are you? So early?” she teased.

“Ah, yes, beauty, for I want to strip you naked, suckle at your big beautiful…”

“Shhh, the gondolier will hear you,” she said, and giggled joyfully.

“Will he, then he will envy me, for I mean to lick your nipples and then…”

“Shhh, he has heard you. I can see a sly smile on his face.”

The viscount laughed out loud. “Very well, we will finish this ride and then I will whisk you off to our inn and…”

She turned and put her hands to his neck and drew him closer. “You are a devil, a handsome devil who I can never resist.”

“Do you want to resist me, love?” he answered hoarsely.

“Never,” she said, and kissed his mouth hard and fiercely. His tongue slipped between her lips and invited her to join him in a dance that left them both breathless.

She knew they were destined for a life filled with adventure and laughter because of who they were. What would seem improper to most would simply be ‘life’ to them.  

And Mary, who had begged them not to send her back to school? Indeed, she was concerned about Mary.

She could still see Mary’s dark eyes as her new sister told her she meant to get through the next year at school as quickly as she could.

She had laughed and said, “Why? You should enjoy this time of your life.”

“I have to come out and be the woman he will choose,” Mary had answered so seriously.

“Who will choose?”

“Why, Richard, of course.”

Ness had laughed, but it had not really amused her.

Who knew what the future would hold? She didn’t want Mary to hurt over Richard and what if Richard met and fell in love with someone while Mary was growing up?

Mary’s story would unfold, but not now.

Now, Ness had a story of her own to live, now, her story belonged to the Devil of Montlaine.