Epilogue
Kendrick House, Glasgow
February 1817
February 1817
“It’s a splendid party, Victoria,” Chloe said. “It almost makes up for the fact that we missed your wedding day.”
Aden, sitting opposite them, gave Victoria a wink. “Arnprior did seem in quite the rush to get leg-shackled.”
“There were a few extenuating circumstances, as I recall,” Victoria said dryly.
“Nick would have dragged you off to the parson in any case,” Logan said. “To say he was eager to claim his bride doesn’t begin to describe his impatience.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Especially for the wedding night.”
“Logan Kendrick, behave yourself.” Victoria shifted her stern look at Aden. “You too.”
Her brother sighed dramatically. “We’re in the dog house now, Kendrick.”
“I practically live there,” Logan replied.
They were seated in the formal drawing room at Kendrick House, which had been converted into a supper room. The staff had set up over a dozen tables, all covered in starched white linen and graced with the family’s best silver, plate, and crystal. Huge vases filled with white roses adorned the sideboards, and dozens of candles lit the room in a soft, shimmering glow.
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the servants, the elegant mansion looked stunning and was once more the comfortable abode of a happy family. Victoria still preferred Kinglas, but Glasgow was beginning to feel like home too.
“You and Arnprior do know how to throw a grand party,” Alec said, toasting Victoria with his wineglass. “The best part is the twins can wreck your house for once, instead of mine.”
“That’s a regular day of the week around here,” Logan said.
“Graeme can hardly be expected to wreck anything, since he’s still on crutches,” Victoria said. “I don’t know where Grant is at the moment, but I expect he’ll stay out of trouble, despite all the pretty girls here tonight.” Both twins had been subdued since the elopement fiasco, and she could only hope their newfound good sense would last.
“Speaking of pretty girls,” Logan said, “I’m heading up to the ballroom. Perhaps I can snag a few to dance with.” He gave them a friendly nod and strolled out.
“Your brother-in-law cuts a dashing figure in his clan attire,” Chloe said. “I’m sure he’ll find many ladies who are interested.”
“I hope so,” Victoria said.
For a man with a rakish reputation, Logan led a quiet and orderly life. At her insistence, he’d moved into Kendrick House. Now he spent most of the day at his office and warehouse down at the docks. Evenings he was at home, talking to his brothers, reading his correspondence, or listening to Kade play music. Logan and Nicholas were rubbing along fairly well, although they sometimes argued. The wounds between them ran deep, and it would take time and patience for them to entirely heal.
Still, there was no doubt Nicholas was happy that he’d made peace with Logan, and the rest of the family was overjoyed that he’d finally allowed the prodigal brother to return home.
“Logan seems like a fine man,” Dominic said from his seat at the end of the table. “I’m glad he’s returned to the family fold.”
“Not as glad as I am,” said Alec. “Fellow saved our collective arses.”
“He’s certainly the reason I’m sitting here,” Victoria said.
Dominic grimaced. “Yes, about that, I can’t tell you—”
She held up an admonishing finger. “You are not to apologize again, sir. None of what happened was your fault.”
“I told you to keep secrets from Arnprior,” the magistrate said, “which was a miscalculation on my part.”
Aden waggled a hand. “I did too, so blame to share.”
“And then I failed to realize Fletcher had left London.” Dominic shook his head, clearly disgusted. “I don’t think I’ll ever live that down.”
“Perhaps you’re just getting old, my love,” Chloe said with a mischievous twinkle.
“Thank you for that observation,” her husband replied.
“You were out of town at the time,” Victoria protested. “How were you to know the wretched man had left London?”
Dominic and Chloe had been in Yorkshire, visiting with the Marquess and Marchioness of Lendale for the holidays. Once Dominic learned that Fletcher was in Scotland, he’d set off for Glasgow, arriving the day of the attempt on Victoria’s life. By the time Victoria and Nicholas reached the city, Dominic had already done much of the work necessary to have her case dismissed. There’d been some consternation regarding Logan’s role in Fletcher’s demise, but with Dominic’s assistance, the judicial inquiry had been conducted quickly and discreetly. Since the Kendrick family was highly regarded in Glasgow, they’d managed to evade an outright scandal.
“Still, I should have anticipated that Fletcher might try something like that,” Dominic said.
“It’s hard for even the great Sir Dominic to anticipate the actions of a lunatic,” Aden said wryly.
“Very true,” Chloe said. “And why are we talking about that sad, awful man? We’re celebrating Victoria’s marriage.”
“Correct as always, my dear.” Dominic gave Victoria a little bow. “Forgive me, Lady Arnprior. I had no intention of spoiling such a splendid event.”
She returned the bow. “Not at all, Sir Dominic. And I’m sorry I pulled you away from your visit with Lord and Lady Lendale. I hope I shall meet them someday soon.”
“I’m sure you will,” Aden said. “After all, Lia is your cousin.”
Lia Easton, Marchioness of Lendale and the natural daughter of the Duke of York, had written a lovely letter to Victoria with a standing invitation for her and Nicholas to visit them at Stonefell Manor.
“Yet another cousin,” Chloe said drolly.
“There are legions of us,” Alec said. “Victoria is just getting started.”
“I’m sorry the Lendales weren’t able to be here,” Victoria said, “but I’m so grateful that my aunts came up from Brighton,” She smiled at Aden. “Thank you for arranging that.”
“Of course, pet.” Her brother lifted his glass to her. “After all, this is your official celebration. It’s only right your family should be here.”
While Victoria had intended to have only a small, family party to mark the occasion of her marriage, over the last few weeks it had transformed into a grand ball with over a hundred guests. Nicholas had insisted they open the Kendrick House ballroom, and had brought Taffy and some other castle staff down to help manage the elaborate affair. Over Victoria’s halfhearted objections, her husband had arranged for a lavish supper, an orchestra for dancing, and even a card room for the gentlemen and older ladies. She’d objected, but all the Kendrick men, including Angus, had taken her husband’s side.
“Ye sneaky buggers went off without us to get riveted,” Angus had said, “so ye might as well let us have a grand party to make up for it.”
Knowing that for too many years the Kendrick family had lacked occasion for celebration, Victoria hadn’t had the heart to deny them their fun.
“It’s so nice of Edie and Vivien to take my aunts under their wing,” Victoria said. “I think the poor dears are feeling a little overwhelmed.”
Alec snorted. “They’ve been getting along as thick as thieves, having a grand time racketing about town all week.”
“Where are my aunts, by the way?” Victoria said, craning to look around the room.
“Edie and Vivien took them to the card room,” Chloe said. “The five of them were going to form a table.”
“Oh, God,” Aden said with mock alarm. “I hope my wife doesn’t fleece them.”
“Is Vivien good at cards?” Victoria asked.
“You have no idea,” Aden said.
“Perhaps I’d better check on them.” Her aunt Rebecca, although a very sensible woman, was something of a gambler, though usually for low stakes.
“Don’t worry. Edie will keep an eye out,” Chloe said. “Your only job tonight is to enjoy yourself.”
“Yes,” Alec said. “You’re off duty for the night, Cousin.”
Kade came hurrying into the room and over to the table. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Victoria.”
She took his hand. “Do you need something, dearest?”
“No, but Nick is waiting for you outside the ballroom. He says you’re to stop hanging about with this group of reprobates and come talk to him.”
“Goodness,” Chloe said, “I hope he doesn’t include me in that description.”
Kade snapped his fingers. “Right. Nick said I was specifically to say that you are not a reprobate, Lady Hunter, and to beg your pardon.”
Chloe wiped her brow with exaggerated relief. “Thank goodness. But do tell your brother that this set of reprobates is actually very nice.”
“I think so too,” Kade said with a shy smile.
“After you deliver her ladyship to the earl, why don’t you come back and join us?” Aden said.
Kade’s eyes went wide. “Thunderbolts, I’d like that. Maybe you could tell me more about your adventures during the war?”
The boy had taken quite a shine to Victoria’s mysterious brother, something she found both touching and amusing. Aden had been incredibly kind to Kade, entertaining him with highly exaggerated stories of his prowess on the Continent. At least she hoped the stories were exaggerated.
She stood. “I’m sorry, everyone, but I must see what my husband wants.”
“Oh, I can hazard a guess what he wants,” Aden said.
“Please remember that children are present, my dear,” Chloe said in a firm tone.
“I’m not a child,” Kade protested.
“Of course not,” Chloe said without batting an eyelash. “I was speaking of Alec.”
“That’s me, innocent as a babe in arms,” Alec said with a grin. “Although, last night Edie and I—”
“I’ll see you later,” Victoria said, cutting him off.
“I like your family,” Kade said as she linked arms with him and walked out to the hall. “They’re jolly.”
“Almost as jolly as your family.” Victoria smiled at a few guests who were going into the card room.
“Not Royal, though. He’s even gloomier these days. But when I ask him, he always says nothing’s wrong.”
“I believe he’s missing his friend, Lady Ainsley,” Victoria said.
Ainsley had departed a few weeks ago for her great-aunt’s manor house up north. She’d refused to stay for the ball, despite pressure from Victoria and Edie. When Victoria asked Royal if he knew why she was in such a hurry, he’d scowled and said that Ainsley did whatever she wanted, whether it made sense or not.
“I thought he and Lady Ainsley hated each other,” Kade said.
“No, but they do seem to have a complicated relationship, don’t they?”
“Rather,” Kade said in a dry tone, sounding much older than his years.
“Where is Royal?”
“He’s in the ballroom with Graeme. Royal said that invalids have to sit together and keep each other company.”
Victoria mentally sighed. She would have to pay greater attention to Royal. The man was clearly suffering, and his brothers didn’t know how to help him. At the moment, neither did she, but she had no intention of letting that get in her way.
“You let me worry about Royal. I promise he’ll be fine.”
“I hope so,” Kade said. “It’s splendid that we’re all together again, and I want him to be happy too.”
“He will be, someday.”
“There’s Nick and Grandda,” Kade said when they reached the top of the central staircase.
Hearing his brother’s voice, Nicholas turned. Any worries Victoria had about Royal or the family faded under the warmth of her husband’s gaze.
“About time, my love.” Nicholas bent to press a quick kiss to her lips. “I’ve hardly seen you all evening.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s only been half an hour since we danced.” She went up on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. “But I’ve missed you, too.”
“The Kendricks are yer family now,” Angus said. “Yer the Countess of Arnprior, lass, and one of the finest ladies in the land. Yer place is by yer laird’s side, not hanging aboot with a bunch of frippery Englishmen.”
She almost choked at that description.
“Victoria’s family is very nice, Grandda,” Kade said.
“Indeed they are, and one can hardly describe Sir Dominic and Aden as frippery,” Nicholas said.
“I’m going back down to join them,” Kade said. “Why don’t you come along, Grandda?”
Angus expelled a much-put-upon sigh. “All right, lad, if that’s what ye want. I suppose I can put up with a few Englishmen for my lady’s sake.”
“Thank you, Grandda,” Victoria said, giving him a hug and a quick kiss on his whiskery cheek.
“None of that now, lassie,” he said gruffly. Still, he patted her on the back, and she could tell he was pleased.
“Another Kendrick male wrapped around your finger,” Nicholas said as they watched the old man and the boy clatter down the stairs.
She rested a hand on his broad chest, relishing the feel of hard muscle under fine silk and linen. “There’s only one Kendrick man I wish to wrap around anything.”
His gaze smoldered like molten silver. “I think we can safely say I am wrapped around your finger, and I can’t wait to be wrapped around the rest of your body, too.” He leaned in close. “While I’m deep inside you.”
“Hush,” she said, glancing around as her cheeks flushed with heat.
“Have I told you tonight how beautiful you look?” His gaze ran admiringly over her figure.
She smoothed a hand over the flowing skirts of her creamy-white dress. Since she’d not had a proper wedding, she’d allowed Edie to talk her into splurging on a beautiful and very expensive satin and lace ball gown. The look in her husband’s eyes as she’d come down the stairs before dinner had more than made up for the cost.
“You have, my lord.” She cast an appreciative eye over his kilted physique. “You’re looking rather splendid yourself.”
“We’d look even more splendid out of these fine clothes,” he said with a roguish smile. “Are you ready to slip away, my love?”
She blinked in surprise. “Isn’t it a bit too early?”
“No one will miss us.”
“But it’s our party,” she said with a laugh as he started to gently pull her down the hall.
“I asked Logan and Grandda to play host. In fact, Logan asked me what I was doing hanging about instead of carrying you off to bed.”
She wrinkled her nose. “He didn’t.”
“He certainly did. So, what do you say, my love? Shall we sneak off and leave our guests to their own devices?” His gaze was alight with love and laughter. To know she’d helped Nicholas find happiness again made Victoria’s heart fill with joy.
And even though they’d been married for almost a month, she was eager to be alone with him. In fact, lovemaking with her husband had become rather an obsession for her.
She faked a yawn. “Now that you mention it, I am feeling rather fatigued. Bed sounds like an excellent idea.”
“Sassenach, I couldn’t agree more,” Nicholas said.
And then Victoria’s handsome laird swept her into his arms and carried her off to paradise.