Epilogue

DECEMBER 1816, LONDON, ENGLAND

D aniel swung his new cane in a circle, a jaunty bounce in his step as he made his way to the townhouse kept by his brother and sister-in-law. To think it had been eleven months since they all stood together in St. Georges, Julianna dressed in a resplendent pink gown while Miss Haynes—nay, Lady Bingham now— had worn one of cream. The wedding day had been chaotic, but the joy they’d all shared was unmatched.

And when the wedding luncheon had finished and they all went their separate ways, there had been comfort in knowing that when the season ended, both families lived not five miles from one another. A blessing indeed when the Binghams’ little bundle arrived on the eve of All Saints Day. A fine trick as they’d not expected him until mid-November.

Even so, their new little heir was healthy and robust, as was evidenced by the cries coming from an upstairs window of the townhouse on Harley Street.

Daniel chuckled. Bingham had shaken his head when Beth insisted they take the baby with them to London for the season, and earlier than planned no less, but she would not be persuaded into leaving him with his wet nurse. So here they were, four adults bumbling their way through life with a new infant. It was just the sort of mayhem that made life interesting—and exhausting.

The butler took Daniel’s hat and coat when he entered. “You have a response to the note you sent round, sir. I took the liberty of setting it in your room.”

“Thank you. Where is Mrs. Kaye this afternoon?”

“I believe she and Lady Bingham are in the blue parlor.”

“Very good.” Daniel handed the man his gloves and ascended the stairs to the third floor. After a quick stop to retrieve the letter the butler had mentioned, he made his way to the parlor to join his wife.

His wife! He’d never get tired of the thought. Julianna filled his life with more joy than he ever could have imagined possible. And to think he’d dragged Bingham to the brink of Scotland for his good, when in the end it was his own that hung in the balance.

“There you are!” Julianna exclaimed when he entered the beautifully furnished parlor.

Blue chairs and sofas sat upon cream carpet with soft blue damask wallpaper accenting the whole room. Beth sat across from Julianna in one of the high wingback chairs. There were dark circles under her eyes but a contented smile graced her lips. Motherhood suited her.

Daniel chose to take up a place next to his wife on the sofa, stretching an arm along the back.

“And how was your visit?”

“Most enlightening.”

“Oh?” both women said in unison.

He smiled at them but kept his lips firmly sealed.

“Are you not going to share at least a little of what you and Mr. Deane spoke of?”

“You know how private Alfred is, Julianna. If I share anything about his writing habits or any lady friends he might have, he would be quite distressed.” Had that been too obvious? Daniel tried not to snicker. He’d never been very good at keeping such tantalizing secrets.

The two women dipped their chins and cast each other knowing glances.

“In that case,” Julianna said, “we best not ask any further. We would not want him to suffer any embarrassment on our part, especially if he were to be doing anything so scandalous as writing letters to a woman he is not related to.”

Beth pinched her lips together and reached for the teacup that sat on the coffee table between them, but before her hands could grasp it, a tiny snort escaped Julianna’s likewise firmly closed lips.

Snickers erupted and eventually turned to full belly laughs.

“What is this all about?” Carswell asked as he strolled into the room.

With a hand over her mouth, Beth waved toward Daniel. It took a great deal of effort to keep from blurting out the whole story, but Daniel eventually managed to control himself.

“My friend from Eton has an entertaining correspondent, is all.”

Carswell raised his eyebrows but said nothing.

“Yes, and we all wish him the best luck with it.” Julianna’s lips twitched as she tried and failed to control her grin.

“I am missing something in this, I am sure. But it seems you all are in each other's confidence so I will not press any further. I come bearing good news.”

When Carswell paused for effect, they all sat forward. The half smile on his face showed he enjoyed making them wonder at his secret just as much as he’d wondered at theirs.

“Well, out with it,” Daniel finally said when his patience wore thin.

“General and Mrs. Waverly have decided to join us for the season.”

“Truly?” Beth exclaimed.

Carswell took up the chair next to her. “It seems that since your father has decided to stay in Hayworth for Mrs. Haynes’s confinement, they, in General Waverly’s words, ‘Feel it their duty to come and dote on the newest little Bingham.’ I knew you’d not deny them their right to pamper the boy, so I dashed off a letter of approval right away.”

Julianna clapped her hands. “This season shall be the best ever.”

The action reminded Daniel so much of Mrs. Waverly that he could not help the grin that plastered itself on his face. There would never be a dull moment with both matchmaking ladies in the house. Add to that their thoroughly willing compliant husbands and no gentleman or lady would be safe from their scheming this Parliament season.

“I see that gleam in your eye, Kaye. What are you up to?” Carswell crossed his arms.

Daniel glanced at Julianna. She smirked back, conspiracy dancing in her lovely blue eyes.

“Who shall we start with first, my dear?”