Epilogue

EPILOGUE

One year later . . .

Winterbourne had weathered the darkest of days—love, loss, betrayal, and rebirth over hundreds of years. In the aftermath of Samuel's deceit, Kingston, Darby, and the rest had received justice. Residents slept more peacefully at night, knowing highwaymen and highwaywomen no longer haunted the London Road, and looked out for one another. And people only referred to the term "wallflower" when describing flora growing along the edges of landscaped gardens.

At Kingston, Lady Eliza surprised everyone by announcing she'd accepted Mr. Stanhope's offer of marriage. The happy couple settled in a roomy cottage at Darby, where the solicitor replaced Clifford Henry and made a living as the Duke of Beresford's current private secretary.

Uncle Thomas's health continued to improve, and the stinging sense that he'd failed his son faded as his brother, the Marquess of Putney, required assistance in business matters.

Aunt Meg was in high demand after the success of the masquerade. She continued to handle Winterbourne's daily affairs, offsetting the burden now facing Papa's new wife, Mina, who'd born a set of twins—a pair of boys. Mina, meanwhile, had unburdened her heart. She had been running away the night Lora rescued her, in order to escape being forced into marriage with a miser three times her age who had a violent disposition. No petition to her father, a baron, ever brought assistance. Though the adventure had nearly cost her life, all was well and good because the situation had led her to Winterbourne and the Marquess of Putney.

Papa's health continued to take a miraculous turn, in part, thanks to Mina's tender loving care and the twins' birth nearly nine months to the day after their nuptials.

But that was not all.

Lora lowered her quill, tired of logging the events in her book. A part of her yearned to ride pell-mell across the downs at a breakneck pace in search of those committing dastardly deeds. That was conduct unbecoming of a duchess, however.

"Put Lady Vengeance away, Lora," Myles demanded, "and come to bed. I have been waiting nearly an hour for a look, a wink, or some sort of loving gesture."

"Very well." She blotted the page and closed the volume, placing the feathered quill back in its stand. Turning in her chair, she tsked. "My poor beloved duke. Who would dare ignore a man of your magnificent stature? Certainly, not I. For I would never resign to leave you holding up a wall."

"The Templetons again. Do you not see that I am sitting with my back against the wall? It is I who am the wallflower now." She smiled, mischievously. "Formidable creature. Gallivanting off hither and yon." He patted the counterpane. "Doing good everywhere but here, where you belong."

"And what services do you require, Your Grace?"

"Pleasure readily comes to mind."

She knelt at the foot of the bed, a hint of a smile curving her luscious lips. "What type of pleasure?"

"Come closer and find out."

"Patience." She stretched out her arm and aimed an imaginary arrow at his heart. "Bullseye."

"Do you miss it?"

"Nocking your bow?" She licked her lips. "I never miss."

"Oh, sweet vengeance, come my way!"

Thank you for reading LADY VENGEANCE, Book 24 out of 53 in the Revenge of the Wallflower Series.

If you enjoyed Lora and Myles's story, I would be extremely grateful if you left a short review.

Revenge is a dish best served cold… Or is it? These wallflowers are about to find out, as they plot against those most deserving.

Can society handle a wallflower's revenge? Or will their targets topple one by one?

Revenge of the Wallflowers