Chapter 28

28

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.

The Merchant of Venice, Act 1, Scene 1

Mr. Bridger Darrow and Mrs. Margaret Darrow took a cottage in Cray Arches. It was so merrily situated, in fact, that the fairy crown of Pressmore Estate could be seen presiding on the hilltop overlooking everything, easily spotted from their back garden. They both had a fondness for Warwickshire and had no desire to go elsewhere, though much of their time was spent in London, in the townhouse that could now afford more than one cook and one maid. Beadle Cottage, their home in Cray Arches was called, and though small, it suited them well. Mosely was quit and given back to Mrs. Burton, and though there was some hurt pride and prickly feelings, Winny, Violet, and Mrs. Arden relocated and made their home where they were welcome. There was no more talk of charity or ultimatums, and no more badgering from Aunt Eliza, for Margaret Arden was married at last and settled.

And that, dear reader, was that.

Mrs. Burton did not attend the wedding at the little church in Cray Arches, a snubbing that was met with quiet jubilation. Mrs. Mildred Richmond and Mrs. Ann Richmond were there, one more visibly elated than the other, and of course, Lane stood up for his friend and beamed and said "blazes" too much, offending Mr. Corner, the vicar, who was still not seeing well and mistook Winny for Violet several times. The girls found this very funny, and never corrected him.

Pimm Darrow issued an excuse, claiming urgent business at Fletcher kept him away. It was understood by both Bridger and Maggie that he likely did not want to return to a place he associated with infamy and betrayal. Word arrived, too, that Ruby was matched with a suitable husband, a rich merchant chosen by the colonel, and she wrote long, flowery letters to Maggie, promising to advance her books among the sparkling ladies of her circle.

Regina was there, too, naturally, to congratulate the couple. Sable Falls had taken London by storm, and her ascension in literary circles made her well positioned to recommend another title by a talented woman, The Killbride .

They did not make much money, and they did not enjoy extraordinary fame, but Maggie found herself suited to writing her books, and walking to Pressmore, and giving her family a modest living where true love was celebrated, and where true love won.