Epilogue

G enevieve and Beckett were welcomed into the Duke D'Estel's London estate, which was as grand as her father's. They were ushered into the sitting room, which overlooked the grand terrace.

Lady Charlotte greeted them as the footman announced their arrival and came over and kissed Genevieve's cheek in welcome. "Thank you for coming today. I'm sorry I could not attend your small dinner the other week. I'm still terribly sore, I'm afraid."

"How is your finger?" They sat, and Genevieve reached out to look at Charlotte's finger, which she had broken after falling off her horse in Hyde Park three weeks before.

"Unfortunately, I'm terribly sore, and I find it difficult to hold cutlery, so a dinner party would not have been a good outcome. But the splint is helping, and I hope in three more weeks it will be healed, and I shall be able to return to the Season and finish it off with you and Matilda."

"I hope so, too," Genevieve said. Beckett reached out, clasped her hand, and placed it on his lap.

Charlotte smiled at their linked fingers and raised her brow. "And what was the dinner in celebration of? Matilda would not tell me, said you wished to inform me yourself, even though I tried terribly hard to get the truth out of her."

Genevieve laughed, remembering telling Matilda that if she told Charlotte before she had the chance, she would not be welcomed to any future shooting parties at their country estate. A pastime that Matilda enjoyed most when at her family's home in the county.

"Well, we wished to tell you, face to face, that I'm going to have a baby. The doctor confirmed it last week, and we're due before the next Season, so I may be back in London with you all next year. But we'll have to see."

Charlotte's eyes flew wide before she jumped up and pulled Genevieve into a fierce hug. "Oh, my dearest friend. A baby and a husband in the same year. I'm so happy for you, for you both."

"Thank you," Beckett said, standing and kissing Charlotte on the cheek before she burst into a flood of tears. "Now, now, none of that. This is good news," he said, patting her shoulder.

"I know, but I'm just so happy for you both. We always knew how much Genevieve loved you, and to see you both making each other very happy and starting a family, well, what is there not to cry about?"

Genevieve chuckled, and they sat just as a footman entered, carrying a tray of tea, afternoon cake, and biscuits.

"I adore her too, so the feeling is mutual. We'll be returning to my country estate at the end of the Season, so you will get to enjoy having our company until then. Maybe I could introduce you to a gentleman friend or two. Find you a husband as well."

Charlotte laughed and poured them both a cup of tea. "Thank you, but no, I shall be perfectly capable of finding my own husband."

Just then, the sound of a gentleman's voice burst into the drawing room, and Charlotte stood, a look of surprised delight crossing her features before she schooled them.

"Oh, I do beg your pardon, Lady Charlotte. I did not know you were occupying the room. I shall return later when you're finished here."

"Mr. Alexander Richards," Beckett said, standing and going to the man whom Genevieve could not stop staring at. What a handsome gentleman, and who was he? And why was he barging into Lady Charlotte's drawing room?

She looked to her friend but found Charlotte staring at the man as well, her gaze one of awe and adoration.

Interesting…

"Lord Tyndall, good afternoon. It's good to see you again. It has been some time."

"Yes, it has. Years, in fact. What are you doing here?"

Mr. Richards glanced at Lady Charlotte and clasped his hands before him. "I'm Duke D'Estel's steward."

"By God, are you, man? Well, that's good for you, and if anyone knows their way around finances, it is you. It is good to see you again. We've missed you at the gambling dens. You always keep the players at their best."

"Ah, well, yes. But I rarely gamble these days."

Beckett laughed. "A good plan." He returned to sit beside Genevieve and Charlotte remained standing, staring at Mr. Richards as he stared back at her friend.

What was happening here that she did not know of?

"Well, I shall leave you to your tea."

"You may join us if you like, Mr. Richards. You're most welcome," Charlotte said, giving Mr. Richards the sweetest smile Genevieve had ever seen bestowed on anyone.

He cleared his throat but waved her words aside. "Alas, I must decline. Much to do. It was good to see you again, Lord Tyndall. Good afternoon, Lady Charlotte, Lady Tyndall."

He left them then, closing the door silently behind him. Genevieve met Charlotte's eyes, noting the blush that kissed her friend's pretty cheeks.

"What was that about?" she asked without hesitation.

Charlotte frowned, and attempted to appear confused. A total false economy because she knew her friend, and right now she was hiding something.

"I do not know what you mean," Charlotte answered innocently.

"Yes, you do. You like Mr. Richards, and he knows it. He could barely keep his eyes off you, either."

"Don't be absurd, Genevieve. You're so full of love these days that you see it where it does not exist elsewhere."

"That is not the case at all. You do like him, and if I'm any judge of a man's desire, he likes you too."

Charlotte fought not to grin. "No, you are mistaken."

"Oh no, I'm not."

"You are, now enough about me. Tell me more about how you feel."

Genevieve let the line of questioning go, but she would eventually get it out of her. She glanced at Beckett, who grinned back, wiggling his brows before they started discussing the baby and their plans for the remainder of the Season.

But it was sure to be interesting, especially if her friend, a duke's daughter, was in lust with a steward.

Genevieve could not wait to see how that played out, hopefully with a happy ever after, as she had been gifted.

Charlotte deserved nothing less.