38. Epilogue

Six months Later

T he wind blew autumn leaves about outside the window as Melior read over her uncle's letter again and smiled. The joy in the words was evident and she could not help the giggle that burst forth at the thought of her mother's livid face.

Nathaniel lowered his paper and looked at her over the breakfast table. "Good news, I suppose?"

She removed her spectacles. "The best. It seems my parents' worries were well-founded."

"Oh?"

"Yes, there may be a new heir to the Bedford title by the time we return for the season."

He set the paper down and leaned forward. "That is fantastic news. My, but your mother must have been irate when she heard the news."

"They have not told her yet." Melior grinned.

Chuckling, Nathaniel picked up his paper. "Of course they have not." He was silent for a moment, then glanced over his newsprint at her. "I almost forgot. John sent word that our painting is finally ready. It should be delivered later today"

Melior set the folded letter by her breakfast plate. "Finally. Does it always take him so long to finish a painting?"

"No, but you know how hard he took Mrs. Wayland's death."

"Very true. By the by, I have been meaning to ask you if I might bring someone along for the season."

He peered at her. "Have you not already offered to sponsor Miss Wayland this season?"

Melior ducked her head, carefully smoothing her face as she took a bite of toast. "Yes, I did. Poor John. Did you see his face when I told him?"

"I did not, but you have told me about his forlorn expression in great detail many times. One might think you take delight in torturing the man."

"I do not. I am simply nudging him in the right direction."

"No, you are giving him competition."

"Perhaps a little adversity will give him the courage to fight for Miss Wayland's affections."

"And if he will not?"

"Then I am giving her the opportunity to find someone who will. And even if she does not, the poor girl could use a reprieve from her grief."

Mrs. Thompson entered the breakfast room.

"Yes?" Melior said, dabbing at her lips to wipe away any remnants of her breakfast.

"The Dowager Lady Stanford is up and requesting your presence, my lady."

Melior smiled. When they'd returned from London six months ago, she and Nathaniel had feared Lady Stanford would not survive until summer, but seeing their joy in one another, she had rallied and even improved.

Melior could not wait to tell her the news. "Let her know I will be there in a moment. Oh, and Mrs. Thompson, might you also ask which book she would like me to read to her?"

"Yes, my lady."

The housekeeper left and Nathaniel poured himself another cup of tea. "Have you already finished that novel I brought you from my last visit to Westminster?"

"The one by A Lady?"

"Yes. Peculiar name for an author if you ask me."

Melior took a sip of her tea. "We did finish it. Such a good story of love after the betrayal poor Marianne suffered at the hands of that awful rogue Willoughby."

"Love after betrayal, that sounds familiar."

Melior rose and gave Nathaniel a kiss on the top of his head. "Yes, but her rescuer was named Colonel Brandon, and not near so young and dashing as mine."

He tipped his chin up and she obliged him by brushing a kiss to his lips before she remembered the footman standing by the door. Thankfully, the man decided to make himself scarce and left the room.

"Well, I must be off to find another book." Melior turned to the door, but Nathaniel caught her wrist.

"You never told me who you wished to take with us to London. It is not my mother, I hope, for she would be miserable on such a long carriage ride."

"Not your mother." Melior grinned.

He dropped her hand. "Then who?"

Her hand dropped to her midsection and she smirked. Then she whirled and made for the door when his eyes widened.

"Oh, no you don't." He chased after her, catching her up in his arms and spinning her about as she giggled.

"Are you completely serious?"

"Why would I not be?"

He looked at her face and then the front of her dress, then back at her face. He pulled her to him in a firm embrace, kissing her forehead, her cheek, and finally her lips.

"Yes," he said.

"Yes?" She asked, her senses a bit foggy from his kisses.

"Yes, we can take one more along."