Epilogue

epilogue

B EING A BARONESS was a rather complicated affair.

After the beautiful but simple wedding with white roses, a lovely cake, Royston handsome in his dark suit, and her mother crying buckets—who knew for whatever reason?—Angeline had found herself inundated with invitations to afternoon teas, parties, and dinners, but not because people were interested in her.

Most were prying into what had happened with Georgiana Taylor and Mr. Wright's sudden fortune, asking if it was true that Mr. Wright had played at their wedding. But she didn't mind. As long as Royston's reputation remained intact and no one made comments on his sanity or his past, she was happy.

Mama had channelled her passion for medicinal herbs and remedies in a new direction. She now worked with Mrs. Walsh at the women's shelter, taking care of the girls who escaped from brothels.

Angeline couldn't be more proud of her. Not that Mama had stopped cheating whenever she could; cheating was in her nature.

Royston was sitting at his desk in his study as he often did as of late. From the moment he'd started to work at the House of Lords, he'd been so busy Angeline had seen very little of him.

"May I?" she asked.

"Of course, my love." He opened his arms, and she ran to sit on his lap. "I'm sorry I've been busy."

"How are you faring?"

"It's harder than I thought. All I ask is for the government to guarantee help and support to women who have a child out of wedlock, are sick, or are incapable of providing for themselves. They need help not to be shunned. Putting the law to work is complicated."

"The shelter has received dozens of donations though. Your work is bearing fruit."

"Too slowly, and I suspect your mother is behind half of those donations." He shook his head. "She must have used her Lucrezia Borgia's ring to force many a lord to donate to the cause."

"Perhaps we can use Mama's potions to speed things up in Parliament."

He laughed. "No, it's all right. I cheated to obtain Havisham's support. I won't cheat again. I learnt my lesson. I have left my past as a thief well behind me. Besides, we're going to be busy." He frowned, reading a letter with a golden frame and several stamps and signets. "You won't believe it, but we're waiting for the visit of a Russian grand duke."

She tensed. "Excuse me?"

He read from the letter. "His Grace Dimitri Gruzinsky, Grand Duke of all the Russias, sent me a letter announcing his arrival in London and his request, although it sounds like an order, to meet me. I have no idea why." He scratched his chin. "It seems he has some unfinished business here."

"Oh, no." She covered her mouth.

He narrowed his gaze. "What is it? Do you know of him?"

She swallowed hard. "Royston, there's something I need to tell you…"