Chapter 23

"Is everything ready?" called his mother. "I'm sure we've forgotten something."

"Mama, it's perfect," reassured Jude. "Your events are always perfect. Audrey should be ready soon and we can go and greet our guests."

"I'm so happy for you," said his mother. "I shudder when I think how I tried to persuade you to marry Lady Caroline." She put her hand on his arm to reinforce her words.

"No one could know she was so evil. I almost considered marrying her. Then, what stopped me, was a memory of how happy you had been with Papa. You had a marriage with its foundations firmly rooted in love." His eyes twinkled as he gave his mother a smile, "I knew then that I couldn't marry Lady Caroline. I didn't love her. I've loved Audrey almost from the first moment I set eyes on her."

His mother reached up and planted a kiss on his cheek. "She's right for you, and will make a perfect duchess. And there she is now, with Sasha, Grace, and Jane."

Audrey joined them, a glow of happiness surrounding her, now fully recovered from her kidnapping ordeal. Sasha and the twins chattering excitedly, keen to show their grandmother their new hair ribbons.

The Dowager Duchess of Clairville had invited all their friends and acquaintances to celebrate the engagement of her son and Lady Audrey Rowe. Guests spilled onto the park, spreading out from the terrace to the same place the May event had been held, all those weeks ago.

The early summer sunshine warmed their faces and Jude felt glad they were celebrating under a warm midsummer sky.

"Can we dance oranges and lemons?" asked Sasha. "Grace and Jane have taught me that dance."

"Of course," said Audrey. "You can lead the dance. I'll tell the fiddlers they need to play it when you give the signal."

"It's a wonderful sight," said Jude, "so many friends, wishing us well for the future."

"I still feel sad about my brother. I hope he gets the help he needs at the Princeton Asylum."

"He should be in prison," said Jude, seething with quiet anger.

"I know you're angry my love, but there has clearly been something wrong with him since he was a child. Some type of disordered personality. I've listened to Robert describe how Ethan showed his hatred of me as a child, I'd forgotten a lot of it."

They set off to walk to the maypole field, her arm gently tucked under his. She thought carefully before continuing."That level of hatred in a child cannot be normal behavior. I've thought about anything which might have triggered it in our childhood. My parents were strict, but we were not without affection, certainly no more than many other children.

"For whatever reason, Ethan's condition has worsened. He is insane and needs to be kept apart from society. I agree he is dangerous. I don't believe he'll ever be released from Princeton Asylum. I'll never forgive him for the way he tried to involve Sasha, with his scheme to bribe those false parents, so he could watch her at Rowton Castle."

"He wouldn't have got far," Jude replied confidently. "Daniel has already traced her family. The Comtesse Alexandra Emillion, our own dear Sasha, would never have left Clairville. I'd have fought it through the courts if necessary. She is our ward, and this is her home."

"And Caroline?" Jude could see Audrey shiver as she mentioned the name, almost as though a dark cloud had obscured the sun.

"She denied everything, and it came down to a case of her word against yours. Even the servants at Rowton Castle could only say that they disliked her. No one witnessed her nefarious treatment of you. None of Ethan's documents mention her by name. It seems likely they were set to marry, but that doesn't prove her involvement." He stopped and cupped her chin in his hands, planting a kiss on the tip of her nose.

"In the end,out of pity for her family, we didn't push for charges to be made against her. All the ton," Jude gestured at the crowds gathering in the parkland, "know about her evil ways, so she's finished in high society." He reached to take her hand in his, gently rubbing her palm with his thumb. "We both had a lucky escape. I could conceivably have ended up married to her."

"I can't believe I might have been married to the Duke of Batton. I trusted Rupert would think of a way to save me, but I couldn't be sure it would work out."

"I like your cousin Rupert. He's quite a dandy, but he has a heart of gold."

"And look, there's The Duke of Batton," pointed out Audrey. "He has become quite a fixture at Clairville Hall. He's never far from your mother's side. He doesn't seem lonely anymore. I believe there is romance in the air."

"Indeed. That's very astute my love. Cedric spoke with me yesterday, asking if he could have my permission to ask Mama to marry him."

"Truly?" gasped Audrey. "I knew he was sweet on your mother, but I'd no idea he hoped to marry her." She stooped to pick a daisy, chanting "He loves me, he loves me not. I'll have to show Sasha how to make a daisy chain."

As they walked a little further Audrey spoke again. "Will she have him?"

"I suspect she will," said Jude. "They seem to suit each other. They both enjoy playing cards into the early hours. He's bringing out Mama's lighter side too. She lost that when Papa died. It's good to hear her laughing again."

"Here we are at the gazebo. Look how it"s covered with honeysuckle and roses clambering up, then cascading down the sides. It looks glorious and the scent is delicious." Audrey held a rose to her nose taking in the perfume.

"Now, dearest Audrey, how long has it been since I checked whether you still want to marry me?" he asked, eyes alive with laughter.

"Oh at least two hours," she replied.

"And?" he asked, eyes meeting hers, lost once more in the vivid blue. Sometimes when he looked into Audrey's eyes, he felt himself floating in the deep depths of an aquamarine pool. He gasped, enjoying the sensation, lost in the moment.

"Forever and always," she sighed as his lips lowered to meet hers.