32. Epilogue

CHAPTER 32

EPILOGUE

December 14th, 1818

I t has come to my attention that there is a fortune hunter in our midst. All you dowry-bearing debutantes would do well to guard your reticules as carefully as your hearts in the presence of Mr. Miles Holland. He is the brother of the recently famed Alexander Holland, whose agreeable nature has won the hand of Lady Daventry, granting him a share of Birch House and her future fortune. I find it a suitable victory for a man who has been discredited by his brother all his life.

What is this disputatious history between the Holland brothers? Mr. Miles Holland left a scullery maid with child before leaving for London several years ago, paying her a small sum to blame his younger brother for the wrongdoing. The truth, however, has now been brought to light. After receiving a much larger sum from the heiress of Birch House, the anonymous maid has confirmed these accusations against Miles to his family, friends, and parish.

We must conclude that Mr. Miles Holland is not only a fortune hunter, but he is much worse than that. He is a liar, and a rake. Be warned, my dear reader. His charming smiles have been known to capture even the most clever of ladies. He may boast of his riches, but he hasn’t a sixpence to scratch with.

On a related, though much more pleasant subject, Lady Daventry and Mr. Alexander Holland were married last month. After their wedding trip in Brighton, they have settled at Birch House with the still vibrant Lady Tottenham, who is sure to persist much longer than her physician’s estimations. I have heard she is quite pleased with her choice of heiress, and her subsequent choice of a husband.

Even with my critical eye, I have yet to find anything lacking in Mr. and Mrs. Holland’s happily-ever-after.