Page 80 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

She saw the little boy’s face drop. ‘I don’t want you to go.’

‘We wouldn’t ever go anywhere without you, Edward.’

‘You mean I could come?’

‘Yes. We were thinking of taking a trip to Italy, and I wondered if perhaps you would like to go back to where you lived with your mother and see all your friends?’

He nodded, his eyes wide.

‘Good. That is settled, then. After the wedding, you can help us plan the trip.’

‘Come now, Edward, Miss Ashworth has much to do this morning, I’m sure.’

There was a clatter of feet outside, and as Edward left the room Lucy entered, arm-in-arm with Lady Mountjoy.

‘This may be the second happiest day of my life,’ Lucy said as she started fussing around Jane, straightening her skirt and smoothing out the creases in the fabric.

‘It certainly is one of the happiest of mine,’ said Lady Mountjoy. The older woman waited for Lucy to finish and then stepped forward, holding out a small package. ‘This is for you, Jane, my final debutante. I always knew you were destined for a great match.’ She swiped at her eyes, trying to get rid of the tears that were forming. ‘And there is no greater match than one made out of true love.’

The countess embraced her and then handed over the package. Jane opened it, gasping at the beautiful earrings inside. They were elegant and simple, the sparkling diamonds at the centre of the earring resplendent enough that they didn’t need any extra adornments.

‘Thank you, they’re beautiful. It is too generous, Lady Mountjoy.’

‘Nonsense. You have given me a wonderful gift this year, all of you debutantes who came to join me. It has been one of the most eventful but fantastic years I have ever known. I feel privileged to have been even a small part of your journey.’

‘None of this would have been possible without you,’ Jane said, trying not to cry herself.

Lady Mountjoy took her leave, making her way downstairs for the ceremony, leaving Jane and Lucy alone.

‘Charlotte has just arrived,’ Lucy said as she helped put the finishing touches to Jane’s hair. ‘She is so happy to be here.’ Charlotte was another of the debutantes selected by Lady Mountjoy for her long trip to London. She had never made it to the capital, though, having fallen in love during the few weeks they had spent on the Mountjoy estate prior to leaving for London, and marrying Lady Mountjoy’s nephew.

‘I’m glad she’s made it.’

Eliza was the only one missing from their little friendship group. Jane had written, but Eliza had set off on her honeymoon a few weeks earlier, and she doubted the letter would reach her friend before the wedding happened.

‘I think it is almost time,’ Lucy said, giving Jane’s arm an excited squeeze. ‘Do you need a moment?’

‘No.’ Jane shook her head. She didn’t feel nervous, not really. Ever since the night in the coaching inn, she was convinced she and Tom were perfect for each other. It had been an agonising few weeks whilst he had arranged the special licence and all she wanted now was to become Mrs Stewart.

Together they walked downstairs, Lucy handing her a bunch of flowers before she walked into the richly decorated drawing room. They had both wanted a quiet, small wedding and had agreed Tom’s drawing room was the perfect place for their nuptials. Jane had never been to a wedding outside of a church before, but as she surveyed the guests in the familiar room she knew this had been the right decision. On one side of the room sat Lord and Lady Mountjoy, Lucy and Captain Weyman and Charlotte and her husband, Lord Overby.

On the other side was Edward, his nanny and Mr and Mrs Western, who Jane had met a few times now, soon realising what an important part of her husband’s life they were.

Jane’s whole family hadn’t been able to make the journey, but her father sat at the front of the room, beaming proudly, and Jane had assured her mother she and Tom would come and visit very soon.

Jane’s eyes took everyone in as they swept over the room and then settled on the man standing at the front. Mr Thomas Stewart, former rake, current charmer and soon to be her husband.

He turned at that moment and smiled at her and Jane felt overwhelmed by love. This wasn’t what she had expected from her time in London, and certainly not how she’d thought they would end up when she had first suggested to Tom they feign interest in one another to save her from having to socialise with other eligible bachelors.

‘You look beautiful, my love,’ Tom murmured as she reached him.

As the ceremony was about to start, she felt a light tug on her free hand and glanced down. Edward had joined them in front of everyone else and was now holding her hand. She beamed down at him and then up at her very-soon-to-be husband as she repeated her marriage vows.

Epilogue

Two years later

Jane sat back in her chair, sipping a glass of orange juice and enjoying the heat of the sun on her face. Somewhere in the distance she could hear an excited whoop and laughter coming from Edward as he ran rings round his uncle and the three other men who had happily agreed to teach the young boy cricket.