Page 115 of One Night with an Earl

Epilogue

“There is nothing to worry about, my dear. Society loves gossip, and there is nothing better than a love story about a long-lost heiress who marries an earl of the realm,” the dowager said. The carriage they were riding in was part of a long line of other conveyances that wound their way up the drive.

“She’s right, Ana. And I’m happy to be by your side.”

Ana’s gaze was full of adoration as she turned to her brother. “Oh, Adam.” She hugged him. “I’m glad that you’re here to spend this evening with me.”

He grinned. “What are brothers for?”

Her heart leaped, and she clung to him. She still could not believe Adam was here. It had been so long since she’d seen him. He’d often go home on holiday with a school friend. Lady Malvern had never learned of her brother, and Ana had lacked the finances to house her brother in town for holidays. But things were different now that she was betrothed to the Earl of Drake.

Ana had been staying with the dowager until the bans were read and they could marry at St. George’s Church. Over the past several weeks, she’d grown close to Oliver’s grandmother. The dowager’s hospitality had extended to Adam, and he had been staying in her home as well.

Adam had grown quite tall, taller than Ana. At fifteen years, he was handsome with dark hair and rich brown eyes. His shoulders had broadened, his chest had widened, and he was all sinewy youth. Dressed in a navy coat, white cravat, and striped waistcoat, her brother cut a handsome figure. It would not be long before young ladies flocked around him.

She pushed back a strand of wayward hair from his forehead. “You look quite dashing.”

“Lord Drake took me to his tailor.”

Oliver had taken Adam under his wing. They had gone riding in the park, to a boxing match, and to Adam’s excitement, to Gentleman Jackson’s to meet the champion himself. Adam had spoken about the day nonstop.

The carriage took a turn on the drive, and Ana’s gaze returned to the window and the line of carriages waiting to depart. Her stomach dropped as her nervousness returned, and she bit her bottom lip. “Other than as a chaperone, I haven’t set foot in a ballroom as a guest in years.”

“Tonight is different,” the dowager said.

She was right. The large emerald ring on Ana’s finger and her engagement to the Earl of Drake was enough to cause the magpies to gossip for a full year. There was prejudice. Some of the members of the beau monde, not all, disapproved of her mixed blood. Her mother’s Middle Eastern roots were considered inferior. Whispers of her father’s suicide—a scandal and sin by the church—also resurfaced. The cruelest of those claimed her father had killed himself, not from losing his estate, but due to regrets about his choice of wife.

Ana was eternally grateful for the support of Oliver’s grandmother. The dowager gave her the strength to snub those who were blatantly prejudiced by ignoring and looking down on them. The dowager also possessed a shrewdness and power that came with age, and she’d arranged for Lady Jersey—one of the most powerful society matrons and a patroness of Almack’s—to introduce Ana back into society. Many ladies and their young daughters were green with envy. The invitation to the ball had arrived on embossed paper with her full name—Miss Anahit Woodbridge—and she had traced the letters with her forefinger with tears in her eyes.

Their carriage came to a stop outside a London mansion. Ana alighted, taking in the sight of a dozen footmen scurrying about to assist the well-dressed and jeweled guests. Torches lit the outside of the stone structure. Adam offered one arm to Ana and the other to the dowager as the trio took the steps inside.

Ana smoothed the skirts of her pale green silk gown. With a lovely, heart-shaped bodice and ruched hem, it had been designed by the latest French modiste on Bond Street. Her dark curls were upswept and held away from her face with pearl combs. She hadn’t felt this beautiful in public in a long time. What would Oliver think? She glanced behind her for a glimpse of a tall, dark-haired man. Suddenly, she was anxious to see him.

She still couldn’t believe her good fortune. The night at the inn when Oliver had proposed to her was one she would never forget. He’d confessed that he had the ring in his coat pocket when he’d shown up at the Silver Chalice. He’d intended to propose to her then. If she’d chased after Penelope and Timothy on her own, would he have had the chance?

Happiness was so fleeting.

The thought made her think of another. “Will Lady Malvern be in attendance?” Ana asked, attempting to keep her voice light.

As expected, the Malverns had no choice but to accept the match between Penelope and Timothy in order to avoid scandal. Lieutenant Smithfield had since resigned his army commission and was now Mr. Smithfield. Since Penelope was underage, parental consent was required and the reading of the banns had taken place. The daughter of a marquess and the sixth son of a baron was not uncommon, even though Penelope was an heiress and Mr. Smithfield’s family was not in a position to provide for an allowance for the couple.

“Do not fret about the Malverns. Lady Malvern sulked until Lord Malvern pointed out that their daughter did quite well for herself. Rosedown has a new master and mistress, Mr. and Mrs. Smithfield. Last I heard, they were well received in Hertfordshire society, and the stallions from their stables were in high demand at Tattersall’s.”

Ana was happy for Penelope and Timothy. They would never have to worry about finances, and they had each other. Penelope had invited her and Oliver to visit Rosedown as often as they wished. Penelope also assured her the roses in the conservatory would always thrive under her care.

As for Adam, Oliver had already decided to gift the young man sufficient money to purchase his own estate. The earldom was rich, and Oliver was generous. Adam had inherited a barony and would now have his own manor and lands.

They were close to the large, gilded doors now, and she could hear the sounds of conversation, laughter, and the tinkling of glasses. Ana’s nerves tensed. Facing the announcement from the majordomo was akin to facing a firing squad. She could imagine the whispers behind fluttering fans, the judgment in the men’s eyes. It wasn’t just her pride that she worried about, but any damage to Oliver’s good name. What would society say?

Adam grinned. “Don’t be nervous. I’m not.”

Ana elbowed him discreetly. “That’s because you have no reason to be.”

The dowager chuckled. “Nevertheless, he’s right. Chin up, Ana. You will be by our side. And my grandson’s. Most will accept you as the earl’s betrothed. And we need not care about those who choose not to.”

Oliver. Yes, she needed to see Oliver before she became frozen with panic. He was arriving in a separate carriage, and she hoped he’d come before they entered the glittering ballroom.

As if he’d heard her silent plea, booted footsteps sounded from down the hall and Oliver came into view. Ana’s relief was overwhelming. He looked as dashing as ever in black evening attire, but it was the pride and love in his dark eyes as he gazed upon her that eased the tight knot in her stomach.