Page 98 of How to Start a Scandal

In the entirety of his acquaintance with Rawley, Seth had never known the man to have more than one glass of any libation.

‘I would like permission to...’ The Viscount drew in a deep breath and drank a gulp of brandy. ‘To write to Lady Caroline over the Parliamentary recess.’

‘To write to her?’ Seth tried to hide his disappointment. He’d been hoping for more. Far more.

Rawley swallowed. ‘Yes. Please.’

Well, it was a start. ‘You have my permission. You also may visit us at any time if you should desire to do so.’

Rawley smoothed a hand down his hair. ‘That is kind of you. I confess, I have rather a full schedule at my own estate.’

‘Of course.’ Seth patted his friend’s shoulder in an attempt to put him at ease. ‘The offer stands regardless. Caroline will be most pleased to hear from you.’

Rawley ducked his head and grinned to himself. ‘Thank you.’

‘Lady Caroline is here, if you’d like to join us for tea,’ Seth ventured.

A sudden panic seemed to seize Rawley and Seth feared for a moment he would say no. Then an expression of determination set on his face. ‘Yes. I should love to. Thank you.’

Seth rang for tea before the Viscount could change his mind. It had been years since Seth had been at Dalton Manor, but even with a lifetime of visits, he suspected this might be the happiest yet.

His mother’s jewellery had been restored, Caroline would have the suitor of her choice to exchange letters with and Seth would have Violet at his side. He and Rawley made their way to the drawing room and met three happy faces: Caroline, the Dowager and Violet.

Seth sat beside his wife, revelling in the wonderful scent of her and how she made every internal inch of his chest seem to glow. He had been reluctant to return home to the duties of the earldom. Giving up his life as a soldier had felt as though he’d lost a piece of himself. Now, he realised it was not an amputation, but the end of a chapter. And while he didn’t know where life would take him in the future, he knew those around him would make for a happy tale indeed.

Epilogue

September 1815—Dalton Manor

It had been years since Violet had held a picnic outdoors. Far too long to be certain. The white blanket was spread out over sunlit emerald grass and a silk awning was the only break in the endless blue sky overhead. A gentle breeze caressed their cheeks, keeping them cool in the shade despite the summer’s heat.

The afternoon could not have been more perfect.

Felicity had joined them at Dalton Manor for the summer and now ran about with a large red ball with Hedgehog, wearing a straw bonnet, chasing after her. She was now a well-behaved child who always did her lessons without complaint—well, almost always—and relished the freedom to run about on the large estate.

‘I ate outdoors often in my time in the military, but never was it a picnic.’ Seth took a reverent breath and slowly exhaled, his mouth lifting into a smile. ‘This is far more pleasant than my previous experiences.’

He had been relaxed since their arrival at the estate. Nightmares still plagued him from time to time, but they were fewer as the weeks passed. When they did come back to haunt him, he reached for Violet in the night and she held him until the worst of it had passed. While her chest ached to see him suffer from his memories, it soothed that hurt to know he found comfort with her.

The Dowager set a cup of lemonade on a small table beside her chair. ‘I’m glad you’re done with the business of war. I like you being home.’ She glanced away, as she often did when emotion got the better of her. ‘I like knowing you’re safe.’

Caroline cast a glance towards the manor once more. ‘Do you think Harold will be back soon?’

‘Waiting on another letter?’ Seth teased.

She squared her shoulders, but the flush to her cheeks answered well enough for her. The correspondence between Caroline and Lord Rawley had been consistent throughout the summer.

Violet grinned at Seth, who winked in return. After all, they had a wager about when Rawley might actually ask permission to wed Caroline. Seth optimistically suggested it might be towards the beginning of the Season, while Violet presumed midway through.

‘There’s a carriage in the distance,’ Felicity called out, abandoning her ball to instead race towards the manor.

Caroline got to her feet and made a show of dusting invisible bits of grass from her skirt. ‘Well, I shouldn’t let the child go alone.’

‘Indeed,’ the Dowager said with a secretive smirk as she got to her feet to join her daughter.

‘We shall all go.’ Seth rose and offered his hand to Violet, who accepted it and let him help her to her feet.

As soon as she was upright, however, the world spun about and nearly knocked her off balance. Seth’s strong arms caught her. ‘I’d tease you for having too much wine, but you haven’t had a drop of it.’