Page 70 of The Rake’s Convenient Bride

Jasper had once wondered how far Bess might go to see him married. Apparently, she would drop everything in London and race to his side in less than a day to arrive in time for an impromptu wedding in the country. Ironically, at an estate presumably created for spinsters.

Not that the wedding was entirely impromptu.

A second carriage followed behind hers, one laden with tulips and pastry confections, and a gown befitting the grandmother of the groom.

Jasper had been in the library, finishing the second volume of Sense and Sensibility in the large chair opposite to Elizabeth’s before the fire, as she read the third volume.

“Forgive me, my lord,” the butler interrupted. “But it appears the dowager Lady Darington has arrived.”

A maid snuck a grin at the butler as he passed. The entire staff of Spinster’s Something-or-other knew about the tryst Jasper and Elizabeth had been enjoying.

Elizabeth closed her book as did Jasper. “I imagine my mother and sisters will be following soon.”

Jasper offered her his arm and together they hurried to the front door to greet Bess. “Shall we put a wager on who will arrive first—your mother and sisters, or your friends?”

Elizabeth laughed, an open, carefree sound he looked forward to hearing for the rest of his life. “I imagine they will be arriving close to one another.”

Together, they pushed through the door just as Bess’s carriage came to a stop, as did the one behind her.

The door to the coach flew open, knocking the footman back several steps as Bess erupted from it as though she’d never needed a walking stick in her life. She all but ran to Jasper, arms outstretched.

“My boy is getting married.” Her eyes were bright, sparkling with unmitigated joy. “To a woman he loves.” She pulled Elizabeth into an embrace. “It will be such a joy to have you in the family, my darling Elizabeth. Thank you for taking care of Jasper when he⁠—”

Bess’s mouth formed an ‘o’ and she wheeled around to Jasper once more. “Your head. Are you fully recovered?”

Jasper chuckled at her excitement and nodded. “I’ve had an attentive nurse.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks flamed red as she no doubt recalled precisely how she had nursed him back to fair health. Again and again and again.

“I’m so glad.” Bess squeezed Elizabeth’s arm. “Thank you for caring for him. I hope he wasn’t too surly a patient.”

Elizabeth tempered a grin, her face straining to remain sober as she spoke. “Not at all.”

“Oh, and Jasper, I had the flowers we had ordered swapped out for tulips.” Bess beamed at Elizabeth. “He told me those are your favorite.”

“I heard you’ve had quite the hand to play in all the flowers I’ve received,” Elizabeth said with a genial smile.

Bess blinked. “Me? Oh, no, dear. Jasper went to the florist every morning before breakfast to hand-select each bouquet for you.”

Jasper looked away, feigning innocence.

Elizabeth put her hands on her hips, playful in her chastisement. “You told me Bess had ordered all the flowers.”

Bess gave a cackle. “This boy has been mooning over you since the moment I saw the two of you together. I’m just glad the two of you have finally realized how right you are for one another.”

The rattle of a carriage pulled their attention to the gate once more as not one, but four carriages rolled up.

If Jasper and Elizabeth had indeed wagered on Elizabeth’s friends or family arriving first, they would both have won as all those who loved Elizabeth poured from the open carriages, including Lord and Lady Brightstone, the latter holding her large stomach.

Jasper didn’t bother to ask if travel was good for a woman so far along that she ought to be in confinement. He knew well enough she would absolutely not miss Elizabeth’s wedding.

Both Jasper and Elizabeth were swallowed up by the delighted squeals of her family and friends. But before Jasper was pulled away, Bess reached out and clasped his shoulder. “I’m proud of you, my boy.”

Then, without bothering to ask if he wanted it or not, she drew him into a hearty embrace and his heart swelled in his chest. His grandmother had always been his staunchest supporter and only true family. It gave him pleasure to know her joy at his impending marriage to a woman he loved.

And truly he did love Elizabeth, a woman who accepted him exactly as he was, who had convinced him to lower the barrier around his heart, to make himself vulnerable.

Beyond his reputation, beyond his past, beyond those who made him feel unworthy of love, unwanted. He knew now that none of it was true.