Page 90 of To Hunt the Hunter

“He does,” Matilda replied, deciding she had every right to feel smug in the circumstances. “Prue!” she exclaimed, seeing her friend draw closer.

“Congratulations,” Prue said, beaming.

“You knew,” Matilda accused her.

Prue looked just a little sheepish and extremely pleased with herself as she nodded.

“I did, but only since yesterday afternoon, and I was sworn to secrecy. I wanted to give you a hint before he arrived, but this sweet darling was causing me some difficulty,” she said, smoothing a loving hand over her belly. “And so we were late leaving.”

“But how?” Matilda demanded, perplexed.

Prue drew her to one side, lowering her voice. “Montagu came to see me with an idea of how your story, his story, could be told as it ought to be. So that people would fall in love with you as he did—his words.”

“You’re going to write it,” Matilda said, breathing the words in wonder.

Prue nodded. “Only with your blessing, Matilda, and you shall both read every word before it is printed. Of course, I shall change all the names and it won’t be published as your story, but everyone will know, all the same.”

Matilda stared at Prue. “He really wants that?”

“He wants people to know how you suffered, how badly misjudged you were, and how brave and strong you have been. It’s rather clever, actually. I think if I do it right—which I will, naturally—it will not only repair your reputation, I think you will be the most beloved figure of the ton. I am a marvellous writer, after all,” she added gravely, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Matilda laughed, delighted by her, by the idea, and by Lucian for having thought of it.

“Yes, you are,” she said, embracing Prue as best she could around her bump. “But won’t you be a bit too busy for such things soon?”

Prue shrugged.

“Honestly, I’m too fat to do anything else at the moment, and I’ve been bored to tears. Your story has everything: triumph over evil, star-crossed lovers. Oh, and that scene this evening.” Prue gave a contented sigh. “If I had a pen to hand I would begin at once.”

Matilda laughed, well aware she was quite serious. “Well, whatever makes you happy, love. I can’t wait to read it.”

She looked up as Lucian approached again, his eyes alight with pleasure.

“If I could steal you away for a moment, Miss Hunt,” he said, reaching for her hand. “I believe there is someone who is dying to speak to you.”

“Of course,” she said at once.

He made their apologies and guided her out of the ballroom and through to an elegant blue salon. The moment the door opened, there was a shriek of delight and Phoebe ran towards them.

“She said yes!” she shouted, launching herself at Lucian who swept her up and spun her around, laughing with such unabashed joy that Matilda was in danger of sobbing again.

“She did, Bee, with a little help from you.”

“I was going to say yes anyway,” Matilda protested, wondering if her heart could stand any more; it was already bubbling over with happiness. “I was just a little stunned.”

“Well, whatever the cause, you nearly gave me heart failure,” Lucian admitted, kissing Phoebe’s cheek. “I was dying there, Bee.”

“I know, I could tell,” Phoebe said gravely, hugging his neck. “That’s why I gave her a hint.”

“Congratulations, my lord.”

Lucian looked around to see Pippin, who had been hanging back, giving them their time together. He set Phoebe down, and she ran at once to hug Matilda, while Lucian moved towards Pippin. Matilda watched, holding Phoebe to her and feeling her throat grow tight as Lucian drew the woman into a hug.

“I have never said so in as many words, Pippin, but I don’t think I would be here at all, if not for you.” He looked down at her and leaned in, kissing her cheek. “Thank you. Thank you for always being there, for every little kindness, for all the hugs and the biscuits, and words of comfort. I shall never forget them, and there will always be a place for you at Dern, for the rest of your days, Pippin, for I could not be parted from you now.”

“Ah, Lucian,” Pippin said, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief as he released her. “It was my pleasure. I was proud to do it, and I’m proud to serve you, my lord.”

Lucian nodded and Matilda snatched at the handkerchief that Phoebe offered her with relief.