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EPILOGUE
Sitting at the head of the tea table out on the lawn, Edwina smiled around at the women. Mrs. Fenton, Miss Beasley, Polly, and Lady Pembroke had come to join her for tea as it was her turn to host at last. The servants had erected a tent on the lawn to protect them from the bright, late summer sun. Autumn would soon be upon them, and this could be the last chance for them to enjoy the warmth and the garden blooms.
“I am so happy that you all could join me today,” she started. “What a glorious day to be out of doors!”
“I was happy to receive the invite!” Mrs. Fenton said.
“Agreed!” Miss Beasley, soon to be Mrs. Blesdoe, chimed in.
“I have never been to Hillow House,” Polly added, taking a biscuit from a tray. “These gardens are magnificent; I have never seen any quite like it at a private home!”
“They are definitely quite diverting,” Edwina agreed, pouring herself some tea. Though now midafternoon, her stomach had still not quite settled. “I thought it would be nice to finally have some time with friends after everything that has happened lately.”
“Oh, that trial was terrible,” Lady Pembroke said with a shudder. “Who knew that Lord Somersby could be so violent? The testimonies provided…” She faked a swoon for dramatic effect.
“I had no idea how many women had been so…affected,” Polly breathed. “Dozens!”
“And to think that your Duke was nearly hung for the crime!” Miss Beasley breathed, looking to Edwina.
“We definitely had him mistaken; that is for sure,” Mrs. Fenton said. She looked up and smiled at Fergus, coming through the hedges. She waved at him, causing all the other ladies to look up.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” Fergus said, bowing as he stopped in front of their tent. He wore a crisp, light blue mask to match his tan riding clothes. “I do not mean to interrupt you for long, I just meant to stop by before heading out.”
“Going for a ride?” Edwina asked him, shielding her eyes from the sun as she looked up at him.
He lifted his gun, saying, “Perhaps a little shooting as well. I should be back before nightfall.”
“Be safe!” she told him.
“Of course,” he smiled, winking at her rakishly. He bowed to the other ladies. “I hope you all enjoy your afternoon.” They waved goodbye to him as he turned away to head to the stables.
“You know, he really is quite dashing,” Polly said to Edwina. “The mask makes him look so mysterious.”
“Mysterious, no more,” Mrs. Fenton interjected. “I heard that you plan to host a ball soon, Lady Hillow.”
“That is true,” she said, laying a hand on her stomach. “Before too long, that is.”
“When are you due?” Mrs. Fenton asked, nodding down to Edwina’s stomach.
“Late winter,” she said, blushing happily.
“I am sure the Duke is beyond happy to welcome an heir,” Mrs. Fenton continued.
“Oh, indeed. But to your point about the ball, the hope is to host something before the baby comes, perhaps something over the holidays.”
No more than a month after Lord Somersby’s arrest, Edwina realized she had missed her courses and started losing her appetite at breakfast time. When her belly began to round, she knew for certain that she would soon give Fergus the child that he had hoped for. Time would only tell if the child would be the heir to the duchy, but they were pleased regardless.
“I remember attending parties here when I was a debutante,” Lady Pembroke mused, looking wistfully in the air as she held her teacup. “The late Duke was such a severe man, but I remember Lady Hillow being the best hostess. So kind and friendly to everyone. Much like you are now.”
“Why, thank you,” Edwina murmured.
“It is a shame what happened to Lady Somersby,” Mrs. Fenton said, shaking her head. “Did you believe her when she said she had no idea what her husband had been doing?”
Edwina shrugged, recalling the hateful conversation she had with Leticia when Fergus had been arrested. She wanted to believe that Leticia had just been selfish, not malicious. While she did not want to speak too badly about her, Edwina felt no love lost on the woman.
“I do not miss her, not one bit,” Polly said emphatically. She pursed her lips. “I thought I had to put up with her teasing and mockery. I have been much happier not having her as a friend.”
“I heard that she took a house in the country and had to sell off the rest of the estate and…” Miss Beasley said, gesturing toward her neck, hinting at the fate of Lord Somersby.
