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Epilogue
“I’m really glad you’re feeling better, Cook,” Isabel said as she got off her knees, dusting her skirts down. “It’s certainly preferable to you in a delirious state. You had all of us scared when that happened.”
“I think I scared myself as well.” Cook retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his sweaty forehead. “I don’t want to go through that again. I hate feeling helpless.”
“You’re not the only one. It was a frightening time for all.” Isabel looked up to see Clovewood through the trees, further down the hill. “I hear Lady Dunley returned home with her baby boy not too long ago.”
“Yes. The viscount is fully recovered now, so she feels brave enough to return.”
A part of Isabel was glad about that. A fever shouldn’t force a family apart. But she still held a little bit of resentment towards her cousin for leaving her and her mother out in the cold. It was not something she wanted to do again.
Not that it would happen again anytime soon. While Richard wasn’t wealthy, and Isabel was fully aware of it, his father’s business did well, and his allowance was fair enough for the two of them. It wouldn’t get them onto the expedition to Africa, which still needed extra funds, but it would be enough for them to live on comfortably.
Isabel didn’t mind that. She was just happy that she and Richard were husband and wife. Falling into that role was far easier than trying to become a refined lady. There was nobody looking down their noses at her if she got something wrong or someone to scold her if she picked up the wrong fork at dinner.
Things were far more relaxed. Richard’s father and brother certainly didn’t mind when Richard and Isabel avidly talked about the flora and fauna they had uncovered on their honeymoon.
Not exactly how any newlyweds spent the weeks after their marriage, but Isabel was certainly not sharing what they did for the majority of the time.
It did feel good to come back to Devon. They would spend a week with Richard’s family before going to London so Richard could take up his position again with Professor Ainsley. How he still had a position after what Galliston threatened, neither of them had any idea, but they weren’t going to waste it.
And the professor was very eager for Richard to get stuck into work as soon as he could. They still had a lot to do to raise funds for the expedition, with only half raised. It was going to take something short of a miracle to get more at this rate.
Isabel did feel bad for Richard that he couldn’t get his dream to go to Africa, but she was also relieved that he hadn’t lost his job. That would have crushed him.
“Miss Moore?”
“Hmm?”
Cook was looking at her with an amused expression.
“You were starting to daydream again.”
“Oh, was I?”
“You were picking apart the mushrooms. I like to do that before I put them in the pot, but not this early.”
Isabel looked down and saw that she had been picking at the mushroom like it was a dandelion clock. Sighing, she tossed it into the basket at her feet.
“I was just thinking about my husband and how we’re going to get the money for the expedition. They’re very determined to go.”
“Can’t you ask favours of some friends?”
“Even combined, they wouldn’t be able to cover it all.” Isabel shook her head. “If the Duke of Galliston had actually given us some funds, then we wouldn’t need to worry about it.”
“So, he really did it?”
“Apparently so.”
Even though Galliston might not have got Richard fired, he had made sure he didn’t put any money into the expedition. And he had been the frontrunner to help. Professor Ainsley had been very sure about it. Now they were floundering, and it looked like the expedition was not going to take place.
Isabel really hoped it would. They just needed to work harder, and this time, she was going to help out. Maybe they could get somewhere with her helping them. Richard said he would certainly appreciate it.
Then again, considering he had to wake up next to her every day, he would say that.
“Come on, Miss.” Cook picked up his basket, tossing his knife in among the mushrooms. “Let’s get these back to the house. I’ve got a dinner to make, and you know what the viscount is like with meals being on time.”
“I’m sure a few minutes won’t go amiss.” Isabel followed the man down the slope. “It’s several hours before dinner.”
