Page 83 of The Gentleman's Confession
Gasps followed by cheers filled the room. Mr. Bentley pulled Lisette to her feet and kissed her soundly on the mouth.
“I think I am going to cry,” Jemma whispered to Miles. “I’m so happy.”
Miles reached over and caught her hand, just as she’d hoped he would, and gave it a tender squeeze.
Everyone was talking at once, demanding to know when it had happened and how. Mr. Manning got everyone’s attention again. “We have all evening to discuss the news, but there is one other announcement. As proud as I am to have such an honorable man for a son-in-law, I am equally proud to marry my niece, Jemma, to Mr. Miles Jackson.”
The noise level grew, and everyone was on their feet, hugging and congratulating the couples. Lisette found Jemma and hugged her tightly.
“I wanted to tell you first, before the others,” Jemma said.
“I get to hug you first, does that not count for something?” Lisette pulled back, tears glistening in her eyes. “It was just as it was meant to be! The missing piece to my own happiness.”
“Two weddings! I am beside myself!” Mrs. Manning interrupted, embracing both Jemma and Lisette at the same time.
When Mrs. Manning pulled back, Mrs. Jackson took Jemma’s hands and squeezed them tight. “Welcome to the family! I could not be prouder of my son’s choice. You two are perfect for each other.” Then she pulled Miles into her arms too. “Oh, Miles, I thought you would never find the courage to marry her.”
“Courage?”
When Mrs. Jackson drew back, Miles looked with surprise at his mother and then at Jemma. “You knew how I felt about her?”
Lady Kellen stepped up beside them, and Mrs. Sheldon came up beside Mrs. Manning, all grinning from ear to ear.
“What kind of mother would I be if I did not know who would suit you best?” Mrs. Jackson winked at her son.
Jemma looked from one Matchmaking Mama to the next. “You should have told the other Matchmaking Mamas and saved us a lot of runaround. By the way, I must apologize, for I truly was grateful for all your assistance. We hope you will understand.”
“Understand? Why, we are exultant!” Lady Kellen put her arm around Mrs. Jackson. The two of them stood like proud peacocks.
Miles shuffled forward. “Pardon?”
Mrs. Sheldon nodded. “We were all worried you two would never come together.”
“I don’t believe what I am hearing.” Jemma squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. “You planned all of this?”
Lady Kellen nodded her regal head. “To the letter.”
Mrs. Jackson sighed. “It was exhausting to watch. I am going to need a whole year to recover from the stress. Why, I even had to fuel a rumor about my son kissing you. I find matchmaking far more exciting when it isn’t my child.”
“Mother!” Miles scolded. “That was you?”
“I overhead you confessing to your friends in the library.” She shrugged, clearly without bearing an ounce of guilt. “I triedto keep the story just between our families and a few trusted servants.”
Jemma laughed. “This is unbelievable.”
Miles set his hand on his forehead and pinched his temples. “No wonder the town was so forgiving at the auction.”
“Of course, we couldn’t say anything directly about our scheme,” Mrs. Manning said. “We believe the matches should occur as naturally as possible.”
“With encouragement,” Lady Kellen added. “Which came in the form of Mr. Bentley. He did a wonderful job, for not knowing a thing. In fact, he exceeded our expectations.”
“Indeed,” Mrs. Jackson said. “We got two matches in one this time. I cannot wait to see what we come up with next.”
“But you have yet to hear the best part,” Lady Felcroft said, coming up beside Jemma and joining their circle. “Lady Kellen, tell her about Mrs. Fielding’s contribution.”
Jemma gripped Miles’s arm. “Grandmother?”
Lady Kellen’s smile grew. “Thank you for reminding me. We would be remiss not to mention it, wouldn’t we? This whole arrangement started before Mrs. Fielding even passed.”
