Page 95 of The Duke of Kisses
Epilogue
The day of Fanny and David’s wedding was marked with brilliant blue sky and bright, beautiful sunlight. The procession from the church in Clare to Stour’s Edge had been intermittently lined with townspeople and tenants from the estate.
David had assured Fanny that their greeting at Huntwell the next day would be equally joyous. They had quite a celebration planned for their new countess.
But today, they would share their happiness with their close friends and family. That included Fanny’s parents and John and his new wife, as well as Patience and her husband and daughter. Jacob was there, of course, and quite thrilled to be working at Huntwell.
They’d just finished the elaborate breakfast Ivy had overseen, which was an impressive feat for someone due to deliver a child within the next month or so. They now crowded the large drawing room, and it seemed the men had gathered at one side while the women were on the other.
Ivy held court on a settee with her dear friends Emmaline, Lucy, and Aquilla around her. Lavinia approached Fanny with a smile. “I’m just so happy for you!” Her gaze drifted toward her husband, Beck, and then she frowned. “But I wish Sarah was here.”
“I know, I miss her too,” Fanny said. “I can’t imagine how she must be feeling. Is she still not seeing anyone?”
“No. Nor is Anthony. They’re closeted in their parents’ town house.” Lavinia’s face creased with sorrow. “I’m worried about them, but I know it will just take time. Felix is there keeping an eye on them.”
“I’ll come to London the moment she asks,” Fanny said, her heart hurting for her friend in her time of tragedy. “I feel terrible I haven’t gone to see her.”
Lavinia’s eyes narrowed briefly. “Goodness, Fanny, you’ve been rather busy, what with getting married and nearly getting killed. How is your shoulder today?”
“A bit sore.” She rotated it a couple of times, which seemed to help it from becoming too stiff. The doctor had taken the stitches out last week, which had greatly improved matters. However, David had decided they should refrain from any bedroom activities until after they were wed. She’d wanted to kick him. In fact, she actually had.
“You should take it easy,” Lavinia said with great concern.
“Did David tell you to say that?”
“He might have, but I would have done so anyway.” She flashed a smile.
Fanny looked toward her husband just as he happened to be looking at her in return. Her lips curved into a smile, and his did the same.
“Go,” Lavinia whispered.
“What?” Fanny glanced at her.
“To your husband.” Lavinia laughed softly.
Sending her friend a grateful smile, Fanny crossed the room toward David. Only she didn’t have to go the whole way because he met her in the middle.
He offered her his arm. “May I escort you for a brief walk on the terrace, wife?”
“Yes, please, husband.” She curled her hand over his sleeve, and he led her through the open door. “When will you start your book? You said you would after we were wed.”
“I actually started it last night. I couldn’t sleep.” He sent her a sheepish grin.
“Me neither. I wrote up a list of tasks for the workhouse, starting with hiring an agent to find a suitable property.”
“An excellent idea. I’ll have Graham arrange it. He’s eager to be of use since he was absent…before.”
David clearly didn’t want to discuss the horrid event with his uncle, and she was grateful to him for it. Graham had been in London tending to business for David and had been horrified by what had transpired. He’d been delighted to be here for their wedding, however. “I quite like him,” Fanny said.
“Good, he likes you too. He’s glad I didn’t…follow my father’s wishes.”
He was referring to marrying Miss Stoke, of course. Fanny felt bad for her. She’d seemed to genuinely think David would marry her and had to have been disappointed when he’d said he wouldn’t.
Honestly, it seemed a miracle that she and David had found their way to each other at all.
Fanny gestured toward a tree near the terrace. “Oh, look, a pair of doves.”
He pulled her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her. “That must be a sign of good fortune.”
